Guide to Universities & Colleges in Vancouver, BC

Higher Education Options in and around Vancouver, BC

Global aerial view of the University of British Columbia, buildings and campus
An aerial view of the University of British Columbia. Pierre Longnus / Getty Images
By
Dana Lynch
Dana Lynch
Dana Lynch is a travel expert specializing in the Pacific Northwest who was a lead blogger for Tourism Vancouver and a writer for CNN's Insider Guide.
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Updated on May 17, 2019

Home to the world-class University of British Columbia, nationally-renowned Simon Fraser Univerisity and a wide range of top-notch professional colleges, Metro Vancouver is one of the best places in Canada to pursue higher education. Use this Guide to Vancouver Universities & Colleges to find the best options for your education goals.

University of British Columbia

UBC campus in Vancouver, BC
UBC Campus, Vancouver. Courtesy of the University of British Columbia

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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One of Canada’s top universities, University of British Columbia (UBC) is located near the southwestern coast of Vancouver, about twenty minutes from downtown Vancouver by car. UBC is recognized globally as a top-tier learning institution, placing 37th in the world in the Times Higher Education (UK) 2019 ranking. UBC offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees; their site provides information on all programs, faculty, research, and more.

Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University. Wikimedia Commons

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Ranked as one of Canada’s top comprehensive universities for almost 20 years, Simon Fraser University (SFU) is home to more than 24,000 students and has campuses in Burnaby, Surrey, and downtown Vancouver. SFU offers more than 100 undergraduate major and joint major programs and more than 45 graduate degrees. The campus has also had a starring role in many movies and TV shows thanks to its futuristic architecture. 

Capilano University

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Located in North Vancouver (about 20 minutes north of downtown Vancouver), Capilano University offers Bachelor degrees in a number of fields, including business, education, and music therapy. The University also offers post-BA courses, and has a particular specialty in music. 

Columbia College

Columbia College in Canada
Columbia College in Vancouver. Roberto Westbrook/Getty Images

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Canada’s oldest independent international college, Columbia College is located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver and offers University Transfer and Associate Degree programs, as well as ESL and English preparation programs.

American University
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Langara College

Langara College
Langara College, Vancouver. Courtesy of Langara College

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Located approximately 20 minutes south of downtown Vancouver by SkyTrain (Vancouver's rapid transit system), Langara College provides University Studies, Career Studies, and Continuing Studies programs and courses to more than 20,000 students annually.

Vancouver Community College

Vancouver Community College
Vancouver Community College. Michael Wheatley/Getty Images

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Vancouver Community College (VCC) has locations in both Downtown Vancouver and on E Broadway (just south of the Downtown core). VCC provides over 140 career-oriented certificate and diploma programs, including courses in health, hospitality, business, ESL, adult basic education and University Transfer, and offers both full- and part-time study options. 

British Columbia Institute of Technology

British Columbia Institute of Technology
Wikimedia Commons

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has five campuses in the greater Vancouver area, including a downtown campus and one on the Great Northern Way. BCIT has programs for full-time and part-time students, including applied Bachelor Degrees and a range of certificates and diplomas. 

Stenberg College

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Located next to SFU's Surrey campus, Stenberg College specializes in health care and human services education, offering a wide range of professional programs; it has a job placement rate of over 96% in​ the area of study within six months of graduation. 

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Established by the B.C. government in 1981, Kwantlen has four campuses in Metro Vancouver: Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Cloverdale. Kwantlen offers bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and citations in more than 200 programs; over 17,000 students attend Kwantlen annually. 

Blanche Macdonald Centre

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Situated in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, Blanche Macdonald Centre is a fashion and beauty college that specializes in teaching students the basics of fashion merchandising and marketing, as well as applied courses in hairdressing and make-up. Courses are taught by industry professionals in real-world situations to prepare students for careers in the film, TV, fashion and beauty industries. 

Emily Carr University of Art + Design

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Canada's first purpose-built art and design institution opened a new campus on Great Northern Way in 2017. World-renowned for its creative art and design courses, the Emily Carr University of Art + Design is named after one of Canada's most famous painters. Well-known alumni include the best-selling author, activist and artist Douglas Coupland 

Vancouver Film School

The Times Square Studios

Address
\u003cspan class=\"extended-address\"\u003eTimes Square Studios\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"street-address\"\u003e1500 Broadway\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"locality\"\u003eNew York\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"region\"\u003eNY\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"postal-code\"\u003e10036\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan class=\"country-name\"\u003eUSA\u003c/span\u003e
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Founded in 1987, Vancouver Film School serves students who want to break into the film industry in Vancouver (aka Hollywood North) with  13 entertainment art courses that focus on the various facets of film from screenwriting to directing. The Chinese city of Shanghai chose the school as a partner to help them build a film industry and so students often find career opportunities in North America and China through the courses. Director Kevin Smith attended Vancouver Film School and he now offers scholarships to enable up and coming filmmakers to study at VFS too. 

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Lynch, Dana. "Guide to Universities & Colleges in Vancouver, BC." ThoughtCo, Aug. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/guide-to-universities-colleges-in-vancouver-3371270. Lynch, Dana. (2021, August 31). Guide to Universities & Colleges in Vancouver, BC. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/guide-to-universities-colleges-in-vancouver-3371270 Lynch, Dana. "Guide to Universities & Colleges in Vancouver, BC." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/guide-to-universities-colleges-in-vancouver-3371270 (accessed April 24, 2024).