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Campus of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
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Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Saguenay, Canada · Public · Est. 1969

Updated 28 Oct 2026

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Established

1969

Type

Public

Location

Saguenay, Canada

Ranking

Not ranked

Photo: service des communications de l'UQAC, CC BY-SA 3.0

About the university

The Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) was founded in 1969 and belongs to the Université du Québec network. It has about 6,500 students, more than 2,000 of them international, and over 200 programmes. The main campus is in downtown Saguenay, in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. UQAC also runs the École des arts numériques, de l'animation et du design (NAD) in Montreal, which trains 3D animators and visual effects artists.

Teaching is in French. Indian students who already have good French, or who are willing to reach a strong level, look at UQAC for computer science, software engineering, data science, engineering and project management. International students on regular programmes are automatically enrolled in a French course in their first term and must pass it.

UQAC publishes yearly tuition for international students by study cycle, not by programme: about CAD 25,000 for a bachelor's, CAD 27,000 for a professional master's and CAD 18,000 for a research master's (autumn 2025 rates). UQAC's budget for Saguenay includes winter clothing, and it notes that living costs are higher at its Montreal school.

Founded
1969, as part of the Université du Québec network
Type
Public, French-language university in Quebec
Total students
About 6,500 a year
International students
More than 2,000, from about 50 countries
Campuses
Main campus in Chicoutimi (Saguenay); study centres in Sept-Îles, Alma and Saint-Félicien; the NAD school of digital arts in Montreal
Intakes
Autumn (September) and winter (January) for most programmes open to international students
Programmes
More than 200

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 8 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (CAD)Approx. in rupees
    Baccalauréat en informatique (Bachelor's in Computer Science)90 credits, full time; includes required project internships (Stage-projet I and II)C$25,000≈ ₹16.8 lakh
    Baccalauréat en génie logiciel (Bachelor's in Software Engineering)120 credits over eight terms; optional paid internship microprogrammesC$25,000≈ ₹16.8 lakh
    Baccalauréat en informatique de la science des données et de l'intelligence d'affaires (Bachelor's in Data Science and Business Intelligence)90 credits, full timeC$25,000≈ ₹16.8 lakh
    Baccalauréat en administration (Bachelor's in Business Administration)90 credits; concentrations in finance, HR management, international management and trade, and marketingC$25,000≈ ₹16.8 lakh
    Maîtrise en informatique, profil professionnel (Professional Master's in Computer Science)45 credits, including a 15-credit internship, essay or project; concentrations in video game development, cybersecurity and AIC$27,000≈ ₹18.1 lakh
    Maîtrise en informatique – concentration intelligence artificielle (Master's in Computer Science, AI)45 credits (AI concentration of the professional master's in computer science)C$27,000≈ ₹18.1 lakh
    Maîtrise en ingénierie (Master's in Engineering)45 credits, normally six terms full time; concentrations in electrical and computer, mechanical, materials and metallurgical, and civil engineeringC$27,000≈ ₹18.1 lakh
    Maîtrise en gestion de projet (Master's in Project Management)45 credits, full time on the Saguenay campusC$27,000≈ ₹18.1 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 Université du Québec à Chicoutimi with similar universities in Canada.

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    Scholarships

    • International students (not on exchange)

      Bourse Coup de pouce pour ta scolarité

      Value: CAD 5,000 each; five awards

      Eligibility: International students admitted outside a partner exchange. UQAC notes that scholarships reduce tuition but never cover it fully, and none cover living costs.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • Doctorate

      Bourse d'exemption des frais de scolarité majorés (BEFM)

      Value: About CAD 21,000 a year off tuition, bringing doctoral tuition to about CAD 5,600

      Eligibility: Doctoral students, from the first term; renewable under conditions.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • Selected programmes

      Exemption from supplemental tuition by programme and region (Quebec government)

      Value: Exemption from the higher international tuition (amount not stated by UQAC)

      Eligibility: Some programmes in Quebec's regions qualify; see UQAC's page for the list and conditions.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)

    Admission requirements

    Undergraduate

    • Science and computing bachelor's: a qualification after at least 13 years of schooling with a science base and college-level calculus and linear algebra, and an average of at least 13/20 or equivalent (files between 11/20 and 13/20 may be reviewed).
    • Indian Class 12 is 12 years of schooling, so applicants from outside Quebec without enough years may be admitted on condition that they complete UQAC's preparatory year in mathematics and computing.
    • International applicants can only study full time; part-time study is not open to them.
    • Proof of French is required with the application if French is not your first language.

