History & Location of School

Columbia College is Canada’s oldest independent international college, offering University Foundation Programs since 1936, University Transfer Programs since 1965, and English as a Second Language Program (ESL) since the 1970s. Columbia College is located in Downtown Vancouver, sharing building campus with British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

Addresses:

• 555 Seymour St
  Vancouver, BC V5L, Canada
  Phone: 604.683.8360

Courses Offered

University Foundation Programs
University Foundation Programs are available to students who wish to study at the university level but lack the prerequisites to do so. There are four options available; admission to a particular option depends on the applicant’s academic background.

• Senior Secondary -
  This program conforms to the Ministry of Education requirements and with Columbia College’s semester system, it allows a decrease in the time usually required to complete the requirements.
• High School Completion -
  This program is for students who have not completed all the necessary credits to obtain a British Columbia Graduation Diploma and requires fewer courses than the Senior Secondary Program. Upon completion, students are not directly admissible to university but may do so more quickly into the UT program at the college before transferring to universities.
• Accelerated Secondary -
  This fast track program is for students who have good academic qualifications (’B’ average or equivalent). Students are not directly admissible to university but may do so via the UT program at the college.
• Adult Secondary -
  This program is for students at least 19 years of age and requires completion of fewer courses than the Senior Secondary Program. Students enrolled in this program are not directly admissible to university but may do so via the UT program at the college.

University Transfer (UT) Programs
The University Transfer Program will be of interest to students who have graduated from High School with Grade 12 or equivalent and seek transfer to a degree program at a Canadian or American university.

A minimum of two semesters will be required to be eligible to transfer to the second year of an undergraduate degree program at a Canadian or American university. Courses are equivalent to courses offered at universities and are fully transferable at the first and second year levels to University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria and many other universities across Canada and United States. Courses are offered for Business, Engineering, Communication, Computer Science.

Advantages of UT programs:

• Classes are small in size, ensuring maximum interaction with faculty
• Less competitive entry requirements
• 3 intakes per year; January, May and September
• Lower tuition fees

Associate Degree Programs
Columbia College, following a thorough evaluation process conducted by the Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) was given authorization to award both Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees.

The Associate Degree stands as a credential in its own right, acceptable to many employers who are seeking students with recognized post-secondary education. As Associate Degrees may be awarded after two full years of study at the first- and second-year university levels, it may appeal to both students who prefer not to complete a four-year degree and those who plan to do so in the future.

Academic ESL Program
The Academic ESL Program is a stepping stone to our university programs, providing students with the means to succeed in their university education. The Academic ESL Program is a full time (25 hours per week) program designed for students who need to improve their English before entering the Senior Secondary or University Transfer Program. The goal of this program is to introduce students to the basics of academic writing and communication.

Course Fees

For 2007-08 fee information, see http://www.columbiacollege.ca/fees.pdf