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Northern Lights College: Overview, Rankings, Fees & Courses
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Last updated on 3 Oct '24, by Akanksha Malhotra (Study Abroad Expert)NLCWhat’s new?
The Spring intake deadline for Northern Lights College international applicants is Jan 31, 2025.
- About Northern Lights College
- Northern Lights College Popular Courses
- NLC Scholarships
- Northern Lights College Admission Dates 2024
- Northern Lights College Tuition Fees, Duration & Eligibility 2024
- Northern Lights College Placements
- NLC College comparison
- Studying in Canada
- Northern Lights Vs Centennial Vs Selkirk
- NLC FAQs
About Northern Lights College
The history of Northern Lights College goes back to the year 1974 when the provincial government formed a Regional Advisory Community to create a community college in Northern BC. In the year 1975, NLC was formally opened. It is a public college. Its main campus is in Dawson Creek, but Fort Nelson and Cassiar locations were soon added. In the year 1981, a new 14,000-square-foot building is constructed in Fort Nelson. In the same year, in Dawson Creek, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Early Childhood Education are added to the program offering of the college. In 2006, student housing opened in Fort St. John. An interesting fact about the derivation of the name of this college is that the name Northern Lights College has been named after the spectacular Aurora Borealis that are seen throughout the region quite frequently.
Starting from Dawson Creek with an enrolment of just 100 students, NLC has five campuses and two access centres now. The two largest campuses of the college are located in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. Apart from these two campuses, the names of the other campuses are Chetwynd, Fort Nelson, and Tumbler Ridge. Northern Lights College offers post-secondary education and workforce training to students. Diploma, Certificate, and a few Associate degrees are offered by the college. Over 100 programs are offered by NLC Canada. The study areas at the college include Business, Education, Health & Human Services, etc. According to a few unofficial sources, Northern Lights College acceptance rate is around 82%. This means that the college is less selective at the time of admission. Also Check: Northern Lights College Campus
One of the most popular alumni of this college is Bob Zimmer (Canadian Politician and a member of Parliament in the House of Commons of Canada). As per the information available on the web, the organizations where the alumni of Northern Lights College Canada work are Walmart, Subway, The Wendy’s Company, AltaGas Ltd, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, McDonald’s, etc. Also, some of the industries where this college’s alumni work are Operations, Engineering, Administrative, Business Development, Sales, IT, Finance, HR, Healthcare Services, etc.
Some of the highlights of Northern Lights College Canada are given below:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Q: Is Northern Lights College private or government?
Northern Lights College Canada is a public college that grants Diplomas, Certificates, and Associate degrees. The college is also known to offer British Columbia’s the lowest annual tuition for the two year programs. Though the college’s origins trace back to 1974, it was officially opened in 1975. For 25 years, NLC has welcomed students from around the world to its campuses. Each two-year Diploma or Degree of the college is designed in such a way that it prepares students to succeed in the Canadian workplace.
Q: How long does it take to hear from Northern Lights College?
It typically takes 2 weeks or more to get a decision from Northern Lights College. Post- acceptance of the admission letter, students are required to meet some other criteria as well depending on the programme and course.
Q: What is the acceptance rate of Northern Lights College?
A few unofficial sources have mentioned that Northern Lights College acceptance rate is around 82%. This signified that the college is less selective at the time of admission. So, the applicants who have a good academic record have a higher chance of getting admission to this college. Apart from this, the applicants must meet all the academic entry and application requirements. Though the academic requirements vary as per the courses, English language requirements must also be met by the applicants. For admission to NLC, the applicants can submit IELTS / TOEFL scores.
Q: What is Northern Lights College admission eligibility?
The admission eligibility is based on high school completion or the assessment tests and varies as per the programme requirements and space availability. Certain programs have set their own distinctive eligibility criteria and deadlines accordingly.
Q: When was Northern Lights College established?
