Columbia College, two-year liberal arts institution in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Columbia College is a higher education institution in Vancouver, Canada, where students complete the first two years of university study before transferring to a larger university. It offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, as well as English language courses at several levels for international students.
The college was founded in 1936 as a secondary school and over the following decades gradually shifted toward higher education. From 1965 onward, it began offering courses recognized by Canadian universities, becoming a transfer pathway for students.
Most students at this college come from abroad, and the campus reflects that mix in a visible way. In the common areas and library, you can hear many different languages as students from around the world prepare for university transfer.
The campus is on Terminal Avenue, close to downtown Vancouver, and is easy to reach by public transit. Facilities are set up for studying and meeting, so common areas tend to fill up during breaks between classes.
Since 2016, the college has offered bursaries for refugees that allow them to complete high school or take college courses at no cost. This program is rare among Canadian post-secondary institutions and is designed for people who otherwise have no access to formal education.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
