Step 1 – Before you apply

1. Check program availability

→ Visit Program availability for International Students to see which programs are open to international students, and check if applications are currently being accepted.

→ Explore PGWP-eligible programs
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets eligible graduates from Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) stay in Canada and gain valuable work experience after completing their program.

2. Check admission requirements

Make sure you meet the admission requirements. You can find them under the Admission requirements section of your chosen program.

There are also additional English requirements and Country or Region requirements which you can find below.

3. Give yourself enough time

Make sure you can arrive before your program starts. Okanagan College application processing takes a few weeks, plus the study permit processing time.

4. Age requirement

You must be 18 years old or turn 18 during your first semester. If you are 17, you may be admitted if:

• you’ve completed British Columbia Grade 12 (or equivalent) and have a guardian living with you during your studies; or
• you are applying for summer session only.

Authorized agents

If you are from India, Pakistan, or Nigeria you must apply through an Okanagan College authorized agent.

→ For agent recommendations in other countries, please contact our International Recruitment Specialists at intedrecruitment@okanagan.bc.ca.

6. Gather your supporting documents

Make sure your documents are in English or officially translated. Save each group of documents as a single PDF and label them clearly:

Important:

You must list and submit transcripts from all institutions you attended. Failing to do so may be seen as an intentional omission and could result in cancellation of your application or withdrawal of your offer.

English requirements

ESL STUDENTS

Duolingo: Language Assessment for placement in the English Language Program.

• Please submit a copy of your DuoLingo English test results with your ESL application and release your DuoLingo test results to Okanagan College through your DuoLingo account.

Academic IELTS and TOEFL scores are also accepted for placement.

If you obtain a new test score after submitting your application, we can still accept it as long as it is submitted before the start of your studies. Late test results are can be emailed to intedapps@okanagan.bc.ca.

ACADEMIC STUDENTS

International students graduating from British Columbia high schools can use their BC grades to meet English requirements the same as domestic students.

Accepted English alternatives for Applied Bachelor of Arts: Community Research and Evaluation are found on the link below:

• ENGLISH 12 with minimum 70% and alternatives (okanagan.bc.ca)

Accepted English alternatives for all other programs found on the link below:

• ENGLISH 12 with minimum 60% and alternatives (okanagan.bc.ca)

For country-specific English requirement questions, please contact the International Recruitment Team.

All Courses

Welcome to Okanagan College

We are a community of learning, rich with cultural diversity and academic support. Learners are at the heart of everything we do – evidenced with smaller class sizes, industry-experienced professors, hands-on learning in addition to co-op, field and practicum opportunities.

Fast facts

• 15,900+ students attend OC each year
• 7,988 full-time equivalent students
• 1,515 Indigenous students
• 18 students make up the average class size

Okanagan College respectfully acknowledges that the Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon campuses are located on the lands of the Syilx Okanagan People and the Salmon Arm campus is located on the lands of the Secwépemc People. We honour our relations and hold up their knowledge, welcoming all to our house of learning.

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors has the sole responsibility for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, expenditures, business and affairs of the institution.

The Board of Governors consists of the following representatives, in accordance with the College and Institute Act:

1. Eight or more persons appointed by the provincial government’s Lieutenant Governor in Council who shall determine the length of their term and any renewals thereof;
2. One person on the faculty of the College and elected by the faculty members, who shall serve a three-year term and may be elected to further terms;
3. Two students, elected by the students, who shall each serve a one-year term and may be elected to further terms;
4. One person who is part of the support staff and elected by the support staff, who shall serve a three-year term and may be elected to further terms;
5. The President; and
6. The Chair of Education Council

Inspire: Our plan and way forward

We all know the world around us is changing rapidly, and while there are many challenges and complexities, there are also infinite opportunities – to transform, grow and innovate.

Following the global pandemic, and in the midst of shifting social and economic realities, Okanagan College plays a vital role in equipping learners with education and training that is relevant to local and global needs. To have the greatest impact, OC is on a journey of transformation.

Launched in 2022, our Inspire strategic plan charts a course of action for the next ten years, designed to:

• Build on sixty-plus years of academic and instructional excellence, continuing to offer learning opportunities for thousands of students region-wide, enabling them to gain the knowledge, skills and connections to contribute through careers, work and citizenship;
• Strengthen relationships between learners, educators, employers, and our communities, with a shared goal to improve quality of life locally and globally, through greater access to post-secondary education;
• Transform how we work, with focused intention on supporting our people to achieve our goals. This includes our responsibility to make real progress on the journey of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and our responsibility to incorporating sustainability, diversity, equity, inclusion and resilience into our workplace and all that we do;
• Deliver on our commitments to the public, including making it easier for people of all ages and backgrounds to access Okanagan College programming, regardless of where they live. We are champions of a culture of lifelong learning, and work in collaboration with community partners to integrate and focus our expertise in those areas that are most relevant to our region.

Our campuses and region

Okanagan College serves the educational needs of communities throughout the southern interior of British Columbia.

Kelowna

The diverse and welcoming atmosphere at the Kelowna campus is a great place to make connections and get involved in activities.

