Are you willing to pursue your vocational training in Canada? Great, apply for the Québec Merit Scholarship Programme. Applications are open for the Québec Merit Scholarship Programme for international students, also known as the “Merit Scholarships Competition,” for 2024/25. This program allows international students to study vocational training in Quebec with a merit scholarship, exemption from additional tuition fees, and health coverage by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.
This program, supported by the Quebec Ministry of Education, aims to give gifted students the chance to pursue their studies in Quebec while improving the internationalisation of vocational training facilities.
Students must enrol in and complete a full-time professional training programme leading to a vocational studies diploma (DVS) or a DVS followed by an attestation of vocational specialisation (AVS). Programmes under 900 hours are generally not eligible, except for those qualifying for the permanent residence pilot programme of the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). This programme is managed by Éducation Internationale and its Québec métiers d’avenir service.
Québec is Canada’s largest province, and it is a location unlike any other in the world, with its strong economy, distinct culture, and unrivalled quality of life. Québec is experiencing exceptional economic development, with meagre unemployment rates, while welcoming immigrants from all over the world in a warm, French welcome.
Objectives
- To help vocational training facilities become more worldwide.
- To provide excellent international students the chance to attend Québec for vocational training.
- To improve a consistent offer and broad coverage of vocational training.
Summary
- Host Country: Canada (Quebec)
- Funding Type: Scholarship and tuition fee exemption
- Organiser: Quebec Ministry of Education, Éducation internationale, and Québec métiers d’avenir service
- Eligible Countries: Non-Canadian and non-French citizens; priority for Francophone member countries and key markets in Asia and the Americas
- Field: Vocational training
- Study Level: Vocational studies diploma (DVS) or DVS followed by attestation of vocational specialisation (AVS)
- Number of Opportunities: Approximately 84 scholarships
- Programme Language: French or English
- Application Deadline: August 7, 2024 (23:59, Quebec time)
- Preselection: August 19 to September 27, 2024
- Evaluation of files and Final Selection of Recipients: October 7 to November 15, 2024
- Official Result Announcement: December 2024
- Students’ Immigration Process: January to August 2025
- Arrival and Commencement of Classes: From August 2025
Benefits
Applicants will benefit from the following benefits:
- Tuition Exemption: Full exemption from supplementary tuition fees for international students
- Medical Coverage: Provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
- Scholarship Amount: Ranges from $14,000 to $26,600, depending on programme duration
Note: Applicants must declare having at least CAD 3,000 for personal expenses
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application
- Cannot be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or France
- Must be residing outside Canada at the time of application
- Must meet admission requirements of the chosen study programme
- Must demonstrate proficiency in French or English
- Should not have received a scholarship for the same or higher level of study in Quebec before
- Must not have paid a commission for application assistance
- Must not have submitted fraudulent documents previously
Eligible Training Programmes
Applicants can apply for a vocational training programme with the following specifications:
- The programme start date must be August 2025
- The focus must be exclusively on vocational training for skill acquisition and labour market integration.
- College or university training programmes are excluded
- The programme must be available on the competition’s dedicated web platform list
- Training centres must determine and offer eligible programmes for merit scholarships
- 50% of scholarships must go to prioritised training programmes
Note: Please find the list of prioritised trainings here.
Required Documents
The following are the required documents for your application:
- Completed application form
- Copy of passport identification page
- Copy of birth certificate
- Copies of all diplomas and transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS) or proof of registration, if applicable
- Reference forms from two different people
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copies of scholarships or awards received
- Statement of financial capacity
Notes:
- Incomplete, illegible, or non-compliant applications will be rejected.
- Applications with false statements or fraudulent documents will be automatically rejected.
- Candidates with fraudulent applications will be disqualified from current and future competitions.
Selection Process and Criteria
Below is the highlighted selection procedure and criteria:
- Initial Review: Applications are reviewed by the chosen educational institution
- Random Selection: May be used by Éducation International to limit applications
- External Evaluation: Selected files are evaluated by an external committee based on merit
- Criteria: Motivation letter (30%), academic background (30%), awards (5%), recommendations (15%), and overall application quality (20%)
How to Apply
- Verify if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- If eligible, submit the prequalification form to receive an application link.
- Complete the application on the provided platform.
- Select one training programme and training centre from the listed options.
- Upload all necessary documents as part of your application.
Apply Now
For more details and information, visit the Québec métiers d’avenir website. For questions, consult their website’s general FAQ and the FAQ specific to merit scholarships.
