Editing CEGEP (section)

==Education path==
Students in [[Quebec]] who intend to pursue [[higher education|post-secondary education]] must attend a college (i.e., CEGEP) before enrolling in a Quebec university. Students who follow a general studies program in Quebec complete six years of [[primary school]] (grades 1 through 6), followed by five years of [[secondary school]] (called ''grades 7 through 11'' or ''secondary 1 to secondary 5'' in English and {{lang|fr|1<sup>re</sup> secondaire au 5<sup>e</sup> secondaire}} in French). Quebec students complete one grade fewer in total than other [[North America]]n students before beginning post-secondary studies, completing high school at grade 11 instead of grade 12. CEGEP programs are typically two years in length with the exception of certain professional programs that are three years in length; the latter programs are generally for those wishing to enter a [[Professional education|profession]]. Following successful completion of CEGEP, most in-province undergraduate programs are three years in length for Quebec students; hence, the total number of years of study for Quebec students from primary school through a bachelor's degree is the same as for other students in North America. For example, a Quebec student who has completed a CEGEP diploma would begin a 3-year Quebec-based university program in Year 1 whereas an out-of-province student who has completed grade 12 would instead begin the same Quebec-based university program in Year 0. Contrarily, students who possess a CEGEP diploma may also generally attend out-of-province universities in which case diplomas are treated by universities in the same manner as the 2-year college diplomas ([[associate degree]]) or are awarded with one year of [[advanced standing]]. Some advanced courses at the CEGEP level may be assessed as equivalent to introductory courses at university.

For students intending on completing their post-secondary studies outside of Quebec, there are three options. First, several Quebec-based secondary schools have a specialized curriculum for students who wish to enter directly into out-of-province post-secondary programs. In these instances, students may take one year of courses at high schools that offer this option in order to fulfill the grade 12 requirements of the institution to which they are applying.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montrealfamilies.ca/Montreal-Families/January-2019/Why-do-private-schools-offer-the-option-of-Grade-12/|title=Why do some private schools offer Grade 12?|date=12 December 2018}}</ref> Second, students may complete one year of CEGEP courses prior to transferring to an out-of-province university so as to begin in the first year of an out-of-province post-secondary degree. For example, students wishing to attend an [[Ontario]] university may complete one year of CEGEP and apply as a regular applicant who has completed grade 12 in Ontario. Third, students who have completed two years of CEGEP may apply for admission with one year of advanced standing to post-secondary institutions outside of Quebec.