Explore Your Learning Options

One of the best resources available for researching post-secondary education is the Education Planner. It is a searchable database containing detailed information about undergraduate programs at B.C. universities, colleges and institutes. You can use the Education Planner to find:

• specific programs
• subjects and marks you need for admission
• the cost of tuition and other fees
• whether institutions offer co-op terms, distance education or more than one campus

Co-operative Education

Through co-operative education, students integrate paid, relevant work experience with their academic programs. Co-op education alternates periods of academic study with periods of work experience in the appropriate fields of business, industry, government, social services and the professions. During the periods of work experience, students become full-time employees who are actively engaged in productive work. The Association for Co-operative Education lists the location of co-op programs and jobs available to co-op students.

Private Institutions

B.C. also has a number of private career training and degree-granting institutions. Make sure that you’re aware of the rules and regulations guiding private post-secondary education, and find out which programs and institutions are authorized to grant degrees in B.C. and which are not. The Ministry of Advanced Education website contains all of this information and lists the accredited ​private post-secondary institutions in B.C.

Study Abroad

B.C.’s post-secondary institutions offer excellent programs for studying and working abroad to enhance your post-secondary education.

You can gain the following by completing courses or programs at post-secondary institutions outside of Canada or working overseas as part of a program of study:

• enhanced educational experience
• unique learning situations
• outstanding credentials 

Studying or working abroad is a great way to gain and develop cross-cultural and transferable skills that can be used in the workplace. It's a chance to experience​ different academic systems and learning styles, and to learn about other work environments. It also allows you to:

• learn a valuable new language
• experience different cultures
• meet interesting people

Distance Education

If you’re looking for more flexible learning options, have limited mobility or live in a small or isolated community, distance education may be right for you. Distance education is an excellent choice if you:

• want to study at home and spend time with your family
• are committed to staying at your work place and doing course work outside of working hours
• prefer to study at your own pace