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Incoming Exchanges
Incoming Exchanges
Douglas College is located in the Greater Vancouver area of the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is the largest college in the province and offers a range of undergraduate university and applied programs.
Students can pursue studies leading to a one-year certificate, two-year diploma or associates’ degree, and four-year bachelors’ degree in select areas. Many students transfer from Douglas College after two years of study to complete their degree at local institutions such as University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and University of Victoria, and other universities nationally and internationally.
Douglas College is an ideal destination for students wanting an academically rigorous short-term study experience in a beautiful world-class city on Canada’s west coast.
Eligibility
Students at one of Douglas College’s partner institutions may apply to study at Douglas College as an exchange student for one, two or three semesters (4, 8 or 12 months). To be eligible, you must be enrolled at a partner institution for at least the semester before applying for the exchange, have the equivalent of a 3.0 (B) Grade Point Average, and be recommended by a partner institution.
The language of instruction at Douglas College is English and students enrolling in academic courses will be expected to meet the college language proficiency requirement. If you are not proficient in English at the academic level, you will be considered for enrolment ESL courses to get yourself up to speed.
If you are not an English speaker, or are not taking your studies in English at your home institution, you should submit a copy of your IELTS or TOEFL scores.
Timelines
Douglas College has three academic semesters.
| Semester | Dates |
|---|---|
| Fall | September – December |
| Winter | January – April |
| Summer | May - August |
Students applying for an exchange must submit their applications to their home institutions which will approve and recommend students for the exchange.
While your institution’s internal application deadline may be earlier, Douglas College must receive your completed student applications and institutional recommendations by:
| Semester | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | May 31 |
| Winter | September 30 |
| Summer | January 31 |
Costs
As an exchange student, you will pay tuition fees and student fees at your home institution. Douglas College does not charge any tuition or student fees but you are responsible for covering the costs of your medical insurance, textbooks and course materials.
Douglas College provides several free benefits to exchange students, including extended health and dental coverage and the U-Pass (public transit pass). Other costs include ordinary living expenses such as food, clothing, accommodation and utilities, transportation, health insurance, recreation, entertainment and personal care. For an estimate of student costs, visit the program fees and costs page.
Before You Apply
Your first step is to contact the International Exchange Coordinator at your institution to determine if you are eligible to apply to come to Douglas College as an exchange student and to discuss the application process.
Explore the Douglas College online calendar of programs and courses to choose the courses that best fitting your program and educational goals at your home institution. Download the course descriptions for your selected courses from the Douglas College website, and talk with your home institution so you can choose transferable courses to your program.
Once you have determined Douglas College has the courses appropriate for your studies and you have the financial resources necessary to participate in an exchange, complete your institution’s exchange application process.
When you are approved by your institution for an exchange you will be asked to complete and submit a Douglas College application package.
Application Process And Forms
Students approved by their institution to participate in a Douglas College exchange must submit the following to Douglas College International:
- Exchange Student Application Form
- Attachments: Copy of your current transcript, copy of the signature and photo page(s) of your passport
Upon receipt and approval of your application by Douglas College we will send you a letter of acceptance, your student number, and information on course registration procedures and accommodations.
A copy of the acceptance/admission letter will also be forwarded to the International Exchange Coordinator at your home institution. Once you are accepted Douglas College will communicate with you directly through the email address on your application form.
After You Are Accepted
Study Permits
The length of your exchange will impact the type of visa that you obtain. If you are studying at Douglas College for one semester (less than six months), you are not required to have a study permit.
However, a Temporary Resident Visa may be required depending on your country of origin. For stays of six months or longer you must obtain a Study Permit and students from some countries may also need to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa. For details on Canadian Immigration requirements for students, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
If you obtain a study permit, you will normally be eligible to apply for part-time work on campus but you are not eligible to work off-campus, see information on obtaining Study Permits on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
Most international students must submit their application to a visa office at an overseas Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate.
Visit your visa office's website for specific local instructions about which documents must be submitted with your application. The application process can take a long time in some countries, so it is important to apply as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance/admission from Douglas College.
Once your application to the visa office for a study permit is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction confirming the approval. If you require a Temporary Resident Visa, you should find this sticker inside your passport.
Make sure that all information on your letter of introduction and Temporary Resident Visa is correct before entering Canada.
Note: the letter of introduction is not your study permit. It is proof that your study permit application was approved, and it authorizes the issuance of a study permit at any Canadian port of entry. When you arrive in Canada, a Citizenship and Immigration Canada official will use the letter of introduction to create your study permit. Do not leave the port of entry without your study permit!
Medical Insurance
All in-coming exchange students must have medical coverage. If you are coming to Douglas College for more than six months then it is mandatory to apply for medical insurance under the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). You must apply within 10 days of your arrival and the waiting period is 3 months.
If you are attending Douglas College for less than six months or to cover your 3 month MSP waiting period you must obtain basic coverage from an alternate health insurance provider. We recommend you buy coverage before you travel to Canada through a local health care insurer or you can contact David Cummings Insurance Services, which Douglas College normally recommends to incoming students.
As an exchange student you will also be provided free extended health and dental insurance.
When you receive your letter of acceptance/admission you will also receive your student number and information on the registration procedure and dates. Please follow these instructions to select your courses.
Normally exchange students register in 4 courses (12 credits) per semester which is considered full time study at Douglas College. However, you can choose to enroll in up to 5 courses (15 credits) per semester.
Accommodation and Transportation
Douglas College is located in a suburb of the Vancouver City area and therefore exchange students have a choice of accommodations. While Douglas College does not have student residences, we have an extensive homestay program, enabling students to stay with a Canadian family which can help in adapting to the local language and culture.
You are guaranteed your own furnished room and three meals per day. The cost is $150 for registering as a homestay student and $750 per month; however, you can choose to rent private accommodations or make other arrangements. The Douglas College International Office can help with providing homestay placements or tips on accessing other local accommodations.
Exchange students arriving at Vancouver International Airport can easily access a taxi or can arrange with Douglas College for airport pickup (about $65) to go to an address in the local area. Exchange students are also provided with a U-Pass during their study time at Douglas College. U-Pass is a $30 per month unlimited ticket allowing students to have unrestricted use of the Greater Vancouver transit system.
Important Dates
Book your travel arrangements so you arrive about one week before classes start. This will enable you to participate in student orientation, to notify Douglas College International of your arrival, and deal with any final details or questions about your exchange. For more information, check out the Important Dates section of the Douglas College website.
