Did you know that there are French language requirements to receive a CEGEP diploma? These requirements are set out in the Charter of the French Language, which was recently modified by Bill 96. Whether you attend an English-language or French-language CEGEP, new requirements are now in place. Do you know them?
Additional requirements for the 2024–2025 school year
As of this school year, English-language CEGEPs must ensure that students successfully complete at least three courses taught in French before graduation. These can be concentration courses, humanities courses or complementary courses.
For students who were previously declared eligible to attend English school, it is possible to fulfil this graduation requirement by taking three additional French language courses instead of French-taught courses.
These three courses must include a minimum of 45 hours of learning activities, such as lectures, lab work and assignments.
In addition to these three courses, students must complete the two mandatory French language courses that are part of all CEGEP programs.
A reminder of the requirements already in place
Students who began their programs in the fall semester of last year, as well as all future students, are required to pass a French language exit exam before graduating. This requirement applies whether the students attend an English-language CEGEP or a French-language CEGEP as it is an integral part of the new curricula set by the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.
One exception: those who were declared eligible to attend English school in elementary or high school through the issuance of a certificate of eligibility or a special authorization to receive instruction in English do not have to write the test to graduate.
Throughout their program and their French language courses and exams, these students must also show that they have “sufficient knowledge of French to be able to interact, thrive within Québec society and participate in its development.”
For most students who have previously done at least three years of high school or higher education in French or who have passed their French, second language course in secondary 5, simply providing a copy of their certificate or diploma is enough to fulfil this requirement.
For other students, results of a French exam must be provided, showing that the student can
- communicate unaided in everyday conversations in predictable or partially predictable situations,
- write and understand simple, complete, connected sentences related to personal or everyday events and experiences.
These abilities correspond to a level 7 (intermediate) in oral communication and a level 4 (beginner) in written communication on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (French only).
How about students who had already started their programs when the requirements were introduced?
The new requirements don’t apply to all CEGEP students. Bill 96’s transitional provisions state that students who were enrolled in their CEGEP study program and already receiving classes in English under that program before the 2023–2024 school year can graduate even if they do not pass the French exit exam or provide the results of a French test demonstrating the required French proficiency levels on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français.
For students who started their programs during the last school year, passing the French exit exam and demonstrating sufficient French proficiency are required for graduation. However, they can still graduate even if they do not complete the three courses in French, as long as they complete their two mandatory French language courses.