Explore programs

Description

The Explore program allows you, as a Canadian student, to take an intensive language immersion course and improve your knowledge of French. For five weeks, in the spring or summer, you can continue learning your second language at UQAC’s Formation continue Explore, while discovering the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.

Participants in Explore receive funding to cover program tuition, course materials, meals, accommodation, workshops and other mandatory activities. Discover another region of Canada while learning French. Have an adventure and make new friends!

If you are not eligible for funding, you can still register.

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Spring session

DatesDurationPlaceCost

Spring session :

  • 3-week – May 11 to May 29, 2026
  • 5-week – May 11 to June 11, 2026

Deadline for registration : April 1, 2026

3-week = 45 hours

5-week = 105 hours

Classes every day of the week, Monday to Friday

In person at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Host family

  • 3-week – Canadian : $2513,78** | Non Canadian : $4675,85**
  • 5-week – Canadian : $4193.42** | Non Canadian : $8330,15**

Residences/apartments**

  • 3-week – Canadian : $2498,78** | Non Canadian : $4660,85**
  • 5-week – Canadian : $4168,42** | Non Canadian : $8305,15**

**All prices includes accommodations  and meals

Tuition only, without accommodations and meals

  • 3-week – Canadian : $1118,78* | Non Canadian : $3280,85*
  • 5-week – Canadian : $1868,42* | Non Canadian : $6005,15*

*All prices are in Canadian money
** Apartments are off campus
*Prices are subject to change without notice
*Full payment is required at the time of registration.
The $275 registration fee is non-refundable. The remainder of the amount paid is refundable until April 27, 2026 (two weeks before the start of the session).

Summer session

DatesDurationPlaceCost
  • 3-week – June 30 to July 17, 2026
  • 5-week – June 30 to July 30, 2026

Deadline for registration : June 20, 2026

3-week = 45 hours

5-week = 105 hours

Classes every day of the week, Monday to Friday

In person at Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Host family

    • 3-week – Canadian : $2513,78** | Non Canadian : $4675,85**
    • 5-week – Canadian : $4193.42** | Non Canadian : $8330,15**

    Residences/apartments**

    • 3-week – Canadian : $2498,78** | Non Canadian : $4660,85**
    • 5-week – Canadian : $4168,42** | Non Canadian : $8305,15**

    **All prices includes accommodations  and meals

    Tuition only, without accommodations and meals

    • 3-week – Canadian : $1118,78* | Non Canadian : $3280,85*
    • 5-week – Canadian : $1868,42* | Non Canadian : $6005,15*

*All prices are in Canadian money
** Apartments are off campus
*Prices are subject to change without notice
*Full payment is required at the time of registration.
The $275 registration fee is non-refundable. The remainder of the amount paid is refundable until June 15, 2026 (two weeks before the start of the session).

Registration

 

Benefits
  • You will be surrounded by Francophones and will develop your communication skills in French.
  •  You will live in an incomparable living environment, combining the outdoors, urbanity and modernity.
  •  You will be immersed in the French-speaking media (radio, television, newspapers).
  •  You will discover the richness of Quebec culture (festivals, exhibitions, concerts, gastronomy, shows).
Description of the course
  • The 5-week program is offered in the spring (May to June) and summer (July to August).
  • Each participant in the program is integrated into a class that corresponds to his/her level of French proficiency.
  • The schedule is 21 hours per week (attendance is mandatory).
  • The program also offers the opportunity to speak and exchange in French through numerous activities and a variety of workshops.
  • During the program, participants are required to speak only in French.
Conditions of admission

For Explore bursary

  • Be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident (those studying in Canada on a student visa are not eligible); and
  • Be 18 years of age or older at the start of the program;
  • Be able to pay the $275 admission fee to the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (non-refundable).

You must also meet ONE of the following criteria dependint on your age:

  • Have been a part-time or full-time student for at least one term during the current school year; or
  • Have been an Odyssey participant within the last two years.
  • Visit the Explore program site to register. Click here

For non Explore bursary

  • Be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma at the start of the program;
  • Be able to pay the $275 admission fee to the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (non-refundable).
Activites and outings

Here, we know how to have fun and there is no shortage of ideas!

You will participate in several socio-cultural and sports activities. Here are some examples :

• Improvisation;
• Choral chant;
• Traditional dance;
• Quebec cinema;
• Sporting activities;
• Kayaking
• Rafting
• Aerial hebertism course
• And more!

Weekend excursions are also offered.

Accommodation and meals

Accomodation

With host family or in residence/apartments on the university campus (limited number of rooms). Apartments are off campus but near by.

For any information regarding your accommodation, please contact the person responsible for the accommodation.

Meals

All meals are included for the duration of the program.

With a host family: most breakfasts and dinners are shared with the family. The school will cover the cost of all lunches served at UQAC.

In residence/apartments: the School provides each student with a weekly grocery card in the amount of $120 (a supermarket is located a 15-minute walk from campus). The French Language School covers the cost of all lunches served at UQAC.

Transport

You will have access to public transport service for all your trips within the city of Saguenay. The price is included in the tuition fees.

If you have a car, the parking pass is free from May 1 to August 31

F.A.Q.

Link to Frequently Asked Questions