About the university
ITAQ (Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec) is a public, French-language college-level institute that trains technologists for farming and food production. It was founded in 1962, has campuses in La Pocatière and Saint-Hyacinthe, and says it trains more than half of Quebec's agri-food technologists each year. It awards the DEC college diploma, not bachelor's degrees.
All teaching is in French, so ITAQ suits only Indian students who already study in French. Five technical DECs are open to international students: animal production, agro-environmental horticulture, food processing and quality, agromechanical engineering and landscape design. International tuition is CAD 11,740 per session for 2026-2027, and ITAQ offers some full and partial tuition exemptions.
- Founded
- 1962
- Type
- Public college-level institute for agri-food; awards the DEC (Diplôme d'études collégiales), not degrees
- Language of teaching
- French
- Students
- Nearly 1,000 DEC and AEC students a year, plus about 2,000 continuing-education participants
- Campuses
- Two: La Pocatière and Saint-Hyacinthe
- Intake for international students
- Autumn only; apply through SRACQ by 1 February
- Graduates in work
- Nearly 100% at the end of their studies (ITAQ figure)
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Technologie des procédés et de la qualité des aliments (DEC, 154.A0)
- Fee / year
- C$23,480
- Duration
- Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; work-study terms possible; international students study at Saint-Hyacinthe
- Intakes
- Autumn only (apply through SRACQ, 1 September to 1 February)
- English
- Taught in French; no English test applies. Proof of French (a recognised test with a minimum score) is required unless you studied in a French-language school
- Undergraduate
Technologie des productions animales (DEC, 153.A0)
- Fee / year
- C$23,480
- Duration
- Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; La Pocatière or Saint-Hyacinthe
- Intakes
- Autumn only (apply through SRACQ, 1 September to 1 February)
- English
- Taught in French; no English test applies. Proof of French (a recognised test with a minimum score) is required unless you studied in a French-language school
- Undergraduate
Technologie de la production horticole agroenvironnementale (DEC, 153.F0)
- Fee / year
- C$23,480
- Duration
- Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; La Pocatière or Saint-Hyacinthe
- Intakes
- Autumn only (apply through SRACQ, 1 September to 1 February)
- English
- Taught in French; no English test applies. Proof of French (a recognised test with a minimum score) is required unless you studied in a French-language school
- Undergraduate
Technologie du génie agromécanique (DEC, 153.D0)
- Fee / year
- C$23,480
- Duration
- Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; Saint-Hyacinthe
- Intakes
- Autumn only (apply through SRACQ, 1 September to 1 February)
- English
- Taught in French; no English test applies. Proof of French (a recognised test with a minimum score) is required unless you studied in a French-language school
- Undergraduate
Aménagement du paysage et des espaces verts (DEC, 153.C0)
- Fee / year
- C$23,480
- Duration
- Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; Saint-Hyacinthe
- Intakes
- Autumn only (apply through SRACQ, 1 September to 1 February)
- English
- Taught in French; no English test applies. Proof of French (a recognised test with a minimum score) is required unless you studied in a French-language school
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technologie des procédés et de la qualité des aliments (DEC, 154.A0) | Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; work-study terms possible; international students study at Saint-Hyacinthe | C$23,480 | ≈ ₹15.7 lakh |
| Technologie des productions animales (DEC, 153.A0) | Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; La Pocatière or Saint-Hyacinthe | C$23,480 | ≈ ₹15.7 lakh |
| Technologie de la production horticole agroenvironnementale (DEC, 153.F0) | Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; La Pocatière or Saint-Hyacinthe | C$23,480 | ≈ ₹15.7 lakh |
| Technologie du génie agromécanique (DEC, 153.D0) | Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; Saint-Hyacinthe | C$23,480 | ≈ ₹15.7 lakh |
| Aménagement du paysage et des espaces verts (DEC, 153.C0) | Technical DEC; ITAQ's tuition exemptions cover 3 years for a DEC; Saint-Hyacinthe | C$23,480 | ≈ ₹15.7 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 Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec (ITAQ) with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
- UG (DEC)
Full international tuition exemption
Value: Full international tuition for 3 years of a DEC; three per DEC programme per campus
Eligibility: Priority to applicants with CEFR C2 in a language, prior study in a related field or science, aged 18 to 35. Based on language results and academic record; all admission files are considered automatically
Official page (opens in a new tab) - UG (DEC or AEC)
Partial international tuition exemption
Value: 50% of international tuition; number of awards decided each March
Eligibility: International DEC or AEC applicants; no separate application
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- You need schooling equal to a Quebec secondary diploma (11 years of schooling); Indian Class 10 plus Class 12 covers this, but SRACQ assesses each file.
