Established in 1936, Columbia College proudly serves as one of Canada’s longest established international not-for-profit colleges. Thousands of Canadian and international students have completed their qualifications at Columbia College and used these as a platform for successful university careers. Columbia College is an independent charity that offers first and second-year university level courses that can lead to a Columbia College Associate Degree and are fully transferable to local universities. Columbia College also offers High School programs, including a British Columbia Ministry of Education Certified Senior Secondary Program and an English for Academic Purposes Program that is accredited by Languages Canada. Mission – Equip students to become responsible global citizens who can communicate, think critically, and make a positive impact in communities around the world. Culture of Democratic Equality – The College values and encourages active participation in fair, cooperative decision making, where all community members—staff, faculty, and students—are guaranteed a voice that will be both valued and heard; we strive to foster a climate of mutual respect, from which the multiple and intersecting democratic bodies at the College make decisions.

Columbia College
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
438 Terminal Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Course Details
Columbia College's University Transfer Programs offer first and second year university courses for transfer to major universities across Canada and the United States. Over the years, Columbia College has consistently been one of the top three providers of international students to the University of British Columbia. Columbia College also sends large numbers of students to Simon Fraser University, Vancouver's other major university. Students in Columbia College's university transfer programs benefit from small class sizes and extra interaction with instructors. Statistics compiled by the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer show that Columbia College students have an above average university admission and degree completion rate. In most university programs, the first year is a general year in which students choose a broad range of courses in addition to courses in their area of specialization. Specialization does not usually begin until the second year. A pre-Commerce year has been introduced in several universities. Depending on the university to which a student may go, a one-year transfer program at Columbia College usually fulfills requirements for the pre-professional degree program (such as Commerce) or for the first year of a four-year degree program (such as Economics). The University Transfer program will be of interest to students who seek transfer to a degree program at a Canadian or American university. Many students transfer after completing 24 to 30 credits at Columbia College. For Business students, there is also a complete second year program available at Columbia College. Most first year Arts and Social Science courses are introductory and require no prerequisite in the subject area. All Science courses have secondary level science prerequisites. University courses earn three to six credits, and a full semester course load may consist of 9 to 15 credits. A minimum of two semesters will be required to be eligible to transfer to the second year of an undergraduate degree program at a university. Students in the Science program can choose from a wide selection of courses including Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science, and Mathematics. Many courses are taught in science labs, enabling students to conduct experiments and get a better grasp of scientific theory. Students can complete between 24 to 60 credits before transferring to second or third year at a university science program.
Total Subjects | 10 |
---|---|
Total Credits | 34 |
Intake | January, September & May |
English Proficiency Level | Overall Band 6.5 & Writing Band 6.5 |
Duration | 1-2 year transfer program to bachelor's degree completion |
Columbia College's University Transfer Programs offer first and second year university courses for transfer to major universities across Canada and the United States. Over the years, Columbia College has consistently been one of the top three providers of international students to the University of British Columbia. Columbia College also sends large numbers of students to Simon Fraser University, Vancouver's other major university. Students in Columbia College's university transfer programs benefit from small class sizes and extra interaction with instructors. Statistics compiled by the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer show that Columbia College students have an above average university admission and degree completion rate. In most university programs, the first year is a general year in which students choose a broad range of courses in addition to courses in their area of specialization. Specialization does not usually begin until the second year. A pre-Commerce year has been introduced in several universities. Depending on the university to which a student may go, a one-year transfer program at Columbia College usually fulfills requirements for the pre-professional degree program (such as Commerce) or for the first year of a four-year degree program (such as Economics). The University Transfer program will be of interest to students who seek transfer to a degree program at a Canadian or American university. Many students transfer after completing 24 to 30 credits at Columbia College. For Business students, there is also a complete second year program available at Columbia College. Most first year Arts and Social Science courses are introductory and require no prerequisite in the subject area. All Science courses have secondary level science prerequisites. University courses earn three to six credits, and a full semester course load may consist of 9 to 15 credits. A minimum of two semesters will be required to be eligible to transfer to the second year of an undergraduate degree program at a university. Students in a Columbia College Computer Science program take courses at the first and second year level and may then seek admission to one of several university faculties, including Science (UBC), Applied Sciences (SFU), and Engineering (UVIC). Specific course requirements vary among universities, but core first year courses are fairly standard. Admission to Computer Science Departments is highly competitive. As a result, alternatives to a degree in Computer Science are becoming increasingly popular among students who are primarily interested in the applications, as opposed to the theory of Computer Science. Students are advised to learn about related programs.
