Bow Valley College

COVID-19 update

Bow Valley College is actively responding to the pandemic and ensuring that the college's community is safe and secure at all times. Bow Valley works hard to offer the best possible online learning experience so students can learn remotely and successfully. The college complies with government advice and regularly shares updated information to keep everyone informed.

International students and non-native English speakers making an application to Bow Valley College are now able to submit a Duolingo Language Test as evidence of English language proficiency in response to the closure of testing centres.

Centre for Entertainment Arts (CEA) Grand Opening

Bow Valley College has recently opened a new Centre for Entertainment Arts, which will offer training to a new generation of game developers, animators and VFX artists. This new facility stretches over almost 8000 sq. ft and will enable academic and artistic development through cutting edge technology and industry standard tools. Through this investment, the college remains at the forefront of growth in the digital creative world and contributes to Calgary's rapidly diversifying economy. The city was recently named as one of the best places to live as a moviemaker by MovieMaker magazine, for the second time in a row.

Bow Valley College supports more than 600 faculty and staff members, who collectively speak over 50 different languages. Professors deliver high-quality instruction across small classes where teaching is interactive, personalised and engaging. Renowned academics and industry experts regularly visit the college to give guest lectures.

Teaching is informed by global industry and sector trends. Courses include practical knowledge so that students are able to graduate with the required skills for professional success. To support this, career mentoring programs are regularly offered across the college.

University transfers

Students looking to gain credits towards a degree and transfer to a four-year institution can access an education at Bow Valley which suitably prepares them for a further two years of learning.

Students will benefit from starting their studies with lower fees before transferring to another college or university. It's a great way to gain experience before completing a degree program. Bow Valley College regularly cultivates productive transfer agreements in association with prestigious and sought-after institutions in Canada.

Students at Bow Valley benefit from being able to complete an affordable academic upgrading course, or towards a diploma or certificate. Bow Valley College offers courses across a variety of disciplines separated into specialized schools and programs. This includes:

Chiu School of Business

Chiu School of Business offers multiple opportunities, through social entrepreneurship, to help students build their entrepreneurial skills and get ready to launch a successful business.

School of Community Studies

Here students will be able to learn how to effectively support and nurture young people and children via the delivery of community-focused support programmes.

School of Creative Technologies

In this school, modern and challenging course content is designed to develop skills needed for success across emerging careers in the technology sectors.

Centre for Entertainment Arts (CEA)

Students who dream about seeing the characters, creatures, and worlds of their imagination on the screen, big or small, will be right at home at Bow Valley College Centre for Entertainment Arts.

School of Health and Wellness

In this school, students will develop knowledge and skills around protecting human health and positively impacting people's lives via hands-on learning and real-world practice.

School of Global Access

Here, non-native English speakers can develop their abilities by completing intensive language courses.

Bow Valley College is committed to ensuring that all applicants have equal opportunity to apply for courses at the college, and that it selects the students who are most suited to the course during admissions.

As a result, there are a number of entry requirements in place. Course content at the college is primarily delivered in Canadian English, so non-native speakers are required to demonstrate a minimum standard of English language for admission.

For the majority of course programs, students will need to demonstrate a minimum score across one of the following language tests, or equivalent:

• IELTS Academic – 6 with no band lower than 6
• TOEFL – 83
• Pearson PTE Academic – 59–64
• CLB – 8 in each skill

Students can also complete Academic English 2 at the college, in which a grade B- or higher is required to progress. Due to COVID-19 related test centre closures, the college is also accepting a Duolingo language test score of 95 – 100 for entry.

International students are encouraged to consult the specific entry requirements relating to the programs they are interested in.

Bow Valley College is proud to maintain campuses which are widely equipped with excellent facilities that support quality learning. They include bespoke computer labs and large conference halls, in addition to specialist studios and libraries. Academic and professional tools are maintained to industry-standards, preparing students for real-world success. Students can explore the Bow Valley College campuses from the comfort of their home using the college's interactive map. They can take a self-guided tour of the downtown Calgary campus, as well as the college's key services and facilities, with a 360-degree view.

The college's campuses also include many services that offer students an easy and enjoyable experience such as:

• Multi-faith space
• Bookstore
• Bookable study rooms
• Food services, including healthy options, meals, snacks and drinks
• Reasonably priced printing services
• Accessible IT support

The college invests heavily in a rich calendar of events and activities across the academic year, in addition to a wide array of extra-curricular opportunities that include volunteering, community engagement and work experiences.

Bow Valley College's International Education Department offers an impressive range of financial awards specifically for supporting international students. They include entrance awards for new students, in addition to learner pathway awards for students transferring to a different program, as well as in-course awards which relate to specific courses. Values are typically:

• Entrance awards – CAD 2,000
• In-course awards – CAD 1,500
• Academic awards – CAD 1,500
• Learner Pathway awards – CAD 1,500
• International Mobility awards – CAD 2,000
• Internationalization Award of Excellence – CAD 2,250.
• CEA Diploma programs Scholarship – CAD 3,250 to CAD 19,500

The college's scholarships are designed to reward high-achieving students across a range of different subject areas and activities, including but not limited to academic excellence, leadership, community involvement, volunteering and peer support.

Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements which applicants should consult before making their application.