General information
- I don’t speak a word of French / English. Can I still register for the immersion program?
Of course! We offer 6 different levels in our summer immersion programs, from total beginner to advanced levels. Your level will be evaluated on the first morning of the program thanks to a written placement test and a one-on-one interview with a teacher.
- How many students are there in each class?
There is an average of 15 students per class.
- Are there activities organized outside of school hours?
Yes! At UQAM, our team of counsellors organizes a wide range of outings during the evenings and weekends to enable you to discover Montreal and its surroundings during your stay. Click here for more information.
- What should I expect on my first day at UQAM?
Upon your arrival on the first Monday of your program, you will receive a general overview of your program and the optional activities that will be offered to you, take the placement test, meet the entire team of teachers and group leaders who will be accompanying you throughout the duration of your stay, explore UQAM campus and meet fellow UQAM summer-school students.
- Do I get a diploma or certificate from UQAM Summer Programs upon completing the course?
Yes. A few weeks after the end of the program, students who have completed the immersion course will receive by mail a Certificate of Completion stating their final grade.
- Is it possible to obtain university credits for this course?
Note that our immersion programs are not credited courses. However, it is possible to have this program recognized by your institution. Each university has its own policies for recognizing training in another institution. It is up to you to contact the appropriate administrative department of your university to ask if it will recognize the course you attended at UQAM. We shall send directly to your institution your Certificate of Completion with the final grade as well as the course outline. This is a very common procedure and universities usually do accept to give credits for the course followed at the UQAM in the summer.
For the teachers’ training program, we do not offer any credits per se; however at the end of the program you will be given an official Program Certification with a detailed description of the Program Content and Continuing Education Units (CEU): 1 CEU = 10 course hours
These CEUs meet high-quality standards similar to those used by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) in the United States.
Registration / Inscription
- How do I register?
To register, you just have to fill out the registration form which you can find by clicking here.
- How much does it cost to attend an immersion program at UQAM University?
Our programs are designed to meet your specific personal needs and budget; you are invited to build your own program, choosing the options that interest you. Thus, the total fees vary depending on which program and options you choose (Intensive Morning Program, Full-day Immersion Program, Preparation Course for the Test de français international TFI®, Preparation Course for TOEIC®, housing, optional outings and activities). Please use our Cost Calculator, by clicking here. It will help you calculate the total fees according to the choices you have made.
- Are the books included in the program fees?
Yes, the pedagogical material used during the course is supplied by the UQAM Language Summer Schools. Students provide their own writing material and dictionary.
- Does UQAM offer any kind of financial support to take part in the immersion programs?
UQAM does not offer financial support to students. However, for groups of 10 students or more, a rebate is granted to each of the group participants and the group organizer can receive free lodging during the program and more. For more information, please click here.
- How can I pay?
Payments can be made by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or bank transfer if you are from out of town. If you can come to our reception office and pay in person, it will be possible for you to pay, cash, by debit card (Interac). You will receive more details in this matter once you have registered.
- What happens if I have to cancel my registration?
Please refer to our cancellation policy for details by clicking here.
Lodging
- If I choose to live with a host family or in UQAM residences, is it possible to arrive beforehand or extend my stay after the duration of the program?
If you have chosen these types of accommodation, you will have access to your room the Sunday before the first day of the course until the Saturday after the last day of the program. If you would like to, it may be possible to reserve extra nights accommodation if the host family is available or if the residences still have available rooms/studios.
To do so, you are invited to make your own request by e-mail at the following address:
Family homestay: lamimo@sympatico.ca / UQAM Residences: delouest-residences@uqam.ca
(It is very important that you do not forget to mention your student ID)Please remember that during the summer, residences may be booked out or the host family may make other plans, so make sure to contact them as soon as possible.
- Can I contact my Homestay family before I arrive?
Of course, we encourage you to contact your host family before arriving in Montreal. Once you are registered, you will be requested to fill out a form stating your personal preferences and habits, and as soon as we have matched you with the proper family, we will give you your host family’s contact information to enable you to get in touch with them.
- What is included in UQAM Residences?
Complete kitchen with refrigerator, oven and a cooking kit, telephone and voice mail, bedclothes, and towels, wardrobe, fan and a study desk. Internet access is provided for a minimal fee payable at the Reception Desk of the Residences.
