CÉGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel - College of General and Vocational Education, pronounced say-jep [fr/en] or see-jip [en]) is a type of educational institution in Quebec. A college (Latin collegium) can be the name of any group of colleagues; originally it meant a group of people living together under a common set of rules (con-, together + leg-, law). As a consequence members of colleges were originally styled fellows and still are in some places. ... This article describes the Canadian province. ...

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 to students from Quebec. These students can choose from a variety of provincial government-established courses of study including both required courses and options. A university is an institution of higher education and of research, which grants academic degrees. ... -1...

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 of two or three years.

CEGEPs themselves vary from large, publicly funded institutions serving thousands of students to small, expensive private ones.

Although a French language term, the CEGEP is also used by English-speaking Quebecers. French (français, langue française) is one of the most important Romance languages, outnumbered in speakers only by Spanish and Portuguese. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

See also

• Quebec education system.
• List of CEGEPs

• English-language CEGEPs
  • Champlain
  • Dawson College
  • Heritage
  • John Abbott College
  • Marianopolis College
  • Vanier College