Career
Career opportunities in Québec
The economy of Québec City is dominated by its administrative role of provincial capital. Thus, the largest employer is the local administration, in constant demand for management and social sciences graduates. After this, the regional healthcare providers absorb most of the medical school graduates, as well as some of the MBAs and logistics experts. The rest of the workforce is involved in manufacturing and retail. Some of the large companies with headquarters in Québec City are engineering firms BPR and Roche Ltd, financial giants Cominar, Industrial Alliance, La Capitale, Promutuel and Union Canadienne, as well as software corporations such as Beenox, Gearbox Software, FIrma Studio, Sarbakan and Ubisoft. This trend towards technology is also the reason behind the rise in engineering and IT students coming to Québec City from around the world.
Life
Québec city life
Québec City’s long history and heritage make it one of Canada’s most iconic architectural wonders, with many landmarks and tourist attractions:
- Musée de la Civilisation
- Château Frontenac Hotel
- Citadelle of Quebec
- The Battlefields Park
- Plains of Abraham Museum
- Parc Aquarium du Québec
- Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
The city organises an annual summer music festival, as well as the famous Winter Carnival. Québec City is a great destination for winter sports enthusiasts, offering facilities and outdoor parks ideal for skiing or snowboarding. The city has several professional sports teams playing in the national leagues, such as in basketball and baseball, as well as several semi-professional teams in hockey.
International atmosphere in Québec
Québec City is a cosmopolitan centre in Canada, with immigrants and international students increasing the diversity of the city. Most residents are fluent in French, the official regional language, but an increasing number of the population speaks English, especially in the immigrant communities and campuses. Like most of Canada, the city is undergoing a shift towards becoming a global hub for culture, trade and education.
Weather Québec
The weather in Québec City is warm and humid during the summer, with average temperatures of 19.3°C (66.7°F) in July. Winters are cold, windy and snowy, with average temperatures in January of -12.8°C (9°F). Average annual precipitations in Quebec City are of 1,190 mm (46.85 in), mostly rain.
Costs
Accommodation costs in Québec
There are numerous housing opportunities for international students:
- Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is about 734 CAD/month, while three bedrooms cost 1,173 CAD/month.
- Rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre is around 566 CAD/month and three bedrooms reach 882 CAD/month.
- On-campus housing costs between 1372 and 1419 CAD/month for a single room, depending on occupancy rates.
Living costs in Québec
Québec City is a moderately affordable city, with average living costs between 978 and 1048 CAD/month, excluding accommodation. Food costs will reach about 383 CAD/month, while utilities cost around 77 CAD/month. A monthly pass for local transport is approximately 84 CAD, while a one-way ticket costs 3.25 CAD.