The other provinces of Canada do not offer associate degrees as such, but do offer similar higher education qualifications below the level of a bachelor's degree. These are mostly two-year courses, although Ontario also offers three-year advanced diplomas.[8] In Quebec, the Diplôme d'études collégiales (diploma of college studies), taught at post-secondary collèges d'enseignement général et professionnel (colleges of general and professional education; cégeps) can be a two-year pre-university qualification that is a pre-requisite for entry onto (three year) bachelor's degree courses, or a three-year technical programme preparing students for employment.[9]