Higher education in Vancouver, British Columbia 2025

Higher education institutions in Vancouver, predominantly public and state-owned, are rigorously monitored by local authorities to ensure quality. This oversight extends to several key areas:

• Quality of teaching.

• Teacher qualifications.

• Educational program content.

Bachelor's Degree in Vancouver for foreign students

Under the Bologna system, prevalent in many countries, students typically earn a bachelor's degree after 3-4 years of higher education. This degree often suffices for starting a career, though it generally leads to mid-level positions. Many international students complete their education at this stage, but those with higher ambitions may pursue a master's degree, opening doors to management roles or research opportunities.

Master's Degree Programs in Vancouver for foreign students 

• Main focus areas include teaching, scientific, or research activities.

• Duration of study typically spans 4-5 years.

• Local bachelor’s degree holders from foreign countries can enroll in Master's or Postgraduate Programs.

Doctorate Programs in Vancouver for Foreign Students 

Postgraduate students can specialize further, engage in internships, and potentially switch specialties. The pinnacle of higher education in Canada is the doctorate (PhD), lasting about four years and focused largely on research.

Canada's flexible immigration policy allows foreign graduates to stay and work for 1-3 years post-graduation, potentially leading to permanent residency. Career guidance centers in universities assist in job placements, and Canadian diplomas are recognized globally.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

Canadian higher learning institutions use an educational credits system (ECTS), enabling smooth transfers between schools nationally or internationally.

• Customized lesson plans.

• Course intensity and focus vary.

• Options for theoretical or practical learning.

• Studies typically start the first Tuesday of September, ending in May-June (semester system) or through the summer (trimester system), in English, French, or both.

Admission Criteria for Higher Education in Vancouver for Vancouver

Applicants must complete secondary school and prove language proficiency (English: TOEFL: 86-88 iBT, IELTS: 6.5–7; French: DALF or university test). Other requirements include:

• Secondary school certificate.

• Application for enrollment.

• Passport copy.

• Student visa.

• Deposit for education.

• Application fee.

Under-18 students may need a guardian agency.

Preparation Courses for Higher Education in Vancouver

Foundation programs are beneficial for language and subject proficiency. These can sometimes replace the first year of a bachelor's program. Applications are ideally sent 8-12 months before the start date.

Scholarships in Vancouver

Scholarships available for foreign students include:

• Academic excellence entrance scholarships.

• Athletic scholarships.

• Scholarships for exceptional academic performance (40-70% expense coverage).

• Research grants.

Costs of Higher Education in Vancouver

Fees vary across institutions and programs. Students should factor these into their planning when considering Vancouver's universities.

• A Green and Sustainable Future - The Green City Initiative, funded by the Vancouver Municipal Government, launched in 2020. It aims to reduce waste and emissions while giving residents easier access to clean water, extensive green spaces surrounding the city, and limiting overall carbon emissions.
• Safety is what the West Coast is all about. Living away from home, students can experience a friendly environment.
• A diverse ethnic and cultural atmosphere. There are constantly colorful festivals: the Persian Nowruz celebration, the German Christmas Fair, and the Chinese New Year Festival light up the city with food, performances, and people from all over the world. Residents welcome new people with open hearts, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or gender.
• Innovation Center of the Nation - According to the Vancouver Economic Commission, British Columbia's technology industry is one of the most significant contributors to the province's GDP. The city has a high concentration of IT professionals and programmers who are highly sought after.
• Great opportunities for graduates - Canada supports its Vancouver-educated graduate students with a work permit that gives recent graduates a work visa for up to 3 years.
• The country's largest technology center, Vancouver offers jobs for those involved in software and biotechnology, video game design and programming.
• Attractive tuition fees in Vancouver for international students.

When studies in high school are completed, students have an opportunity to enter the college or university they have chosen.

Foreign students are provided with a wide choice of Canadian colleges, which include:

- Technical schools,
- Schools of applied arts,
- Schools of applied science.