Transportation
- Do you arrange pick-up at the airport?
The UQAM Summer Language School does not provide this service. However, we would recommend these travelling options to get to downtown Montreal from the airport:
- Shuttle: The shuttle called “Aérobus” links the airport to downtown Montreal every day, with a schedule determined by the frequency of flights. The shuttle will take you to Montreal’s main bus station, situated over the Berri-UQAM metro station in Montreal’s downtown core. A two-way shuttle ticket costs +/- $25 CAN. For more information about the Aérobus schedule, visit the following site: www.admtl.com/passager/acces_et_stationnement/_aerobus.aspx
- Taxi: A cab fare from Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport to downtown Montreal (whatever your destination in Montreal may be) costs +/- $35 CAN (one-way). Please note that taxis in Montreal are dependable and safe.
As for the train and bus station, here is a map of downtown Montreal for you to locate your point of arrival: http://www.stm.info/English/info/centre-ville2007.pdf
- I would like to come to UQAM with my car. Is there a parking lot on campus that I could have access to?
Of course! For approximately $160 CDN for a period of 3-week, you will be able to leave your car in the UQAM underground parking lot, just a few steps away from classes. For additional information in this regard, please contact us by e-mail: infoete@uqam.ca.
Visas
- Do I need a visa to take part in an immersion program at the UQAM University?
As the Summer Immersion Program at UQAM is a non-credited program lasting less than 6 months, you do not need a student visa to take part in any of the programs. However, depending on your country of origin, you may be required to obtain a tourist visa to come to Canada.
If you do need a tourist visa to come to Canada, you must contact the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in your own country. The Canadian representatives will inform you of the procedures to follow and which documents are necessary to fill out a visa request. We at UQAM will send you a letter of acceptance once all the program fees will have been paid (these will be refunded if your visa is denied). This document will be necessary to apply for a tourist visa. Please, click here for additional information.
- Will I be refunded if I do not obtain the visa to enter Canada?
Yes on the exception of the registration fees and placement fees (in residences or host family). Students whose visa application is denied are given a refund according to the refundable portion, provided that they send us the official letter of refusal.
- Is it possible to visit the United States while I am in Canada?
That depends on your country of origin. You may or may not need a visa. If you are considering going to the United States while you are attending UQAM Language programs, we recommend that you check with the American Immigration Authorities and take the necessary steps beforehand to make sure you have the documentation in order when you arrive in Canada.
Questions diverses
- Will I be able to have internet access while at UQAM ?
Yes, UQAM has a multimedia labs where you will be able to consult your e-mails and do research during the course of the program.
- Is there wireless Internet at UQAM and in the residences?
Yes! For approximately 30$ CDN/month you can have access to High speed Internet at the Residences. Furthermore, if you have a laptop with a wireless connection, you will be able to have access to the wireless Internet network in all UQAM pavilions.
- How much money should I bring with me?
This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on what you plan on doing in Montreal. Some students plan to do a lot of shopping, travelling and others have a more restricted budget. One way or another, Montreal is one of the cheapest cities in Canada. That being said, you can still pay between $2 CDN and over $50 CDN per person for a meal depending where you go!
Here is a sample of approximate prices to give you an idea (Year 2009):- Movie ticket: $7 - $12 CDN;
- Coffee at a coffee shop : $1.50 - $3.00 CDN
- Big Mac Trio at McDonalds: $6.59 CDN
- Litre of gas: $1.30 CDN
- Litre of milk: $2.75 CDN
- Beer in a restaurant/bar: $3 - $8 CDN
- Bus or metro ticket: $2.75 CDN (12.00$ for 6)
- Newspaper: $1.50 CDN
If you plan on eating out everyday, plan to spend approximately $25 and up CDN per day. If you plan on cooking, you should budget around $50-$75 CDN per week.
- What is the weather like in Montreal during the summer?
Montreal is hot and humid in the summer time. There is often a heat wave in July during which time the temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius or more. Nights are a bit cooler but nonetheless can remain quite warm. That being said, certain summers are a bit cooler or rainier than others so you should still plan to bring a few items of warmer clothing. Please consult the following website for more details regarding the weather in Montreal: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/CAQC0363.