The history of Northern Lights College traces back to 1974 when the provincial government formed a Regional Advisory Community to create a community college in Northern BC. However, formally NLC was opened in 1975 as a public college. A few other highlights of the college’s history are given below:
- In the year 1981, a new 14,000 square foot building is constructed in Fort Nelson. In the same year, in Dawson Creek, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Early Childhood Education are added in the programme offering of the college.
- In 2006, student housing opened in Fort St. John
- In 2007, the Industry Training Centre / Oil and Gas Centre of Excellence opens at the Fort St. John Campus
- In 2010, in Dawson Creek, the Science building undergoes huge renovation and transforms into the new Health Sciences building
- In 2018, NLC opens its Trades Training Centre in Dawson Creek
Northern Lights College Popular Courses
NLC College offers a varied range of in-person and online courses. It offers Diploma, Certificate, and Associate degrees. Study areas for Northern Lights College programs for international students are Business, Education, Health & Human Services, Trades & Apprenticeships, Arts & Science, Upgrading & Access. As per Shiksha Study Abroad, 10+ UG Diploma, 5+ UG Certificate, around 3 PG Diploma, and a few Associate degrees are offered. Check details about Northern Lights College Courses from here.
A pie chart showing the courses opted by NLC alumni is given below:
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Q: What type of courses are offered by Northern Lights College?
NLC College offers Diploma, Certificate, and Associate degrees. Note that the programs offered by NLC are recognised by employers across Canada. A few of the UG Diploma courses that are offered by this college are Diploma in Business Management, Diploma in Cosmetology, Diploma in Archaeology, Diploma in Practical Nursing, Diploma in Criminology, etc. On the other hand, a few of the PG Diploma courses that are offered are Business Management Post Degree Diploma, Business Management Post Degree Diploma – Health Administration Specialization, Business Management Post Degree Diploma - Information Technology Specialization.
Q: What are the study areas at Northern Lights College?
NLC College offers Diploma, Certificate, and a few Associate degrees. The study areas of Northern Lights College are given below:
- Business
- Education
- Health & Human Services
- Trades & Apprenticeships
- Arts & Science
- Upgrading & Access
Q: What type of courses of NLC were studied by its alumni?
According to the details mentioned on the internet, Northern Lights College alumni studied courses like Business Administration and Management, Business / Commerce, Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Early Childhood Education and Teaching, Information Technology, Health Care Administration, etc.
NLC Scholarships
Northern Lights College Admission Dates 2024
International students can apply to NLC College in two ways: Online (Education PlannerBC) or download the college’s application form. In both ways, the application form has to be submitted with copies of transcripts, passport photo page, English language test result, etc. Northern Lights College application fee is CAD 100 (Around 6,100).
Northern Lights College Application Deadlines 2024
The semester intakes at NLC College are Fall, Spring, and Winter. Check the table given below to learn about the application deadlines for international students:
|
Semester Intake |
Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
|
Fall |
May 31, 2025 |
|
Winter |
Sep 30, 2024 |
|
Spring |
Jan 31, 2025 |
|
Winter (Vocational) |
Oct 31, 2024 |
|
Spring - EASL |
Dec 23, 2024 |
Also Check:
An idea about the NLC Canada application process can be checked from below:
- Application fees :CAD 100
- Type of deadline :Regular
Documents| Type of documents | Applicable for |
|---|---|
| SOP | Not required |
| LOR | Not required |
| Essays | Not required |
| CV | Not required |
| Additional documents | Required |
Important dates| Intake season | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | 31ˢᵗ Jan 2025 |
| Spring | 31ˢᵗ Jan 2025 |
| Winter | 30ᵗʰ Sep - 31ˢᵗ Oct 2024 |
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Q: How much is the application fee for Northern Lights College Canada?
Northern Lights College Canada application fee is CAD 100. This amount is around INR 6,100. However, before the submission of the application fee, the applicants are required to submit the application along with a few documents listed below:
- Copies of transcripts
- Copy of the photo page of the passport
- English language test score
- Any other document
Q: How can I apply to Northern Lights College as an international student?
