COLUMBIA COLLEGE

Established 1936

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants to academic programs at Columbia College must have a satisfactory record of academic achievement,
a good command of the English language, and be at least 15½ years old on starting studies. If you do not meet
the minimum English language requirements for your program, you may instead register in a program combining
academic studies with non-credit coursework in English, or in an Academic English as a second language program.

PROGRAMS OFFERED AT COLUMBIA COLLEGE

University Transfer & Associate Degree Programs
University Transfer programs are offered in Business, Communication, Computer Science, Engineering, Liberal Arts,
and Science. Courses are transferable at the first and second year levels. Students successfully completing two
academic years (60-63 credits) of specified university courses may be granted an Associate of Arts or Associate of
Science Degree.

University Foundation Programs

University Foundation Programs offered at Columbia College include High School Grade 11 & 12 programs, as well
as the University Preparatory Program, for students who have substantially completed Grade 12 (or equivalent) but
lack certain academic qualifications for direct entry to a University Transfer or Associate Degree program.

Academic English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

The Academic ESL Program at Columbia College prepares students with the language skills needed for study at
high school or university in North America. ESL courses are offered from a High Beginner to Upper Advanced level.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

When to apply
Columbia College has three semesters per year. All classes and programs start at the beginning of semester
in January, May and September. Academic ESL programs have additional start dates at mid-semester. See the
“Program Dates” section of this package for details.

Application deadline
There is no application deadline. We encourage you to apply early if you need a Canadian Study Permit and to
arrive in time for Orientation & Registration, in the week before the beginning of the semester, in order to have the
best selection of courses. Academic & ESL program students will not be allowed to register after the last day of late
registration, at the end of the first week of classes, but will be allowed to register in the next intake.

Application requirements
Minimum age
Although you may apply earlier, you must be at least 15½ years of age on starting your program at Columbia
College.
Academic requirements
University Transfer & Associate Degree program
North American education system (or other 12-year system): High school graduation with satisfactory marks
(equivalent to British Columbia 60% average or better) on academic Grade 12 subjects

2010–2011 Columbia College Admission Requirements | Page 1 of 10

 British-patterned education system: Five GCE O-level/GCSE/IGCSE/SPM/HKCEE passes with minimum average ‘C’
plus two passes at the Advanced level (or four at the Advanced Subsidiary level)
French-patterned education system: Baccalaureate with satisfactory average on academic subjects
Post-Soviet state education system: High school graduation with a minimum average of 4 on academic subjects
in the final year
International Baccalaureate: Completed IB diploma or IB certificates to equivalent of North American high
school graduation
Other education system: Equivalent of British Columbia Grade 12 graduation with satisfactory average on
academic Grade 12 (or first-year university subjects for students in 10- or 11-year education system other than
listed above)
University Foundation programs
North American education system (or other 12-year system): Grade 10 or 11 completion with satisfactory
marks (equivalent to British Columbia 60% average or better) on academic subjects in the most recently completed
year.
British-patterned education system: Form 4/Sec 3E or Form 5/Sec 4E with usual minimum average ‘C’ on
academic subjects in the most recently completed year.
Other education system: Equivalent of British Columbia Grade 10 or 11 completion with satisfactory average on
academic subjects in the most recently completed year.
Academic ESL programs
Students planning to study English (ESL) before entering an academic program must meet the entrance
requirements for their program as listed above.
Students planning only to study English (ESL) at Columbia College do not need to meet any of the academic
requirements above.
English requirements
There is no minimum English level required for admission to an academic program (University Transfer/Associate
Degree or University Foundation program) at Columbia College. However, all new students must demonstrate their
ability in English before they register and start classes, and students with a lower level of English will be scheduled
for non-credit English classes before or during their academic studies at Columbia College.
To demonstrate your English ability, you need to do one of the following:
• Take the Columbia College Language & Writing Assessment (LWA) on arrival at Columbia College, before you
register in classes.
• Present minimum external standardized English test scores (as shown in the “English Requirements” tables on
page 7).
• Present minimum required scores in English 12 or Communications 12 in British Columbia (as shown in the
“English Requirements” tables on page 7).
• Present minimum required scores in first-year English taken at another college or at university in British
Columbia, listed in the British Columbia Transfer Guide (see www.bctransferguide.ca).
Students may be placed in university transfer (credit) English, university preparatory (non-credit) English, or
(non-credit) ESL on the basis of Columbia College’s Language and Writing Assessment (LWA) or on the basis of
acceptable minimum TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL or LPI results, as listed in this package. If you take the LWA and also
present minimum external test results (as listed below), we will place you according to whichever score is better.
We do not accept external tests written more than two years before you register at the college.

