| Course Level: | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Duration: | 4 Years | |
| Course Language: | English | |
| Required Degree | Class 12th | |
| Course Level: | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Duration: | 4 Years | |
| Course Language: | English | |
| Required Degree | Class 12th | |
Location: Downtown Vancouver, close to major transit routes and amenities.
Type: Private, non-profit institution.
Focus: Offers programs primarily geared toward international students who plan to transfer to Canadian universities or improve their academic English.
University Transfer Program
Students can complete up to two years of coursework and then transfer to universities such as UBC, SFU, or other Canadian institutions.
Offers courses in arts, business, computer science, engineering, and science.
Associate Degrees
Associate of Arts (AA)
Associate of Science (AS)
These are 2-year degrees recognized by BC universities and can lead to direct entry into the third year of a bachelor's program.
High School Program
Columbia College also provides Grade 10–12 high school curriculum, which is ideal for international students planning to enter Canadian universities.
English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
A preparatory program to help non-native English speakers reach the required proficiency for college-level studies.
Modern campus facilities with computer labs, study areas, and student lounges.
Strong student support services including:
Academic advising
Counseling
Student clubs and activities
Career workshops
Peer tutoring
Ideal stepping stone to top Canadian universities.
Welcoming environment for international students.
Small class sizes and personalized support.
Located in one of the most livable and multicultural cities in the world—Vancouver.
University Transfer Courses: ~$550 CAD per credit (most courses are 3-4 credits)
Full-time Semester: Typically around $6,600–$8,000 CAD per semester
Additional costs for housing, books, health insurance, etc.
Columbia College is well-known for its University Transfer (UT) Program, which allows students to complete the first 1-2 years of a university degree and then transfer to a university (like UBC, SFU, UVic, etc.).
Arts (Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, History, etc.)
Business (Economics, Accounting, Marketing, Management)
Computer Science
Engineering
Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math)
These courses follow the BC Transfer Guide, so credits are recognized by most universities in British Columbia and beyond.
These are 2-year academic credentials recognized by universities across British Columbia. Students with an associate degree can often enter the third year of a bachelor’s degree at a university.
Associate of Arts (AA)
Focus options: Psychology, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, etc.
Associate of Science (AS)
Focus options: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics
Completing an Associate Degree also makes you eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada.
Columbia College has its own accredited high school on campus, ideal for international students preparing for Canadian post-secondary education.
English, Math, Science
Social Studies
Fine Arts
Physical Education
Electives (depending on the student's track)
You can graduate with a BC Dogwood Diploma (British Columbia’s high school graduation certificate).
This is a language preparation program for students who need to improve their English before entering academic programs.
Beginner to Advanced
Includes academic writing, listening, speaking, reading comprehension
Upon successful completion, students can move directly into academic programs without IELTS or TOEFL (if they complete the required EAP level).
Program Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees/Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
University Transfer – Arts |
1–2 years |
~$12,000–$13,000 |
|
University Transfer – Business |
1–2 years |
~$12,000–$13,000 |
|
University Transfer – Computer Science |
1–2 years |
~$12,000–$14,000 |
|
University Transfer – Engineering |
1–2 years |
~$13,000–$14,000 |
|
University Transfer – Science |
1–2 years |
~$12,500–$13,500 |
|
Associate of Arts Degree |
2 years |
~$12,000/year |
|
Associate of Science Degree |
2 years |
~$12,500/year |
Columbia College is one of Canada’s oldest and most established international colleges, founded in 1936, and located in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s especially popular among international students for its supportive environment, flexible programs, and university transfer opportunities.
Columbia College doesn’t offer full bachelor's or master’s degrees. Instead, it focuses on pre-university programs such as:
University Transfer Programs (1–2 years of a bachelor’s degree, then transfer to university)
Associate Degrees (2-year credentials recognized by BC universities)
High School Completion (Grades 10–12)
English for Academic Purposes (EAP) for students who need to improve their English skills before starting academic courses
This setup makes it a great starting point if you plan to study at UBC, SFU, or another top Canadian university later.
Pathway to Top Universities
Complete your first year or two here, then transfer to schools like UBC, SFU, UVic, or others in Canada.
Multicultural Environment
Students come from over 60 countries around the world, so it's easy to find community and support.
No IELTS/TOEFL Needed (in some cases)
If your English isn’t strong yet, you can take the EAP program and transition to academic courses without needing to submit IELTS/TOEFL scores later.
Support Services
Includes academic advising, mental health counseling, peer tutoring, and help with university applications and visas.
