Admission Requirements for International Students
General Admission Requirements
International students must be at least 17 years of age by the program start date when applying to VCC.
English Requirements
English requirements vary by program. Check the English Requirements page for a quick overview, and refer to theprogram pages for details.
Program-Specific Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements vary by program. Review the “Admission Requirements” section of the program pages for detailed information.
Not sure what documents to submit? Check out the High School Graduation Requirements to select your country of education to get more details.
Grade 12 (High School) Graduation Requirements
If your program requires Grade 12 (high school) graduation, remember to submit your graduation diploma and transcripts. If your program requires specific course grades, while GED may be accepted as proof of Grade 12 (high school) graduation, the individual course requirements may not be met. Submit your GED for further evaluation.
Competitive Selection Programs
While most programs at VCC accept students on a first-qualified, first-offered basis, some programs admit students based on a competitive selection process. Review Competitive Selection for details.
Flexible Admission
If you do not meet the standard admissions requirements, VCC’s Flexible Admissions Policy and Procedures may provide a pathway for you to be admitted to your program. For more details, check Flexible Admissions.
English Requirements
English Entrance Requirements and Equivalencies
Study English to Meet the Requirements
Submit Test Scores to VCC
English Entrance Requirements for International Students
English is the primary language of instruction at VCC. All applicants are required to demonstrate the appropriate level of English language proficiency to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom.
English entrance requirements vary by programs. Here’s how you can check the requirements and equivalencies accepted.
- Visit the program page of your choice, and find out the English grade required for the program.
- Refer to the chart below for the common assessments you can use to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
- Click on the English grades below to see other equivalencies accepted, such as CAEL, Cambridge, PTE, VCC EAL Accuplacer assessments, University English grade, BC EAP level, and more.
- Planning to study English to meet the requirements? Check out the options available to international students.
Note that some programs, such as the Health Care Assistant Diploma, have specific English requirements. Check the program pages for detailed requirements and accepted equivalencies.
Test Score Validity
CAEL CE/CAEL Online (Canadian Academic English Language Test), Cambridge Assessment (B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE)), Duolingo English Test, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online (Pearson Test of English) and TOEFL iBT are accepted as external test options for meeting VCC’s English entrance requirements, in addition to VCC EAL (ESL) Accuplacer + VCC EAL (ESL) Speaking Assessment. English test scores are valid for 2 years. The test scores must be valid at the time a complete application is received at VCC.
Remember to submit your test scores to VCC.
Countries that satisfy English language proficiency requirements
Speaking and listening requirements can be satisfied through secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the medium of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages.
| American Samoa Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Australia Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda Botswana British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Dominica Falkland Islands Fiji Gambia | Ghana Gibraltar Grenada Guam Guyana Ireland Jamaica Kenya Lesotho Liberia Malta Mauritius Montserrat New Zealand Nigeria Saint Helena | Saint Lucia Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore South Africa Tanzania Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands Uganda United Kingdom United States United States Virgin Islands Zambia Zimbabwe |
Students who have completed a 4-year, English-taught post-secondary degree from an accredited institution in the Philippines may also meet the English admission requirements of most VCC programs, except for programs where the English requirements are set by external regulatory bodies (e.g. Health Care Assistant Diploma).
International or B.C. offshore school
Students from institutions accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and B.C. Certified Offshore Schools may meet VCC’s English language requirements if they have an equivalent academic English course with the respective grade required by the program. Please contact study@vcc.ca for more information.
*English as an Additional Language (EAL/ESL) courses are not considered in the three-year calculation.
Other equivalencies may also be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Submit a complete application to confirm if the English entrance requirements are met.
Study English to Meet the Requirements
If you do not meet VCC’s English admissions requirements, you may study at VCC’s ESL program, or at VCC’s partner language schools (ILAC or ILSC) to meet VCC’s requirements.
Submit Test Scores to VCC
Remember to request your scores to be submitted to VCC for your application to be reviewed.
CAEL CE/CAEL Online
Request your CAEL Official Score Report by providing VCC’s details when registering CAEL, or up to 1 business day before your scores are posted on the CAEL website. Check the CAEL website for more details.
Cambridge Assessment
Provide your test details, such as Cambridge centre, candidate numbers, and the relevant examination series (identified by month and year e.g., June 2014) so we may verify your results. Check the Cambridge Assessment website for more details.
Duolingo English Test
Request the Duolingo results to be sent directly to VCC – International Student Admission and inform VCC once it is requested. Results are typically released to VCC within 48 hours of the request. Check the Duolingo English Test website for more details.
IELTS Academic/IELTS Academic Online
Submit the IELTS Test Report with your application. A screenshot of the score on the IELTS website is not accepted, unless the Test Report Form (TRF) number is provided. Check the IELTS website for more details.
PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online (Pearson Test of English)
Request the PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online results to be sent directly to Vancouver Community College and inform VCC of either your ‘Score Report Code’ or ‘Registration ID’ once it is requested.
TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Submit the TOEFL iBT score report with your application. A screenshot of the score on the TOEFL website is not accepted, unless the Appointment Number is provided. Check the TOEFL website for more details.
About VCC
Located in the heart of the city, Vancouver Community College (VCC) offers academic, cultural, and social environments that inspire relevant real-world training. Our on campus facilities – including gourmet restaurants, an auto shop, and salon and spa – allow students to hone their skills and training while providing high-quality lower-cost services to the Downtown and East Vancouver communities.
Our vision
VCC – The first choice for innovative, experiential learning for life.
VCC is proud to inspire a new generation of students to discover their passions, gain essential skills, and learn what it takes to succeed in a competitive workforce. With over 15,000 students, including a growing number of Aboriginal and International learners, 1,200 employees and an annual budget of $175 million, VCC is a key player in the post-secondary landscape in B.C. Our connections to industry ensure that our students have direct access to employers while our model of access and our partnerships across the post-secondary sector assist students to reach their goals at any stage of their educational journey.
Our values
- Student success: We create an accessible environment where students build the skills, develop the attributes and gain the experience in the classroom, industry and community needed for success now and in the future.
- Excellence: We are committed to the highest educational quality, student support, and college operations that are responsive, innovative and relevant.
- Reconciliation and Diversity: We respect and celebrate our differences, and are committed to the work of decolonization, accessibility and inclusivity for all.
- Stewardship: We are responsible for overseeing the resources that are entrusted to us and are focused on working in the best interests of the college community as a whole.
Our commitment to diversity, accessibility, quality, and relevance makes VCC a unique and exciting place to study. We believe that VCC students have unlimited potential, and it’s our job to make sure our graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
Accessibility
Accessibility at VCC
VCC’s commitment to diversity, accessibility, quality, and relevance makes VCC a unique and exciting place to work and study. We believe that VCC students have unlimited potential, and it’s our job to make sure our graduates and employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. To this end, VCC is committed to the identification and removal of barriers impacting people with disabilities.
Accessibility plan
The Accessible BC Act, which came into effect in October 2022, aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities by promoting accessibility and inclusion in all areas of society. It provides a framework for developing accessibility standards and plans, as well as a mechanism for addressing complaints related to accessibility barriers. The following Accessibility Plan was created in consultation with a diverse group of partners within the College and the Accessibility Committee.
Campus Plan
Vision
Vancouver Community College’s Campus Plan is designed to propel our institution into a new era of academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. This plan reflects our commitment to creating an environment that fosters learning, collaboration, and sustainability, ensuring that our campus meets the evolving needs of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
The plan guides VCC’s long-term development of its two urban campuses located in Downtown and East Vancouver. The catalyst project for the Campus Plan is the Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation.
Our vision
Campuses that embody innovation and respond to a changing city and region.
Objectives
In support of the Campus Plan vision, a series of six objectives were developed. These objectives served as the “backbones” of the plan while the concepts for the campuses emerged.
We’ve Been Busy: Making a Difference for Our Students and Communities
As the leader of access education and vocational training, VCC’s Strategic Innovation Plan charts our future with fiscal readiness to continue our legacy of programmatic excellence rooted in community.
President and board chair message
For over 50 years, VCC has been a leader in innovative, experiential post-secondary learning in British Columbia. We are extremely proud of this legacy, and we look forward making an even greater impact in the decades to come.
This Strategic Innovation Plan was developed to meet evolving student and sectoral needs by forming a learning environment that will serve our community and our province well into the future. Empowered by financial sustainability and renewability, this plan provides a bold, new vision for campus and program development and is intended to be reviewed and updated annually while remaining true to VCC’s history and values.
At VCC, we also believe that true progress cannot be made without also furthering equity, accessibility, and Reconciliation. These values have strongly informed this plan and will continue to guide our way in the decades to come.
Board of Governors
Vancouver Community College is a public post-secondary education institution. The Board of Governors administers the college, on behalf of the government of British Columbia and Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills and determines policy and reviews the college’s performance as detailed in the College and Institute Act, Part 4, Section 19.
The Board is composed of both government appointed and VCC elected members.
International Tuition and Fees
Application Fees
- International application fee: $145
- Application fees are assessed upon submission of applications.
- Application fees and assessment fees are non-refundable.
- Application fees are not transferrable among VCC programs. Students applying to a different program must pay the application fee again.