2010–2011 Columbia College Admission Requirements | Page 2 of 10

HOW TO APPLY
You may submit your application in person or apply online, by email, fax, or post.
In person Contact us by phone or email to make an appointment with an admissions officer. An
admissions officer can also help you with any questions you have before you apply.
Online Fill in the online application at www.columbiacollege.ca.
By email Scan required documents to admin@columbiacollege.ca.
By fax Fax required documents to Columbia College at +1-604-682-7191.
By post Mail the required items to Columbia College.

REQUIRED WHEN YOU APPLY

Applicants to University Transfer/Associate Degree or University Foundation programs
1 Completed application form
2 Original or certified transcripts, as required for your program (in English)
3 Minimum required external English test results (or take a placement test at Columbia College)
4 One recent passport-size photo
5 Copy of the information page of your passport
6 Application fee of $150
Applicants to ESL+University Transfer/Asssociate Degree or ESL+University Foundation
programs
1 Completed application form
2 Original or certified transcripts, as required for your program (in English)
3 One recent passport-size photo
4 Copy of the information page of your passport
5 Application fee of $150
Applicants to the Academic ESL Program
1 Completed application form
2 One recent passport-size photo
3 Copy of the information page of your passport
4 Application fee of $150

REQUIRED WHEN YOU REGISTER

When you arrive at Columbia College and first register, you will also be asked to provide the following:
Applicants to all programs
1 Copy of any current Study Permit (or Study Permit expired within the last 90 days), or other proof of legal
status in Canada
2 Proof of medical insurance valid through to the end of the first semester of registration
3 For students under 19 in a University Foundation (Grade 11/12) program: copies of current custodianship
documents

2010–2011 Columbia College Admission Requirements | Page 3 of 10

HOMESTAY ACCOMMODATION
If you need accommodation in Vancouver, the College can arrange for you to stay with one of our host families.
You will be accommodated in a private room in the home of a Canadian family, with three meals provided per day.
To be placed with a family, you will need to pay a one-time placement fee to the College and monthly rent to the
family. See the Fees section of this package for further details. You may apply for homestay using the homestay
application form in this package or using the online application facility at www.columbiacollege.ca.

CUSTODIANSHIP (for students under 19)

If you are an international student under 19, when you apply for a Canadian Study Permit, you will be asked to
provide documents showing that you have a custodian in Vancouver who can help you in case of need. Columbia
College will assist in making custodianship arrangements for students under 19 who are also staying in a homestay
arranged by the College. If you wish us to make custodianship arrangements for you, please indicate this when you
apply for homestay. Students under 19 who wish to make their own arrangements for accommodation must also
make their own custodianship arrangements. Please note that students under 19 in a Grade 11 or 12 University
Foundation Program must provide copies of custodianship documents when they first register.

