British Columbia Institute of Technology brand identity

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Burnaby, Canada Founded 1964

Updated Sep 2026

Overview

Acronyms: BCIT
Founded: 1964
Institution Type: Institute of Technology
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Motto: Quisque dominus summi
Colours: Blue and gold
British Columbia Institute of Technology brand identity

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is a public polytechnic institute headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, operating since 1964.

It delivers applied, career-focused education across five campuses — Burnaby, Downtown Vancouver, the Marine Campus in North Vancouver, the Aerospace Technology Campus in Richmond, and Annacis Island — plus satellite locations. BCIT enrols approximately 44,000 students annually across full-time and Flexible Learning (part-time) studies, offering certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees, graduate credentials, and apprenticeship training in areas spanning business and media, computing, engineering, applied and natural sciences, health sciences, and trades.

Programs emphasize small cohorts, industry-current instructors, and hands-on labs, with many diplomas designed for direct employment and laddering into degree completion. Most programs admit on a first-qualified, first-accepted basis, with September and January the most common intakes; Flexible Learning courses run in winter, spring/summer, and fall terMs. Tuition is set per program: every program page publishes its own domestic and international full-program cost estimate, with detailed term-by-term fees available through BCIT's tuition estimator.

On-campus student housing at Burnaby (Tall Timber and townhouse residences) houses roughly 845 students.

Location & Contact

Geographic and contact information for British Columbia Institute of Technology — useful before scheduling visits or sending enquiries. Each channel below routes to a different team, so pick the one matching your question.

Address: 3700 Willingdon Avenue
Postal Code: V5G 3H2
Phone: +1 (604) 434 1610
Fax: +1 (604) 985 2862
Social Media:

Academic Details

The academic indicators below give context on how British Columbia Institute of Technology operates at scale. A lower staff-to-student ratio generally signals more faculty access, though research-heavy institutions skew the read.

Academic Year: Term-based: fall (September), winter (January), and spring/summer terms; full-time intakes are program-specific, most commonly September and January on a first-qualified, first-accepted basis, and Flexible Learning (part-time) runs winter, spring/summer, and fall intakes.
Recognition: Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of British Columbia
Admission Requirements: BCIT sets entry requirements program by program: each program page lists the exact courses, grades and documents it wants, and there is no single institute-wide academic cut-off. HOW TO APPLY (both applicant types): one online application through EducationPlannerBC at apply.educationplannerbc.ca/bcit, opened from the Apply Now button on the program page, may name up to two BCIT programs. The application fee is CAD 90 for domestic applicants and CAD 154 for international applicants. DOMESTIC APPLICANTS normally enter on BC secondary-school courses — English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 plus whatever mathematics and science the program names (for example the Computer Systems Technology diploma asks for English Studies 12 at 67% and Pre-Calculus 12 at 67%) — and many high-school-entry programs accept a midterm grade at the stated percentage while the course is still in progress. Equivalency guides cover Canadian out-of-province and international secondary courses. INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS meet the same program-specific academic requirements, may be asked to have schooling completed outside Canada assessed by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), face deadlines roughly two months earlier than domestic applicants, and pay a CAD 6,000 commitment fee once an offer is made — BCIT issues the letter of acceptance needed for an IRCC study permit after that fee is paid. Not every program admits international students: several health-sciences and marine programs are restricted to residents of British Columbia or of Canada, so check the program page. ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY applies to every applicant regardless of citizenship, in whichever of three categories BCIT assigns the program. Category 1 = English Studies 12 at 73%, or IELTS 7.0 with no band under 6.0, TOEFL iBT 5 with no section under 4 (score 90 with no section under 20 for tests sat before 21 January 2026), PTE Academic 65 with no skill under 60, CAEL 80 with no component under 70, or Duolingo 130 with no integrated subscore under 105. Category 2 = English Studies 12 at 67%, IELTS 6.5 with no band under 5.5, TOEFL iBT 4.5 with sections at 3.5 (legacy 86), PTE 60 with no skill under 60, CAEL 70 with no component under 60, or Duolingo 120 with no subscore under 95. Category 3 = English Studies 12 at 50%, IELTS 6.0 with no band under 5.0, TOEFL iBT 4 with sections at 3 (legacy 82, no section under 19), PTE 52 with no skill under 50, CAEL 60 with no component under 50, or Duolingo 105 with no subscore under 80. Graduate studies use the Category 2 scores except in two places: IELTS needs no band under 6.0 (not 5.5), and TOEFL iBT needs every section at 4 rather than 3.5 (4.5 overall; legacy 86 with no section under 20). Test results must be dated within two years of the program start date; 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences taken at an English-language institution at the same percentage is accepted instead of a test. ADMISSION TYPE decides how fast you must move: most programs are first-qualified, first-accepted and can fill before their deadline, while competitive-entry programs rank qualified applicants and add their own steps — a mandatory questionnaire, interviews, a portfolio, an entrance exam, a criminal record check or immunisation review. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee a seat in a competitive program.
Total Students: 44,000
Student Enrollment: 15
Academic Staff Range: 1,000-1,499
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) Polytechnics Canada Canadian University Press (CUP)

