Canada attracts many French baccalauréat holders, for a good reason: in Québec, a French student pays far less than an international student, thanks to an agreement between France and Québec. Universities there know the baccalauréat well, and admission is decided on school reports, not on a competitive exam. But "studying in Canada" covers very different situations depending on the province and university, and an application that works in Montréal will not necessarily work in Toronto.
Québec: the preferential rate for French students
The Québec government states it: a French student enrolled full-time in a first-cycle (undergraduate) programme can obtain the rate applicable to Canadians who are not Québec residents, without the additional increase. This requires a valid French passport, a study permit and a Québec Acceptance Certificate. Dual French-Canadian citizens are not eligible.
The difference is considerable. At the Université de Montréal, for 30 credits in 2026-2027, the rate for Canadians not resident in Québec is about 9,730 Canadian dollars in a French-language programme, against about 30,770 for an international student. The university sums up the advantage in its own way: fees two to three times lower than those of other international students. These amounts exclude additional fees. Outside Québec, the agreement does not apply: a French student pays international fees.
McGill with the French baccalaureate
McGill, Montréal's English-language university, assesses French applicants on their school reports from the last two years of lycée (première and terminale), with marks out of 20 and the class average, or on baccalauréat results if already obtained. For competitive programmes, results should be above the class average. Once admitted, the student must pass the baccalauréat at the first sitting (premier groupe) and keep the same level until the end. The vocational and technological baccalauréats are not accepted.
Prerequisites depend on the programme: the maths specialism in première and terminale for science and engineering, no required subjects for arts. McGill may also ask for proof of English at any time, whatever the applicant's background. Depending on the programme, the baccalauréat may earn advanced standing credits.
The Université de Montréal and French-language universities
At the Université de Montréal, the baccalauréat général or technologique gives access to the first cycle, three years as in France. The university states that additional requirements may apply depending on the programme, regarding academic level and specialisms taken. The general deadline for autumn entry is 1 February, with specific dates for some programmes.
For a student who wants to study abroad in French, without a break in language or method, it is one of the simplest options. For a student who wants English-language immersion, McGill or a university in another province is a better fit, at a higher cost outside Québec.
Example: entry in autumn 2027. Applications to the Université de Montréal until 1 February 2027 for most programmes. 2026-2027 tuition of about 9,730 Canadian dollars for 30 credits at the preferential rate, excluding additional fees. Amounts are revised every year by Québec and by universities.
Building a Canadian application
Because admission is decided on school reports, a Canadian application is prepared in the penultimate year: grades above the class average in key subjects, specialisms suited to the programme, and for McGill a demonstrable level of English. It runs in parallel with Parcoursup, France's national higher-education platform, with a calendar specific to each university.
It is often an excellent complementary option in a strategy that also targets the United States or the United Kingdom; I describe those systems in Do US universities accept the French baccalaureate? and UCAS with the French baccalaureate. At Carmine, we build the university list and applications accordingly.