FEES (in Canadian $, effective Sept. 1, 2010 to Aug. 31, 2011)

See the college calendar at www.columbiacollege.ca for detailed fee information.
Fees due
The application fee ($150) is due with your application. If you are applying for homestay, the homestay fees listed
below are due before we place you with a family. Other fees, including tuition fees, are due in time for registration.
Please refer to your letter of acceptance for details of fees due. Fees vary according to a student’s final registration.
Academic program tuition fees
Effective Sept. 1, 2010 to Aug. 31, 2011 tuition fees are assessed at $425/credit (or credit equivalent). Academic
program students usually take a maximum of 15 credits/semester (university programs) or 16 credits (Grade 11 &
12 Foundation programs).
Overseas applicants—academic programs
Applicants accepted into academic programs (including academic programs with English preparation) arriving
directly from overseas on a Canadian Study Permit are required to make a tuition deposit of $10,200. This deposit
covers tuition fees for 24 credits of coursework over two semesters and is non-refundable once a student registers
at Columbia College. If a student chooses to take additional credits, these are charged at the rate of $425/credit.
Application fee............................................................................................................................................. $150
Document assessment & first-time registration fee........................................................................................ $200
Tuition fee deposit................................................................................ $10,200 (covers 24 credits @ $425/credit)
Local applicants—academic programs
Applicants who already have legal status in Canada (as citizens, permanent residents, or on Study Permit), or who
are continuing their studies at Columbia College, are assessed fees at $425/credit (or credit equivalent). However,
students requiring a letter to extend their visa or Study Permit are expected to make a tuition deposit of $3,825
(equivalent to tuition fees for 9 credits) when they request the letter.
Application fee............................................................................................................................................. $150
Tuition fees..........................................................................................................................................$425/credit
Example tuition fees/semester—academic programs
Tuition fees for university student taking 4 courses (12 credits).................................................................. $5,100
Tuition fees for university student taking 5 courses (15 credits).................................................................. $6,375
Tuition fees for Grade 11/12 student taking 3 courses (12 credits)............................................................. $5,100
Tuition fees for Grade 11/12 student taking 4 courses (16 credits)........................................................... $5,950*
*Secondary students taking 16 credits are charged for 14 credits only

2010–2011 Columbia College Admission Requirements | Page 4 of 10

 Academic ESL Program tuition fees
Full-time ESL program students usually take 25 hours/week of ESL classes
Application fee............................................................................................................................................. $150
Tuition fees.............................................................................................. $2,650 /7-week session, 25 hours/week
Homestay & custodianship fees
Placement fee............................................................................................................................................... $250
Express placement fee.................................................................................................................................. $350
For homestay application less than 5 working days before placement

Airport pick-up............................................................................................................................................... $70

Adults (19 or older)
Homestay......................................................................................................................................... $750 /month
Minors (under 19 and requesting college custodianship)
Homestay (includes custodianship).................................................................................................... $780 /month
Custodianship set-up fee.............................................................................................................................. $200
Custodianship monitoring fee..........................................................................................................$80 /semester
If you are applying for homestay, please pay the following homestay fees on application.
Adults (19 or older)
With airport pick-up.................................................................................................................................. $1,820
(includes homestay placement fee and first and last month’s homestay rent)

Without airport pick-up............................................................................................................................. $1,750

Minors (under 19 and requesting college custodianship)
With airport pick-up.................................................................................................................................. $2,160
(includes homestay placement fee, custodianship set-up fee, first semester
monitoring fee, and first and last month’s homestay rent)

Without airport pick-up............................................................................................................................. $2,090

Payment methods
We accept the following payment methods:
• Money order/bank draft
• Telegraphic transfer
• Personal cheque
• Credit card (only certain fees can be paid by credit card online at www.columbiacollege.ca)
• Debit card (in person only)
Payment by telegraphic transfer
If paying by telegraphic transfer, please expect to pay any bank charges (usually $25–60/transaction) and please
include the student’s name with the payment.
Beneficiary Bank: The Toronto-Dominion Bank
700 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, B.C. V7Y 1A2 Canada
Transit # 94000-004
Swift Code TDOMCATTTOR
Payment details: For further credit to COLUMBIA COLLEGE
Account #5322458
Please include the following only if the payment is coming from USA in US$: ABA #026 009 593

