Bow Valley College
Employability Rate
90%
Upcoming Intake
Sep 2025
Tution Fee
Starts from 19,733 CAD
English Requirement
IELTS, TOEFL
Highlights
Bow Valley College is a public college in Calgary with Airdrie, Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, High River, Okotoks, and Strathmore campuses. It was founded in 1965 as the Alberta Vocational Centre and adopted its current name in 1998 when it became a board-governed college rather than a government-administered one. It has around 17,500 students, including international students from 148 countries worldwide. Bow Valley College is divided into seven specialist schools, including the Chiu School of Business and schools of Continuous Learning, Creative Technologies, Foundational Learning and more.
Bow Valley College is proud of its cultural diversity, reflected in the purpose-built: Iniikokaan Centre: a special centre for indigenous learners. The Intercultural Centre provides opportunities to participate in events, activities and workshops that foster respect, inclusion, creativity, teamwork and resilience.
The spacious classrooms have ergonomic seating and the latest technology, including projectors, smart boards, and high-speed internet.
There is no on-campus accommodation available for students at Bow Valley College. The University has partnerships with numerous housing providers in Calgary that can accommodate students in private or shared apartments. International students often live with a local Canadian family to ingratiate themselves with the culture and improve their English skills. The Student Hotel and Student Residence Calgary offer fully-furnished private or shared rooms with amenities such as a gym, study room, and common area. Students can also rent their apartments or rooms near the College. Websites like RentFaster.ca and Kijiji.ca are good places to search for rental properties.
The intercultural centre on campus hosts activities, events, and volunteer opportunities for students to mix and form a close-knit community. Students can also access various well-being services, such as academic advising, career counselling, and health services. The student engagement and development team has more than 200 students and alums volunteers enhancing their CVs and giving back to the community.
The RISE (Reaching for Individual Success Everyday) program is designed to help students address any difficulties they are experiencing that might put their academic or personal success at risk. Various student clubs encourage students to pursue their hobbies and unwind with peers.
Campuses
Calgary is one of the safest cities in the country as well as the world's cleanest city. It's also the sunniest city in Canada, averaging more than 333 days of sunshine annually. It's also an excellent base for exploring the wider area, with the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park just an hour away.
FAQs
The student-to-faculty ratio at Bow Valley College is generally around 20:1.
International students must provide proof of English language proficiency through an approved test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or CAEL. The minimum score requirements may vary by program, but the general condition is an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual score lower than 5.5.
International students may be eligible to work on or off-campus while studying at Bow Valley College, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and follow the regulations set by the Canadian government.
