Douglas College Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Douglas is the largest public degree-granting college in British Columbia that offers bachelor and post-baccalaureate education in a variety of specializations. A non-research college, Douglas operates on the motto of ‘Do what you love’ and focusses on providing industrial exposure.

With an academic staff of approximately 960 members, the college is recognized for its smaller class size. While major universities have around 500-800 students studying in their bachelor’s classes, Douglas is known to teach 30 to 35 students in each class. This results in more interactive and engaging sessions, which the students and graduates admire at Douglas.

Dedicated to producing graduates in diversified niches, Douglas boasts of alumni comprising actors and designers, authors and poets, journalists and reporters, businessmen and philanthropists, wrestlers, vocalists, and many more.

Courses Offered

What all courses are available to international students?

Douglas offers a variety of bachelor’s degrees and specialized courses to the international students in the following disciplines:

International aspirants may choose from a variety of degrees, diplomas, certificates, and co-op programs at Douglas College. These are as follows:

• Three-year bachelor’s degrees
• Four-year bachelor’s degrees
• Two-year diplomas
• One-year certificates
• One-year post-degree diplomas
• Two-year post-baccalaureate diplomas
• Customized two-year post-degree programs

Douglas also accepts international students through its transfer programs and helps the aspirants switch to other Canadian universities in the third year of bachelor’s degrees. Interested students may contact the international office to explore transfer study options.

Eligibility & Documents Required

What are the eligibility requirements?

The minimum eligibility criteria that international applicants need to meet before applying to Douglas College is outlined below:

1. Academic requirements
2. English proficiency
3. Other requirements in terms of age or transfer student

1. Academic Requirements

Undergraduate Programs (Diploma and Associate Degree):

• A minimum of overall 60% aggregate in the final year of high school
• A minimum of ‘C’ Grade or a score of 60% aggregate in Grade 11 in either Mathematics or a relevant subject as per the intended course

Postgraduate Programs (Post-Degree and Post-Baccalaureate):

• A three-year bachelor degree completed from a recognized institution
• A minimum score of 60% aggregate

2. English Proficiency (either of):

Exams	Scores
TOEFL (Internet Based Test – iBT) for postgraduate programs	Minimum overall score of 83 with at least 21 in Writing
TOEFL for other programs	Minimum overall score of 45
IELTS Academic for postgraduate programs	Minimum 6.5 bands with no band less than 6.0
IELTS Academic for other programs	Minimum 4.5 bands with no band less than 4.5
PTE Academic	Minimum overall score of 56
Duolingo English Test (DET)	Minimum overall score of 110
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test (either of computer-based or paper-based)	A minimum overall score of 60 in the Essay section
EIKEN Practical English	Minimum placement of Grade 1
Language Proficiency Index (LPI)	A minimum score of 4 in the Essay section
Advanced Placement (AP) English Language or Literature	A minimum score of 3 or Grade ‘C’

English Test Waiver: The test requirement can be waived off for international students if they provide the proof of either of the following qualifications:

Qualification	Score
BC* secondary school English 12 (final classroom and provincial exam blended grade) or English Studies 12 (final grade)	A minimum of ‘C’ Grade or 60% aggregate
BC* secondary school Communications 12 (final classroom and provincial exam blended grade)	A minimum of ‘B’ Grade or 73% aggregate
International Baccalaureate (IB) English Language A – Standard Level	A minimum of ‘C’ Grade or CGPA of 3

*BC secondary school refers to High Schools in British Columbia. Hence, these two waivers apply to international students who have pursued their school education from Canada under certain circumstances.

3. Other Admission Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 17 years old at the time of entering a program or latest by the end of the first month of joining a program for all diplomas and associate degrees
• Applicants must be at least 19 years old at the time of entering a program or latest by the end of the first month of joining a program for the English Language Learning and Acquisition (ELLA) program
• International aspirants transferring to Douglas from a post-secondary institution within Canada must provide a minimum GPA of 2.0 to pursue a full-time program

Note: Some Douglas programs and specializations may have additional requirements related to admission. To learn more about the specific entry requirements, it is recommended to visit the exact page of the intended course on the official website.