To apply to Northern Lights College Canada, international students can apply in two ways; Online (Education PlannerBC) or by downloading the college’s application form and submitting the same. The steps to apply to NLC College are given below:
- First of all, choose a programme and review its requirements
- Then, submit the application form and pay the application fee
- If the application is successful, the college will send a letter of acceptance once it receives the tuition fee deposit payment. Additionally, the college also sends a welcome guide to help students prepare for their arrival at the college
- Next, complete the study permit application
Q: What is the last date to apply to Northern Lights College?
Northern Lights College Canada application deadlines for international vary as per the admission intakes. The admission intakes at the college are Fall, Winter, and Spring. The application deadlines of this college are listed below:
Semester Intake | Application Open | Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
Fall | Oct 1, 2024 | May 31, 2025 |
Winter | Feb 1, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 |
Spring | Jun 1, 2024 | Jan 31, 2025 |
Winter (Vocational) | Feb 1, 2024 | Oct 31, 2024 |
Spring - EASL | Jun 1, 2024 | Dec 23, 2024 |
Q: What are Northern Lights College admission requirements for international students?
Northern Light College admission requirement for international students encompasses to demonstrate English Language Proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL IBT and PBT. Although, some programs may have different criteria for English Language test. Assessment tests may or may not be required for certain programs. However, it must be noted that assessment tests are not required for students still in high school. Northern Lights College requirements differ as per the choice of the program. Students who contemplate to apply need to contact the college for major details. However, the general requirements include:
- Meet the program requirements as every program has its own set of criteria
- Demonstrate English Language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL IBT, and Duolingo.
- Submit the required documents along with study permit documents
Q: .How do students go through Northern Lights College admission process?
The college offers three intakes namely, Fall (Sep), Winter (Jan), and Spring (May). Prospective applicants are required to choose the programme and apply through the online portal EducationPlannerBC (EPBC). Admission is offered on first-qualified, first-accepted basis. Post -admission requirements are also laid out programme wise. International students are required to show proof of study permit in order to study in Canada.
Northern Lights College Tuition Fees, Duration & Eligibility 2024
The entry requirements for NLC international applicants are mentioned as per the courses. So, it is advised to check the eligibility for the respective course from the official website of Northern Lights College Canada. In general, high-school-level courses or assessment testing shall be taken into consideration. The duration of UG Diploma courses is between 14 months-2 years, whereas for PG Diploma and Associate degrees, it is 2 years.
English Language Requirements
International students seeking admission to NLC Canada must meet the English language proficiency requirements as well. The accepted test scores are IELTS / TOEFL. The minimum scores required in these ELP tests are:
|
Tests |
Minimum Score |
|---|---|
|
Overall score of 6.0 or higher, with no band less than 6.0 |
|
|
TOEFL iBT |
78 |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
UG certificate(9 courses) | INR 6 L - 10 L | Duration: 7-13 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above |
UG Diploma(11 courses) | INR 7 L - 10 L | Duration: 14 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above |
B.Sc.(2 courses) | INR 7 L - 8 L | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above |
B.Ed(1 course) | INR 20 L | Duration: 16 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above |
PG Diploma(3 courses) | INR 7 L | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Q: What is the fees for the Diploma in Business Management course of Northern Lights College?
The duration of Northern Lights College Diploma in Business Management course is 2 years. The fees for the 2-year duration can be checked from the table given below:
Particulars | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
Tuition | CAD 11,580 (INR 7 L) | CAD 12,300 (INR 7.5 L) |
Student fees | CAD 149.76 (INR 9,200) | CAD 152.75 (INR 9,500) |
Instruction-related fees | CAD 51.84 (INR 3k) | CAD 51.84 (INR 3k) |
International medical insurance | CAD 828 (INR 51k) | CAD 828 (INR 51k) |
Q: What are the requirements for Northern Lights College for international students?
