The Université de Sherbrooke is a public French-language research university in Sherbrooke, Quebec, about 150 kilometres east of Montreal. It is one of the largest French-language universities in Canada and is known for its cooperative education model: most undergraduate programmes include paid work terms, so students graduate with real experience and a professional network. For a Pakistani student who speaks French — or is willing to learn it — Sherbrooke is one of the cheapest routes to a Canadian degree, thanks to Quebec's tuition exemptions for French-taught programmes.
Université de Sherbrooke: programmes
Sherbrooke offers more than 100 undergraduate programmes across its faculties. The strongest for international students are engineering (including a well-known cooperative engineering programme), medicine (the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences runs one of Quebec's medical schools), business administration through the École de gestion, law, computer science, and natural sciences. Most programmes are taught in French, and a working knowledge of French is required for admission to most undergraduate degrees — typically a B2 level. A small number of graduate programmes are offered in English. Degrees follow the Quebec model: a bachelor's degree takes three years after the two-year CEGEP programme, or four years for students entering directly from outside Quebec.
Université de Sherbrooke: fees and costs
International tuition at Sherbrooke is reported at roughly CAD 25,000–30,000 a year depending on the programme — confirm the exact figure on the programme's own page, because Sherbrooke's fees vary by faculty and the university publishes them programme by programme. The important number for a Pakistani student is the exemption: Quebec's Perspective Québec programme cuts tuition by about 70% for eligible students in French-taught programmes outside Montreal, and Sherbrooke qualifies. If you are admitted to a French-taught programme and meet the conditions, your tuition can fall to a level close to the Quebec resident rate. Ask the university's international office about the exemption before you apply — it is the single biggest saving available at any Canadian university, and it is not automatic. Living costs in Sherbrooke are lower than in Montreal or Toronto: budget roughly CAD 18,000–22,000 a year for housing, food and transport.
Université de Sherbrooke: admission
Applications are made directly to the university, and deadlines vary by programme — most fall between January and March for the following autumn, but confirm the date for your programme on the university's website. Admission is based on your school record (FSc or A-levels) and, for most programmes, proof of French at B2 level — the TFI, DELF or DALF tests are the usual routes, and the university can also assess your French itself. Some programmes also ask for an English test if they include English-taught components. Sherbrooke's acceptance rate is reported at about 68% overall, which makes it more accessible than Montreal's universities, but medicine and engineering are more competitive. If your French is not yet at B2, Sherbrooke offers French-language preparation, but you should reach B2 before you apply rather than after.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need French to study at the Université de Sherbrooke? Yes, for most undergraduate programmes: they are taught in French and require about a B2 level. A small number of graduate programmes are in English.
How much does the Université de Sherbrooke cost for international students? Reported international tuition is roughly CAD 25,000–30,000 a year, but the Perspective Québec exemption can cut it by about 70% for eligible French-taught programmes — confirm both figures with the university.
What is Sherbrooke best known for? Cooperative education — most programmes include paid work terms — plus engineering, medicine and business.
When should I apply? Most deadlines fall between January and March for autumn entry, but they vary by programme — check your programme's page.
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Sources and verification: Université de Sherbrooke (French-language university in Sherbrooke, Quebec; co-op model; three-year bachelor's after CEGEP, four years for direct entry from outside Quebec). International tuition roughly CAD 25,000–30,000 a year and the Perspective Québec exemption of about 70% are reported figures — confirm both on the programme's own page and with the university's international office. Acceptance rate about 68% reported. Living-cost estimate is a planning figure, to be confirmed.