- Each DEC has its own prerequisites, such as Secondary 4 science for food processing and quality.
- Apply through SRACQ between 1 September and 1 February, choosing campus and programme. Incomplete files are rejected after 1 February, and ITAQ does not defer offers.
- After acceptance, send your CAQ approval letter by 15 May and your study permit introduction letter by 31 July, or your place is cancelled.
Postgraduate
- ITAQ does not offer postgraduate programmes. Some DECs have DEC-BAC bridges to Université Laval.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- French test result, submitted with the application
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and study permit
- Proof of funds (ITAQ estimates CAD 13,000 to 15,000 a year for living costs)
- A Windows laptop (required by ITAQ)
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 |
|---|---|
| Language of teaching | French. All programmes are taught in French |
| English tests | Not used for admission; IELTS, PTE and TOEFL do not replace French |
| French requirement | A recognised French test with a minimum score (see SRACQ), unless you studied at a French-language school in Quebec, Canada, France, Belgium, Monaco or a recognised French lycée abroad |
Accommodation and living costs
At La Pocatière, ITAQ students can apply to the Cégep de La Pocatière residences (Cégep students get priority; applications open 1 March to 30 April), with leases by year or by session. Rooms and flats near both campuses are listed on ITAQ's student portal. ITAQ does not publish residence prices; it estimates living costs at CAD 13,000 to 15,000 a year.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Living costs (housing, food, transport, leisure, clothing)ITAQ estimate | C$13,000–15,000per year | ≈ ₹8.7 lakh – ₹10.1 lakh |
| International student health insurance | C$816per year | ≈ ₹54,672 |
Campus and location
ITAQ has two campuses: La Pocatière, in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, and Saint-Hyacinthe, near Montreal. Classes are in person.
- The only French-language college-level institution in Quebec that specialises in agri-food.
- Work-study (alternance travail-études) terms in some programmes.
- DEC-BAC bridges with Université Laval for food science and agronomy routes.
- About 60% of students graduate within five years, which ITAQ says is above other Quebec institutions offering the same programmes.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Graduates work as technologists in farming, food manufacturing, quality control, horticulture and farm machinery. ITAQ reports strong demand for its graduates. For work rights during and after study, see our Canada guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Graduates in work at the end of their studies | Nearly 100% | ITAQ en chiffres |
| Job offers per graduate | More than 5 | ITAQ en chiffres |
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
Is ITAQ taught in English?
No. All programmes are in French, and you must prove your French when you apply. IELTS or PTE are not accepted instead.
How much are ITAQ's fees for international students?
CAD 11,740 per session for 2026-2027, so about CAD 23,480 a year, plus registration fees and CAD 816 a year of health insurance.
Does ITAQ offer scholarships?
Yes. It offers three full tuition exemptions per DEC programme per campus and some 50% exemptions. Every admission file is considered; no separate form is needed.
When can I start?
Only in autumn. Apply through SRACQ between 1 September and 1 February for the following autumn.
Sources
- ITAQ: Guide for international students (opens in a new tab)
- ITAQ: Programme directory (opens in a new tab)
- ITAQ: L'ITAQ en chiffres (opens in a new tab)
- ITAQ: Housing at La Pocatière (opens in a new tab)
- ITAQ: Food processing and quality technology (TPQA) (opens in a new tab)
- ITAQ: Home page (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.itaq.ca (opens in a new tab)
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