- Applications are withdrawn if an offer is rejected, or if the program applied to has started. To re-apply, a new application package and application fee will be required.
Assessment Fees
VCC assessments are only available in person. To confirm if assessments are required, review the admission requirements for your choice of programs, and apply to VCC with supporting documents for evaluation. If assessments are required and available, instructions to book assessments and pay assessment fees will be provided.
Assessment fees are not refundable.
Tuition
Tuition is charged by the college for the provision of a course or program. Tuition amounts vary by program. For details, click on the program of your choice, and check the “Fees and other costs” section of the program page for a detailed breakdown of tuition and mandatory fees.
Tuition Deposit
- Program fees and tuition deposit amounts vary by Program.
- Tuition deposits are payable to accept an offer of admission and secure a seat in a program, and must be received on or before the payment deadline indicated on the Letter of Offer (usually within 3 weeks after the offer is issued).
- The deposit amount will be deducted from the first term tuition fees.
- Tuition deposits include a non-refundable portion, which is non-transferable and is$10,000, for any program. Students applying to a different program will be subject to the non-refundable portion of the tuition deposit of the initially admitted program.
Student Fees
Student fees are charged by the college for services provided to students, including but not limited to:
- Campus Resource Fee
- College Initiative Fees
- Health and Dental Fees
- Materials Fee, if applicable
- Students’ Union Fee
- UPass Fee
Breakdown of tuition and other fees are indicated on individual program pages.
International Cohort Tuition
As international cohorts are exclusively for international students, international fees apply throughout the duration of the program. International Cohort programs are:
Important Tuition and Fees Information
Tuition and other fees are approximate and subject to increase up to 5% per year. Students will be required to pay increased rates if the fees change at any time during the period of enrolment in the program.
Fees are in Canadian dollars and are approximate and subject to change without notice. Students making advance payments for programs/courses or installment payments for current programs will be required to pay increased rates if the fees change at any time during the period of enrolment in the program. Application fees and assessment fees are non-refundable.
VCC Awards and Scholarships
VCC offers hundreds of scholarships and awards which are presented at two ceremonies every year. Numerous awards and scholarships are available to recognize student achievement and provide educational assistance at VCC. Many of the awards are proudly supported by Vancouver Community College Foundation and its community of donors.
For complete descriptions of all VCC’s financial awards, visit our Online Awards Guide.
Many financial aid forms will ask you to list program costs. To help you determine the cost for your VCC program we have an online calculator.
Spring 2025
Please stay tuned for updates on the Fall 2025 Scholarship program.
The Canada Life Scholarship for New Canadians supports new Canadians, either permanent residents or Canadian citizens, who have become BC residents within the last five years to assist in advancing their education, and alleviate financial barriers to pursuing post-secondary study.
Awards will be granted on the basis of financial need and a desire to enter into or be currently enrolled a full-time VCC program.
Application deadline: March 31, 2025
Award amount: 5 x $1,250
Canada-Life-Scholarships-for-New-Canadians
Admission Requirements
How do I know if I meet the admissions requirements?
Refer to the program admissions requirements on the website to verify what is required for admission. Apply to VCC for your application to be assessed to confirm admissibility.
Does VCC accept IELTS Academic or IELTS General?
VCC only accepts IELTS Academic module.
What is VCC’s institution code for TOEFL?
VCC Institution code for TOEFL is 0658.
How do I meet the Food Safe Level 1 requirement?
Students may complete the Food Safe Level 1 Course/Exam at VCC Continuing Studies or other Food Safe course providers.
K-12 New Course Name Changes
Effective Date: September 1, 2019
| Existing Course Name | New Curriculum Course Name |
| English 10 | Composition 10 Creative Writing 10 Literary Studies 10 New Media 10 Spoken Language 10 |
| English 11 | Composition 11 Creative Writing 11 Literary Studies 11 New Media 11 Spoken Language 11 |
| English 12 | English Studies 12 Composition 12 Creative Writing 12 |
| English Literature 12 | Literary Studies 12 New Media 12 Spoken Language 12 |
| English First Peoples 10 | EFP Writing 10 EFP Literary Studies 10 EFP New Media 10 EFP Spoken Language 10 |
| English First Peoples 11 | EFP Literary Studies and Writing 11 EFP Literary Studies and New Media 11 EFP Literary Studies and Spoken Language 11 |
| Biology 11 | Life Sciences 11 |
| Biology 12 | Anatomy and Physiology 12 |
| Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10 | Workplace Mathematics 10 |
| Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 11 | Workplace Mathematics 11 |
| Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 12 | Apprenticeship Mathematics 12 |
Out of Province Grade 12 Equivalency Chart
Check Grade 12 equivalency for courses taken in other Canadian provinces.
For more information, check Admission Requirements.
