North Island College

Founded 1975 | Courtenay, BC

Surrounded by the beauty of B.C.’s West Coast, North Island College (NIC) offers more than 120 programs that lead to associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. The school also provides apprenticeship training, international exchanges, continuing education opportunities and academic upgrading. NIC serves a region of 80,000 square kilometres, which includes northern Vancouver Island and B.C.’s mainland coast from Bamfield to Bella Coola. NIC has facilities in Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Port Hardy and Ucluelet, as well as online learning and in-community training options.

NIC offers transfer opportunities with universities across Canada and the world, including the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University. NIC is home to internationally recognized faculty members, such as award-winning psychologist Evelyn Voyageur, who counsels survivors for the Indian Residential School Society; wood joinery expert Stephen McIntosh; and Aisling Brady, a biology researcher who often supervises independent research courses. Projects at NIC’s Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation include research in aquaculture, nursing education in Indigenous communities, and Indigenous leadership. NIC offers courses in Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwak’wala, which are delivered with the help of fluent local Elders and knowledge keepers.

Popular Programs

• Trades and Apprenticeship Training

• Health and Human Services

• Technology, Design and Industry Training

• Business and Tourism

School Size

Mid-sized

Tuition

• Degree: $3,825-$5,520

• Diploma: $3,810-$4,356

• Certificate: $3,825-$10,460

• Post-Grad: $3,455- $4,085

Residence Offerings

No

Cool Options

• Indigenous Language Fluency: Using land-based learning, this program explores how language underpins Indigenous relationships.

• Furniture Design and Joinery: Students learn to design, hand-build and repair wood products.

• Adventure Guiding: Students prepare to conduct sea kayaking, ski touring and mountaineering adventure tours.