Best 5 Community Colleges in Vancouver for International Students in 2023



Although post-pandemic international travel has yet to return to its full capacity, the number of students going abroad for education has reached an all-time high. As per the statistics shared by the Bureau of Immigration (BoI), a record 6,48,678 Indian students went abroad to study in 2022!

However, a university education can sometimes be really expensive and many may not be able to afford to spend thousands of dollars to avail a degree. This is where community colleges can help international students.

Community colleges are the alternatives that most international students who are looking to study abroad should consider in case they have financial issues or want to get certified fairly quickly. Community colleges are generally more affordable, have smaller class sizes, are more universally accessible, and are way more flexible than regular university programs.

Canada is a popular educational destination for Indian students, thanks to the various opportunities it creates and the high quality of education that the country offers for relatively lower tuition when compared to the U.K or the U.S.A.

With over 60,000 Indian students choosing to migrate to Canada in just the first half of 2022, the country is becoming increasingly popular among young Indians. Since more and more students have begun to show an interest in studying at the community colleges across Canada, here it is a comprehensive piece on the topic. Apart from Canada there are also great public universities in the UK, in case you’re interested.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular community colleges in Vancouver for international students in 2023.


Why study at community colleges in Vancouver?


One of Canada’s most densely populated and prominent student-friendly cities, Vancouver is home to several academic institutions. It is also a commercial and economic hotspot, making it an ideal place for students to kickstart their careers in.
Vancouver offers several advantages to international students including,

  • High quality of education
  • Low cost of living coupled with high standard of life
  • Diverse and multicultural environment
  • Beautiful landscapes
  • Strong economy
  • It has a zero-tolerance policy against crimes and discrimination, making it a very safe city for students from various cultural and ethical backgrounds
  • Modern facilities and equipment
  • Vancouver is a hub for innovation and technological advancement
  • Large number of post graduate employment opportunities. It is easy to avail work permits post a diploma or a degree.
  • The city is committed to a sustainable and green future
  • Remarkable student life
  • Canadian healthcare system is great for international students who stay in Vancouver

Community colleges vs universities in Vancouver: What are the differences?

1. Level of Education

Community colleges – Vocational and Technical Education. They provide diplomas or certificates.
Universities – Undergraduate and graduate programs. Provide bachelors, masters or doctorate degrees.

2. Cost of tuition

Community colleges – Lower tuition
Universities – Higher tuition

3. Type of programs offered

Community colleges – Focus on hands-on and immediate placement
Universities – Focus on an academic and theoretical study that can take a while

4. Research

Community colleges – not very research-oriented
Universities – typically have a greater emphasis on research.

5. Campus size

Community college – Almost everything is within walking distance
Universities – Covers a larger area and has a lot more people.

6. Career prospects

Community college – Focus on providing a hands-on, technical-oriented training in a particular field of study

Universities – Provides access to a wider range of career options
Are community colleges and universities the same? No, not really. Sure, both offer post-secondary education in general but the similarities sort of start thinning here.
The key difference between the two is the level of education they offer. While community colleges generally offer vocational and/or technical education that lead to associate degrees, diplomas and certificates, universities are more focused on imparting a well-rounded education that usually leads to bachelors, master’s or doctoral degrees.

Cost of tuition is yet another important distinguishing factor between the two. Community colleges have lower tuition fees compared to universities and are generally more affordable and accessible to students both domestic as well as international.

Community colleges also have more open admission policies and less rigid requirements for eligibility.

Community colleges offer vocational and technical programs and are mostly focussed on providing hands-on training. Candidates who are looking for immediate employment opportunities generally apply to community colleges.

However, universities are focused on academic and theoretical study, and research, with a diverse set of programmes on offer.
While universities generally emphasize on research, community colleges focus on imparting practical knowledge to students that can be applied with ease in real-world scenarios.

What are the best community colleges in Vancouver for International Students?


Community colleges in Vancouver encourage students from all over the world to apply and be a part of their academic community.
Today we discuss a few of the best community colleges in Vancouver for international students.

College Tuition Fees Eligibility Requirements
Vancouver Community College Approx CAD 38,635 a year
  • The applicant must be 17 years of age by the time the program start date
  • English entrance requirements (CAEL, IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge Assessment)
  • Program-specific admission criteria that can be confirmed here.
Langara College Approx CAD 10,500 a year
  • English language proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo English Test/LPI)
  • Successful completion of a BC secondary program (Grade 12) or the equivalent;
  • Must be at least 19 years of age before the first day of attendance
  • Must have completed ABE (Adult Basic Education) or GED (General Educational Development) program
Douglas College Approx CAD 19,101 (for 12 months)
  • For Undergraduate (diploma programs, associate degree and bachelor degree)
  • High school graduation
  • Must be a minimum of 19 years of age by the end of the first month of studies
  • Minimum overall grade average of 60% (or equivalent) in the final year of high school
  • Minimum final grade of “C” or 60% (or equivalent) in Grade 11 Mathematics or equivalent for most programs
  • For Post-Degree and Post-Baccalaureate programs:
  • Graduation from a recognized degree granting post-secondary institution with a minimum 3-year bachelor degree
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 60% (or equivalent) during the bachelor degree program
  • English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo/CAEL/LPI)
  • Must be a minimum of 17 years of age by the end of the first month of studies
  • In order to be eligible for institutional transfer within Canada, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required
  • Specialized programs may have additional requirements apart from the ones mentioned above
Cornerstone International Community College Between CAD 1,635 to CAD 28,800 a year
  • Must have complete high school or equivalent
  • Must be above 18 years of age
  • English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/English 12 or others)
North Island College Approx CAD 14,045.40 a year
  • Applicant must have graduated from secondary school or equivalent
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Proof of permission to study in Canada as an international student.
  • Applicants may check the requirements of each program on individual program page

