Located in the Southern Interior of the province of British Columbia, Okanagan College is a community of learning, committed to empowering individuals and communities in the region and contributing globally to positive change, since its inception more than 60 years ago. Learners are at the heart of everything at Okanagan College, as is evident with smaller class sizes, exceptional learning experiences, industry-experienced professors, hands-on learning and field and practicum opportunities.
With four campuses in the province, Okanagan College has impacted the development of the region in meaningful ways and is committed to designing change to meet the learning needs of students throughout the region, as well as nationally and globally. The college’s campuses are located close to some of the best skiing and golfing in the province and historic farms and orchards dating back more than 100 years. Each of the four campuses maintains close links to the local communities.
Okanagan College offers courses in a varied range of subject areas, from the arts and sciences to business, food and health. The college has a full range of staff, including the Student Services team, which is available to help with everything from immigration to academics. Students can depend on the support of Education Advisors for assistance in their program of study and in choosing courses to meet their academic goals, in addition to registering for ESL courses and knowing course requirements for transferring to other universities. Cultural liaisons, who are native speakers of many languages, are also present to help students with all aspects of studying in Canada.
The focus of learning at Okanagan College is always about helping the student to reach their personal career goals. With the variety of courses available to study, those goals are going to be individual, but the team at the college are on hand to help make them achievable.
Many students will opt to study a diploma, and of those, students may wish to then transfer onto a degree at a university in British Columbia or elsewhere in Canada. There are support staff who can help students understand the application process involved and when to take the necessary steps.
Many other courses at Okanagan College are trades based and graduates may enter the world of work directly. There will be careers fairs and other opportunities to connect with local and national businesses, and students may be able to network with businesses that ultimately hire them upon graduation.
There are dedicated support services at the college to allow students to explore their potential as graduates.
There is always something happening at Okanagan College, including central developments which impact all students and those related to individual campuses, to improve life or offer new ways of learning.
In early 2023 the college began offering new trades training at the Salmon Arms campus, giving students more options for qualifications that can lead directly into future work opportunities.
Meanwhile in September 2022, the Kelowna Campus gained The Market, a new dining venue for students that offers healthy eating options promoting wellbeing.
Meanwhile in December of the same year, the College paid out over 420 bursary awards to students totalling CAD 450,000 – a commitment to helping students to achieve their goals without worrying about financial issues.
Students can check the Okanagan College website to keep up to date with the latest events surrounding the college, including student social events.
9,69,697 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
8,63,636 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
10,22,424 Vocational Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
6,66,667 Living costs Source: Government of Canada
3,18,182 To live on campus Source: Government of Canada
There are a number of financial awards that students applying for Okanagan College may be eligible for. Some of these financial awards are paid for by the College, while others are sponsored by external bodies.
This includes the International Scholarship Program which is managed by the central EduCanada organization. Students can apply here if they believe they may be entitled to a scholarship to help cover the costs of their tuition.
Otherwise, students will be expected to provide evidence of their ability to pay for their studies as part of their application for their course. Tuition fees vary by chosen course and won’t include additional fees that may apply.
Students who undertake three courses and are considered full-time will be permitted, under their VISA, to apply for off-campus work to support themselves around their classes.
The entry requirements for each course at Okanagan College will vary, and students can use the website’s program search tool to look at their chosen option and determine whether their educational background meets the criteria. If they just miss out, or they are unsure, students are advised to contact the college to discuss flexibility and other options for application.
All students who apply must be aged 18 or turning 18 during their first semester and will be expected, as part of their application, to provide evidence of their completed education so far.
Courses are taught in English so students will need to be able to speak a minimum level of the language in order to apply, although there are additional courses available to support with the continued development of English language skills. Students can submit DuoLingo test scores via the app, while IELTS, TOEFL and OCELA scores are also accepted.
The quality of a student’s education doesn’t just hinge on their own initiative, but on that of the teacher. This is why Okanagan College hires only those with genuine industry experience to help develop students’ understanding of their chosen subject, providing real-world experience and perspective.
However, it is not simply about choosing those who have worked in their field before – the faculty at the college are also excellent at delivering their course material in a way that is engaging and exciting, helping students to remain passionate about their subjects and develop key insights of their own.
Students will learn in a variety of ways, including practical hands-on learning where appropriate, especially with trades qualifications. Students will be prepared by the college to make their next steps confidently, whether that is directly into work or into their next qualification.
When international students apply for Okanagan College, they have a choice of different levels of qualification along with various fields of study.
This covers a range of areas including arts, communications, criminal justice, environmental studies and more, with BA degrees, associate degrees and diplomas available.
Covering various technology fields including water engineering, infrastructure and computing, civil engineering and others, as well as animation. Choices for study include a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree and various diplomas.
At this school students can opt for a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Diploma in Business Administration, Commercial Aviation or Tourism Management, or a certificate to learn to be a commercial helicopter pilot. Study areas include accounting, marketing, HR and more.
There are four diplomas available in this area, including early childhood education, human service work, kinesiology and therapist assistant.
These hands-on qualifications include diplomas in automotive collision repair and refinishing, automotive service technician, and aircraft maintenance technician as well as a certificate for aircraft maintenance engineering.
Students in this area can take a Certificate in Culinary Arts or Pastry Arts, or a Diploma in Culinary Management.
There is also the option of Post Baccalaureate diplomas, and the option to learn English as a second language.
Kelowna, British Columbia (BC), Canada
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