Upon completing studies in one of these educational institutions, graduates are awarded:

- Professional certificates,
- Diplomas,
- Associate degrees in applied arts, equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

Many students use college as a way to prepare for university education, earning transferable credits that can be applied later. By entering the college, students can take effective preparation courses for future specialization, obtaining a diploma. With this certificate graduates can start working upon completing studies.

Upon completing studies in the universities in Vancouver, graduates are awarded  academic degrees in diverse disciplines. Foreign students are provided with the opportunity to obtain undergraduate and postgraduate education (bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees).

The degree structure at Canadian universities is very similar to that of the U.S.:

- Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate degree lasting 3-5 years, depending on the province, stipulating a full-time form of studying,
- Master of Arts or Master of Science is a graduate degree with a duration of 2 years,
- Doctoral degree or PhD is a specialized postgraduate degree, with a study duration of 3-6 years.

In addition, foreign students can take extra courses from a wide list, allowing them  to be awarded specialized degrees in the following directions:

- Medicine,
- Dentistry,
- Pharmacy,
- Veterinary Science,
- Law.

Provinces take responsibility for controlling university education. There is no federal education ministry or official accreditation system in Canada, but all Canadian universities adhere to provincial government charters and quality assurance systems, ensuring that the qualifications they award are recognized worldwide. Additionally, there are numerous organizations that accredit professional programs in fields such as law and engineering.

Provincial governments provide the majority of funding to their public higher education institutions, while the remaining funding comes from:

- Tuition fees,
- Federal government assistance,
- Research grants.

Foreign students can obtain higher education in Vancouver in the following institutions:

• Colleges of Humanities - They have common features with American liberal arts colleges, making an emphasis on undergraduate courses in the humanities, which are usually interdisciplinary. Educational process stipulates studying of social, natural, and formal sciences.
• Public institutions of higher education: The main feature of this institution type concerns the funding, which comes  from the provincial, territorial and federal governments. In addition, these institutions are allowed to charge tuition fees, as well as accept private funding.
• Private institutions of higher education - they do not usually receive funding from the provincial, territorial or federal government. Instead, universities receive private funding from alumni donations and faculty research grants. Also students pay for their education. Teaching staff consists of only experienced specialists, who are professionals in their field.

Undergraduate Studies in Vancouver
The duration of undergraduate programs varies from 3 to 5 years. Upon graduation, alumni are allowed to stay in Canada and work for up to 3 years.

While entering a university in Canada, foreign students can study diverse disciplines:

- Natural Sciences,
- Mathematics,
- Humanities,
- History,
- Engineering, and more.

The diverse undergraduate courses combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience in active organizations, where students are paid for their work.

Many universities offer Co-op programs, providing students with the opportunity to obtain work experience during the course. Typically, Co-op students spend 4 months studying at the institution and the next 4 months working as full-time employees at an organization of their choice. Compared to a regular bachelor’s program in Canada, this option offers various advantages:

- Early work experience in the industry,
- Better financial stability,
- Valuable networking and connections.

For international students, studying in Vancouver’s Co-op programs provides practical, paid employment experience related to their chosen field of study. Opportunities are available in all disciplines, and employers recruit qualified students to work on specialized projects. Many employers also use the program as a recruitment tool, allowing them to get to know potential candidates and their abilities.

International students need to register as Co-op students to participate in the program. There may be additional requirements, such as maintaining a high GPA or attending mandatory academic sessions. Many employers often invite graduate students back for repeat internships.

Obtaining higher education in Vancouver includes a wide range of internship options. Gaining practical experience at this stage of one’s career expands the skillset, which will be helpful at the next educational level. Students can choose to work in the relevant sector or industry depending on their career goals:

- Economics — There is a growing demand for researchers and policy advisors globally. Canadian universities are leading institutions for studying economics as an undergraduate discipline. International students can earn an honors degree in Economics, Environmental Management, Economics and Political Science, or choose Economics as a secondary major with any bachelor’s degree.
- Medicine — Admission requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry, or Cellular and Molecular Biology before earning a Doctor of Medicine degree.
- Engineering is the most popular direction among students who obtain a bachelor’s degree. Numerous colleges offer engineering diplomas, and there are plenty of job opportunities for recent graduates. Universities offer a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Software Engineering, and Engineering with a focus on Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, and Computer Engineering.
- Finance and Accounting — These are key aspects of any economy. This direction is very popular among foreign students at a bachelor program.
- History — A popular bachelor’s program in Vancouver universities. These institutions offer programs in History, Classics, East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies, Religion and Globalization, Humanities, African Studies, World Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.

Master’s Programs

Vancouver offers specialized master’s degrees across a wide range of subjects. The following degrees can be awarded:

- Master of Arts (MA),
- Master of Science (MSc, MS),
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA),
- Master of Engineering (MEng),
- Master of Business Administration (MBA).

The duration of master’s programs ranges from 1 to 2 years, with the possibility of additional internships. The curriculum includes:

- Interactive learning,
- Traditional lectures,
- Tutorials,
- Site visits,
- Project creation,
- Group work.

Most master’s students work on a thesis, which constitutes a significant part of the course credits; for some disciplines, it may be replaced with a consulting project.

The academic year usually starts in September each year, but some universities have multiple start dates for master’s programs. After the Christmas break, students return to university and study until the exam period in April.

The cost of pursuing higher education in Vancouver is stipulated by the university and program the foreign student has chosen, also location of educational institution influences the fees:

- Undergraduate programs — from $13,000 to $125,000/year,  
- Postgraduate programs — from $5,000 to $100,000/year.

Entering university is considered as an initial step into independent life. To reduce expenses, students are required to properly plan their budget. The cost of accommodation is higher in urban areas in comparison with rural regions. Also it is necessary to take into account the fact that there are variations in cost of living in Canadian provinces. Due to the status of popular student hubs, the accommodation costs in Ontario and British Columbia are the highest. The provinces such as New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec are featured by their affordability.

Additional expenses may be the following:

- Accommodation,  
- Meals,
- Travel and transportation,  
- Extracurricular activities,  
- Communication —  internet, mobile phone,  
- Stationery,  
- Visa fees.

Accommodation is a necessary expense. According to statistics, students prefer to reside on campus during their first year. After that they are more interested in private rentals. Also foreign students are provided with the opportunity to live in a host family. This option stipulates living in a family during the entire period of studying.On average, the costs account to $800-1,000 per month. While living in university residences, students are usually required to pay for the academic year. However, choosing private rentals, students pay for the calendar year.

University residence is recognized as the most popular option among first-year students. Typically, students are provided with comfortable dormitory-style rooms, shared with 2-3 persons, equipped kitchens and common areas. The cost of on-campus living usually involves the room, utilities, and meals (not always). The overall costs are stipulated by the chosen university, ranging from $800 to $2,500 per month.

The application process for the top universities in Vancouver is the same for all levels. The main steps are:

- Submitting an application,  
- Choosing a course,  
- Reviewing the course curriculum and qualification requirements,  
- Filling out the application form,  
- Paying the registration fee.

After receiving confirmation of acceptance, students participate in an online interview.

Required documents:

- Official academic transcripts,  
- Copy of passport,  
- Resume,  
- English language test results,  
- Statement of intent,  
- 2-3 letters of recommendation,  
- Study permit.

Graduate applicants must provide a translated degree certificate in English.

Deciding on pursuing education in Canada, foreign  students may be awarded financial aid options, allowing them to compensate for the costs of studying and living. Prior to applying, it is recommended to learn scholarships, which are available to foreign students. By entering most colleges and universities in Vancouver, foreign students can count on such award scholarships as:

• Financial aid for international students,
• Encouragement for outstanding academic performance.

Additionally some institutions, for example,  the International Council of Canadian Studies, have their own scholarship funds. The Government of Canada offers foreign students several financial aid options, which include the Government of Canada International Scholarships and the Canada Student Loan Program. In total, more than 1,600 different scholarships are available at post-secondary institutions across the country.