The college was named for François-Xavier Garneau, a nineteenth-century French Canadian notary, poet and historian.

The pre-university programs allow students greater specialization in their preferred field of study.

For example, the "Sciences de la Nature" (Natural Sciences) diploma incorporates multiple courses in physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics, preparing students specifically for a university program in Sciences, Engineering, or Medicine, but is also widely accepted across most non-scientific university programs.

The technical programs, which take three years to complete, apply to students who wish to be career-ready.

In addition, the Continuing Education Centre offers a wide variety of credit courses and programs with flexible scheduling.