Admissions
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.
How to Apply
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.
When to Apply
Please see Important Dates.Transcripts
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
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.
General Admission Requirements - All Applicants
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.
Academic 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.
Entrance Testing
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) 822-4146 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 Test16/25 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 DiplomaMath 11 Challenge Exam 64% Commercial Aviation DiplomaMath Diagnostic Test 16/25 Computer Information Systems Diploma Math 11 Challenge Exam 64% Electronic Engineering Technology DiplomaMath 11 Challenge Exam 64% Mechanical Engineering Technology DiplomaMath 12 Challenge Exam 64% Network and Telecommunications Engineering Technology DiplomaMath 11 Challenge Exam 64% Practical Nursing Certificate Math Competency for Nursing 60% Trades Technology Teacher Education DiplomaMath 11 Challenge Exam64% Water Quality and Environmental Engineering Technology DiplomaMath 11 Challenge Exam 64%
Applicants Whose First Language Is Not English
Applicants to diploma, degree and certificate programs whose first language is not English must submit documentation of one of the following:
A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (Internet-based).
An overall band score of 6.5 on the academic version of IELTS.
A score exceeding level 6 on the Okanagan College English Language Assessment (OCELA).
A minimum grade of 70% in each of ESLE 060, ESLW 061, and ESLR 062 for admission to a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Business Administration diploma, Commercial Aviation diploma or Advanced Culinary Arts diploma.
A minimum grade of 60% in ESLE 060, ESLW 061 and ESLR 062 for admission to Arts, Science, Computer Information Systems and Engineering Technology programs.
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.
A transcript showing completion of an English literature or composition course at a recognized university or college in Canada with a minimum grade of 50%.
A minimum score of level 5 on the Language Proficiency Index test (available only in BC) for Business or level 4 for Arts, Science, 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.
In addition to English, all students must meet program specific prerequisites noted for each program.
Admission Procedures
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.
Offers of Admission
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 anon-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.
Transfer Credit Requests
Students who have attended other post-secondary institutions may request transfer credit once they have accepted their offer of admission. Students must submit a Transfer Credit Request Form along with an official (signed and sealed) transcript issued within the past six months. The evaluation fee for transcripts from post-secondary institutions outside of BC is as follows: Domestic students: $30 International students: $150.
Not all courses carry credit in all programs.
Transfer Credit may be re-assessed upon application to another program.
The minimum grade considered for transfer credit is 50%.
Courses to be considered must have been successfully completed at an accredited post-secondary institution.
Detailed course outlines may be requested.
Okanagan College reserves the right to deny transfer credit for courses completed 10 or more years before the date of application.
If you receive transfer credit for a course which duplicates current enrolment, it is your responsibility to withdraw from the course.
Transcript evaluation services prior to admission is currently not available.
Advanced Placement
BiologyMinimum Grade Required: 4Transferability: Credit for BIOL 111 and BIOL 121 or BIOL 112 and BIOL 122Chemistry Minimum Grade Required: 4 Transferability: Credit for CHEM 111 and CHEM 121 or CHEM 112 and CHEM 122 Computer Science AMinimum Grade Required: 4 Transferability: Credit for COSC 111Microeconomics Minimum Grade Required: 4 Transferability: Credit for ECON 115 Macroeconomics Minimum Grade Required: 4 Transferability: Credit for ECON 125 English Language and CompositionMinimum Grade Required: 4 Transferability: Credit for ENGL 100 English Literature and Composition Minimum Grade Required: 4 Transferability: Credit for ENGL 151 Environmental Scienceno creditFrench LanguageMinimum Grade Required: 4 Transferability: Credit for FREN 112 and FREN 122 History Minimum Grade Required: 4 on the AP European history course Transferability: Credit for HIST 116 and HIST 126 Minimum Grade Required: 4 on the AP USA history course Transferability: Credit for HIST 211 and HIST 221 Mathematics Minimum Grade Required: 4 in Calculus AB Transferability: Credit for MATH 112 Minimum Grade Required: 4 in Calculus BC Transferability: Credit for MATH 112 and MATH 122 Physics Minimum Grade Required: 4 in Physics B Transferability: Credit for PHYS 112 and PHYS 122 Minimum Grade Required: 4 in Physics C Transferability: Credit for PHYS 111 and PHYS 121 Psychology Minimum Grade Required: 4 Transferability: Credit for PSYC 111 and PSYC 121International Baccalaureate
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 122Minimum 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 EnglishMinimum 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
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: Administratve 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:
Learners may receive credit for demonstrated knowledge, skills and attributes that are verifiable, current, and consistent with programs and courses offered at Okanagan College.
PLA candidates must first be admitted to the program, faculty, or department to which they seek credit in accordance with Okanagan College policies and procedures. General Okanagan College admission requirements will be applied.
The appropriateness of PLA within individual departments shall be determined by the respective department.
The appropriate assessment techniques will be determined by the department.
Determination of acceptance of PLA credits from other institutions will be at the discretion of the department.
The assessment and assignment of PLA credit will be determined by a content specialist identified by the department.
The department will have the discretion to assign PLA credit with or without a grade. Assessment of a grade, where assigned, will be determined by the content specialist identified by the department.
PLA credits and/or grades, as determined and recommended by the content specialist, are subject to appeal by the student in accordance with Okanagan College policies and procedures.
Fees for PLA will be based on the services to be performed.
The maximum number of credits awarded through PLA will be 50% of the credits or work required for a given degree, associate degree, diploma or certificate.
Student transcripts shall identify credits granted through the process of PLA.
Student fees for Prior Learning Assessment:
Challenge Exam: 50% of the regular course fee
Portfolio Assessment:
Without a workplace-based assessment: 75% of the regular course fee
With a workplace-based assessment: 100% of the regular course fee
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
