1. THE UNIVERSITY TRANSFER PROGRAM

(and other) universities. Students who complete 30 credits (some universities will consider fewer than 30 credits) of university studies are eligible to enter second year at a university. Students completing more than 30 university credits may apply to second year, completing any remaining required credits at the university before proceeding to third year studies. Students who complete 60 credits (some universities will consider fewer than 60 credits) are eligible to enter third year at a university. Students who complete 20 courses of university studies, including certain specific requirements may qualify for either an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science Degree. Holders of Associate Degrees may apply for admission to third year at university; some universities give priority in admission to Associate Degree holders.

2. High School Programs are available to students who wish to proceed to university-level studies but first need to complete their studies at High School level. There are four distinct High School Program options, and, while only completion of the Senior Secondary Program will allow a student to be eligible for direct entry to another university, completion of any of the options listed below will allow a student to enter the University Transfer Program at Columbia College, provided the minimum grade requirements are achieved.

The Four Options:

i) The Senior Secondary Program is suitable for students who have completed Grade 9, 10 or 11 in Canada, or the equivalent elsewhere. Students complete the Grade 10, 11 and 12 courses required for high school graduation as specified by the Ministry of Education and receive the BC Certificate of Graduation (the Dogwood Diploma). Students completing the Senior Secondary Program are eligible to apply for admission to first year at another Canadian university or may choose to continue their studies in the University Transfer Program at Columbia College. ii) The Accelerated Secondary Program is available to students with strong academic backgrounds who wish to move into the University Transfer Program at Columbia College as quickly as possible. In this fast-track program, students who have completed Grade 10 or a partial Grade 11 (in BC, or some overseas equivalent such as O-levels) with good grades are required to take four Grade 12 and two Grade 11 courses, along with any necessary prerequisites, before entering the university program at Columbia College.

iii) The Adult Secondary Program is available to students who are 18 years or older. Students receive a BC Adult Graduation Diploma (Adult Dogwood Diploma).

iv) The University Preparatory Program is available to students who have graduated from high school but who lack certain academic qualifications and/or prerequisites for specific desired university courses.

3. English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program

provides English instruction for two types of students –first, to students who have been accepted into an Academic Program but whose English skills are deemed insufficient, and second, to students wanting an academic environment in which to learn English. There are three levels in which students may be placed based on their external exam score or placement tests Students testing below ENGL 097 will be advised by the college Admissions department to enroll in ESL classes with the college’s partner ESL schools and will be given advice with respect to their pathway to complete a Columbia College and university education

FIRST AND SECOND YEAR

In Canada and the United States, students may either proceed to university directly from high school or after completing one or two years at a college. The University Transfer (UT) Programs offered by colleges allow students to take their first and second-year universitylevel studies in the more personal atmosphere of a smaller college before transferring to second or third year at a university. Some colleges, Columbia College among them, are authorized to offer two-year Associate Degrees. These degrees, awarded upon completion of at least 20 courses (and the fulfillment of certain specific requirements), are useful both as a stand-alone qualification and also as a basis of admission to third year at university.

Transfer credit is pre-arranged for university courses completed at Columbia College with British Columbia universities such as the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria. It is customary for other universities in Canada and the United States to recognize the transfer credits listed by the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer, BCCAT (see www.bctransferguide.ca). However, students need to check with the admissions office of the university to which they seek admission in regard to transferability of particular courses. The length of time required to achieve an undergraduate degree in Canada can vary from three to five years, depending on the student’s background, the type of undergraduate degree sought, course load and the program requirements of the particular university in which the degree is earned. The average length of time required to obtain a Bachelor’s degree is four years (two years after completing an Associate Degree at Columbia College).