Dawson College
Westmount, Canada • Founded 1969
Updated Sep 2026
Overview
Dawson College is an English-language public CEGEP in downtown Montreal, Quebec, chartered in 1968 and opened in 1969 as the first English CEGEP created under Quebec's reformed college system.
Its main campus, known as the Mother House, occupies a former Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame motherhouse on a twelve-acre block along Sherbrooke Street West, one of Montreal's largest heritage buildings adapted for education. Dawson is now the largest CEGEP in the province, enrolling roughly 8,000 full-time day students alongside continuing-education learners, supported by over a thousand faculty and staff.
The college offers six pre-university Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) programs, including Pure and Applied Science, Health and Life Sciences, Social Science, and Liberal Arts, that prepare students for university-level study, plus more than twenty technical DEC programs in fields such as Nursing, Computer Science Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Graphic Design, and Social Service that lead directly to careers. Beyond academics, Dawson runs professional theatre productions, an art gallery, and seventeen intercollegiate athletic teams, and has graduated more than 105,000 students since 1971.
The college has committed to sustainability through a Carbon Neutral Forever pledge, and its diverse, multicultural student body reflects the surrounding city.
Location & Contact
Dawson College's street address and primary contact methods. Social channels often differentiate by purpose — admissions on one, alumni on another, events on a third.
Academic Details
Dawson College's academic structure, enrolment numbers, and accreditation context are gathered below. Together they describe how the institution operates beyond the surface-level overview.
Programs Offered
Browse Dawson College's programmes by level, or filter by name to find a specific course. The grouping helps when you have a target qualification tier but want to compare specific programme content.
43 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada
Diploma 43 programmes
Showing 10 of 43.
How to apply to Dawson College
How to apply to Dawson College — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Dawson College offers 43 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Each programme at Dawson College has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Get your documents ready
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Apply directly via Dawson College's online portal at www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
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5
Reach out and track your application
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at 514-931-8731. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dawson College
Common questions about Dawson College answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
When did Dawson College open?
Dawson College traces its founding to 1969 (approximately 57 years ago).
Where is Dawson College located?
Dawson College is located in Westmount, Canada.
What is the student enrolment at Dawson College?
Student enrolment at Dawson College is around 9,870.
What is Dawson College's official website?
Dawson College's official website is www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca.
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