Application Availability
The status shows “Apply Now” on the Availability Status page. Does it mean I will receive an offer?
As availability changes constantly, programs may become unavailable by the time applications are reviewed and processed. Applications are accepted when the availability status shows “Apply Now”, and qualified students may receive an offer, or a waitlist notification if seats are full or reserved.
Students applying early within the application periods have a higher chance of getting an offer, however, offers are not guaranteed.
The program status shows “Apply Now” on the Availability Status page. Do I get a refund of application fee if I don’t receive an offer letter?
Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
The program status shows “Application Closed” on the Availability Status page. Can I still apply?
Applications are not accepted if the availability status shows “Closed”. Prepare to apply to a future intake when the application periods open.
I’m interested in a VCC program but cannot find it on the availability page. Why?
As a public institution, provincial government funding regulates VCC’s programming, seat space and equipment allocation. Certain programs are given domestic student priority. If a VCC program is not listed on the International Program Listing page, it is not offered to international students.
Visit the Application Availability page before applying.
Apply
When will I receive an offer letter?
Qualified applicants may receive a Letter of Offer if program seats are available.
If program seats are full or reserved, qualified applicants may receive a waitlist notification.
Students usually receive a notification within the application processing timeframe regarding their application status.
I’m planning to take IELTS. Can I get a conditional offer first and submit my IELTS report later?
If students do not meet the English requirements, studying at ILAC or ILSC is the only option to get conditional admission in most VCC programs. Alternatively, apply after obtaining sufficient External English Tests scores.
I’m still studying at high school in B.C. Can I apply for conditional admission?
Conditional admission for many VCC programs may be available for B.C. Grade 12 students based on transcript evaluation. To confirm admissibility, submit a complete application with interim transcripts and report cards for evaluation.
Fees and Payments
How much tuition do I have to pay, and when?
Students pay the tuition deposit to confirm their program seats, and will pay the remainder of the tuition and other fees to continue their programs.
Tuition deposit amounts vary by program. Tuition and other fees are payable on a continuous basis based on the courses in your program and when those courses are scheduled. Information about future term payment amounts and due dates will be sent to students before they continue to the next term.
If I don’t know the exact amount and payment deadline, how do I plan for my education?
Fee information such as program tuition and other fees are published on the website. International students should expect to prepare sufficient funds for the entire program before accepting offers.
What if I don’t pay my tuition fees by the deadline?
Failure to pay tuition fees by the deadline may result in late fees or removal from your programs/courses. Letters and transcripts may not be issued if students have fees owing.
Why are fees higher for international students?
As the provincial government funds domestic students’ education, the cost of tuition for domestic students is subsidized and therefore lower than that of international students.
Do I qualify for domestic student tuition fees?
Refer to the policy and procedures of VCC Policy 310 Tuition and Fees, for more information about eligibility for domestic fees. Check Tuition and Fees and Payment and Receipts for more details.
Study and Graduate
Why do many VCC 2-year programs only have 16 months in duration? Will this impact my eligibility for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
Many VCC programs are designed to be accelerated programs, which means that a study program can be completed in less time than the normal length of the program. This should not impact the length of your PGWP as long as you maintain full-time academic status throughout your program. Check the Length of a Post-Graduation Work Permit for eligible VCC programs.
Who is an international student?
An international student is someone who is not a Permanent Resident or a Canadian Citizen.
When are the breaks at VCC?
Breaks vary depending on programs, and some of VCC’s programs are continuous without a break. The exact dates of program breaks will be provided with class schedules before the start of each program. For other college closure dates, refer to the Important Dates page.
Why are VCC’s Bachelor Degrees only 2 years?
VCC offers two Bachelor’s Degree programs for international students: Bachelor of Hospitality Management and Bachelor of Applied Music.
These two-year Bachelor’s degree programs at VCC are Year 3 and 4 of a bachelor’s degree, and require applicants to graduate from VCC’s Diplomas (Hospitality and Food Service Systems Management and Music Diploma) or officially articulated programs and institutions.
How many credits do I have to complete to get a diploma?
The number of credits varies by program. Refer to the “Courses” section on individual program pages for details.
How do I know if my program has practicum? Will I get paid? Do I have to find employers on my own?
Many VCC programs have practicum, and some programs offer practical training on campus. Check VCC Programs with Practicum Experience (Co-op Work Permit Required) to find out if practicum is included in your program. Practicum is usually not paid. Information about how to find employers will be provided by individual programs.
Are VCC’s trades programs recognized by SkilledTradesBC?
SkilledTradesBC, recognizes the education and training hours of some of VCC’s trades programs. More details about how to register for a SkilledTradesBC test will be provided by individual programs when students are enrolled in the programs.
