College Courses in Vancouver BC, Canada

Vancouver Community College:
Vancouver Community College (VCC) has two campus locations in Vancouver; one in East Broadway, and another in the Downtown area of the city. VCC is the oldest publically-funded college in the province of British Columbia (BC), and we provide a wide range of Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs to international students. Our extensive range of programs include ESL, university transfer, and applied degree and / or career training in hospitality, business, music, transportation trades, design and technology, instructor training and English teaching. We serve 25,000 students a year, making it the largest college in the province.

Certificate, Diploma & Degree Programs for International Students:

- Baking and Pastry Arts – International ESL Certificate:
This program is team taught by both Baking and Pastry Arts and ESL instructors. English as a Second Language instruction develops vocabulary particular to the trade which is reinforced in the classroom. Students must successfully complete each level before progressing to the next level.

Duration:  13 months

- Culinary Arts Certificate:
VCC's Culinary Arts program is one of the most highly respected industry training programs in the country, led by experienced chefs who routinely win medals in regional, national and international competitions.

Duration:  10 months 

- International ESL Hair Design Certificate:
The Hair Design Program is divided into three levels and is 12 months in length. The first two levels of this program are designed to cover all core aspects of the industry on a progressive scale, demanding an increase in competence at each level. The final level is specifically designed for the student to complete their chosen course of study.

Duration:  12 months


- Administrative Assistant Certificate:
Students are taught secretarial skills, as well as the latest advances in office technology and are trained to work as an administrative assistant in industries such as manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, hospitality, transportation, government agencies and service organizations. From effective oral and written communications and time management techniques, to the latest computer word processing, spreadsheet and graphics software, you'll also learn practical skills working alone and in groups. 

Duration:  8 months

- Hospitality Management Diploma:
The Hospitality Management Diploma program provides a well-rounded curriculum geared to provide initial employment skills and the potential for future management growth. In the first year of this two-year program, studies focus on general business management courses applied to hotel and restaurant settings. The second year consists of hospitality management courses, including food and beverage cost controls, human resources, marketing, hospitality law, management principles and a Hotel Simulation course.

Duration:  2 years

- Hospitality Management Degree:
The Bachelor of Hospitality Management provides students with a course of studies that combines theoretical training with industry specific analysis and study. Bridging the Hospitality Management diploma, graduates of the provincial core of hospitality management diploma courses* with an overall average of C+ or better can begin studies in the third year of the degree.

The two-years of degree studies consist of fifteen courses over four semesters with a full internship. Industry experience and other courses of studies are individually evaluated for placement.

Duration:  2 years

- Music Diploma:
The Music Diploma Program provides professional training for potential and practicing musicians. It also provides necessary courses of instruction for performance-oriented students who may wish to pursue their studies at a more advanced level following the completion of the college program. For post-secondary students who have not yet decided on specialized career training, the Music Diploma Program is designed with maximum flexibility, allowing all students the opportunity to choose alternate courses of study at any time during the two-year program.

Duration:  2 years

- Dance Diploma:
Students in the Dance Diploma aspire to a career in professional dance in ballet and/or modern dance. Ideal students seek to develop an advanced level of technical and choreographic skill leading to more advanced professional training. Other students may wish to develop a comprehensive knowledge base in ballet and / or modern dance and arts management skills with an intent to launch private studios or join established training organizations.

Duration:  2 years

- Automotive Service Technician Certificate:
The Automotive Service Technician Program is designed to train people for the automotive repair industry. Graduates will have acquired basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to carry out their duties in a safe,  ethical, and professional manner.

Duration:  12 months

- Drafting Technician Certificate:

Term 1:  The first three months covers the study of concepts, techniques and accepted practices in the drafting industry. Students learn computer aided drafting and are introduced to specialty areas of drafting.

Term 2:  The steel detailing student learns how steel is produced for the construction industry, and by means of a field trip, how it is fabricated for site installation. The basic concepts involved in steel detailing, including bolting, welding and connection types, are introduced through a series of small industrial drawing projects.

Term 3:  Students advance to larger, more complex projects utilizing wind bracing, full-strength welding, and steel truss detailing, and culminating in a project that mirrors the day-to-day activities in a drafting office.

Duration:  10 months

- BC Provincial Instructor Diploma:
The BC Provincial Instructor Diploma Program provides participants with an excellent opportunity to develop and refine their skills, concepts, and best practices to become an adult educator.

Duration:  Varies

- Fashion Art Diploma:
The Fashion Arts Diploma Program is designed for individuals entering the fashion industry. Students who have previously acquired the Fashion Arts Certificate or Advanced Certificate will be able to ladder into this Diploma Program. This program has been designed to produce graduates with the highly desirable combination of creative flair and technical competence. This is achieved throughout the program by developing both creative ability and an awareness of technological and business applications.

Duration:  2 years

- University Transfer:
VCC offers a variety of first-year, fully transferable university credit courses in the arts and sciences. You can complete thirty credits towards a degree or take single courses as electives or prerequisites for transfer to other college or university programs, or into VCC diploma programs such as Music, Dental Hygiene, or Hospitality Management.

You can apply for transfer credit across Canada as well as have the opportunity to participate in a college setting with smaller class sizes, greater access to and support from instructors and a learning environment that is centred around you and your educational or professional goals.

Duration:  4 months

- ESL (English as a Second Language) Programs:
Renowned for its English as a Second Language training, VCC offers ESL classes for immigrants and refugees living in Canada, as well as for international visa students and visitors. With flexible hours and locations, classes are available from the Low Beginner level to First-Year University English and English for Work courses.

* International ESL students:  General English, English for Academic Purposes and University Transfer & English for Careers

* ESL career programs for international and local students:  Baking and Pastry ESL, Cooking ESL & Health Care Assistant ESL

- TESOL Certificate:
The TESOL Certificate Program is designed for students wanting to teach English to adult speakers of other languages. The program of studies offers a balanced curriculum featuring both the theory and practice of teaching of English. This program examines the instructional methodology used for a communicative approach to listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, pronunciation and grammar. Additionally the program provides opportunities for micro‐teaching, classroom observations, and practice teaching.

Duration:  4 weeks

- TESOL Diploma:
The TESOL Diploma program is designed for students who want to teach English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). The TESOL Diploma Program is the largest English language teacher training program of its kind in Western Canada. It consists of 10 courses, including a teaching internship, providing approximately 314 hours of training. This program prepares graduates to teach from beginner to college preparatory level English language.

Duration:  10 months

We also offer a Summer Group ESL Program