Langara College

• Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,
• Year of foundation: 1965,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

Langara College is a public college in Vancouver, offering both college and university level programs. It is included in the list of Top 50 Research Colleges in Canada, in 2024 it was recognized as one of the leaders in the field of innovation.

• Langara College has a second name — snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓, which translates as «house of learning». This name was given to the college by the Musqueam people — it is a way of emphasizing respect for the culture and knowledge of indigenous peoples. Interestingly, this is one of the first cases in Canada where a public educational institution received an official name from an indigenous community!
• The history of the college began in 1965 as part of Vancouver City College, and it became an independent institution only in 1994.
• The main campus on West 49th Avenue opened in 1970 and is still in operation today, remaining an important part of Vancouver's educational history.
• The college has its own student media — a newspaper called The Voice, created by student journalists.

Langara College does not have its own student residence on campus, but staff members help them find housing options in Vancouver and offer several convenient buildings off campus. One of the most popular options is to stay with a Canadian host family in a separate furnished room. Meals are usually included (3 times a day) and access to all household amenities. Fast adaptation, continuous English practice and 100% immersion in Canadian everyday life are guaranteed!

The college cooperates with the student housing operator GEC Living: the company offers students fully furnished apartments and rooms off-campus, where Internet, utilities, cleaning and 24-hour security support are already included in the payment. There are both shared and individual accommodations.

At Langara College, student life goes far beyond classrooms — there are many events, clubs and programs that help students adapt faster, get to know each other and feel part of the community. The Student Life Division and other student services of the college are responsible for this.

There are academic communities in biology, chemistry, psychology, and computer science, and business and professional clubs where investments, accounting, and consulting are discussed. A large block consists of cultural associations: Japanese, Chinese, Latin American, Persian and others, there are social, entertainment and sports clubs where students communicate, participate in activities and find like-minded people. Each club organizes its own meetings, workshops, lectures, competitions and cultural events.

A separate direction is volunteering through the Volunteer Opportunities and Leadership Training program. In addition, the college has a sports team, the Langara Falcons, which represents Langara College in competitions and supports the development of sports culture.

• Langara College has 60+ academic and specialized areas.
• It actively works with environmental initiatives: LEED buildings, emission reduction, projects with the local community and Musqueam First Nation.
• Students participate in volunteer programs. From diplomas and certificates to bachelor's degree programs in individual fields, there are multi—level, diverse courses.
• One of the key advantages is a well—developed system of transfer programs. Students can start college and then transition their credits to university, and many continue their studies at major Canadian universities in British Columbia, including the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.
• There is practice in many academic programs: internships, Co-ops, and projects with real employers. Support is provided for foreign students: help with adaptation, academic support and language programs, including LEAP (English for Academic Purposes).

Langara College has a modern campus with academic buildings, laboratories, a library and various service spaces. The college is constantly updating its infrastructure and introducing new technologies: the energy efficiency of buildings is improving, and modern educational formats are being introduced. The territory already has LEED Gold-certified buildings, solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and water-saving systems.

Under the individual programs, for example, kinesiology and health sciences, there are open laboratories.: There, students practice skills in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, both in classes with teachers and on their own.

A library with a wide range of resources is available: books, magazines, electronic databases and online materials. There are also places with computers, areas for group work and quiet spaces for individual learning. The library's online services allow you to use e-books and academic databases from anywhere.

The campus consists of several connected buildings, so it is convenient for students to move between classrooms, library and service centers.

Additional expenses of Langara College students include:

• Accommodation,
• Meals,
• Educational materials,
• Excursions,
• Personal expenses,
• Transportation,
• Insurance.

Admission to Langara College begins with an online application; future students then choose a program and upload the required documents: diploma, passport, translations, and other materials. At this point, the registration fee (application fee) is paid.

After that, the college reviews the documents and program requirements, and may request additional files if necessary. If everything is in order, the applicant receives a Letter of Acceptance — an official enrollment letter; a deposit must be paid to confirm your place at the college.

The next step is applying for a student visa in Canada. After receiving all the necessary permits, students register for courses and move to the campus.

One of the main opportunities after studying at Langara College is transferring to a Canadian university. The college is considered one of the primary feeders for universities in British Columbia, including UBC and SFU: many students start their studies here and then transfer their accumulated credits to a university program. This allows students to complete part of their bachelor's degree in a more accessible format and then finish their degree at a university.

Career Studies programs are developed together with employers and are focused on the real demands of the Canadian labor market and neighboring countries; graduates acquire skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace.

According to college data on bachelor's program graduates:

• approximately 95% are employed full-time,
• approximately 92% find employment in their field under various terms.

In addition to transferring to a university or entering the workforce, college students have access to additional opportunities:

• Career Development Centre — a center that assists with career development and job searching,
• Mentoring, academic support, and career planning assistance,
• Volunteer projects and events for developing communication and leadership skills.

Co-op and Work Integrated Learning is study combined with practical experience at real companies, including internships and paid work: this experience helps students feel more confident in the job market after graduation, provided they choose a program that includes this format from the outset.

To enter Langara College, international students need to have a Grade 12 education (high school graduation / BC Grade 12) in Canada or its international equivalent.

Additional requirements may be set depending on the direction.:

• Required subjects (for example, mathematics, chemistry, or physics),
• A portfolio (for example, for design or art),
• Entrance courses,
• An interview,
• Previous college or university experience, and a high level of training in the chosen specialty.

Minimum language requirements are:

• TOEFL iBT — 88 points (at least 20 in each section),
• Duolingo English Test — 110 points,
• CAEL — 70 (at least 60 in each),
• Pearson PTE Academic — 56 (at least 55 in each).

One of the main forms of support for international students at Langara College is the International Regional Entrance Scholarship. It is available to those enrolling in full-time programs. The scholarship amount is approximately $CAD 7,500, distributed over the first 2 semesters: approximately $CAD 5,000 is applied in the first semester, and the remaining amount can be applied in the second semester provided that academic performance is maintained. To receive the scholarship in upper years, students must study full-time and maintain a GPA of approximately 2.67 or higher.

There is the President's International Entrance Scholarship — a competitive scholarship for students with high academic achievements. Its amount is also approximately $CAD 7,500, but the requirements are higher:

• a high grade point average (approximately 80% or above in high school),
• enrollment in a Canadian or recognized international school (depending on the program's conditions),
• submission of an application with additional documents, including transcripts and a personal statement.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision