How to Study in British Columbia for International Students
British Columbia, one of the states in Canada, should be among your choices if you’re looking to study abroad. This location offers world-class education and opportunities to jump-start your career and engage in character-building adventures. You’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in a rich culture and learn about its nuances compared to the rest of the country.
When it comes to the choices that are available, British Columbia currently has 20 universities, from which 15 universities are a part of the public sector and 5 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in British Columbia you should definitely check out are University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and University of Victoria.
Being able to study in British Columbia as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in British Columbia, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in British Columbia
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in British Columbia, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 8,880 CAD to 73,100 CAD, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 6,449 CAD and 67,800 CAD.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in British Columbia
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in British Columbia, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| College of the Rockies | 16,400 CAD | |
| College of New Caledonia | 11,300 CAD - 14,200 CAD | |
| North Island College | 12,300 CAD - 20,000 CAD | |
| British Columbia Institute of Technology | 49,000 CAD - 64,200 CAD | 18,300 CAD - 45,000 CAD |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University | 15,100 CAD - 24,900 CAD | |
| Thompson Rivers University | 18,300 CAD - 22,900 CAD | 17,000 CAD - 32,000 CAD |
| Royal Roads University | 23,900 CAD - 25,100 CAD | 26,900 CAD - 40,400 CAD |
| Simon Fraser University | 36,500 CAD - 43,100 CAD | 6,449 CAD - 67,800 CAD |
| University of Northern British Columbia | 23,200 CAD - 28,900 CAD | 13,600 CAD - 20,400 CAD |
| University of British Columbia | 49,600 CAD - 64,200 CAD | 9,884 CAD - 57,500 CAD |
| University of the Fraser Valley | 19,000 CAD - 28,500 CAD | 10,000 CAD - 15,000 CAD |
| University of Victoria | 35,500 CAD - 43,400 CAD | 8,403 CAD - 21,300 CAD |
| Vancouver Island University | 24,500 CAD | 10,600 CAD - 31,500 CAD |
| Capilano University | 20,700 CAD | |
| Emily Carr University of Art and Design | 28,700 CAD | 18,500 CAD - 19,800 CAD |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in British Columbia
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| New York Institute of Technology Vancouver | 15,200 CAD - 22,700 CAD | |
| LaSalle College Vancouver | 8,880 CAD - 16,500 CAD | |
| University Canada West | 32,100 CAD - 73,100 CAD | 36,900 CAD |
| Langara College | 16,000 CAD - 20,000 CAD | |
| Trinity Western University | 19,200 CAD - 24,000 CAD | 7,260 CAD - 20,400 CAD |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in British Columbia, check out the Cheap Universities in British Columbia!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in British Columbia for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in British Columbia, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In British Columbia, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in British Columbia may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in British Columbia are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in British Columbia and their required minimum scores for each program level.
College of the Rockies
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 80
- IELTS: 6.0
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
College of New Caledonia
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: no minimum score
- IELTS: no minimum score
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
North Island College
Bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL: 80
- IELTS: 6.0
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in British Columbia
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in British Columbia have online applications available on their websites, like University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in British Columbia.
University of British Columbia
Simon Fraser University
University of Victoria
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in British Columbia differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in British Columbia.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in British Columbia
If you’re going to study in British Columbia, you will need to apply for a student visa in Canada
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Canada. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Study Permit .
To start your student visa application in British Columbia, you will need to present the following:
- Valid travel document
- Passport-sized photos
- Proof of financial capacity to fund studies and living expenses
- Letter of acceptance from the university
- Medical exam
- Letter of explanation indicating the reason for studying in Canada
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate issued by the government
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Canada is 150 CAD.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Prepare the required documents.
- Apply online or by paper. The instructions and other forms are available on the Canadian Government website.
- Visit the nearest Visa Application Centre in your home country.
- Pay the visa processing fee.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in British Columbia. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!