Located in Downtown Vancouver
Safe, walkable, and one of the most livable cities in the world—plus access to public transportation, shopping, dining, and beautiful natural surroundings.
Tuition for international students ranges from $12,000 to $14,000 USD per year, depending on program and course load.
Living costs in Vancouver can range from $12,000 to $18,000 USD per year, including housing, food, transit, and personal expenses.
Health insurance is mandatory and costs around $75–80 CAD/month for international students.
Columbia College doesn’t have on-campus housing, but it helps students find homestays, shared apartments, or private rentals in Vancouver. Many international students live with host families to ease into Canadian life and improve their English skills.
High school completion or equivalent for university programs
For students without English proficiency: placement test or EAP program enrollment
Some programs may require specific academic subjects (e.g., Math for Science or Business tracks)
Many international students successfully transfer to major Canadian universities after 1–2 years at Columbia College. Some complete an Associate Degree, then enter the third year of a bachelor's program.
Completing an Associate Degree can also make students eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), allowing them to work in Canada after graduation.
Decide which program you want to apply for:
University Transfer Program
Associate Degree (Arts or Science)
High School Program (Grades 10–12)
English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
You'll need to gather and submit the following documents:
Completed Application Form (available online)
Academic Transcripts
High school transcripts (translated into English if necessary)
Graduation certificate (if available)
Passport Copy
English Proficiency Test Results (if available)
IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, etc.
OR you can take Columbia College’s internal English Placement Test
Application Fee: CAD $200 (non-refundable)
You can apply online through Columbia College’s website:
Apply Online – Columbia College
Once you submit your application and documents, you’ll receive a confirmation and your file will be reviewed.
If accepted, you’ll receive a Letter of Acceptance (LOA). You’ll need this to:
Pay your tuition deposit
Apply for a Canadian study permit (student visa)
To confirm your place, pay the initial tuition deposit (usually one semester’s fees). This is also required before they issue your official LOA for visa purposes.
Use your LOA to apply for a Canadian study permit through the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website.
It’s best to apply for your visa at least 3 months before your intended start date.
Once your visa is approved:
Arrange your housing (homestay, rental, etc.)
Book your flight to Vancouver
Attend the orientation session at Columbia College before classes begin
Columbia College has three intakes per year:
January
May
September
You can apply any time, but it's best to apply 3–6 months before your intended intake to allow time for visa processing.
Columbia College offers three intakes per year, giving international students flexibility to start their studies when ready:
Intake |
Start Month |
|---|---|
|
Winter Intake |
January |
|
Summer Intake |
May |
|
Fall Intake |
September |
Applications are accepted year-round. It's best to apply 3–6 months before your preferred intake to allow time for visa processing and travel.
Eligibility varies slightly depending on the program you are applying for:
Completion of high school (Grade 12 or equivalent)
Good academic standing (usually a minimum of 60–65% overall average)
IELTS Academic: Overall 6.0 (no band below 5.5)
TOEFL iBT: 79
Duolingo English Test: 105
CAEL: 60
Columbia College English Placement Test: Can be taken instead of standardized tests
→ If English level is not yet sufficient, students will be placed into EAP (English for Academic Purposes).
Transcripts from your current school (Grade 9 or above)
Placement depends on academic background and English ability
No IELTS required
Students are tested and placed in the appropriate English and academic level upon arrival
No formal academic requirements beyond high school-level education. This program is designed for students who need to improve their English before entering academic programs.
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Value (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Entrance Scholarship |
New international students with excellent high school grades |
Up to $5,000 |
|
Academic Excellence Scholarship |
Continuing students with top academic performance (GPA 3.7+) |
$1,000 – $5,000 |
|
Leadership Scholarship |
Students involved in community service, leadership, or student life |
$1,000 – $5,000 |
|
Need-Based Bursary |
For students facing financial difficulty |
(case-by-case) |
|
Graduation Awards |
Given at the end of studies to top-performing students |
$500 – $2,000 |
|
Columbia College Foundation Awards |
awards funded by donors, awarded based on merit or need |
$500 – $3,000+ |
|
Homestay Incentive Award |
For students who choose Columbia College’s homestay program |
Up to $1,000 |
Facility/Service |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Campus Location |
438 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver, BC – close to Main Street–Science World SkyTrain station |
|
Campus Features |
Modern classrooms, science labs, computer labs, student lounge, library, cafeteria, counselling centre |
|
Student Services |
Academic advising, mental health counseling, peer tutoring, clubs & events, university transfer support |
|
Accommodation Type |
Homestay (arranged via Columbia College), Off-campus rentals |
|
On-Campus Housing |
Not available (no student residence on campus) |
|
Homestay Cost |
Approx. CAD $1,200 – $1,400/month (includes meals and utilities) |
|
Off-Campus Rental Cost |
Approx. CAD $800 – $1,500/month (shared or private apartment, no meals) |
|
Accommodation Support |
College provides assistance in finding homestays or nearby rental options |
|
Additional Living Costs |
Public transit: CAD $100–120/month, groceries (if renting): CAD $300–500/month |
Columbia College has students from over 60 countries, so it’s a very multicultural and welcoming environment. Whether you're from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, or South America, you’ll likely find others who share your background and also get the chance to connect with people from all over the world.