2010–2011 Columbia College Admission Requirements | Page 5 of 10

ESTIMATED LIVING EXPENSES (in Canadian $)
Although individual circumstances will vary, the following estimates cover reasonable costs for a two-semester
(8-month) academic year.
Living expenses
Room & board........................................................................................................................................... $6,000
Transportation.............................................................................................................................................. $532
Health insurance........................................................................................................................................... $432
General expenses...................................................................................................................................... $2,000
School expenses
Tuition fees.............................................................................................................................................. $10,200
($10,400 for new international students)
Textbooks.................................................................................................................................................. $1,500
Total costs for 8 months....................................................................................................................... $20,644
These are estimates of expected costs. Please do not submit living expenses/textbooks costs to the College.

AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR APPLICATION

Your Letter of Acceptance
Applications to Columbia College are usually processed within two weeks of receipt. Students admitted to a
program will receive a Letter of Acceptance as well as an information letter outlining important dates and other
useful information. If you are arriving late, please note the last day of late registration.
Applying for a Study Permit
If you do not have legal status in Canada as a citizen or immigrant, or do not have a current Study Permit, you will
need to submit your letter of acceptance when you contact your nearest Canadian high commission or embassy to
apply for a Study Permit. For more information on applying for a Study Permit, see the Citizenship & Immigration
Canada website at www.cic.gc.ca. Study Permit processing times can vary from 4-6 weeks to several months,
depending on the country in which you apply.
Submitting TOEFL & IELTS scores
If you have taken TOEFL and wish to use your scores for placement in English, you should have the testing agency
send your results directly to Columbia College. Columbia College’s TOEFL institution code is 0800. If you have
taken IELTS and wish to use your scores for placement, simply send us a copy of the score report and we will verify
the scores directly with the testing agency.

2010–2011 Columbia College Admission Requirements | Page 6 of 10

ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
English 101 English 100 or Writing 099 English 099 or English 098 or ESL 097 ESL <097
& English English 11 or Communications Communications
Literature English 12 12 11

IELTS Overall Band 6.5 Overall Band 6.0 Overall Band 6.0 Overall Band 5.5 — — —
(Academic) and Writing Band and Writing Band and Writing Band and Writing Band
6.0 6.0 <6.0 5.0

CAEL >70 & Writing 65 60–69 & Writing 60–69 & Writing 50–59 & Writing 40–49 & Writing — —
60 55 50 45

LPI 5 4, Essay 25/40 4, Essay <25/40 3, Essay 20/40 3, Essay 25/40 — —

& 50% on each & 50% on each & 50% on one
of the three of the three of the three
components components components

TOEFL CBT 230 & Essay 213 & Essay 213 & Essay 197 & Essay 180 — —
Rating 4.5 Rating 4.0 Rating 3.5 Rating 3.5

TOEFL PBT 570 & TWE 4.5 550 & TWE 4.0 550 & TWE 3.5 530 & TWE 3.5 510 — —

TOEFL iBT
Total 88 79 76 71 64 57 —
Writing 21 19 17 16 14 12 —
plus two of: plus two of: plus two of: plus two of: plus two of: plus two of:
Reading 21 19 19 17 15 13 —
Listening 21 19 19 17 15 13 —
Speaking 21 19 17 16 14 12 —

University program students placing at English 100 or 101 level may take a course load of 3, 4 or 5 transferable (credit)
courses. English 098 and 099 and Writing 099 are non-credit university preparatory courses; a student at one of these
levels combines non-credit English with transferable (credit) university courses. ESL 097 students take full-time ESL
studies or full-time ESL studies with one transferable (credit) university course.
Students with listed minimum grades in English 12 or Communications 12 in British Columbia do not need to take any
further English testing before registering in a University Transfer program.

