North Island College is a public college on Vancouver Island, with its main campus in Courtenay in the Comox Valley and others in Campbell River, Port Alberni and Port Hardy. It offers business, tourism, health, fine arts and university transfer. It's a quiet, outdoors-focused place, between mountains and the ocean.
Courtenay, Canada
Official website: nic.bc.ca
Public college in British Columbia
Comox Valley, Campbell River, Port Alberni and Mount Waddington
Vancouver Island
CA$15,000 – CA$19,000
International students, diplomas and post-degree diplomas
CA$13,000 – CA$17,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on nic.bc.ca before you apply.
Post-Degree Diploma in Business Administration
Postgraduate CertificateDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 83
Tourism and Hospitality Management Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Associate of Arts
Associate DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Health Care Assistant Certificate
DiplomaDuration
8 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 80
Ocean, mountains and ski hills around the campus.
Tourism programmes linked to Island resorts.
Small classes.
Graduates work in tourism, health and business on Vancouver Island.
Eligible graduates can apply for a post-graduation work permit; check field-of-study rules.
BC's regional immigration streams suit graduates who stay.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
Rolling
The Comox Valley campus is in Courtenay, with student housing and a library.
The Comox Valley has beaches, Mount Washington ski resort and rent below Vancouver.
Letter of acceptance from North Island College
BC provincial attestation letter
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
North Island College accepts applications on a rolling basis. Apply six months ahead.
Most programmes start in September; business and arts also in January.
A Canadian study permit. Start with the letter of acceptance from North Island College and, where required, the provincial attestation letter, then apply to IRCC online. Allow a few months, as processing times vary by country.
Post-degree business, tourism and hospitality, the Associate of Arts and health care assistant are popular. Entry needs IELTS 6.0-6.5.
The college offers some international awards. Check the awards page.
