Columbia College

Established in 1936, Columbia College proudly serves as Canada’s longest established international private college. Thousands of Canadian and international students have completed their qualifications at Columbia College and used these as a platform for successful university careers. Over the years, Columbia College has consistently been one of the top three providers of international students to the University of British Columbia. Columbia College also sends large numbers of students to Simon Fraser University, Vancouver’s other major university.

Columbia College offers first and second-year university level courses that can lead to a Columbia College Associate Degree and are fully transferable to local universities. Columbia College also offers High School programs, including a British Columbia Ministry of Education Certified Senior Secondary Program and an English for Academic Purposes Program that is accredited by Languages Canada.

Columbia College is BC’s oldest university transfer educational institution. Our mission is to foster student success, build a desire for lifelong learning, and provide pathways to higher education. Columbia College nurtures community engagement and prepares international students for life in Canada. Through teaching excellence and a commitment to student support, the Columbia College community values an inclusive and mutually respectful learning environment.

Columbia College provides excellent academic preparation and smooth transfer to universities in British Columbia (BC). Over the years, Columbia College has consistently been one of the top three providers of international students to the University of British Columbia and sends large numbers of students to Simon Fraser University, Vancouver’s other major university. Columbia College participates in the BC Transfer System as overseen by the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT). Within this system BC universities guarantee that they will grant transfer credit for specific courses taken at colleges.

Columbia College participates in the BC Transfer System as overseen by the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT). Within this system BC universities guarantee that they will grant transfer credit for specific courses taken at colleges. Universities across Canada and the United States will normally grant similar transfer credits for courses taken at Columbia College. Most universities in Canada have signed the Pan-Canadian Protocol on the Transferability of University Credits and are committed to maximizing the portability of university credits. Receiving institutions in other provinces will evaluate and assign transfer credit upon application.

Full-time post-secondary students in Canada have the opportunity to combine their studies with valuable work experience on or off campus. If you meet the eligibility criteria, your study permit allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time between semesters. Columbia College regularly posts job opportunities on campus. Associate degree holders from Columbia College qualify for the post graduate work permit in Canada and can take the advantage of staying and working in the country after graduation. For more information about the post graduate work permit.

Columbia College’s High School programs are certified by the Province of British Columbia. Students hoping to gain admission to a Canadian university will be academically well-equipped when they graduate from one of the College’s High School programs. Columbia College offers four distinct High School program options. Note that only completion of the Senior Secondary Program will allow a student to be eligible for direct entry to a university, while successful completion of the other programs will allow a student to enter the University Transfer Program at Columbia College.

Open to students who have satisfactorily completed Grade 9, 10, or 11, or the equivalent. Upon completion of the program, students can apply for direct university admission. The college’s 14-week semester system allows students to complete programs more quickly than a regular high school. Students with strong results in academic courses at the Grade 10 level and who do not wish to obtain the BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma) can choose to enter the Accelerated Secondary Program in order to enter the University Transfer Program at Columbia College.

This BC Ministry of Education program is for students over the age of 18 and provides a quicker route to graduation and university-level studies at Columbia College. Students receive a BC Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood Diploma) upon completion of this program. Suitable for students who have graduated from High School but who lack certain academic qualifications for direct admission into the University Transfer Program. Following successful completion of the University Preparatory Program, students may continue in the College’s University Transfer Program.

Many students are eligible to receive “transfer standing” (TS) credit for courses taken before entering Columbia College. TS will be granted for courses that are considered equivalent to the established provincial- or board-authorized course. An overseas student who transfers into a High School Program may be eligible for advanced placement at the Grade 11 or 12 levels if TS credit has been granted in the prerequisite Grade 10 or 11 course. Transfer standing for a Language 11/12 will be granted as specified by the Ministry of Education. Transfer standing will be awarded only if official final results are presented.

The BC Ministry of Education allows students to take courses at recognized post-secondary institutions and count these courses as four-credit non-subject-specific grade 12 courses towards completion of the requirements for high school graduation while, at the same time, receiving full university transfer credit. Students studying in a High School Program at Columbia College may be allowed to register in a university-level course and, upon successful completion, be granted credit for both the university course and a secondary course at the grade 12 level. (The latter will be recorded as PSIAD 12, not a specific subject, on transcripts.) A “dual credit fee” will be assessed in such cases.