Lac La Biche is a small town about two and a half hours north-east of Edmonton, beside a large lake, and it's home to Portage College's main campus. The public college also has campuses in St. Paul and Cold Lake, serving much of north-eastern Alberta. Programmes are practical, from business administration and practical nursing to early learning and child care. Indigenous arts and culture have a strong presence on campus.
Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada
Official website: portagecollege.ca
Public college in Alberta
Lac La Biche
St. Paul and Cold Lake
Career diplomas and certificates
CA$15,000 – CA$19,000
International students, diploma programmes
CA$11,000 – CA$14,000
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 portagecollege.ca before you apply.
Business Administration Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0
Practical Nurse Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5
Early Learning and Child Care Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0
Community Social Work Diploma
DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0
A lakeside campus in a small northern Alberta town.
Indigenous arts and culture woven into college life.
Small classes and hands-on labs.
Practical nurse graduates can write the licensing exam and work in Alberta health care.
Business and social work graduates join regional employers, Indigenous organisations and public agencies.
Eligible graduates can apply for a post-graduation work permit; check current field-of-study rules.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
No PG intake
The campus is in town near the lakeshore, with residences for students moving in from elsewhere. Summers bring boating, fishing and trails at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, on an island in the lake.
Rent is low compared with Edmonton, but winters are long and cold and there is little public transport. Edmonton is about two and a half hours away by car.
Letter of acceptance from Portage College
Alberta provincial attestation letter
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
Portage reviews applications on a rolling basis until programmes fill. International students should apply six to eight months ahead, since the study permit and provincial attestation letter take time.
Most programmes start in September. A few certificates have other start dates.
You'll need a study permit. Portage College sends a letter of acceptance, and most students also need a provincial attestation letter. The permit application goes online to IRCC with proof of funds and biometrics.
Business administration, practical nursing, early learning and child care, and community social work are the programmes international students most often consider. Entry needs secondary school with relevant subjects, such as English and biology for nursing, plus IELTS 6.0 or 6.5.
Portage has a small number of awards and bursaries, mostly for students already enrolled. Entrance scholarships for international students are limited, so budget for full fees.
