Columbia College

Columbia College recently launched a new, ambitious ‘Career Life Connections’ course into its high school syllabus. This course is centred on exploring professional learning, connecting to a student’s chosen field in preparation for a strong launch into their career, and essential networking exposure pre-graduation. The course culminates in a capstone research project in their chosen field of specialty which will be presented to a professional audience and demonstrate applied learning and the spirit of innovation. This course is specifically designed to enhance personal skills, academic achievement, strengthening of essential competencies and career planning. It is an ideal course for any student seeking to achieve their best, whether heading into post-secondary education or directly into the employment market.

The college continues to expand its well-known homestay program, an essential element of Columbia College’s offering to students and one that is particularly attractive to international students who are looking for an authentic Canadian experience and wish to further integrate into the local culture. The program has a consistently impressive turnover from students around the world and is a core element of the college’s approach to providing unique study abroad experiences.

Columbia college was established in 1936 and is renowned as the longest running international college in Canada, with a reputation for excellence. Every year thousands of students from both Canada and around the world attain respected Columbia College qualifications and go on to utilize them as springboards into outstanding university careers.

At the core of the college’s offering are highly experienced, long-serving faculty from a range of personal and academic backgrounds. These educators and trainers are committed to delivering outstanding education to all students at Columbia College and utilize community engagement to bring classroom learning into the real world.

Students at Columbia College are able to enjoy the benefits of small class sizes, allowing them to maximize the quality of their education and one-on-one time with academic specialists. In addition to this, every student at the college has free, unrestricted access to face-to-face tutoring services across a range of subjects including English, economics, math, and social sciences.

The college offers a number of university level courses at first or second-year level which result in the achievement of a Columbia College Associate degree, a qualification that is valid for direct transfer to local universities. These associate degrees are valuable certificates in themselves, but can unlock admission to a third year at university, as well as enabling students to apply for a Canadian work permit which is valid for up to three years.

One of the great benefits of studying at Columbia College before making a university transfer is the significant saving in costs compared to a standard degree, as well as benefiting from the welcoming, more personalized environment of the college.

The college also provides programs of study for High School level which is accredited by British Columbia Ministry of Education. Students who undertake these programs at Columbia College will be ideally placed to excel in further academic pursuits during their time in Canada.

Students are also able to complete an English for academic purposes course, which is ideal for learners who have secured a place on a university program, but who do not satisfy the criteria for English language proficiency. It is also excellent for students looking to enhance their English in an academic environment before going on to further studies.

In order to study a university, transfer academic program or complete a high school program at the college, students must be able to satisfy the following criteria:

• Specific program-level requirements
• Demonstrate sufficient English ability
• Have an age of 15 years or more when commencing study

Students who do not meet the minimum criteria for English language ability for their chosen program will be able to complete a program which blends academic study with coursework in English, or a specific Academic English course run by the college.

There is no minimum level of English proficiency that is required for entry onto a program of study at Columbia College, but English ability must be demonstrated prior to registration and the start of classes in any given year. Demonstration of English ability can be made through any of the following:

• Completing the Language & Writing Assessment (LWA) upon arriving at Columbia College, before registering for class.
• Provide evidence of minimum external standardized English test scores.
• Provide evidence of minimum required scores in English 12 or Communications 12 in British Columbia.
• Provide evidence of minimum required scores in first-year English taken at another college or at university in British Columbia, listed in the British Columbia Transfer Guide.

Columbia College is found within the territories of the Coast Salish Peoples. These communities and their stewardship of the landscape inspires the college in how it cares for its students and staff and fosters sustainable learning practices. The college and its surrounding communities are known for their safety, diversity, and unique culture.

Vancouver is frequently rated as one of the most liveable cities in the world and is the home of the college. It is a unique city in which students can spend their morning on the beach and go on to spend their afternoon skiing or hiking in the mountain landscape in under an hour. The city is a vibrant hub of arts, culture, food, and entertainment, with fantastic public transport connections. Students living in Vancouver will find completing their studies alongside an active personal life easy, safe, and enjoyable.

The college is an urban campus located 10 minutes away from downtown Vancouver. It is conveniently located, easily accessible by public transport. The campus is 5-minute walk from the ‘Main Street Science World’ sky train station.

Columbia College is also home to a huge array of clubs and societies, which are fantastic opportunities for international students to quickly make new friends, pick up new skills, or learn more about Canadian culture.

Columbia College offers a wide variety of awards and scholarships for its students, depending on their personal circumstances, backgrounds, or achievements. A range of scholarships offered by the college are available to international students and non-native English-speaking applicants. In order to be eligible to receive one of these scholarships, applicant will need to be studying a full-time course as a degree-seeking student in any semester that an application is made.

Further information on other scholarships and awards can be found on the college’s website.