Université Laval is the oldest French-language university in North America, in Quebec City. It is best known for forestry, agriculture, medicine, engineering and business, with most programmes taught in French. Choose it if you can study in French and want low tuition in a historic, safe city.
Quebec City, Canada
Official website: ulaval.ca
#433
Top 15 nationally; U15 member
1663 — the oldest French-language university in North America
Over CAD 400 million a year
CA$18,000 – CA$30,000
International students, undergraduate and master's programmes
CA$12,000 – CA$16,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on ulaval.ca before you apply.
Maîtrise en informatique (MSc Computer Science)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
French: TFI 750 or equivalent
MBA (Faculté des sciences de l'administration)
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
French: TFI 750 or equivalent
Maîtrise en génie électrique (MSc Electrical Engineering)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
French: TFI 750 or equivalent
Master of Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
French: TFI 750 or equivalent
Maîtrise en sciences forestières (MSc Forestry)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
French: TFI 750 or equivalent
Baccalauréat en génie logiciel (BEng Software Engineering)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
French: TFI 750 or equivalent
Oldest French-language university in North America, founded in 1663.
Forestry and agriculture — among the largest programmes in Canada.
Low tuition — French-speaking students from some countries pay Quebec rates.
Campus with underground tunnels — links buildings through the long Quebec winter.
Engineering and computing graduates join Quebec City's insurance, gaming and optics-photonics firms.
Graduates can work anywhere in Canada for up to three years on a post-graduation work permit.
Forestry and agriculture alumni work for Quebec's ministries, forestry companies and research centres.
MBA graduates move into Desjardins, iA Financial Group and the province's public sector.
Undergrad
1 Mar 2027
Postgrad
1 Mar 2027
Undergrad
1 Sep 2026
Postgrad
1 Sep 2026
The campus is a large, wooded site in the Sainte-Foy district, with residences, a sports complex and most faculties linked by underground tunnels; buses reach the old city in 20 minutes.
Quebec City is a walled, French-speaking capital with among the lowest rents of Canada's major cities and very low crime. Winters are long and snowy, with a famous winter carnival.
Letter of acceptance from Université Laval
Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
Provincial attestation letter, if required
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
For international applicants, most programmes close on 1 March 2027 for the fall 2027 intake and 1 September 2026 for winter 2027. Limited-enrolment programmes, including medicine and some master's degrees, have earlier or programme-specific deadlines listed on their admission pages.
The main intake is fall (September). Most programmes, including computer science, engineering and the MBA, also admit for winter (January), and some for summer (May). Check the programme's admission page, as availability differs each year.
You need a Canadian study permit. Because the university is in Quebec, you first obtain a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) using your letter of acceptance, then apply to IRCC for the study permit with proof of funds. Allow three to four months for both steps.
Computer science, the MBA, electrical engineering, business analytics and forestry are the most popular choices. Almost all programmes are taught in French, so applicants need a French test such as the TFI (around 750) unless they studied in French. Master's entry needs a bachelor's degree with a B average.
Yes. Laval's exemption scholarships for international students reduce tuition for applicants from certain countries and for graduate students, applied automatically based on your file, and the university offers admission scholarships for top undergraduate applicants. Check the financial aid pages for current amounts and eligibility.