What documents are needed for the application?

International students need to provide the following set of documents while applying to Douglas College:

• Academic transcripts (original and English-translated)
• Douglas application form (scanned copy of printed and signed form)
• Proof of English proficiency (official scores directly from the organization of conduct)
• Scanned copy of the biographical page of a valid passport

Note: These are general requirements for applying to Douglas and may vary with different courses. It is recommended to check the exact requirements from the course page of the official website.

Application & Tuition Fees

Is there any application fees?

The non-refundable application fee of CAD 100 is chargeable to international students while applying to Douglas College.

What is the fee structure of courses offered by the college?

At Douglas, the tuition cost and other fee are charged to the students on a credit basis, where one credit equals CAD 600. Since one academic year at Douglas equals to 30 credits, the total annual tuition fee for one year is CAD 18,000. The college has stated other fees and expenses related to the tuition fee and courses credits. Refer to the costs for the academic session of 2021-2022 given below:

Type of Fee and Costs* in (CAD)	Single Semester = 15 Credits	2 Semesters (1 Year) = 30 Credits
Tuition fee	9,000	18,000
Students' union fee	56.46	112.92
DSU fees CFS/BCFS	9.52	19.04
Other student activity fee	50.86	101.72
Registration and service fee	35.3	70.6
U-Pass	170	340
Total Fees	9,322.14	18644.28

Source: Douglas College

*Fee varies depending on the course and progressive years. We encourage you to check the school/department’s website for the exact fee.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

Douglas College offers many awards, bursaries, and scholarships to its international students. Each year, the college awards scholarships worth nearly CAD 100,000 with individual awards ranging from CAD 500 to CAD 2,500. Based on the previous academic records of students, these scholarships are considered at the time of new student admission.

When to Apply?

International students must apply for the scholarships proving their eligibility. The timelines to apply for scholarships are as follows:

Semester	Scholarship Deadline*	Scholarship Decision*
Summer Intake	January-end	May
Fall Intake	May-end	September
Winter Intake	September-end	January

*Dates vary depending on the department and can change frequently. We encourage you to check the school/department’s website for exact deadlines.

Check out the tips to write an impressive scholarship essay.

Admission Process

When do the admissions start?

The college follows a semester-based calendar with rolling deadlines. International students may choose to apply in either of the following intakes:

For semester-based deadlines, refer to the table below:

Admission Intake	Classes Begin*	Application Deadline*
Summer Intake	May	January-end
Fall Intake	September	May-end
Winter Intake	January	September-end

*Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. We encourage you to check the school/department’s website for exact deadlines.

What are the steps to the application process? Does this involve an interview round?

International students may refer to the following steps to apply to any program offered by Douglas College:

Step 1: Finalize a suitable program.

Step 2: Check the requirements and eligibility for admission.

Step 3: Choose an admission intake and note the application deadlines.

Step 4: Arrange the application documents.

Step 5: Download the application form from the official website of the college.

Step 6: Fill the form as per the guidelines provided.

Step 7: Sign the form, scan it (convert into a softcopy in PDF format), and email the same to the Douglas International Admissions Office.

Step 8: Scan the essential application documents in separate PDFs and email these along with the application form.

Step 9: Wait for the files to be checked and verified from the admission committee.

Step 10: Upon being asked by the international office, send the originals (as per its instructions).

Next, upon being selected, refer to the information sent by the college on course planning, registration, new student orientation, and more.

When will I hear from the college after I submit my application?

The college announces admission results for all the courses within five business days. Accepted students receive an instructional email from the admission committee that explains a step-by-step procedure of accepting Douglas offer.

Note: Since the admission communication comes from the college via email, it is recommended to register with an easily accessible email account and stay active on emails. Also, it is advisable to keep on checking the college’s official website for the latest information or important updates regarding international admissions.

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

How difficult is it to get an admission? What is the acceptance rate of the college for international students?

Douglas College is quite selective in its admission process. Hence, the acceptance rate is not very good for both national and international applicants.