    Postgraduate

    • Computer science master's: a bachelor's in IT or science after at least 16 years of schooling, with an average of at least 13/20 or equivalent (12 to 13/20 may be reviewed).
    • Engineering master's: a relevant degree after at least 16 years of schooling with an average of at least 11/20; 10 to 11/20 may be admitted with bridging courses. A 15-year degree may need a bridging programme.
    • Project management master's: a relevant degree after 16 years of schooling and an average of at least 13/20; autumn entry only.
    • The executive MBA is part time and not open to international students.

    Documents

    • Valid passport
    • Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's applicants)
    • Degree transcripts and certificate (master's applicants)
    • French test result (TCF, DELF/DALF or another recognised test) taken within 24 months, unless exempt
    • Motivation letter in French (project management master's)
    • Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and study permit after admission

    Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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    English language requirements

    English requirements
    Test or routeTypical requirement
    Language of teachingFrench. UQAC's programme pages do not list any programme taught in English.
    French testRequired with the application if French is not your first language; recognised tests include TCF and DELF/DALF, taken within 24 months before the start term.
    First-term French courseInternational students on regular programmes are automatically enrolled in a UQAC French course in their first term and must pass it.
    English testsNot used for admission. Some master's pages recommend good reading English.

    Accommodation and living costs

    UQAC has four student residences on campus, run by the Université du Québec, and an off-campus housing list. Its international budget page gives these starting estimates for Saguenay; Montreal (NAD) costs more.

    Accommodation and living costs
    ItemIn CADApprox. in rupees
    Shared room, all inclusiveC$530per month≈ ₹35,510
    GroceriesC$450per month≈ ₹30,150
    Essential living costs (UQAC estimate)C$24,600per year≈ ₹16.5 lakh
    Health insurance for international studentsC$300per term≈ ₹20,100
    Winter clothing (boots and coat)C$500one-off≈ ₹33,500

    Campus and location

    The main campus is in downtown Saguenay, with linked buildings for sport, arts and research and four residences on site.

    • The National Research Council of Canada's Aluminium Technology Centre is on campus.
    • A 25 km² teaching and research forest about 20 minutes from campus.
    • Pavillon sportif sports centre and the Paul-Émile-Boulet library.
    • NAD school in Montreal for 3D animation, visual effects and digital design.

    Careers and graduate outcomes

    Several UQAC programmes include project internships or optional paid internship microprogrammes, and the business bachelor's offers an optional internship outside Quebec. See our Canada guide for work and post-study work rules.

    Graduate outcomes
    WhatFigureSource

    Studying in Canada

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    FAQs

    Is UQAC taught in English?

    No. Teaching is in French. You must send a French test result if French is not your first language, and you will take a French course in your first term.

    How much is tuition for international students?

    UQAC's budget page gives about CAD 25,000 a year for a bachelor's, CAD 27,000 for a professional master's and CAD 18,000 for a research master's (autumn 2025 rates, rounded). Use its cost calculator for an exact figure.

    Can I join a bachelor's straight after Class 12?

    UQAC asks for 13 years of schooling for its science and computing bachelor's degrees. Applicants with fewer years may be admitted on condition that they complete its preparatory year in mathematics and computing.

    Are there scholarships?

    Yes, but few. UQAC offers five Coup de pouce awards of CAD 5,000 for international students, and doctoral students get a tuition exemption of about CAD 21,000 a year.

    Sources

    1. UQAC: Budget for international students (opens in a new tab)
    2. UQAC: Tuition and other fees (opens in a new tab)
    3. UQAC: Studying at UQAC (international) (opens in a new tab)
    4. UQAC en bref (opens in a new tab)
    5. UQAC: Campus (opens in a new tab)
    6. UQAC: French tests for admission (opens in a new tab)
    7. UQAC: Baccalauréat en informatique (opens in a new tab)
    8. UQAC: Baccalauréat en génie logiciel (opens in a new tab)
    9. UQAC: Maîtrise en informatique (professional) (opens in a new tab)
    10. UQAC: Maîtrise en ingénierie (opens in a new tab)
    11. UQAC: Maîtrise en gestion de projet (opens in a new tab)
    12. UQAC: MBA for executives (not open to international students) (opens in a new tab)

    Official website: www.uqac.ca (opens in a new tab)

    Check the latest details

    We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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