Penticton

A lively and energetic environment, the Penticton campus features some of the most sustainable buildings in Canada.

Vernon

The casual and relaxed campus overlooks Kalamalka Lake – home to a dedicated learning community.

Salmon Arm

Opportunity meets community in Salmon Arm, the warm campus with a big heart.

Department of History

Explore the past with history at OC!

History courses at OC are designed to engage learners with fascinating stories, in-depth analysis, and evocative multimedia presentations.

From ancient societies to recent space exploration, you’ll be introduced to alternative social and political possibilities, gain a new understanding of current events, and rethink the way you approach your studies in every other discipline. Are you most interested in psychology, gender studies, business, law or medicine? Talk to your professor. Chances are good that you can write a history paper on a topic that excites you. Everything has a history!

What skills will you gain from studying history?

Students in our classes have the opportunity to discuss and analyze human behaviour, develop evidence-based arguments, and craft compelling narratives. We’ll help you to become better at research, analysis, writing and public speaking.

What about jobs?

History majors may go on to careers as teachers, professors, librarians, museum directors, archivists, researchers, lawyers, policy analysts, police officers, intelligence analysts, military officers, foreign service specialists, public administrators, writers (technical and literary), editors, journalists, and broadcasters. Yet regardless of the discipline and career path you choose, taking history courses as part of your studies can help you to better understand your chosen field and improve your research and writing skills. Add a history course to your schedule today!

All Courses

International Tuition fees

To find out the estimated costs for your academic or ESL program please use the cost calculator below

For Program fees please review either the International Estimated costs and Program and tuition fees. Prices are listed with program tuition fees only and student association and ancillary fees will be added once courses are registered.

Current students must pay all semester fees in full by the fee payment deadline.

ESL and Tuition Fees

Tuition Fees for Current Students or Students starting prior to Fall 2026

Academic Courses

ESL English as a Second Language

Students Starting a program on or after Fall 2026

Academic Courses

ESL English as a Second Language

More Tuition and Fee Information

Trades Programs, Engineering Technology or Health and Social Development Programs
Please see our Program Schedule and Tuition Fees or email our Recruitment Coordinators.

Student, Development and Technology Fees
All Okanagan College students are required to pay student fees each semester. These fees include student activity fees (about $80), development and technology fees (about $150), and student union fees ($90). The exact amount is calculated once you register for classes.

Other Fees
Please note that you may have to pay additional fees including student residence or homestay fees, student association fees and medical insurance fees.

All Courses

I already have a myOkanagan student account. Do I need to create a new account to register for Continuing Studies courses?

Yes. All registrants must create a new Student Login to register for individual courses through Continuing Studies. Your myOkanagan student account and 300 number are not transferable to our new system. Please refer to How to create an account | Okanagan College for instructions. You will need to select “I am a new user” to create your account.

How do I register for a course?

All registrations must be completed online through our new registration system. Payment must be received prior to registration. Accepted forms of payment are VISA and MasterCard credit cards and credit debit cards.

How do I withdraw from a course?

To withdraw from a course, please log in to your student account online and request the drop in your enrollment history. Review the refund and transfer processes for more information about these processes.

The course I would like is full, what happens now?

We encourage you to join the waitlist as we do our best to accommodate waitlists where we can. You can easily join the waitlist by selecting the “Join the Waitlist” button when you select a course section to enroll in. Review our waitlist process for more information.

Where can I get a copy of my receipt?

All receipts can be retrieved self-serve through your student account under My Account History.

What is InspirED?

InspirED is the new name, look and feel for the wide range of courses, certificates and short-duration programs offered by the Continuing Studies and Corporate Training team at Okanagan College.

Has anything else changed?

No, nothing else has changed. The Continuing Studies and Corporate Training team at Okanagan College continue to offer a comprehensive range of programs and courses to support and enhance your career and build your networks and skills.

What is the reason for the new name?

Okanagan College is committed to creating meaningful life-long learning educational opportunities of the highest quality for alumni, current, and future students. The name InspirED is a reflection of the current offerings and future direction of Okanagan College and the Continuing Studies and Corporate Training team, in alignment with our Strategic Plan, Inspire.

Why do I have two logins for Okanagan College?

InspirED uses a separate system for course registration and it has a different registration process. We understand the confusion of managing two logins and are working towards a single login.

Can I use my OC ID to login for my InspirED course?

No, the @myokanagan.bc.ca credentials are only for logging in to Okanagan College wide systems such as MyOkanagan, Moodle, and campus wi-fi, and campus computers. Please use the username you created to login to InspirED or click on “Forgot your Username”.

What do I use my OC ID for?

Your OC credentials (@myokanagan.bc.ca email), are used to login to campus computers, login to MyOkanagan, and join campus wi-fi. Depending on your selected course, these may not be relevant to you; however, when you come back to Okanagan College you will already have a student number and account created which will make your registration journey easier.

What do I use my InspirED login information for?

Your InspirED login information (username and password) will be needed to manage your registration, get receipts from courses, and register for new courses. Login to InspirED.

All Courses