Northern Lakes College
Slave Lake, Canada • Founded 1999
Updated Sep 2026
Overview
Northern Lakes College (NLC) is a public community college headquartered in Slave Lake, Alberta, with additional campuses in High Prairie, Fairview, and Wabasca-Desmarais, serving more than a quarter of the province's landmass across northern and northwestern Alberta.
Established in 1970 and marking its 50th anniversary in 2020, the college was built to bring accessible post-secondary education to a vast, sparsely populated region that includes 15 First Nations and four Metis Settlements. Its signature delivery model, Supported Distance Learning, combines online coursework with local in-person labs, practicums and tutor support, letting residents train for careers without relocating to a major city.
NLC's program areas span Academic Upgrading, Apprenticeship and Pre-Employment Trades, Business and Administrative Studies, Health Careers, Human Service Careers, Resource Technology, and University Studies, plus a community-based partnership with the University of Calgary's Werklund School of Education for a Bachelor of Education pathway. Career offerings range from short certificates such as Health Care Aide and Educational Assistant to two-year diplomas in fields like Practical Nursing, Addictions Counselling, and Human Resource Management, alongside Red Seal apprenticeships in trades such as Electrician and Welder.
Small class sizes, flexible full- and part-time study, and multiple yearly intakes support the college's mission of improving employment opportunities and quality of life for adults across northern Alberta.
Location & Contact
Northern Lakes College's address, phone, email, and social presence. Department-level scholarship enquiries route faster through the specific faculty rather than central admissions.
Programs Offered
Find a programme at Northern Lakes College 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.
10 programmes on record. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada
Bachelor's Degree 1 programme
Certificate 3 programmes
Diploma 5 programmes
Trades - Apprenticeship 1 programme
How to apply to Northern Lakes College
How to apply to Northern Lakes College — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Use the programme finder to browse Northern Lakes College's 10 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Programme-level requirements at Northern Lakes College typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Get your documents ready
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.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Northern Lakes College processes applications through www.northernlakescollege.ca. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Reach out and track your application
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at (780)849-8600 . Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Lakes College
Common questions about Northern Lakes College answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
When did Northern Lakes College open?
Northern Lakes College traces its founding to 1999 (approximately 27 years ago).
What city is Northern Lakes College in?
Northern Lakes College operates from Slave Lake, Canada.
What is Northern Lakes College's official website?
The institution's website is www.northernlakescollege.ca.
Top-Ranked Universities in Canada
Subject-specific rankings sometimes diverge from overall national rankings. A university below Northern Lakes College overall may lead in your subject — worth checking subject tables separately.
Faculties at nearby universities
Other institutions in Northern Lakes College's region offer similar admissions cycles and overlapping subject areas, listed below for comparison. Regional clusters often share employer networks and post-study career pathways.
Where Else to Study Early Childhood Education
Looking for Early Childhood Education programmes beyond Northern Lakes College? Other universities in Canada cover the same discipline. Cross-comparing modules, assessment styles, and faculty profiles is the fastest way to find the right fit.
Universities Compared with Northern Lakes College
When students choose Northern Lakes College, they typically weigh it against institutions of similar standing. These universities sit at a comparable level — useful comparisons before committing to a final choice, especially when programme content is similar across the options.
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