Academic Structures

British Columbia Institute of Technology's organisational chart for teaching: faculties, schools, institutes, and constituent units. Research-intensive universities often add institutes or centres alongside teaching faculties.

Unit 6 items
  • School of Business
  • School of Computing and Academic Studies
  • School of Construction and the Environment
  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Manufacturing, Electronics and Industrial Processes
  • School of Transportation

Programs Offered

Find a programme at British Columbia Institute of Technology by filter, or browse by degree level. Online and on-campus delivery modes differ in tuition, time commitment, and credential recognition — confirm which mode each programme runs in.

350 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada

Bachelor's Degree 25 programmes

Showing 10 of 25.

Master's Degree 6 programmes

Certificate 126 programmes

Showing 10 of 126.

Diploma 67 programmes

Showing 10 of 67.

Foundation 24 programmes

Showing 10 of 24.

Higher Diploma 9 programmes

Micro-credential 58 programmes

Showing 10 of 58.

Postgraduate Certificate 3 programmes

Trades - Apprenticeship 32 programmes

Showing 10 of 32.

How to apply to British Columbia Institute of Technology

What applying to British Columbia Institute of Technology typically involves — research, eligibility check, document prep, submission, and follow-up.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at British Columbia Institute of Technology

    British Columbia Institute of Technology's catalogue includes 350 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for British Columbia Institute of Technology's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    Submit your completed application through British Columbia Institute of Technology's official website at www.bcit.ca. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (604) 434 1610. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about British Columbia Institute of Technology

Common questions students ask about British Columbia Institute of Technology — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.

How old is British Columbia Institute of Technology?

The institution opened in 1964 (approximately 62 years ago).

Where is British Columbia Institute of Technology located?

British Columbia Institute of Technology is located in Burnaby, Canada.

Is British Columbia Institute of Technology public or private?

It is a public higher-education institution.

What is the student enrolment at British Columbia Institute of Technology?

Student enrolment at British Columbia Institute of Technology is around 15,000-19,999.

How is British Columbia Institute of Technology organised academically?

British Columbia Institute of Technology is organised into 6 academic units across its disciplines.

Is British Columbia Institute of Technology officially recognised?

Yes, British Columbia Institute of Technology is recognised by Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of British Columbia.

What is British Columbia Institute of Technology's official website?

You can find British Columbia Institute of Technology online at www.bcit.ca.

Top-Ranked Universities in Canada

Industry partnerships of Canada's top universities signal employer engagement at the apex of the system. Lower-ranked institutions including British Columbia Institute of Technology may still partner with strong employers locally.

Members of Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)

Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)-affiliated universities form a network of comparable institutions — British Columbia Institute of Technology sits among them. Network membership often signals shared values around academic quality and student support.

Faculties at nearby universities

Geographic neighbours to British Columbia Institute of Technology appear below — each worth considering if location is part of your decision. Nearby institutions tend to share academic calendars, making cross-applications less complex.

Where Else to Study Trades

Programme delivery mode varies across the Trades programmes listed — online, hybrid, and in-person formats differ in tuition, schedule flexibility, and credential recognition across borders.

Universities Compared with British Columbia Institute of Technology

Universities at a similar tier to British Columbia Institute of Technology appear below, useful for cross-comparison on academic credentials. Comparable institutions often share faculty mobility patterns and external recognition signals.

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