The academic entry requirements for Northern Lights College Canada international students vary from course to course. So, the applicants are required to check the official website of the college to know the exact requirements. Generally, the programme admission requirements are going to identify the high-school courses or assessment testing. Besides the academic entry requirements, the applicants are required to submit the English language test scores too. IELTS / TOEFL scores are accepted to get into NLC.
Q: What IELTS score is required for Northern Lights College?
The IELTS score required for admission to NLC College is the overall score of 6.0 or higher, with no band less than 6.0. Apart from the IELTS score, the college accepts TOEFL score as well. The minimum score required in TOEFL iBT is 78. Make sure to check the academic entry requirements from the college’s official website before proceeding with the application.
Q: What is the fees for Northern Lights College for international students?
The fees for NLC Canada vary from course to course. The tuition fee range for this college is between INR 6 L - INR 20 L. The table given below can be checked to have an idea about Northern Lights College tuition fees for international students:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
PG Diploma (3 courses) | INR 7 L |
BSc (2 courses) | INR 7 L - 8 L |
B.Ed (1 course) | INR 20 L |
UG Diploma (11 courses) | INR 7 L - 10 L |
UG Certificate (9 courses) | INR 6 L - 10 L |
Cost of Living: The cost of living in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John Street is lower than the large Canadian cities. The average cost of living of NLC (2 bedroom unit) is CAD 900 (INR 55k), whereas, that of Greater Vancouver is CAD 3,089 (Around INR 2 L) and Ontario Colleges is CAD 2,758 (INR 1.6 L).
Also Check: Cost of Living in Canada for Indian Students
Q: Is there any application fee waiver at Northern Lights College?
No, there is no application fee waiver but there might be tuition fee waiver for the eligible students. Students unable to afford the expenses should apply for scholarships and grants as they may vary programme wise.
Northern Lights College Placements
Some of the organizations where the NLC Canada alumni work are Northern Health – BC, Walmart, Subway, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, The Wendy’s Company, Axis Family Resources Ltd., McDonald’s, AltaGas Ltd, etc. Furthermore, a few of the industries where the alumni of the college work are:
- Operations
- Engineering
- Education
- Administrative
- Business Development
- Customer Success and Support
- Community and Social Services
- Sales
- Healthcare Services
- Finance
- IT
- Accounting
- HR
- Arts and Design
- Media and Communication
A pie chart showing the industries where alumni of NLC work is given below:
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Q: What are some of the industries where NLC Canada alumni work?
A few of the industries where NLC Canada alumni work are given below. Operations and Engineering are the two industries where most of the graduates work.
- Operations
- Education
- IT
- Engineering
- Business Development
- Administrative
- Customer Success and Support
- Community and Social Services
- Healthcare Services
- Sales
- Finance
- Accounting
- Arts and Design
- HR
- Media and Communication
Q: What are the recruiters of Northern Lights College Canada?
NLC Canada alumni work at the following organizations and / or workplaces:
- Northern Health – BC
- Subway
- Walmart
- Canadian Natural Resources Limited
- Axis Family Resources Ltd.
- The Wendy’s Company
- AltaGas Ltd
- McDonald’s
Q: What are Practicum placements at Northern Lights College?
A Practicum Placement is any placement, work experience or community agency visit that is a part of a learner’s program. These are also known as work study, direct employment training, and work experience. As per the policy, NLC enters into work placement agreements or practicum placements with a variety of placement locations to provide off-campus learning environments for the learners of the college.
