CÉGEP
From Freepedia
CÉGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel - College of General and Vocational Education, pronounced say-zhep [fr/en] or see-jip [en]) is a type of educational institution in Quebec at the post-secondary level.
Students in the university stream, finishing secondary school after Grade 11 (Secondary V, ages 16-17), attend CEGEP for two years; in consequence, Quebec universities offer bachelor's degree programs lasting three years instead of the usual four for students from outside Quebec. These students can choose from a variety of provincial government-established courses of study including both required courses and options.
Successful completion of a pre-university program at CEGEP results in the granting of a provincial government-issued diploma, the DEC (Diplôme d'études collégiales).
CEGEPs also offer vocational programs. Students not going to a university attend CEGEP for 3 years in one of the many technical degrees offered at that level.
CEGEPs themselves vary from large, publicly funded institutions serving thousands of students to small, expensive private ones. CEGEP often refers to the public version, while private institutions are simply called colleges.
Although a French language term, the CEGEP is also used by English-speaking Quebecers.
See also
- English-language CEGEPs
