About the university
Dawson College is a public CEGEP in Montreal, founded in 1969. It teaches two-year pre-university DEC programmes (such as Science and Commerce), which lead on to Quebec universities, and three-year career DEC programmes (such as Computer Science Technology, Nursing and Civil Engineering Technology), which lead to work. It awards diplomas, not degrees.
International students pay a fee per semester set by Quebec's education ministry, from CAD 7,575 (pre-university, social and administration programmes) to CAD 11,740 (medical programmes). Applicants whose high school was outside Quebec must show French at B2 level as well as English, and Dawson has no residence. Indian students should check both points before applying.
- Founded
- 1969
- Type
- Public English-language CEGEP (general and vocational college) in Quebec; awards the DEC college diploma, not degrees
- Students
- About 8,000 day students and 1,870 Continuing Education students
- Programmes
- 22 career (technical) programmes and 6 pre-university programmes
- Campus
- One campus at 3040 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal
- Intakes
- Fall (apply by 1 March); Winter (apply by 1 November) only for international students who already hold a CAQ and study permit naming Dawson
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Computer Science Technology (420.B0)
- Fee / year
- C$15,150
- Duration
- 3 years (DEC), ending with an internship
- Intakes
- Fall (apply by 1 March)
- English
- IELTS 6.0; PTE 50; Duolingo 95–100; French B2 also required for applicants schooled outside Quebec
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$23,480
- Duration
- 3 years (DEC)
- Intakes
- Fall (apply by 1 March)
- English
- IELTS 6.0; PTE 50; Duolingo 95–100; French B2 also required for applicants schooled outside Quebec
- Undergraduate
Civil Engineering Technology (221.B0)
- Fee / year
- C$19,610
- Duration
- 3 years (DEC)
- Intakes
- Fall (apply by 1 March)
- English
- IELTS 6.0; PTE 50; Duolingo 95–100; French B2 also required for applicants schooled outside Quebec
- Undergraduate
Administration and Management Technology: Accounting and Financial Management (410.GA)
- Fee / year
- C$15,150
- Duration
- 3 years (DEC), with a 240-hour internship in the final year
- Intakes
- Fall (apply by 1 March)
- English
- IELTS 6.0; PTE 50; Duolingo 95–100; French B2 also required for applicants schooled outside Quebec
- Undergraduate
Science: Pure and Applied Science (200.PR)
- Fee / year
- C$15,150
- Duration
- 2 years (pre-university DEC)
- Intakes
- Fall (apply by 1 March); Winter (apply by 1 November) only with a CAQ and study permit already in hand
- English
- IELTS 6.0; PTE 50; Duolingo 95–100; French B2 also required for applicants schooled outside Quebec
- Undergraduate
Social Science: Commerce (300.GB)
- Fee / year
- C$15,150
- Duration
- 2 years (pre-university DEC)
- Intakes
- Fall (apply by 1 March); Winter (apply by 1 November) only with a CAQ and study permit already in hand
- English
- IELTS 6.0; PTE 50; Duolingo 95–100; French B2 also required for applicants schooled outside Quebec
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$19,610
- Duration
- 3 years (DEC); portfolio required
- Intakes
- Fall (apply by 1 March)
- English
- IELTS 6.0; PTE 50; Duolingo 95–100; French B2 also required for applicants schooled outside Quebec
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Technology (420.B0) | 3 years (DEC), ending with an internship | C$15,150 | ≈ ₹10.2 lakh |
| Nursing (180.A0) | 3 years (DEC) | C$23,480 | ≈ ₹15.7 lakh |
| Civil Engineering Technology (221.B0) | 3 years (DEC) | C$19,610 | ≈ ₹13.1 lakh |
| Administration and Management Technology: Accounting and Financial Management (410.GA) | 3 years (DEC), with a 240-hour internship in the final year | C$15,150 | ≈ ₹10.2 lakh |
| Science: Pure and Applied Science (200.PR) | 2 years (pre-university DEC) | C$15,150 | ≈ ₹10.2 lakh |
| Social Science: Commerce (300.GB) | 2 years (pre-university DEC) | C$15,150 | ≈ ₹10.2 lakh |
| Graphic Design (570.G0) | 3 years (DEC); portfolio required | C$19,610 | ≈ ₹13.1 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Dawson College with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- International secondary results are assessed by Dawson (CAD 50 non-refundable evaluation fee) or through an equivalence attestation from Quebec's immigration ministry (MIFI), which Dawson recommends.
- Each programme lists Quebec subject prerequisites (for example Secondary V Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics); some need a portfolio, audition or interview.
- Applicants schooled outside Quebec may be called to admission pretests in Montreal; attendance is mandatory.
- After acceptance you need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), then a Canadian study permit; programmes with an internship (stage) also need a work permit.
Postgraduate
- Dawson is a CEGEP and offers no postgraduate degrees or graduate certificates for international students.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (with certified English or French translation if needed)
- English test result (if your schooling was not in English)
- French test result at B2 level (DELF B2, TEF/TEFAQ level 7, TCF Tout Public B2 or Bright Five Star)
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and study permit
- Proof of medical and hospital insurance for the full academic year
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 50 |
| Duolingo English Test | 95–100 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | Accepted; Dawson lists a minimum of 4, which appears to be on the new 1–6 scale |
| French (all applicants schooled outside Quebec) | B2 level: DELF B2, TEF/TEFAQ level 7, TCF Tout Public B2 (not TCF Québec or Canada) or Bright Language 3.5–4. Scores valid two years |
Accommodation and living costs
Dawson has no student residence. International students arrange their own housing in Montreal, with limited help from the college. No housing costs are published on the pages we checked.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|
Campus and location
Dawson has a single campus at 3040 Sherbrooke Street West, in central Montreal.
- Pre-university programmes take two years and prepare students for Quebec universities.
- Career programmes take three years; several include internships or paid summer work-study terms.
- Some programmes need a portfolio, audition or interview as part of the application.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Career DECs such as Computer Science Technology and Nursing aim at direct entry to work, and graduates can also move on to university. Quebec licensing for nurses may require a French test. For work rights during and after study, see our Canada country guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Canada
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
What are Dawson's fees for international students?
Per semester from Summer 2026: CAD 7,575 for pre-university, social and administration programmes, CAD 9,805 for engineering and artistic programmes and CAD 11,740 for medical programmes. Other college fees and insurance are extra.
Do I need French to study at Dawson?
Yes. Teaching is in English, but applicants who did not finish high school or CEGEP in Quebec must show French at B2 level, for example DELF B2 or TEF level 7.
Is Dawson a university?
No. Dawson is a CEGEP that awards the Quebec DEC diploma. Pre-university DECs lead to Quebec universities; career DECs lead to jobs.
Sources
- Dawson: international student fees (opens in a new tab)
- Dawson: admission requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Dawson: how to apply (opens in a new tab)
- Dawson: about Dawson (opens in a new tab)
- Dawson: programmes (opens in a new tab)
- Dawson: Computer Science Technology (opens in a new tab)
- Dawson: Nursing (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca (opens in a new tab)
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