Earn prerequisites for health sciences programs at VCC or other institutions in a supportive learning environment with attentive instructors.
University Transfer – Pathway to Health Sciences
Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Incorporate critical thinking abilities into systematic inquiry, theoretical reasoning, and decision-making.
- Demonstrate teamwork by working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve goals.
- Demonstrate information literacy skills to determine the nature and extent of information required.
- Apply the appropriate rhetorical mode and presentation style to produce clear, accurate and effective written, verbal, and visual communication for clients and other professionals regarding issues, information, and knowledge in their discipline.
- Utilize accepted research process and abilities in all professional inquires, communications and scholarship.
- Apply and incorporate meta-cognitive processes for continued learning.
- Demonstrate quantitative and analytical skills for entrance into second year university level health science courses.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The program is at minimum 30 credits. Full-time students can complete the program in twelve months. Part-time students have three years in which to complete the program.
Intake for the program is three times a year: September, January and May.
The courses are presented using a variety of instructional strategies, resources and activities including guest speakers, case studies, computer instruction and lectures.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent
-
Knowledge of English demonstrated by one of the following:
-
English 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent
or -
English Language Proficiency demonstrated by one of the following:
-
Successful completion of VCC ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1100, or equivalent
-
IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) written within the last 24 months with a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0, or equivalent
or -
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test) written within the last 24 months with a minimum score of 82, with minimum scores of 21 in reading and listening and 20 in writing and speaking, or equivalent
-
Language Proficiency Exam (LPI) written within the last 24 months with a minimum score of 4, 5 minimum in English Usage and a minimum score of 26 in composition or equivalent. For admission to most courses, a minimum score of 26 on the essay section is required. Applicants who do not meet the requirement will be required to take ENSK 0902 Writing Skills 12 or ENSK 0926 Writing Skills 12 and ENGL 1100 English 1 concurrently
-
VCC English Language Assessment (ELA) written within the last 12 months, with a minimum score of 145 and a minimum score of 16/20 on the essay portion of the composition section, or equivalent
-
Langara English Test (LET) written within last 24 months with a minimum score of 4, or equivalent
-
-
Notes
-
Students are required to have successfully completed prerequisite course(s) or equivalents leading to courses in the Certificate (for example: prerequisite course Chemistry 12, or equivalent, needs to be successfully completed in order to take CHEM 1121 Chemistry 1)
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- Demonstrate proficiency in the English language with excellent oral and written communication skill.
- Motivated and disciplined.
- Possess analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Some word processing experience required.
Courses *
Note: Are you interested in the BScN program or Dental Hygiene program? Check the admissions requirements to find out what courses you need to complete. You do not need to complete all 30 credits of the Pathway to Health Sciences Certificate if you meet the admissions requirements for your program.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Students may request formal recognition of prior learning attained through informal education, work, or other life experience, including Indigenous ways of knowing. Credits may be granted to students who are able to sufficiently demonstrate the learning outcomes of specific courses.
PLAR is available for the following courses:
-
MATH 1111 Introduction to Statistics
Students may complete up to three program credits through PLAR. Tuition and fees may still apply to PLAR candidates.
Methods of PLAR vary by course, and may include exams, portfolios, interviews, and other evaluations.
To request PLAR, please contact the department directly.
See Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition policy for more information.
Courses listed below may include university-transfer, articulated courses approved for transfer credit at the time of application for the certificate.
Option A: Pathway to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English (minimum 6 credits) | ||
| Select one of the following groups: | 6 | |
|
Group 1:
|
||
|
ENGL 1100
& ENGL 1200 |
English 1 and English 2 |
|
|
Group 2:
|
||
|
ENGL 1101
& ENGL 1001 |
English and Integrated Language Support 1 (co-requisite) |
|
|
ENGL 1102
& ENGL 1002 |
English and Integrated Language Support 2 (co-requisite) |
|
| Human Anatomy & Physiology (minimum 6 credits) | 6 | |
|
BIOL 1120
& BIOL 1220 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 |
|
| Humanities/Social Science (minimum 6 credits) | ||
| Select one of the following groups: | 6 | |
|
Group 1:
|
||
|
PSYC 1100
& PSYC 1200 |
Psychology 1 and Psychology 2 |
|
|
Group 2:
|
||
|
ECON 1100
& ECON 1200 |
Microeconomics and Macroeconomics |
|
|
Group 3:
|
||
|
SOCI 1100
& SOCI 1200 |
Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology and Sociology 2: Canadian Society |
|
| Statistics (minimum 3 credits) | 3 | |
|
MATH 1111
|
Introduction to Statistics | |
| Electives Unspecified (minimum 9 credits) | 9 | |
|
Minimum of 3 additional University Transfer courses
|
||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Option B: Pathway to the Dental Hygiene Program
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English (minimum 6 credits) | ||
| Select one of the following groups: | 6 | |
|
Group 1:
|
||
|
ENGL 1100
& ENGL 1200 |
English 1 and English 2 |
|
|
Group 2:
|
||
|
ENGL 1101
& ENGL 1001 |
English and Integrated Language Support 1 (co-requisite) |
|
|
ENGL 1102
& ENGL 1002 |
English and Integrated Language Support 2 (co-requisite) |
|
| Human Anatomy & Physiology (minimum 6 credits) | 6 | |
|
BIOL 1120
& BIOL 1220 |
Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 and Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 |
|
| Chemistry (minimum 6 credits) | 6 | |
|
CHEM 1121
& CHEM 1223 |
Chemistry 1 and Chemistry 2 |
|
| Psychology (minimum 6 credits) | 6 | |
|
PSYC 1100
& PSYC 1200 |
Psychology 1 and Psychology 2 |
|
| Statistics (minimum 3 credits) | 3 | |
|
MATH 1111
|
Introduction to Statistics | |
| Electives Unspecified (minimum 3 credits) | 3 | |
|
Minimum 1 additional University Transfer courses
|
||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 5379 | |
| Student union | 142 | |
| College initiative | 89 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 108 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 285 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 329 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Are you interested in this program?
Applications are open! Don't forget to:
- Submit your official transcripts to the Registrar's Office when you apply
- Check Important Dates for deadlines and registration information
Get started
Entrance award
September intake of this full-time program is eligible for financial award.