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

Senior Secondary

• for students who have completed Grade 10 or 11 in Canada, or equivalent elsewhere
• a combined Grades 11 and 12 Program that fully conforms to the Ministry of Educations requirements
• students in the Senior Secondary Program take Grade 12 British Columbia Provincial Exams
• students receive a British Columbia High School Graduation Diploma and are directly admissible to first year university, subject to the university’s GPA requirement
• the College’s semester system allows for a decrease in the time usually required to complete these grades

High School Completion

• available to students who will continue their studies in the University Transfer Program at Columbia College.
• this program is at least one semester shorter than the new Senior Secondary Program
• provincial examinations are optional
• graduates receive a British Columbia High School Completion Certificate

Accelerated Secondary Program

• only for students who have good academic qualifications
• these students do not receive a British Columbia Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma, and are not directly admissible to university but students can proceed more quickly into the University Transfer Program at Columbia College and then apply to second year at a university

Adult Secondary

• for students 19 years of age or older
• requires fewer courses than the Senior Secondary Program
• students receive a British Columbia Adult Secondary Graduation Diploma and may enter the University Transfer Program at Columbia College before proceeding to university

University Preparatory

• for students who have graduated from High School but who lack certain academic qualifications for direct admission into the University Transfer Program
• tailored to the individual student’s background and goals
• normally a one semester program comprised of a maximum of four appropriate academic preparatory courses
• senior secondary courses can be included if these are the prerequisites for university level course work
• following successful completion of the University Preparatory Program, students may continue in the College’s University Transfer Program