Studying in Canada in English or French: What impact does it have on employment?

What the data says—and does not say

French and English do not have the same place in every workplace. Two sources from Statistics Canada help illustrate this, but they do not measure the same thing.

These figures are historical benchmarks, not a measure of the current labour market. The first figures describe the languages used by workers, not the requirements of their jobs. The second are estimates reported for jobs at establishments covered by the survey: they do not cover only vacant positions or all public- and private-sector jobs. The survey includes non-profit organizations, but excludes, among others, public administration, educational services and hospitals.

Using two languages regularly does not mean using them equally. In the Montréal census metropolitan area in 2021, 70.0% of workers used French mainly, 21.0% used English mainly and 8.3% used both equally. These categories do not add up to 38.3%: someone may work mainly in French while also using English regularly.

Above all, these data do not show the causal effect of the language of instruction on a new graduate’s hiring or salary. They therefore cannot be used to rank French- and English-language degrees by employment prospects.

Start with the work you want to do

Before choosing a language of study based only on a province, look for a few job postings that match the occupation and region you are interested in. If you are still considering different possibilities, choose two different options and examine them separately.

For each posting, note:

• the language that is required and the one listed as an asset;
• the tasks involved: reading documents, writing, taking part in meetings or communicating with clients;
• any information about the language used by the team and the people it serves;
• the evidence requested, if any, and other important qualifications.

A position that does not officially require bilingualism may still value a second language. Conversely, the presence of two languages in a region does not mean every job requires them. If a posting does not specify the language used for an important task, ask the employer for clarification rather than inferring it from the location.

Then compare these requirements with your current skills. For example, you might understand texts in one language without yet feeling comfortable explaining a problem aloud. This difference can guide your choice of program and your practice during your studies.

Professional bilingualism, skill by skill

Saying “I’m bilingual” gives less information than specifying what you can do in each language. Can you understand written instructions, write a clear message, follow a discussion and answer an unexpected question? Requirements depend on the tasks involved in the job.

The federal public service provides a useful example of this distinction: language requirements there depend on the position. For a bilingual position, the profile specifies the expected levels in reading comprehension, written expression and oral interaction. This framework applies to the federal public service; it is not a general rule for private-sector employers.

To prepare for your career path, choose a professional task to practise in the language you are less proficient in. You could read a short description related to your field, summarize it, and then explain it aloud. The goal is not to claim a level you do not have, but to know what you can already do and what you still need to develop.

Compare the programs, not just their labels

A program pursued mainly in one language can help you build vocabulary in your field in that language. If you also want to work in the other language, find out how you can practise the tasks that interest you in it. The language of the degree, your actual ability to work and a job’s requirements are three separate things.

To compare two programs, ask each institution the same questions:

Also choose a language in which you will be able to follow courses and demonstrate your knowledge. A career plan should not make you lose sight of the conditions needed to succeed in the program itself.

Universities and programs: an immersion example

The French Immersion Stream at the University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa is an example of an option between studying entirely in French and studying entirely in English. It is added to certain English-language undergraduate programs and allows students to complete part of their studies in French.

The stream is intended for people who studied in a language other than French in secondary school and who have completed French-as-a-second-language studies. The university also states that applicants must meet the English-language requirements and demonstrate an advanced level of French. It is therefore neither a program taught entirely in French nor an option automatically open to all programs or language profiles.

Check with the university which programs participate and what the requirements are for your intake. If you studied abroad or completed your schooling in French, ask the university to confirm your eligibility before choosing this option. The StudyCanada profile presents the institution; it does not replace information about the program you choose.

To explore French-language opportunities more broadly outside Quebec, also see our guide Studying in French in English Canada: The Real Options.

After your studies: skills and authorization are separate

For an international student considering working in Canada after their studies, the language they chose is not enough to determine whether they are eligible for a post-graduation work permit. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) specifies, among other things, that graduating from an eligible institution does not automatically make someone eligible for the permit.

According to the conditions consulted on November 7, 2026, IRCC requires most applicants to provide proof of proficiency in one official language. For holders of a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree who are subject to the language rules in force, the stated threshold is level 7 in French or English in each of the four skills. This is not a bilingualism requirement. IRCC provides, among other things, an exception for post-graduation work permit applications submitted before November 1, 2024.

Other criteria apply depending on the credential, program and dates. This information is general: consult IRCC about your situation and the rules in force when you apply. A language test result, degree or permit does not guarantee a job.

Your decision plan

To move forward without having to predict your entire future, prepare a simple comparison:

1. Choose a few jobs and a location. Note the languages required and the associated tasks.
2. Compare two programs. Record the language of required courses, assessments and any placements, as well as admission requirements.
3. Identify a specific gap. For example: explaining a project orally in English or writing a professional memo in French.
4. Prepare honest examples. A course, project or experience can help show what you can do, without overstating your level.
5. If necessary, check authorizations separately. Immigration requirements do not replace admission requirements or an employer’s requirements.

Your choice can prioritize the language in which you feel most comfortable studying, while planning to make progress in the other. To prepare a job application in English later, our guide to the résumé and interview in English offers a method focused on your experience.