Total Subjects | 10 |
---|---|
Total Credits | 30 |
Intake | January, September & May |
English Proficiency Level | Overall Band 6.5 & Writing Band 6.5 |
Duration | 1-2 year transfer program to bachelor's degree completion |
Columbia College's University Transfer Programs offer first and second year university courses for transfer to major universities across Canada and the United States. Over the years, Columbia College has consistently been one of the top three providers of international students to the University of British Columbia. Columbia College also sends large numbers of students to Simon Fraser University, Vancouver's other major university. Students in Columbia College's university transfer programs benefit from small class sizes and extra interaction with instructors. Statistics compiled by the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer show that Columbia College students have an above average university admission and degree completion rate. In most university programs, the first year is a general year in which students choose a broad range of courses in addition to courses in their area of specialization. Specialization does not usually begin until the second year. A pre-Commerce year has been introduced in several universities. Depending on the university to which a student may go, a one-year transfer program at Columbia College usually fulfills requirements for the pre-professional degree program (such as Commerce) or for the first year of a four-year degree program (such as Economics). The University Transfer program will be of interest to students who seek transfer to a degree program at a Canadian or American university. Many students transfer after completing 24 to 30 credits at Columbia College. For Business students, there is also a complete second year program available at Columbia College. Most first year Arts and Social Science courses are introductory and require no prerequisite in the subject area. All Science courses have secondary level science prerequisites. University courses earn three to six credits, and a full semester course load may consist of 9 to 15 credits. A minimum of two semesters will be required to be eligible to transfer to the second year of an undergraduate degree program at a university. Columbia College offers a wide range of business courses, including accounting, corporate finance, management science, marketing, statistics, and organizational behaviour. Students may take 24-47 credits (one year) or 48-60 plus credits (two years) of Business Program courses before transferring to a university Business or Commerce degree program at the second or third year level. Columbia College University Transfer students intending to major in Business at the University of British Columbia (UBC) can transfer between 24 and 60 credits, making them eligible for either 2nd year (minimum 24 credits) or 3rd year (minimum 49 credits) studies at UBC’s Sauder School of Business.
Total Subjects | 8 |
---|---|
Total Credits | 24 |
Intake | January, September & May |
English Proficiency Level | Overall Band 6.5 & Writing Band 6.5 |
Duration | 1-2 year transfer program to bachelor's degree completion |
Columbia College's University Transfer Programs offer first and second year university courses for transfer to major universities across Canada and the United States. Over the years, Columbia College has consistently been one of the top three providers of international students to the University of British Columbia. Columbia College also sends large numbers of students to Simon Fraser University, Vancouver's other major university. Students in Columbia College's university transfer programs benefit from small class sizes and extra interaction with instructors. Statistics compiled by the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer show that Columbia College students have an above average university admission and degree completion rate. In most university programs, the first year is a general year in which students choose a broad range of courses in addition to courses in their area of specialization. Specialization does not usually begin until the second year. A pre-Commerce year has been introduced in several universities. Depending on the university to which a student may go, a one-year transfer program at Columbia College usually fulfills requirements for the pre-professional degree program (such as Commerce) or for the first year of a four-year degree program (such as Economics). The University Transfer program will be of interest to students who seek transfer to a degree program at a Canadian or American university. Many students transfer after completing 24 to 30 credits at Columbia College. For Business students, there is also a complete second year program available at Columbia College. Most first year Arts and Social Science courses are introductory and require no prerequisite in the subject area. All Science courses have secondary level science prerequisites. University courses earn three to six credits, and a full semester course load may consist of 9 to 15 credits. A minimum of two semesters will be required to be eligible to transfer to the second year of an undergraduate degree program at a university. Columbia College offers a wide range of business courses, including accounting, corporate finance, management science, marketing, statistics, and organizational behaviour. Students may take 24-47 credits (one year) or 48-60 plus credits (two years) of Business Program courses before transferring to a university Business or Commerce degree program at the second or third year level. Columbia College University Transfer students intending to major in Business at the University of British Columbia (UBC) can transfer between 24 and 60 credits, making them eligible for either 2nd year (minimum 24 credits) or 3rd year (minimum 49 credits) studies at UBC’s Sauder School of Business.
Total Subjects | 13 |
---|---|
Total Credits | 42 |
Intake | January, September & May |
English Proficiency Level | Overall Band 6.5 & Writing Band 6.5 |
Duration | 1 year transfer program to bachelor's degree completion |
The Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration provides students with a foundation in business knowledge. It also prepares students to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field. Students will gain an understanding of contemporary business principles and practices. Students will be able to explore various topics in Business that includes business & professional skills, marketing, economics, technology, calculus, finance, and operations. Since Business requirements vary among institutions, students must ensure that the courses taken are relevant to the institutions they intend to transfer to. Completion of this Degree requires students to take more than the minimum requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree, but the Program is easily modified to meet the requirements for direct entrance to Business at UBC or SFU. • The Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration provides students with a foundation in business knowledge. It also prepares students to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field. • Students will gain an understanding of contemporary business principles and practices. • Students will be able to explore various topics in Business that includes business & professional skills, marketing, economics, technology, calculus, finance, and operations. • Since Business requirements vary among institutions, students must ensure that the courses taken are relevant to the institutions they intend to transfer to.
Total Subjects | 20 |
---|---|
Total Credits | 60 |
Intake | January, September & May |
English Proficiency Level | Overall Band 6.5 & Writing Band 6.5 |
Duration | 2 year diploma (An Associate Degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year university degree) |
The Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science provides students with knowledge of the principles and science that underlie computing. It also prepares students to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field. Students will build a solid foundation in computer systems, software engineering, foundational programming, web development and systems design. Graduates will acquire working knowledge of computer architecture and data science. Students will gain practical skills in solving computing problems of the digital age through the use of mathematics. Students will be taught to program and innovate software catering to modern technology and design. (Completion of this Degree fulfills the requirements for a Flexible Pre-major in Computer Science.) • The Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science provides students with knowledge of the principles and science that underlie computing. It also prepares students to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field. • Students will build a solid foundation in computer systems, software engineering, foundational programming, web development and systems design. • Graduates will acquire working knowledge of computer architecture and data science. • Students will gain practical skills in solving computing problems of our digital age through the use of mathematics. • Students will be taught to program and innovate software catering to modern technology and design.
Total Subjects | 20 |
---|---|
Total Credits | 60 |
Intake | January, September & May |
English Proficiency Level | Overall Band 6.5 & Writing Band 6.5 |
Duration | 3 year diploma (An Associate Degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year university degree) |
