Mobility

and Study Abroad Exchanges

Inbound Mobility

Eligibility

If you are a student at one of Okanagan College’s partner institutions, you are eligible to apply to attend OC as an exchange student. 

Our partner institutions

India

  • Chandigarh University, Punjab

Mexico

  • Universidad Internacional, Cuernavaca

Japan

  • J.F. Oberlin University, Tokyo 
  • Kibi International University, Okayama 
  • Musashi University, Tokyo 
  • Nagasaki International (NIU), Nagasaki 
  • Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (NUFS), Nagoya 

South Korea

  • Dankook University, Cheonan/Yongin 
  • Korea University, Seoul 
  • Soonchunhyang University, Asan 
  • Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul

Program availability

Associate of Arts

Intake
Fall, Winter

Campus
Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, Salmon Arm

Business Administration

Intake
Fall, Winter

Campus
Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, Salmon Arm

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Intake
Fall, Winter, Summer

Campus
Kelowna

Fall: Sep – Dec
Winter: Jan– Apr
Summer: May – June and July – Aug

Important dates

Nominations open
October 1 of the previous year
Nomination deadline
May 1
Application deadline
June 1
Learning agreement submission deadline
July 1
Fee payment deadline
Generally 3 weeks before start of program
Arrival period
3 weeks before start of program
International Orientation
August 17 –18 (Virtual) 
September 2 (In-person)
Classes begin
September 7
Classes end
December 19 

Nominations open
February 1 of the previous year
Nomination deadline
September 1
Application deadline
October 1
Learning agreement submission deadline
November 1
Fee payment deadline
Generally 3 weeks before start of program
Arrival period
3 weeks before start of program
International Orientation
TBD
Classes begin
January 9
Classes end
April 27

Nominations open
January 1
Nomination deadline
February 1
Application deadline
March 1
Learning agreement submission deadline
April 1
Fee payment deadline
Generally 3 weeks before start of program
Arrival period
3 weeks before start of program
International Orientation
TBD
Classes begin
May 15
Classes end
August 20

Application process

1. Nomination

Students wishing to study at Okanagan College as an exchange student need to meet program admission requirements and be nominated by their home institution. Your home institution will forward your nomination to Okanagan College. Outgoing exchange coordinators can contact us at mobility@okanagan.bc.ca  for OC Mobility Nomination Form.

  • ESL students need either a DuoLingo English test or Academic IELTS for English level placement.
  • Academic students need to meet minimum English requirements:
    • DuoLingo English test: overall 105
    • TOEFL iBT: total 79
    • Academic IELTS: all bands 6.0

 

2. Application

After being nominated, students fill out the Admission Notification form. Once the form is completed, send the following documents as one package to the Marketing and Recruitment Specialist for your region.

The application package will contain the following documents: 

  • Admission Notification form
  • Copy of passport 
  • Academic Transcript (in English) 
  • English proficiency test report 

3. Acceptance

Accepted students will be contacted by Okanagan College. 

ESL students will receive their Letter of Acceptance (LOA). 

Non-ESL (Academic) students will receive a Learning Agreement form as well as their Letter of Acceptance (LOA). See Step 5 below for details about the Learning Agreement.

4. Immigration

Find out if you need a study permit at the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada.html 

It is important that universities check the IRCC website to confirm if their students need a temporary resident visa (entry visa) or study permit prior to departure. Study permit approval is required prior to entering Canada if a student will be staying for more than six months. An LOA is required before students can apply for a study permit. To check study permit processing times, go to the IRCC website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Please note we do not assist students with their initial study permit application. 

5. (Non-ESL students only) Learning Agreement

Incoming students work with their home institution’s advisors to select appropriate classes for registration and transfer credit and record them on their Learning Agreement form. Once approved and signed-off by the student’s home intuition, the Learning Agreement is forwarded to the Okanagan College Marketing Recruitment Specialist representing their home country for class registration purposes. 

Additional details

Tuition fees are payable to your home institution. 

Fees payable to OC include Student Association, Student Association Media, BC Fed of Students, International Activity, International OC Development*, International Education Technology*, Extended Health and Dental Plan, guard.me medical insurance. 

While fees vary, an average exchange student should budget approximately $700-750 CAD per semester for OC fees.  

*Assessed based on the number of registered courses 

For fee payment deadlines and information on how to pay, Tuition and fees | Okanagan College. 

Okanagan College requires that all exchange students have valid medical coverage for the duration of their studies. Students will be enrolled with guard.me and/or Extended Health and Dental plans based on their program of study and registration status. Fees are charged to student account. 

 

Guard.me 

Extended Health and Dental Plan 

Applies to 

All exchange students 

Academic students with 3 or more courses 

Cost 

$250/semester (approx. $2/day) 

$250/year 

Administered by 

International Education 

Okanagan College Students’ Union 

Opt-out  

No 

Available by submitting proof of equivalent coverage by deadline 

Information 

International Supports | Okanagan College 

Health and Dental - Okanagan College Students' Union (ocsu.ca) 

 

 

Books and materials 

$100 

Transportation (bus pass) 

$180 

Food 

$1600 

Accommodation (homestay) 

$3800 

Accommodation (dormitory - suite) 

TBD

Accommodation (dormitory - pod) 

TBD

Accommodation (private rental) 

Varies

Disclaimer 

  • Fees subject to change 
  • Approximate cost for food 
  • The cost for books and materials will vary depending on programs and courses. 
  • Does not include personal spending (i.e., Entertainment, travel sports, clothes, off campus activities, etc.) 
  • Approximate cost for private accommodation 
  • Accommodation fees do not include damage deposit. 

Student housing on-campus (dormitory) 

Okanagan College student housing offers you furnished, non-smoking accommodations at the Kelowna campus. The housing is located only steps away from classrooms, libraries, recreational and fitness facilities, and food services. Public bus service connects you to local beaches, recreation areas, downtown, the airport, and shopping districts within the city. 

Private rental off-campus housing (private rental) 

Upon arrival, students may wish to consider staying at a hotel/hostel while looking for a permanent accommodation. Off-campus housing is also available. Apartments and houses can be rented near the campus. Students can look for room and board accommodations, private suites or rent a place with friends. If the student chooses private accommodation, the student is responsible for all arrangements. 

Homestay 

The Homestay program is an opportunity for cultural exchange between Canadians and International students, where students live with a host family for a period of time. Host families learn about other countries and cultures and help students adjust to living in Canada. Students have more opportunities to practice their English and learn about Canadian lifestyles, values, and customs. 

For more information on above housing options, visit the housing page.

Students are expected to be available during the exam period, and out of time exam requests will be approved only if the circumstances are exceptional. Check exam dates prior to booking your return flight home. 

For academic schedules and other important dates, Important dates | Okanagan College. 

See more details for orientation dates: International Orientation

 

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions about studying at Okanagan College as an exchange student, please contact the Marketing Recruitment Specialist for your region.