English 101 & English Literature English 100 Writing 099

English 12 Final grade 67% with, 70% without, Final grade 50% with, 55% without, —
provincial exam provincial exam

Communications 12 — C or better C-

2010–2011 Columbia College Admission Requirements | Page 7 of 10

PROGRAM DATES 2010/11
See the college calendar at www.columbiacollege.ca for detailed academic and ESL schedules.

Fall Semester 2010

Sept. 7–10 Orientation & registration for new students
Sept. 13 Fall Semester classes begin
ESL classes begin (first seven-week session, Sept. 13–Oct. 29)
Sept. 17 Last day of late registration
Nov. 1 ESL classes begin (second seven-week session, Nov. 1–Dec. 17)

Winter Semester 2011

Jan. 4–7 Orientation & registration for new students
Jan. 10 Fall Semester classes begin
ESL classes begin (first seven-week session, Jan. 10–Feb. 25)
Jan. 14 Last day of late registration
Feb. 28 ESL classes begin (second seven-week session, Feb. 28–April 15)

Summer Semester 2011

May 2–6 Orientation & registration for new students
May 9 Fall Semester classes begin
ESL classes begin (first seven-week session, May 9–June 24)
May 13 Last day of late registration
June 27 ESL classes begin (second seven-week session, June 27–Aug. 12)

Fall Semester 2011

Sept. 6–9 Orientation & registration for new students
Sept. 12 Fall Semester classes begin
ESL classes begin (first seven-week session, Sept. 12–Oct. 28)
Sept. 16 Last day of late registration
Oct. 31 ESL classes begin (second seven-week session, Oct. 31–Dec. 16)

QUESTIONS?
Contact us by email at
admin@columbiacollege.ca or
by phone at +1-604-683-8360
weekdays, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

2010–2011 Columbia College Admission Requirements | Page 8 of 10

 COLUMBIA COLLEGE APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION
500-555 SEYMOUR STREET TEL 604-683-8360 This form is also available online at
ATTACH
VANCOUVER, B.C. FAX 604-682-7191 www.columbiacollege.ca
PHOTO
V6B 6J9 CANADA admin@columbiacollege.ca
HERE
www.columbiacollege.ca
Please print clearly in block letters and enclose required documents and application fee with this form.
This application is submitted by Self (direct applicant) Columbia College authorized overseas study agency

SURNAME (FAMILY NAME) GIVEN NAMES BIRTH DATE

MALE
DAY MONTH YEAR

FEMALE

PERMANENT HOME ADDRESS CITY

COUNTRY CITY CODE

PROVINCE COUNTRY POSTAL CODE CODE TELEPHONE FAX

CITIZENSHIP STUDY PERMIT (expiry date)

VISITOR VISA (expiry date)
E-MAIL ADDRESS PERMANENT RESIDENT
CANADIAN CITIZEN
CDN. CITIZENSHIP # OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE

VANCOUVER AREA ADDRESS CITY POSTAL CODE

VANCOUVER AREA TELEPHONE VANCOUVER CONTACT TELEPHONE

– – – –

SELECT ONE OF THE PROGRAMS:

University Transfer / Associate Degree Program University Foundation Program Academic ESL Program
HAVE YOU
Intended Program: Accelerated Secondary Program Full-time (25 hours/week) APPLIED TO
Liberal Arts Computer Science Adult Secondary Program
Part-time (10, 15, 20 hours/week) COLUMBIA
Science Engineering High School Completion Program
Communication Associate of Arts Senior Secondary Program Super-Intensive (30 hours/week) COLLEGE
Business Associate of Science University Preparatory Program BEFORE?
Semester Applying For: Semester Applying For: Entry Points Length of ESL Study
Sept 13 Nov 1 Jan 10 7 Weeks 14 Weeks Yes No
Winter Summer Fall Winter Summer Fall 2010 2010 2011
(Jan–Apr) (May–Aug) (Sep–Dec) (Jan–Apr) (May–Aug) (Sep–Dec) Feb 28 May 9 June 27
21 Weeks 28 Weeks
2011 2011 2011 Other (specify)
GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL (if applicable) LEAVING DATE FORM/GRADE/QUALIFICATION COMPLETED PERSONAL EDUCATION NUMBER (PEN) DO YOU REQUIRE
HOMESTAY
___________________________________________
ACCOMMODATION?
All students who have studied previously at a BC institution
should provide their PEN, if available. New students who YES NO
LAST SCHOOL/COLLEGE ATTENDED LEAVING DATE FORM/GRADE/QUALIFICATION COMPLETED have not studied previously at a BC institution will have a PEN
assigned to them. All students upon signing this application If yes, please fill in the
form are agreeing to the release of enrollment data to the homestay application
government of BC for statistical purposes. overleaf.

THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANTS UNDER 19 YEARS OF AGE

PARENT OR GUARDIAN NAME: Mr. Ms. PARENT/GUARDIAN ADDRESS & PHONE SAME AS
PERMANENT ADDRESS/PHONE VANCOUVER ADDRESS/PHONE OR

STREET ADDRESS

CITY COUNTRY POSTAL CODE AREA CODE TELEPHONE FAX

I agree to abide by the official college policies and regulations, including those concerning dismissal, dispute resolution and COLUMBIA COLLEGE
refunds, as set out in the current Columbia College calendar. I understand that a copy of this calendar is available on the Columbia AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE STAMP
College website at: www.columbiacollege.ca
I understand that the information submitted on this application will be used to verify or assign a Personal Education Number (PEN)
for the purposes of: student registration and admission, program evaluation and system-level research. Personal Information about
me will be managed by this institution in accordance with the British Columbia Personal Information and Protection Act.

* DATE:
* MUST BE SIGNED BY APPLICANT, OR BY PARENT/GUARDIAN IF UNDER 19 DAY MONTH YEAR

OFFICE USE ONLY

STUDENT NUMBER PLACEMENT YEAR

DATE CR# AMOUNT PT ADMITTED ON BASIS OF: REMARKS:
A
T Date applied:

T NLT New Int’l

P
HF
HS
R ADMITTING OFFICER SIG:

Information on this form is collected to allow Columbia College to identify and communicate with the applicant. Personal information will be treated as confidential Mach 2010
in accord with the College's policies on privacy. See the Columbia College calendar at www.columbiacollege.ca for policies.
 COLUMBIA COLLEGE HOMESTAY APPLICATION FORM
Please return this form (remitting required fees) to Anna Zima, Homestay Coordinator, Columbia College,
by fax (+1-604-682-7191) or email (homestay@columbiacollege.bc.ca).

Name: _ _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________

E-mail Address:_ ______________________________________________________________________________________

Session applying for: Start Date: __________________________ End Date:______________________________

(day/month/year) (day/month/year)

Date of Birth: _________________________ Age: ____________________ Sex: F M

(For students under 19) Do you want Columbia College to arrange custodianship for you? Yes No

Smoker Non Smoker

I like pets: Yes No

I like small children: Yes No

Do you have any allergies: Yes No

If yes, what are you allergic to:_ _________________________________________________________________________

Your Religion: Catholic Protestant Buddhist Muslim Other

Sports, hobbies and interests:_ __________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

My favourite foods are:_________________________________________________________________________________

I do not like to eat or cannot eat:_ _______________________________________________________________________

English Ability: Excellent Good Fair Poor

Additional comments you want to tell your homestay family. (Enclose a picture of yourself if you wish).

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

AIRPORT PICKUP REQUEST

If you need airport pickup service, please send the following information as soon as available to the attention of
Anna Zima, Homestay Coordinator, Columbia College, #500-555 Seymour Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6B 6J9
or send by fax to +1-604-682-7191, or email to homestay@columbiacollege.bc.ca

Student Name Student Number

Airline & Flight Number Date & Time of Arrival

Please note: There is a $70 charge for airport pickup service.