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Early application for all programs is strongly advised. Okanagan College may cease to accept applications for a given intake or program if the number of applications submitted greatly exceeds enrolment capacity. Notice of these program closures will be posted on the Okanagan College website.
Okanagan College is a multi-campus institution, and many programs are offered at more than one campus. However, not all programs are offered at all campuses.
Use the online application form at www.okanagan.bc.ca/apply. If you are unable to submit an application online, Okanagan College will accept paper applications with the $30 non-refundable application fee.
While online submission of your application greatly speeds the processing of the application, how you submit your application is not a factor in determining your admissibility.
You may visit any of the campuses or regional centres of Okanagan College to submit your application. Assistance is available to help you use the online application process. You may apply to one or more programs in any given semester or program term. The application fee must be submitted with the first application. The fee is not required for the second application (within a twelve-month period). If you are admitted to more than one program, you will be required to accept only one offer of admission.
As an applicant, you must ensure that official sealed transcripts are submitted for all institutions attended other than Okanagan College. Transcripts must have been issued within the previous six months. Current and past Okanagan College students and Okanagan University College students are not required to submit Okanagan College or Okanagan University College transcripts. Domestic applicants submitting out-of-province post-secondary transcripts will be required to submit a $30 transcript evaluation fee. International applicants submitting out-of-province post-secondary transcripts will be required to submit a $150 transcript evaluation fee. (This fee is in addition to the application fee.)
Applicants must satisfy all general and program-specific admission requirements.
Regular Applicants: Regular applicants have secondary graduation (or equivalent) or are currently enrolled in Grade 12.
Mature Applicants: Mature applicants are at least 19 years of age and have been out of full-time secondary school for at least one year prior to commencement in their program. Grade 12 graduation is not required (unless specified), but the applicant must satisfy all general and program-specific admission requirements.
Transfer Student: The applicant is currently attending or has most recently attended another accredited post-secondary institution in a transferable program. The applicant must satisfy all general and program-specific admission requirements.
Unclassified Student: Courses completed as an Unclassified Student are not intended to lead to a particular degree or diploma. No transfer credit will be awarded by Okanagan College. Enrolment in courses is subject to availability of space, completion of prerequisites or faculty permission. Department permission is required for students enrolling in 300/400 level courses. Admission to the College as an Unclassified Student does not guarantee admission to any subsequent program.
Visiting Student: A Visiting Student at Okanagan College is a student who is currently undertaking a program of degree completion at another accredited post-secondary institution. No transfer credit will be awarded by Okanagan College. Students are admitted based on a Letter of Permission from the home institution and are permitted to register in specific Okanagan College courses as listed in the Letter of Permission.
The Letter of Permission must state the session and year for which it is valid and is valid for one academic year only. If subsequent sessions are required, a new Letter of Permission must be submitted. Registration in courses is subject to availability of space, approval from the home institution, and proof of satisfying all course prerequisites.
Document Requirements
Applicants are required to submit the following documents with their applications:
Provincial Education Number (PEN): All applicants who are currently enrolled in or have completed Grade 12 in British Columbia or Yukon must submit their nine-digit provincial education number.
Transcript: Official (i.e. sealed and unopened) transcripts must be submitted for all secondary and post-secondary schools. These transcripts must have been issued within the past six months.
Applicants from outside Canada, or whose documents are not in English: see our International Student information.
Transcripts and other documents submitted become the property of Okanagan College and will be returned to the student only upon written request. In this event, true copies of non-replaceable documents will be made by Okanagan College and the original documents returned.
Sponsorship Letters: All students who are sponsored must submit a letter outlining what specifically is covered under the sponsorship and authorizing their sponsorship before registration.
Citizenship and Immigration Requirements
Applicants must satisfy one of the following citizenship or immigration requirements for admission:
be a citizen of Canada, or
hold status granted by Human Resource Development Canada as a permanent resident (landed immigrant), proof of which must be submitted, or
hold a valid study permit issued by a Canada Immigration Centre, proof of which must be submitted, or
hold a valid visitor's permit and intend to study in Canada for six months or less.