Douglas College Student Metrics
Total students enrolled	24,000
Credit students	17,000
Continuing education students	8,500
International students	4,210
Nationalities represented	92

Source: Douglas College

Because of the transfer program opportunity offered by the college, many competitive applications are received each year by the college. Therefore, merely meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

How many Indian/international students are studying at college?

The college grants admissions to over 4,000 international students from more than 92 countries each year. This share of international students roughly accounts to 18% of the total student population at Douglas College.

Source: Douglas College

As per the 2020 data of Douglas College, approximately 3,700 international students from 90 countries enrolled in this institution.

Part Time Work While Studying

Can I work while studying here?

Being a non-research bachelor’s college that works towards preparing industry professionals, Douglas has industry tie-ups to help students gain real-world exposure alongside education. Thus, international students are allowed to work while studying to gain as much exposure as possible through customized, government-funded programs.

Working Hours

International students may work up to 20 hours a week during an on-going semester and full-time during the semester break. All kinds of jobs and internships as a mandatory part of the course curriculum are restricted to working hours. Students may take up all kinds of on-campus and off-campus jobs that their respective departments allow. Therefore, all students must seek permissions from the authorities of the college before accepting any job offer.

Note: International students must connect with their respective embassies regarding work permit to avoid any confusions. They must also check the employment laws and regulations to be strictly followed while on a study visa.

Campuses & Accommodation

How many campuses does the college have?

Douglas College has two campuses in Metro Vancouver within British Columbia.

The New Westminster campus houses the international student office as well as two major buildings named Royal Avenue and Anvil Tower.

Campus Facilities

• Gymnasium
• A small-box theatre
• A large 300-seat proscenium theatre

The college offers many recreational facilities and conducts several workshops to provide its students with relevant exposure.

Training Centers

Besides these campuses, Douglas offers education through its training centers in three locations:

• Surrey
• Burnaby
• Maple Ridge

With an extensive library, Douglas offers an array of study material. This constitutes thousands of books and DVDs, articles, and guides for the students to conduct basic research for practical projects. The college is also renowned for its open repository, known as DOOR, which comprises a collection of creative and research assets.

Is on-campus housing available? How much does it cost?

International students may avail both on-campus and off-campus accommodation facilities at Douglas. Aspirants can find accommodation details on the Douglas student portal following a simple process outlined below:

Step 1: Log in to the student portal.

Step 2: Request introduction to accommodations.

Step 3: Request an accommodation letter (no changes required).

Step 4: Request an accommodation letter (changes required).

Step 5: Request alternate format materials.

Douglas Cost Breakdown

The college has explained the expected cost for aspiring international students as follows:

Type of Expenses	Semester Cost* (in CAD)	Annual Cost* (in CAD)
Student fees	150	440
Books and supplies	500	1,500
Housing and food	4,100	12,300
Miscellaneous	1,500	4,500
Transportation (U-Pass)	170	510
Total cost (including tuition)	13,884	38,364

Source: Douglas College

*Cost is subject to change with progressive years. We recommend students to check the latest cost on the college website.

Off-Campus Accommodation

The off-campus accommodation options and costs can be understood with the help of the following:

• The monthly rent could range anywhere between CAD 600 and CAD 800
• Residence type could be chosen as follows:
  • Studio apartments
  • 3-bedroom apartments
  • 4-bedroom apartments
  • Shared apartments
• Residences for students are mostly fully-furnished with:
  • A separate kitchen
  • Onsite washer and dryer
  • Separate bathrooms
• Parking facilities are available in the front street of the residences

Note: Students must run a security check on any off-campus accommodation they choose. Also, they must prepare for the additional charges and facilities offered in off-campus housing. Since accommodations are offered on a contractual basis, it is recommended to do a thorough check before investing a huge amount in an unknown place.

University Contact Information

Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?

International students may reach the international office at:

Address: 700 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, British Columbia V3M 5Z5, Canada

Website: www.douglascollege.ca/dci

Telephone: +1 604 527 5650

Email for General Enquiry: dci@douglascollege.ca

Email for Admissions Enquiry: dciadmissions@douglascollege.ca