Public or Private?
In British Columbia, students have the option of enrolling in a [simple_tooltip content=’Public Institution:
An institution controlled or managed by a body most of whose members are elected or appointed by or under the scrutiny of a public authority. Public Institutions receive provincial funding.’]public[/simple_tooltip] or a [simple_tooltip content=’Private Institution:
An institution, controlled or managed by a body most of whose members are not selected by a public authority. Private institutions do not receive provincial funding.’]private[/simple_tooltip] post-secondary institution.
Public institutions
Public institutions receive funding from the provincial government, and as a result, tuition fees tend to be lower. Public institutions are often larger and more established as many have been around for longer.
Private institutions
Private institutions are not funded by the provincial government, and as a result, tuition fees may be higher. Some are non-profit, while others are run as a business. Private institutions require authorization to grant degrees in BC, please see the Ministry of Advanced Education’s listing of authorized institutions. Private institutions that provide career training must comply with provincial regulations for private career training institutions.
Each type of institution has its pros and cons. Things to consider include class sizes, course [simple_tooltip content=’Transferability:
Is something to keep in mind if you plan on furthering your education or changing post-secondary institutions. Transferability is tied into the concepts of recognition and portability. If your courses/program are transferable, it means that another post-secondary institution recognizes the work that you did, and will count your credits/credential towards your new program, saving you time and money.’]transferability[/simple_tooltip], cost, and environment. The public post-secondary institutions in BC offer information nights in school districts across the province; if you are still in high school, ask your school counsellor, or drop in to visit the school’s career centre. If you have been out of school for a while, you can get more information from adult education centres in your area, or contact the post-secondary institution directly.
For more information about things to consider before choosing between public and private institutions, check out the Ministry of Advanced Education’s list of things to consider. If you plan on continuing your education, or changing schools, look at the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer’s guide, so you can ensure your courses will transfer and you won’t have to repeat anything.