Age Requirement
Adult Academic and Career Preparation Programs (Adult Basic Education): Applicants must be at least 19 years of age, or have been out of the public school system for at least 12 months and be at least 18 years of age, or have completed grade 12.
Any applicant not meeting these requirements must be recommended for admission by a Secondary School Principal or Counsellor and be referred to the Adult Academic and Career Preparation Underage Committee of the campus which the applicant wishes to attend. The Committee will interview the applicant, who will be admitted only if approved by the Committee and space is available.
Baccalaureate Degree, Associate Degree, Diploma programs and Health and Social Development Programs: Applicants must be 18 years of age or a British Columbia Secondary School graduate or equivalent. Some programs may set higher age requirements.
Vocational and Trades: Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Some programs may set higher age requirements. Okanagan College reserves the right to determine whether an underage student will be permitted to enrol.
English Requirements
English is the language of instruction and communication at Okanagan College. All applicants, including Canadian citizens, whose native or primary language is other than English, must demonstrate a command of English sufficient to meet the demands of classroom instruction and written assignments.
See individual program listings for specific English requirements.
See individual program listings for detailed requirements.
All applicants must:
submit proof of having satisfied all admission requirements of the program to which admission is sought, or
submit proof of enrolment in a course or program of studies which, if successfully completed by June 30th, will satisfy all admission requirements for a program starting in September, or
for programs with a start date other than September, submit proof of enrolment in a course or program of studies which, if successfully completed by the date specified by the Admissions Office, will satisfy all admission requirements to the program.
Testing times and dates are available at the Learning Centre in Kelowna or Regional Campus counselling offices.
Language Proficiency Index (LPI): Students may write the LPI to satisfy the English academic admission requirement for some Okanagan College programs. Please refer to the program listing for specific English requirements.
Information on how to register to write the LPI, and dates and locations for the LPI sittings are available online. Results must be submitted no later than July 31 for admission to programs starting in September.
Applicants outside B.C. can call the LPI office at (604) 822-9144 or visit their website.
English testing for International Students: see Okanagan College International or see below.
ABLE Math and English Diagnostic Test: Satisfactory standing in basic math and reading tests is required for entrance to all Entry Level Training (Trades) programs. Please see individual program listing.
Adult Academic and Career Preparation Skills Assessment: Applicants wishing to enter some Adult Academic and Career Preparation (Adult Basic Education) courses may be required to complete a skills assessment test if they do not meet specific course prerequisites or to determine the level which would best suit their needs. Assessment dates and times are available at the Registrar's Office or campus offices. See Adult Academic and Career Preparation programs for more information.
Mathematics Diagnostic Test: Any person requesting admission to the following programs (see chart below), must demonstrate proficiency in the indicated area of Mathematics. The indicated diagnostic test may be used to satisfy the math admission requirement.
Program Specific Tests and Passing Scores:
Advanced Culinary Arts Diploma Math Diagnostic Test 16/25 Associate of Science Degree Calculus Readiness Test 16/25 Bachelor of Business Administration Math Diagnostic Test 20/25 Bachelor of Computer Information Systems Math 11 Challenge Exam 64% Business Administration Diploma Math Diagnostic Test 16/25 Civil Engineering Technology Diploma Math 11 Challenge Exam 64% Commercial Aviation Diploma Math Diagnostic Test 16/25 Computer Information Systems Diploma Math 11 Challenge Exam 64% Electronic Engineering Technology Diploma Math 11 Challenge Exam 64% Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma Math 12 Challenge Exam 64% Network and Telecommunications Engineering Technology Diploma Math 11 Challenge Exam 64% Trades Technology Teacher Education Diploma Math 11 Challenge Exam 64% Water Engineering Technology Diploma Math 11 Challenge Exam 64%
A score exceeding level 4 on the Okanagan College English Language Assessment (OCELA).
A minimum grade of 70% in B.C. secondary school English 12 or its equivalent for Business or a minimum grade of 60% for Arts, Science, Engineering technology, and most diploma programs.
