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Qualification, Admission and Registration

Here we'll show you in detail how to qualify apply for admission, when to apply, and what happens after you apply.

Qualify for admission

To qualify for admission to North Island College you must meet the following requirements:

English Language Program
Applicants must be 18 years of age and a high school graduate.

All Other Programs
Applicants must at minimum:

• have graduated from high school (or equivalent) and be 18 years of age when their first year of study begins
• meet the minimum English requirements for the program, or successfully completed the College Preparatory level of North Island College’s English Language program.
• meet other academic and admission requirements for the program

Apply for admission in four easy steps

Step 1: Complete an application

• Complete International Student Application for Admission form.
• Review the Canadian Government website. Please review this website for detailed information about the kind of visa needed to study in Canada.
• You will need to apply for a Study Permit if you want to complete a program which is longer than six months. We strongly encourage you to apply for a Study Permit if you are thinking you may wish to continue your studies after completing a short term course or program. Please note that if you do wish to continue and do not have a valid Study Permit, you will have to leave Canada to apply for one!

Step 2: Complete  supporting documents

English as a Second Language (ESL) applicants

• Complete an ESL Assessment. Click here for more information about doing it where you live.
• TOEFL and IELTS marks are not required. You may submit a TOEFL or IELTS mark if you have a current one: TOEFL 550 or CBT 230 or IBT 80 (with no section below 19) or IELTS 6.0 (with no band below 5.5).

Applicants to all programs other than ESL

North Island requires proof of academic prerequisites. To do this you may

• submit your transcript (official statement of grades) for review*, or
• complete the prerequisite courses at the college, or
• write an assessment. Click here for more information about doing it where you live

* The College reserves the right to request you complete an assessment .

**   TOEFL and IELTS scores are welcome.

Please consult with the admissions office to decide which option is best for you.

If you are in doubt about which documents need to be evaluated, you may submit a copy of the documents to North Island College International.

Step 3: Send your application to North Island College International

Fax your application and application fee to
1 250 334-5287 with a completed “Permission to Use Credit Card” form, or

Email your application and application fee

attach a completed “Permission to Use Credit Card” form to internationaled@nic.bc.ca, or

Mail your application and application fee to

North Island College International Admissions
2300 Ryan Road
Courtenay, BC
Canada V9N 8N6

Please review the full list of Payment Options.

Step 4: Send your supporting documents to North Island College International

• Mail any supporting documents to International Admissions (see above).
• Arrange with to have your transcripts sent to North Island College International
• North Island College must receive all academic transcripts and letters of reference in envelopes sealed by the college, university or high school issuing them.
• You may ask your college, university or high school to fax or email copies of supporting documents in addition to mailing the originals.

To help you with these steps you may download the NIC admissions checklist.

When to Apply

• Applications are accepted all year.
• Terms begin in September, January and May (ESL and limited university studies).
• We recommend that you apply 4 - 6 months prior to the planned start date

What happens after you apply

• You will receive an emailed a Letter of Invitation
• In this letter you are advised which program you are admitted to and you are asked to pay the first term tuition and fees
• As soon as you pay your tuition and fees, you will receive a formal Letter of Acceptance.
• As well as a receipt for fees paid, the Letter of Acceptance must be submitted, along with the other required documentation, to your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate Visa Section.

Please note:

• Failure to pay your first term tuition and fees 30 days prior to the start of the term may result in your withdrawal from the program, and you will be required to re-apply.
• Tuition and fees requested in the Invitation letter are non-refundable unless there are very unique circumstances. If you are unable to obtain a Study Permit you may request a refund of your tuition deposit by contacting the International Education Office at internationaled@nic.bc.ca. Students whose Study Permit is delayed may request a one-time delay of admission to the next appropriate semester.

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