Types of Post-Secondary Institutions

Universities

[simple_tooltip content=’University: An educational institute designated as such under the University Act. Universities are able to confer all levels of degrees – bachelor, master, and doctoral.’]Universities[/simple_tooltip] tend to be the larger colleges or institutes.  BC’s older universities have a greater focus on research, while BC’s newer universities focus more on teaching.  Both research and teaching universities offer [simple_tooltip content=’Undergraduate Programs: Include all academic programs at a post-secondary institute up to and including bachelor degree programs.’]undergraduate[/simple_tooltip] and [simple_tooltip content=’Graduate Programs: Typically require a bachelor’s degree as a pre-requisite, and include programs at the masters and doctoral levels.’]graduate[/simple_tooltip] level degree programs. Some offer professional programs and continuing studies.

Colleges

[simple_tooltip content=’Colleges:

[simple_tooltip content=’College:
An educational institute designated as such under the BC Colleges and Institutes Act. Under the Act, the purpose of a college is to provide comprehensive:

Courses of study at the first and second year levels of a bachelor’s degree program;

Courses of study for an applied bachelor degree program;

Post-secondary education;

Adult education;

Continuing education;

‘]Colleges[/simple_tooltip] provide courses and programs in trades, vocational, career technical, and academic studies.  Colleges offer [simple_tooltip content=’Certificate:
A Provincial credential typically offered at the undergraduate level. A relatively short program (usually one year or less). May not ladder into a degree program.’]certificate[/simple_tooltip], [simple_tooltip content=’Diploma:
A Provincial credential typically offered at the undergraduate level. Longer than a certificate, focused on training for employment, and typically taken full-time. May not ladder into a degree program.’]diploma[/simple_tooltip], [simple_tooltip content=’Associate Degree:
A Provincial credential offered by many institutions in the BC Transfer system. Comprises of two years of university-level study in a variety of areas. Typically will ladder into a degree program. For more information, refer to the BC Transfer Guide.’]associate[/simple_tooltip], or [simple_tooltip content=’Applied Degree:
Is typically vocational (training) vs. theoretical, although theoretical work may be part of the coursework. Typical programs combine an element of training with an element of creativity, for example, a bachelor of broadcasting.’]applied degree[/simple_tooltip] programs. Some programs enable you to transfer to university to complete an undergraduate degree.

Institutes

Each of the three provincial [simple_tooltip content=’Institute:
An educational institute designated as such under the BC Colleges and Institutes Act. Under the Act, the purpose of:

Providing courses of instruction in technological and vocational matters and subjects;

Providing course of instruction at the bachelor and applied master degree level ;

Performing other functions designated by the Minister.

‘]institutes[/simple_tooltip] has a different focus: BC Institute of Technology focuses on trades and technology, the Justice Institute of BC focuses on public safety, and Nicola Valley Institute of Technology is BC’s Aboriginal public post-secondary institution.  Institutes offer a range of credentials, from certificates to degrees.

Aboriginal-controlled post-secondary institutes

[simple_tooltip content=’Aboriginal-Controlled Post-Secondary Institutes:
In BC, Aboriginal-controlled post-secondary institutes are not-for-profit, community-based schools which are governed by their communities and work to serve the educational needs of adult Aboriginal learners in their community (or communities). Aboriginal controlled post-secondary institutes offer a broad spectrum of courses and programs that include: college and university programs leading to certificates, diplomas, and degrees; Adult Basic Education leading to the Adult Dogwood Diploma for secondary school completion; language instruction; occupation specific training and upgrading; and a broad spectrum of lifespan learning programs that support Aboriginal people, communities, languages, and cultures. Many Aboriginal controlled post-secondary institutes in BC are members of the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA).’]Aboriginal-controlled post-secondary institutes[/simple_tooltip] play an important role in the BC post-secondary education system.  These institutes are community-based and Aboriginal-controlled, meaning they are better able to offer learners a strong cultural foundation with community-based supports.

Many Aboriginal institutes belong to the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA). IAHLA institutes offer a broad range of courses and programs, from Adult Basic Education to college and university programs leading to certificates, diplomas, and degrees.