This diversity makes student life rich with cultural events, language exchanges, and global perspectives both inside and outside the classroom.
The campus is located right in downtown Vancouver, close to SkyTrain stations, restaurants, shops, and beautiful parks. It’s a modern building with:
Classrooms and labs
A library and quiet study areas
A cafeteria with international food options
A student lounge where people hang out between classes
The college isn't massive, which makes it easier to connect with instructors, advisors, and classmates.
Columbia College hosts a wide range of student clubs and activities. You can join:
Cultural clubs (e.g., African Students Club, South Asian Club, Arab Student Society)
Academic clubs (Science, Math, Business, etc.)
Creative clubs (Photography, Film, Writing)
Volunteer groups and leadership programs
They also organize field trips to places like Whistler, Victoria, local museums, and even snowboarding or hiking trips depending on the season.
There’s strong support for international students, including:
Academic advising
Mental health and wellness services
Career workshops (resumes, interviews, etc.)
University application assistance
Peer tutoring and mentorship
The staff and faculty are known for being approachable and genuinely supportive.
Living in Vancouver gives students the best of both worlds—urban life and nature. You can study during the week and hike, bike, or go to the beach on weekends. Public transit is reliable and safe, and most students use it to get around.
Because housing is off-campus, many students live with homestay families or share apartments with classmates. This is also a big part of the student experience—learning independence while adjusting to life in a new country.
Columbia College is primarily a transfer institution, meaning its main goal is to help students:
Transfer to top Canadian universities (e.g., UBC, SFU, UVic)
Complete Associate Degrees (which can lead to further education or work in Canada)
So while it doesn’t have a formal “placement cell” like some universities, it does offer career support services to help students prepare for jobs and gain experience.
Columbia College offers several career-related resources:
Resume and cover letter workshops
Job interview preparation
Career coaching
Help finding part-time jobs off-campus (e.g., retail, hospitality, customer service)
Information about Canadian work regulations for international students (most can work 20 hours/week during the semester and full-time during breaks)
Opportunities to gain Canadian work experience through volunteering
Leadership roles in student clubs or peer mentoring
If you complete an Associate Degree (Arts or Science), you're typically eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which lets you work full-time in Canada for up to 3 years.
That opens the door to:
Entry-level roles in business, tech, customer service, education support, etc.
Applying for permanent residency later through programs like Canada’s Express Entry
The acceptance rate of Columbia College, Vancouver, Canada is generally considered to be high, typically estimated around 80% to 90% for most programs—especially for international students who meet the basic admission requirements.
Columbia College is an open-access institution, meaning it aims to provide educational opportunities to a broad range of students.
The college focuses on university transfer programs, associate degrees, and language preparation (EAP), so it's more inclusive than selective.
It is not a competitive research university like UBC or SFU, where acceptance rates are lower.
You're likely to be accepted if you:
Have completed high school (Grade 12 or equivalent)
Meet minimum GPA requirements (typically 60–65%)
Provide valid academic documents
Submit English language test scores (or take the Columbia College English placement test)
Complete the application with required documents and fees
Even if your English isn't strong yet, you can still get admitted into the EAP (English for Academic Purposes) program, then transition into academic programs later.
Some programs like Science or Engineering transfer might expect stronger math and science grades.
Admission decisions are usually made quickly—within 1 to 3 weeks—after receiving your complete application.
438 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6A 0C1
Located in Downtown Vancouver, near the Main Street–Science World SkyTrain station
Easily accessible by public transit, including buses and the SkyTrain
Close to:
Science World
Rogers Arena
False Creek waterfront
Cafés, restaurants, grocery stores, and other student-friendly spots
Safe and urban area with lots of international students
Quick access to Vancouver’s top attractions and universities
Perfect for commuting, exploring the city, or working part-time
