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Columbia College

Vancouver, Canada • Founded 1936

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: columbiacollege.ca

Overview

English Name: Columbia College
Founded: 1936
Institution Type: College
Columbia College principal campus
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Columbia College is a private, degree-granting institution in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, founded in 1936 as one of Canada's oldest independent colleges.

Located on Terminal Avenue, one SkyTrain stop from the downtown core, the college serves a deliberately international student body drawn from dozens of countries alongside Canadian students, and describes diversity and multiculturalism as central to its identity. Rather than offering standalone bachelor's degrees, Columbia College specializes in university transfer education: it is a recognized member of the BC Transfer System, and its first- and second-year coursework is pre-approved for transfer credit at universities including UBC, SFU, and the University of Victoria.

Students can complete a two-year Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree, choosing a concentration such as psychology, economics, political science, computer science, or mathematics, before transferring into the third year of a bachelor's program elsewhere. An accelerated tri-mester schedule lets students finish an associate degree in as little as sixteen months.

The college also runs a Canadian high school program and dedicated pathway agreements with Langara College and BCIT, alongside academic advising, career services, and immigration support for its transfer-focused student population.

Location & Contact

Mailing address, phone, email, and social channels for Columbia College are listed below.

Phone: +16046838360
Email: admin@columbiacollege.ca
Social Media:

Academic Details

A snapshot of Columbia College's academic profile — enrolment, staffing, and recognition.

Admission Requirements: Applicants must meet three baseline criteria: satisfy programme-specific academic requirements, meet minimum English proficiency, and be at least 15 years old at enrolment. For University Transfer and Associate Degree programmes, a North American (12-year) system high-school graduate needs a British Columbia-equivalent average of 60% or better across four academic Grade 12 subjects. British-patterned systems need five GCE O-level/GCSE/IGCSE/SPM passes averaging 'C' plus three A-level subjects at minimum grade D. The IB route requires a completed IB diploma or IB certificates equivalent to North American high-school graduation. Indian-system applicants need a minimum of 75% on their best four Grade 12 courses (State/National boards) or 70% under CBSE/ICSE, completed within the prior two years. English proficiency is assessed against a three-tier scale (English 101/100/099): direct entry (English 101) requires IELTS Academic overall 6.5 with a 6.5 writing band, TOEFL iBT 88 (writing 21), PTE Academic 65 (writing 65), CAEL 70+ (writing 70), or Duolingo 115+; lower scores place a student into conditional academic-English coursework before full programme entry.

Programs Offered

Every programme Columbia College currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable.

10 programmes on record. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada

Associate's Degree 10 programmes

How to apply to Columbia College

A short guide to applying to Columbia College — five steps.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at Columbia College

    Use the programme finder to browse Columbia College's 10 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Programme-level requirements at Columbia College typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    Columbia College processes applications through www.columbiacollege.ca. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. You can reach the institution by email at admin@columbiacollege.ca or by phone at +16046838360 . Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia College

Concise answers to common questions about Columbia College.

In what year was Columbia College established?

Columbia College was founded in 1936 (approximately 90 years ago).

Where can I find Columbia College?

The institution is located in Vancouver, Canada.

Where can I learn more about Columbia College?

The institution's website is www.columbiacollege.ca.

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