Realities and Myths

What's in a name? Well, not always what a casual observer of the BC post-secondary system may expect. So, let's offer some facts and sort through a few of the myths associated with the different types of public post-secondary institutions in the province.

Colleges - The 11 colleges in the province are: Camosun, College of New Caledonia, College of the Rockies, Douglas, Langara, North Island, Northern Lights, Northwest Community College, Okanagan, Selkirk and Vancouver Community College.

These institutes offer a variety of academic, career, upgrading, technical and vocational programs. For the most part credentials offered are two years or less. In notable exceptions, some of these institutions have entered into agreements with degree granting institutions to enable their students to complete a degree on site.

Myth: Students in colleges have less ability to transfer to university than students in special purpose teaching universities (formerly called university colleges). Students in both colleges and special purpose teaching universities typically are able to transfer up to two years of course work towards a university degree program.

Institutes - The three institutes in BC are: British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) and Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT). Due to the large differences among these institutes let's take a quick snap shot of each one:

• BCIT - offers a huge range of certificates, diplomas and degrees focused on areas such as: business, media, information technology, engineering, health sciences and trades.
• JIBC - offers professional training through nine academies and divisions in areas such as: Corrections, Emergency Management, Fire and Safety, Paramedic, and Police. It has recently introduced its first degree (i.e., Bachelor of Fire and Safety Studies).
• NVIT - has an aboriginal focus. Program offerings typically cover academic, preparatory and career programs up to two years. Several programs offer university transfer opportunities. As well, NVIT offers a Bachelor of Social Work Degree through a partnership with Thompson Rivers University.

Myth: Courses at BCIT do not transfer to other colleges and universities in the province. Many BCIT courses transfer. Students should check the BC Transfer Guide www.BCTransferGuide.ca to see for themselves.

Teaching Intensive Universities (Formerly called University Colleges) - These are:

• Capilano University (Capilano)
• Emily Carr University of Art and Design (Emily Carr)
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University (Kwantlen)
• Royal Roads University (RRU)
• Thompson Rivers University (TRU)
• University of the Fraser Valley (UFV)
• Vancouver Island University (VUI) [formerly Malaspina University-college]

These universities offer the same range of program offerings as colleges do, (i.e., academic, career, developmental, technical and vocational). However they are also well known for offering undergraduate degree programs as well as a few applied graduate degrees.

For instance, UFV offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Degree and VIU has partnered with the University of Hertfordshire (London England) to offers a Master of Business Administration Degree.

Myth: Students who complete their studies at a special purpose teaching university will be looked on less favourably in the job market or will be at a disadvantage when applying for graduate studies than grads from a research intensive university. This is not the case.

Research Intensive Universities - The research intensive universities in BC are: University of British Columbia (UBC Vancouver & UBC Okanagan), University of Northern British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Victoria.

These institutions are best known for delivering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. They also offer a number of professional certificate and diploma programs. In addition, they are the only post-secondary institutions in BC that offer Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs.

Myth: UBC's campus in North Kelowna (UBC Okanagan) is not fully affiliated with UBC Vancouver. Students who attend UBC Okanagan receive the same credential as those who attend in Vancouver.

BC has a post-secondary institution to fit a wide range of learning needs.

Something for Everyone!

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