Applicants who have successfully completed a diploma or degree from an accredited institution at which English is the language of instruction may submit their academic transcript for review by Okanagan College. Subject to verification, this diploma or degree may be used to meet the English requirement for admission to Okanagan College. Documentation of English language proficiency should be sent directly to International Education, Okanagan College. In addition to English, all students must meet program specific prerequisites.
Students continuing their studies from one semester to the next need not apply for readmission. Each semester students must, however, register and pay fees for the courses in which they wish to enrol.
Students changing their program (e.g. from AACP to an Associate of Arts, or from ESL to Business) need to submit a new Application for Admission.
Returning students: Students returning to resume studies in a specific program after an absence of one or more semesters are required to submit an Application for Admission before the beginning of the semester in which they wish to enrol. Applicants are strongly advised to apply early. Applicants must satisfy all program requirements prior to admission.
Aboriginal applicants: Canadian Aboriginal applicants are encouraged to declare that they are of Aboriginal ancestry within the meaning of the Constitution Act of 1982. This information will allow access to activities and services designated for Aboriginal students. Further information may be requested from: Student Services - Aboriginal Programs and Services or call (250) 762-5445.
Okanagan College will, for any given program, normally make several rounds of admission offers until the program has been filled. The offer of admission sent to an applicant by the Admissions Office will indicate a response deadline by which the applicant must notify Okanagan College of his or her decision to accept the offer of admission. Acceptance of an offer of admission must be accompanied by payment of a non-refundable admissions deposit. This payment will be fully applied toward payment of the student's assessed tuition fees.
By accepting the offer of admission and paying the non-refundable admissions deposit by the deadline, the applicant will be assured of a seat in the program, and will be block registered into the appropriate courses, or will be given a registration appointment to register in courses, depending on their program. This will ensure that the applicant is able to register in courses deemed core to the program.
Applicants who decide to accept an offer of admission after the response date indicated in their offer of admission will be granted admission to the program subject to the availability of space in the program.
Students planning to transfer to a university at a later date should also contact the university of their choice or contact Education Advising for more information.
Biology Minimum Grade Required: 6 Transferability: Credit for BIOL 111 and BIOL 121 or BIOL 112 and BIOL 122 Minimum Grade Required: 5 Transferability: A prerequisite waiver for BIOL 111 and BIOL 121 or BIOL 112 and BIOL 122 for entry into second-year courses Chemistry Minimum Grade Required: 6 Transferability: Credit for CHEM 111 and CHEM 121 or CHEM 112 and CHEM 122 Computer Science Minimum Grade Required: 5 Transferability: A prerequisite waiver of COSC 111 and COSC 121 for entry into subsequent courses, provided applicants successfully complete a supervised laboratory assignment prepared by the Computer Science Department English Minimum Grade Required: 5 in the higher-level IB English examination and an "A" in English 12 Transferability: A prerequisite waiver for first year English for entry into second year History (Asia or European) Minimum Grade Required: 5 Transferability: A prerequisite waiver of first-year courses for entry into applicable second year courses Mathematics Minimum Grade Required: 5 Transferability: Credit for MATH 112 and/or MATH 112 & MATH 122 depending on the examination taken Physics Minimum Grade Required: 6 Transferability: Credit for PHYS 112 and PHYS 122
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is assessment carried out by a qualified specialist to determine what has been learned through non-formal education, training, or experience. The purpose of the assessment is to determine what prior learning is worthy of credit in a course or program offered by the accrediting institution.
PLA is available for some courses in the following areas: Administrative Assistant Certificate, Health Care Attendant, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, Continuing Studies, Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics and Astronomy, and Early Childhood Education.
Please contact the chair of the department to determine which courses are available for PLA.
Students with PLA credit from Okanagan College who are planning to transfer to another institution, should confirm with the other institution the acceptance of the credit.
PLA policy guidelines:
Student fees for Prior Learning Assessment:
Challenge Exam: 50% of the regular course fee
Portfolio Assessment:
Workplace-based Assessment: 100% of the regular course fee
Note: Students will not be charged additional fees for prior learning assessment(s) if they are required to enrol and pay for a complete program and if they wish to use prior learning assessment for one or more courses/modules within the program.