NLCCollege comparison
Compare NLC with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Shiksha Grade | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
NLC | INR 5.76 L - 10.27 L | -/- | -/- |
NIC  Compare | INR 6.29 L - 10.95 L | -/- | -/- |
Selkirk College Compare | INR 3.59 L - 11.38 L | -/- | -/- |
ACC Compare | INR 12.95 L | -/- | -/- |
TRU Compare | INR 2.71 L - 12.42 L | -/- | -/- |
KPU Compare | INR 12.17 L - 14.32 L | -/- | -/- |
NLCStudying in Canada
Key Facts About Canada
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Northern Lights Vs Centennial Vs Selkirk
The two colleges that are at par with the Northern Lights College are Centennial College and Selkirk College. According to Shiksha Study Abroad, the overall rating given to Centennial College is 3.2, whereas, the rating given to Selkirk College is 4.1. The decision to choose a particular college in Canada depends on various factors like location, tuition fee, preferred course, career alignment, etc. Hence, it is solely a student’s decision to choose either one of these colleges. A comparison of these 3 colleges is shown below:
Commonly asked questions On Others
Q: Which college is better: Northern Lights or Centennial or Selkirk?
Ultimately, the decision to study in a college depends on a student’s choice. However, some of the factors that are considered for admission are location, tuition fee, preferred course option availability, etc. Some highlights of NCL, Centennial, and Selkirk are given below:
NLC FAQs
Q: Why choose Northern Lights College?
International students who want to study at Northern Lights College can check out the reasons mentioned below to know it is a good investment to study at this particular college:
- Excellent education: As a public college, Northern Lights College Canada grants Diplomas and Associate, Certificate courses recognised by employers across Canada
- Affordable tuition: NLC Canada offers British Columbia’s the lowest annual tuition fee for its two-year programs. Also, the region where NLC is situated has a low cost of living
- Small class size: NLC has a small class size. The benefit of this is that the instructors known the students by their names. Students can also get hands-on personalized learning because of small class size
- Good natural surroundings: Students can complete their studies and explore the outdoors in one of Canada’s most beautiful, natural landscapes
Q: Can you give an idea about the placements at Northern Lights College?
According to the facts listed on the Northern Lights College official website, most of the college’s students find part-time work upon arrival and often work full-time during the summer. Furthermore, some of the organizations where the alumni of this college work are Walmart, Subway, AltaGas Ltd., The Wendy’s Company, McDonald’s, Conuma Resources, Axis Family Resources Ltd., etc. In addition to this, a few of the industries where this college’s alumni work include Engineering, Operations, Administrative, Education, Sales, Business Development, Healthcare Services, Finance, etc.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 7 months ago
The application deadline vary as per the programme and its space availability. However, the general application deadlines are:
Particulars | Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
Fall term (Sep) (includes vocational & EASL) | 31 May, 2024 |
Winter ( Jan) (includes EASL) | 30 Sep, 2024 |
Spring (May) | 31 Jan, 2025 |
Winter (Jan) (vocational only) | 31 Oct, 2024 |
Spring (May) (includes EASL) | 23 Dec, 2024 |
*EASL- English as a Second Language programme (Completion of the programme leads to meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement for a wide range of programme offere
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
The requirements are laid out programme wise. Students who contemplate to apply need to check with specific department for the same. However, Northern Lights College requirements includes:
- Completion of High school level course or score of assessment tests depending on the program
- English Language
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
Northern Lights College has a dynamic variety of students who hail from distinctive communities. The college offers diplomas, certificates and degrees which are nationally recognised and help students succeed in Canadian work niche. The institute has one of the lowest annual tuition fee in Briti
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
According to unofficial sources the acceptance rate for Northern Lights College is 76% approximately It means that out of every 100 applicants 76 are admitted. Also, students who cannot qualify for admissions may contact the specific department for conditional admission.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
The application fee for Northern Lights College is 100 CAD (INR 6,100) which is non-refundable and must be submitted along with required documents for complete evaluation.
Contributor-Level 10
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NLCLocation
| University City | Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada |
| Size of city | Small |
| Population of City | 12,978 |
NLCContact Information
11401 - 8th St, Dawson Creek
British Columbia, Canada, V1G 4G2
Dawson Creek ( British Columbia)
NLC Popular & recent articles
What is the application deadline at Northern Lights College?