1. Vancouver Community College

Founded in 1965, Vancouver Community College is one of the oldest and the largest community colleges in British Columbia. The college has two campuses, Broadway and Downtown.

The VCC Broadway campus is located at 1155 East Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, while the VCC Downtown campus is located at 250 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia.

More information about the college is available at www.vcc.ca.

Why is it good to study here?

The college offers around 130 programmes. Training is offered in French and English languages. VCC offers online, part time and full time on campus courses to those students who are interested in studying at the college. The college offers several services for students, including child care, disability services, career guidance and others.

Fees & Scholarship options

Tuition is charged by the college for the provision of a course or program. The average tuition fee at the college is around CAD 38,635. The tuition fee for each program can be checked here. International application fee CAD 145.
Some of the popular financial aid/scholarship options offered at VCC include

Eligibility and Duration

The eligibility criteria for admission to VCC includes,

  • The applicant must be 17 years of age by the time the program start date
  • English entrance requirements (CAEL, IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge Assessment)
  • Program-specific admission criteria that can be confirmed here.

The average duration of the different programs offered at the college is approximately 2 years.

Courses offered & admission process

The college offers a variety of courses across several areas including,

  • Apprenticeship training
  • Baking and Culinary arts
  • Business management
  • Hair and esthetics
  • Health Sciences
  • Hospitality management and others.

Popular programs includes,

The admissions process at VCC includes,

  • Complete an Application at vcc.ca/apply
  • Submit documents (high school equivalencies, English test scores, transfer credits, educational transcripts)
  • Pay commitment fee and register
  • Pay for classes
  • Defer or withdraw admission

2. Langara College

Established as an independent public college in 1994, Langara College has been offering accessible and affordable post-secondary education to all of its students.

Why is it good to study here?

Langara offers a wide range of vocational and technical education through its programmes and courses. The community college has been popular for imparting knowledge that is focussed on workforce development and career training.

Fees & Scholarship options

The tuition fee depends on the program that the applicant chooses. For example, Applied Science For Engineering diploma’s tuition fee is around CAD 3399/per trimester. The tuition fee for a diploma in Biology is around CAD 3,440.96/per trimester. The tuition fee for Nutrition & Food Service, BBA Transfer Diploma is around CAD 3,347.58/per trimester.
The average tuition fee at the college is around CAD 10,500 a year.
Some of the available scholarships at the Langara College is,

Apart from this, there are several department scholarships available for applicants. Some of them include,

Apart from these, there are several scholarships offered by various departments including Athletics, Continuing studies, Indigenous, Nursing, Social Science & Community. Langara college also has bursaries that are offered by category.

Eligibility and Duration

The eligibility criteria to Langara college varies with respect to the programs that applicants choose. However, the general admission requirements are as follows,

  • English language proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/Duoligo English Test/LPI)
  • Successful completion of a BC secondary program (Grade 12) or the equivalent;
  • Must be at least 19 years of age before the first day of attendance
  • Must have completed ABE (Adult Basic Education) or GED (General Educational Development) program

The college encourages university transfer and has the highest number of student transfers to BC universities than any other colleges of the province.  Students are assessed for eligibility to receive transfer credit as part of the admission process.
The average duration of most courses at the Langara college is around 2 years. Certificate programs may run for lesser duration.

Courses offered & admission process

Some of the popular courses offered at the Langara college include,

  • Applied Science For Engineering diploma
  • Diploma in Biology
  • Diploma in Chemistry
  • Diploma in Computer Science
  • Diploma in Film Arts
  • Diploma in Journalism
  • Diploma in Nursing
  • Diploma in Kinesiology
  • Diploma in Criminology
  • Nutrition & Food Service, BBA Transfer Diploma
  • Diploma in Accounting

The admission process involves the following steps.

  • Choose a program from the list of programs offered at Langara
  • Check the admission requirements
  • Apply on Education Planner BC  or contact admissions@langara.ca
  • Submit all necessary documents (Official transcripts/marksheets/academic records that show all the subjects taken and grades obtained for the last two years of secondary school or high school studies)
  • Receive offer
  • Accept offer – Students confirm acceptance of the College’s Offer of Admission by paying the International Student Deposit*, which includes a CAD 1500 non-refundable and non-transferable Commitment Fee.

3. Douglas College


Douglas College is a community college located in British Columbia. It was founded in 1970 and is known to be the largest degree-granting college in the province. Douglas College has multiple campuses, including one in New Westminster, and another in Coquitlam.

