Many international students across the world hope to further their career goals and broaden their options by studying in Canada. Canada holds the promise of a high-quality education, a great quality of life and the possibility of settling here permanently after you graduate.
British Columbia (B.C.) is the second most popular destination for international students in Canada, after Ontario. In 2022, the province welcomed 78,518 new international students, over 18.7 per cent of total students coming into Canada.
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There are many reasons that make British Columbia an attractive study destination in Canada. Here are some common things that appeal to international students moving to the province:
Whether you’re in the Greater Vancouver Region (GVR) or in the popular student cities of Abbotsford or Kamloops, you’ll get to experience a high quality of life. B.C. offers everything students need to live well, including access to amenities, comfort, safety, freedom, community, and a strong job market. Keep in mind though that British Columbia (especially the Greater Vancouver Region) also has a higher cost of living compared to most other provinces, so accommodation and amenities may be relatively expensive.
British Columbia is home to people from all over the world, and 29 per cent of the province’s population comprises immigrants. 27.8 per cent of British Columbians have a mother tongue other than English or French.
Whether you’re looking to build your community or find groceries and food from your home country, it may be easier to find a taste of home in B.C., compared to other provinces and territories in Canada.
B.C. is home to several prestigious universities and colleges, including the University of British Columbia, which ranks number 34 globally. Colleges in British Columbia, too, are becoming popular among international students as they tend to offer shorter study programs that are more technical and better aligned with job market requirements. Regardless of what study program you wish to pursue, you’ll find several high-ranking institutions in B.C. that fit your requirements.
As an international student, you’ll need to be at least moderately proficient in the official language of your province. You’ll need to understand the language to keep up in class and effectively manage your day-to-day tasks.
In British Columbia, English is the most commonly spoken language, and that will be the language in which you communicate at school, at work, and in your daily life. Many international students find it easier to master English, compared to French, Canada’s other official language. That said, languages such as Punjabi, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Tagalog are also commonly spoken in B.C.
Whether you’re looking for part-time work during your studies or full-time work after finishing your study program, British Columbia has a strong job market with ample job opportunities in most fields.
If your study permit allows it, you may be eligible to work part-time while studying. This is a great way to gain Canadian work experience and earn money to cover some of your living expenses in Canada.
If you plan to stay and work in B.C. after you graduate, you’ll need to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). You may qualify for a PGWP if your study program was longer than eight months and if you studied at an eligible Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Gaining Canadian work experience can also make it easier for international students to qualify for permanent residence programs later.
This system allows students to transfer their credits and enrollment from one college or university to another. Basically, the transfer system gives you a chance to move to a better or different institution if you have good grades and have completed the required credits.
Before you move to British Columbia for your studies, it’s important to familiarize yourself with what living there will be like. Here are some things to keep in mind while planning your international student journey:
British Columbia is home to many of the world’s top universities. According to the QS World University Ranking 2024, the following are the best universities in B.C.:
Ranked #34 in the world, the University of British Columbia is considered one of the best universities in Canada. UBC has two campuses, located in Vancouver and Okanagan. The school admits over 65,000 students from 140+ countries each year.
The university offers over 250 undergraduate degree programs and over 335 post-graduate programs, including 220+ master’s programs, 100+ doctoral programs, and 15 graduate certificate programs. UBC offers programs in various disciplines such as medicine, business, economics, engineering, history, media, education, and more.
The Simon Fraser University has three campuses in the Greater Vancouver Region: Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver. The school admits over 37,000 students from 145+ countries in the world.
The school offers over 200 undergraduate programs and 86 graduate programs across eight faculties: applied sciences, arts and social sciences, education, business, environment, health sciences, science and communication, art and technology.
Ranked as one of Canada’s top universities for international research collaboration, the University of Victoria has one campus in Victoria, B.C. Over 22,000 students enrol at the school each year in various areas of study.
The school offers over 280 undergraduate and graduate programs across nine faculties including business, education, engineering and computer science, fine arts, human and social development, humanities, law, science, and social sciences.
Popularly known as Canada’s Green UniversityTM, the University of Northern British Columbia is a small university with campuses in Prince George, Fort St. John, Terrace and Prince Rupert, Quesnel, and Gitwinksihlkw in British Columbia. In 2022-23, about 17 per cent of the 3,656 students enrolled at the school were international students.
The university offers 62 undergraduate and 30 graduate-level programs across multiple subject areas.
One of the misconceptions international students often have is that college programs are not as valuable or sought after as university programs. This is not the case, and in fact, in 2022, 60 per cent of international students who received a study permit to study in British Columbia enrolled in college programs.
If you’re considering applying to colleges in B.C., these popular schools should be on your target list:
Langara College is commonly considered to be one of the top colleges for undergraduate studies in Canada. Langara has two campuses in Vancouver, B.C.
The school offers certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, and post-degree programs across five key areas of study: health, arts, business, science and technology, and humanities and social sciences.
The annual tuition fee for international students typically ranges from $15,750 to $18,762, depending on the program chosen.
In 2021-22, nearly 34 per cent of students enrolled at Langara College were international students.
Douglas College is one of the largest colleges in B.C. and enrolls nearly 25,000 students each year. The school has two campuses in Metro Vancouver (New Westminster and Coquitlam) and smaller training centres in Surrey, Burnaby, and Maple Ridge.
Douglas offers certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, graduate diploma, post-baccalaureate diploma, post-degree diploma, associate degree, and bachelor’s degree programs in over 60 subject areas.
The average international student tuition fee at Douglas College is $19,102 per year.
In 2021-22, international students at Douglas comprised 18.13 per cent of the total incoming students.
VCC has two campuses in Vancouver, in Broadway and the Downtown area. The school enrolls over 15,000 students each year.
The school offers around 110 diploma, certificate, apprenticeship, associate degree, advanced certificate, and bachelor’s degree programs across various disciplines. This includes several trade certificates and apprenticeships, including in areas such as hairstyling, cooking, and baking.
Typically, international students at VCC pay an annual tuition fee ranging from $17,165 to $25,971.
In 2021-22, 19.6 per cent of students enrolled at Vancouver Community College were international students.
Camosun has two campuses in Victoria, B.C. Over 14,000 students attend the school, including international students from 70+ countries.
The school offers over 160 programs, including certificate, diploma, advanced certificate and diploma, degree, and post-degree programs. These programs span numerous areas of study, such as arts and humanities, business, health sciences, human services, indigenous education, natural sciences, sport and exercise, technologies and engineering, and trades and apprenticeship.
The average international student tuition fee for most programs at Camosun is $23,835 per year.
In 2021-22, nearly 12 per cent of the total incoming students at Camosun College were international students.
Okanagan College has campuses in Penticton, Kelowna, and Vernon, B.C. Over 15,900 students attend the school each year.
The school offers 46 different programs, including diploma, certificate, and degree programs to international students. These programs span numerous areas of study, such as arts, business, commercial aviation, language, health and social development, science, technologies, trades, and food, wine, and tourism.
The annual tuition fee typically ranges from $6,400 to $34,806, depending on the study program chosen.
You may be eligible for one of the many awards, scholarships, and bursaries available to students enrolling at Okanagan.
In 2021-22, approximately nine per cent of students enrolled at Okanagan College were international students.
As an international student planning to study in British Columbia, Canada, you’ll have many universities and colleges to choose from. B.C. is home to some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, including the University of British Columbia. Moreover, the province’s diversity and multiculturalism make it easier for international students to adapt to their new life and feel at home in Canada.
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