International Admission at VCC

Conditional Admission

Competitive Selection

Deferral of Admission

Requesting a Program Change

 

Conditional Admission

While most programs at VCC accept students on a first-qualified, first-offered basis, some programs may admit students on a conditional basis.

 

ILAC or ILSC University Pathway Program

Students enrolled at ILAC or ILSC University Pathway programs may apply for conditional admission in many of VCC’s programs, as long as all other requirements are met. For more information about ILAC or ILSC University Pathway programs, contact ILAC or ILSC directly. Conditionally admitted students must complete the required University Pathway levels and submit the certificates by the deadlines stated in the Conditional Letter of Acceptance (CLOA). Students meeting the English requirements by other than the stated conditions on the CLOA may not be accepted.

 

Applicants currently in Grade 12

Currently enrolled Grade 12 students may apply for conditional admission in many of VCC’s programs, excluding competitive selection programs. Admission decisions will be granted based on the evaluation of current report cards and interim transcripts. Admission decisions are not guaranteed.

Students who are not from English-speaking countries must also submit proof of English or acceptance letters from VCC's partner language schools (ILAC or ILSC) upon applying for conditional admission. Note that conditional admission decisions are at the discretion of VCC and may vary by country based on different educational systems. 

 

Applicants currently in the last semester of a university degree

Currently-enrolled students in the last semester of a university may apply for conditional admission in VCC’s Post-Degree Diploma programs. Admission decisions will be granted based on the evaluation of current transcripts or provisional certificates. Admission decisions are not guaranteed. 

Students who are not from English-speaking countries must also submit proof of English or acceptance letters from VCC's partner language schools (ILAC or ILSC) upon applying for conditional admission. Note that conditional admission decisions are at the discretion of VCC and may vary by country based on different educational systems. 

 

Food Safe Level 1

A Food Safe level 1 certificate is a requirement for some VCC programs. Students applying to Baking, Pastry and Asian Culinary Arts programs may be admitted conditionally, and submit proof of Food Safe Level 1 certificate or equivalent before the deadlines indicated on their Conditional Letter of Acceptance. The Food Safe Level 1 certificate processing time is approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the completion of the course. Students must take the Food Safe Level 1 course in advance as VCC requires the submission of a final official certificate by the deadline to meet the condition.

 

Police Checks

A police check certificate is a requirement for some VCC programs, such as the Health Care Assistant Diploma. Qualified applicants may receive conditional admission, and must submit the police check certificates before the deadlines listed on the Conditional Letter of Acceptance.

 

Competitive Selection Programs

Students applying to most of the competitive selection programs are not eligible for conditional admission. The only exception is Dance Diploma.

 

Meeting Conditions

Students that are conditionally admitted to VCC must fully meet the conditions of admission by the deadlines.

  • Students who are unable to meet the conditions of admission by the stated deadlines may request a deferral of admission to the next available term. Deferral requests must be received a minimum of six weeks prior to the start date of your program. If a deferral of admission is not received before the deadline, the application may be withdrawn.
  • Students who are unable to meet the conditions of admission by the stated deadline may also submit a request to withdraw their applications. Check the refund policy and request for withdrawal for details.

 

Competitive Selection

While most programs at VCC accept students on a first-qualified, first-offered basis, some programs admit students based on a competitive selection process. 

Programs Requiring Interview, Portfolio Review or Audition

Students applying to the following competitive selection programs are not considered for conditional admission. Applicants must meet all requirements to be included in the competitive selection process.

 

Programs Requiring Departmental Assessment and Approval

While the following programs may be available for conditional admission, additional assessment and approval are required to determine admission eligibility.

 

Application Processing Time for Selection Programs

Applicants may expect a longer application processing time while waiting for the admission decisions from the above programs.

 

Deferral of Admission

Deferral of admission is for admitted students who already paid the tuition deposit. For applicants who have not been accepted but wish to apply to a later intake, contact study@vcc.ca.

 

Deferral Due To Study Permit Processing Delay

As the deadline to request a refund due to study permit denial is 30 days prior to the program start date, if the reason to defer is due to an unexpected study permit processing delay beyond the estimated processing time stated on IRCC’s website, students must send a deferral request to ieadmissions@vcc.ca at least 30 days prior to the original program start date. To be considered for the next available intake, include the proof of study permit application along with the deferral request. The next available intake varies by program seat availability and is advised by the admissions officer at the time of the request.

Accepted students who do not officially request a deferral at least 30 days prior to the program start date will be withdrawn. Withdrawn students must re-apply, or request a refund. Refer to the non-refundable fees and refund policy.

 

Deferral for ILAC and ILSC Conditionally Admitted Students

An updated Letter of Acceptance from ILAC or ILSC must be submitted along with the deferral request email.

 

Deferral for All Other Reasons

Admission deferrals are granted at the discretion of the Director of International Education and only in highly extenuating cases and on a restricted basis.

 

When and How to Request a Deferral

A written request, emailed directly from the email account indicated on the original application form outlining the need for a deferral and detailed activities planned during that time, must be received by email at ieadmissions@vcc.ca a minimum of 30 days prior to the original program start date.

Deferred admission is subject to the availability of the program and may be granted for a maximum of one year. After the first deferral of admission is granted, students will be required to pay the application fee again for every subsequent deferral application.

Any change in study status may be updated with Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as per the requirements of the International Student Program.

 

Deferral and PAL

Most students need to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study. A PAL will not be re-issued if it is still valid. Students deferring to the next fiscal year may receive an updated PAL if the deferral request is granted. For example:

  • PAL issued for Spring/Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 intakes will have the same expiry date. Students deferring to these intakes will not receive an updated PAL.
  • Students deferring to intakes after and including Spring/Summer 2025 may receive an updated PAL if the deferral request is granted.

 

Changing Programs

Students wishing to change programs will be required to withdraw from the initial application and re-apply to the new program. 

 

Before Accepting Your Offer

Applicants will only be considered for one program per application. Applications for more than one program in the same intake are not accepted. Application fees are non-transferable and non-refundable

After submitting your application and before accepting your offer, if you wish to change to a different program, you must officially withdraw your initial application and re-apply to a new program by submitting a new application form and paying another application fee.

 

After Accepting Your Offer

Tuition deposits are program-specific and non-transferrable.

After you accept your offer by paying the tuition deposit, changing programs may result in losing the non-refundable portion of the tuition deposit as outlined in the Refund Policy. If you wish to change to a different program, you must officially withdraw your initial application and re-apply to a new program by submitting a new application form and paying another application fee.

 

After Programs Start

 are program-specific and non-transferrable.

If your program has already started, changing programs may result in losing the non-refundable portion of the tuition deposit as outlined in the Refund Policy. If you wish to change to another program, you will be required to withdraw from your current program by submitting a Program Withdrawal Form to ieadmissions@vcc.ca and to a new program. 

There may be a study gap between your current program and the new program. To learn more about the implication on your status in Canada, email ieservices@vcc.ca or book a 15-minute meeting with VCC's Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor. 

 

Eligibility and Availability of Program Change

Many popular programs fill up before the official application deadlines. Email study@vcc.ca to confirm program availability prior to withdrawing and . 

A new application does not guarantee acceptance into your new program. Your request will be reviewed, and you will be notified in writing of the status of your request.

 


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