Why is it good to study here?

Douglas College has over 100 undergraduate and post-degree programs to choose from! Douglas is an applied academic institution that combines the academic fundamentals of a university along with the employer-ready skills that are imparted by a college.

Fees & Scholarship options

The average tuition fee at Douglas College is approximately CAD 7,640.40 per semester (12 credits). It is around CAD 19,101 for 12 months (30 credits).
Some of the available scholarships include,

  • Douglas International Education Regional Entrance Award
  • Dr. Guangwei Ouyang International Education Entrance Scholarship
  • Douglas College International Returning Student Scholarship
  • Continuing student Global Citizenship Dean Award

Eligibility and Duration

The general eligibility criteria at Douglas College includes,

  • For Undergraduate (diploma programs, associate degree and bachelor degree)
    • High school graduation
    • Must be a minimum of 19 years of age by the end of the first month of studies
    • Minimum overall grade average of 60% (or equivalent) in the final year of high school
    • Minimum final grade of “C” or 60% (or equivalent) in Grade 11 Mathematics or equivalent for most programs
  • For Post-Degree and Post-Baccalaureate programs:
    • Graduation from a recognized degree granting post-secondary institution with a minimum 3-year bachelor degree
    • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 60% (or equivalent) during the bachelor degree program
  • English Language Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo/CAEL/LPI)
  • Must be a minimum of 17 years of age by the end of the first month of studies
  • In order to be eligible for institutional transfer within Canada, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required
  • Specialized programs may have additional requirements apart from the ones mentioned above

The average duration of the programs offered at Douglas College is around 2 years.

Courses offered & admission process

Some of the popular courses offered at the Douglas College include,
Associate of Science degrees in,

Associate of art degrees in,

Business, Engineering and Computing Science University Transfer

The application process includes,

4. Cornerstone International Community College

Cornerstone International Community College of Canada is a Vancouver, British Columbia-based public university.

Why is it good to study here?

The Canadian government has accredited the technical and management diploma programs. These can open up academic and professional opportunities in Vancouver that can help students to build a career from scratch. The college also successfully brings together the multicultural environment of Canada.

Fees & Scholarship options

The tuition fee for the various programs offered at the Cornerstone International Community College is between CAD 1,635 to CAD 28,800.
The college offers Cornerstone College Scholarship for deserving students. One can apply for the scholarship by filling out the college’s online application form.

Eligibility and Duration

The general eligibility criteria to be considered for admission into Cornerstone International Community College includes,

  • Must have complete high school or equivalent
  • Must be above 18 years of age
  • English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/English 12 or others)

The duration of some of the programs offered at Cornerstone International Community College is around 2 years. However, there are a few courses that are offered for one year.

Courses offered & admission process

Some of the popular programs offered at Cornerstone International Community college include,

  • UI/UX Design diploma
  • Networks and System solutions specialist diploma
  • Hospitality management diploma

The admission process at the Cornerstone International Community College includes,

  • Filling the online application form
  • Preparing the required documents
  • Submission of all relevant documents
  • Completing the placement tests that can help to gauge one’s English proficiency.

5. North Island College

Founded in 1975, North Island College (NIC) is a community college that is located in Vancouver. The college has several campuses across Courtenay, Campbell River, Port Hardy, and Port Alberni. The college offers several undergraduate and graduate programmes.

Why is it good to study here?

NIC offers programmes in various sectors including business, healthcare, trade, social science, and technology. The college also offers distance learning programmes, ensuring that quality education can be accessed even by those living in remote areas.

Fees & Scholarship options

Tuition fees for courses vary from CAD 300 to CAD 490 per 3-credit course. Total costs for students vary depending on the program. The average estimated cost for tuition is around CAD 14,045.40. International students will also have to pay an non-refundable amount of CAD 100 towards application fees.
Scholarship options include,

  • BC Hydro Scholarship
  • Calista Fleming Memorial Scholarship
  • Dr. Neil Murphy Entrance Scholarship
  • Lyle Wesley Scholarship
  • Alma VanDusen Bursary – Vancouver Foundation

Eligibility and Duration

The eligibility criteria for admission at NIC includes,

  • Applicant must have graduated from secondary school or equivalent
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Proof of permission to study in Canada as an international student

Applicants may check the requirements of each program at individual program page
Most courses offered at NIC last between one to four years.

Courses offered & admission process

Some of the popular courses offered at the North Island College include,

The admission process includes,

  • Check requirements for admission
  • Apply through Education Planner BC (EPBC).
  • Activate myNIC account
  • Submission of transcripts
  • Applying for financial assistance
  • Qualify for the program one has applied for
  • Get invited
  • Pay deposit
  • Pay tuition post several background checks

Conclusion

Community colleges offer vocational and technical training to those who are looking to build highly specialized skills. These institutions also create pathways for students who are looking to transfer to four-year universities after the completion of their associate degrees.

Students who invest time and money to study at Canadian community colleges are sure to get their money’s worth since these institutions offer the necessary technical training in as little time as possible. This ensures that students are ready for employment post graduation without the need for high amounts of on-the-job training.

Date added
14.01.2023

Filed under:

Global Ed

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