Admissions Policy
The Immigrant Services Society of B.C. is registered with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) and operates in conformity with the Private Career Training Institutions Act and the Private Career Training Institutions Agency Bylaws*.
1. Contact ISSofBC Language College - International Studies for Application for Admission
For the application for admission to ESL courses and computer courses, students should first indicate their choice of the course, level, start date and time preferred on the registration form. They can do so by:
Drop in
#501-333 Terminal Avenue
Vancouver, B.C.
(Approximately two blocks east of the Main Street Skytrain Station)Phone
604-684-2561 (ask for the International Studies)Fax
604-684-2266 (please send fax Attn: International Studies)Mail
Attn: Language College - International Studies
Immigrant Services Society of B.C.
#501-333 Terminal Ave. Vancouver, B.C.
V6A 2L7On-line
www.issbc.orgEmail
lc.is@issbc.org
2. Registration and Eligibility Criteria
To register for the E.S.L courses, students are required to do an assessment during the school's office hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Weekends and Holidays: Closed
For overseas students, an initial assessment can be done by phone or email. The complete assessment can be done upon their arrival in Vancouver. They should make an assessment appointment at least one week before the start date of the course.
For returning students, re-assessment is required if the student has been away for more than two years.
Eligibility Criteria
Our General English and computer courses are available to students at all levels, from beginner to advanced. The Diploma Programs require a level of Intermediate or above. The test preparation courses require a level of low intermediate or above. All special ESL courses are available to ESL students at the upper beginner level or above.
If a student fails to meet the above minimum admission requirements, these requirements cannot be waived. For the Computer Basics course, students are not required to have any previous computer knowledge. It is preferred that they have some keyboarding skills.
The tuition fees must be paid in full in order to complete the registration.
3. Form of Payment
Fees can be paid in cash, with a debit card (bank card), traveller's cheque, VISA or MasterCard, bank draft or bank transfer in Canadian funds. Upon full payment, an official receipt will be issued, indicating the amount paid, the name of the course(s), start and end date of the course(s), time and classroom number. The refund policy is indicated on the back of the receipt.
All assessment fees are non-refundable; however, they are used to offset the tuition fees if a student registers for an English course within sixty (60) calendar days of payment.
Seats are held on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seats will not be held for students until tuition fees are paid in full.
In addition, international students on extended study may request to pay by instalments. A minimum of half of the total fees, usually no less than 50% of the total tuition is required as an initial payment upon registration. The other half of the tuition can be paid in term instalments, about six weeks before the next term begins.
4. Student Requests
A letter of acceptance is provided for those on a student visa. ISS also allows a one-time change for students requesting to change their course schedule. Sufficient notice, not less than two weeks, must be provided, and the reason for the change must be due to extenuating circumstances. For more information, please contact the International Studies office.
*Student name and personal identification information, the name of the program of study, and the amount of the tuition paid may be forwarded to the Private Career Training Institutions Agency for the purpose of administering the Student.
5. Study and Work Diploma Program
For the Study and Work Diploma Program, students must have or complete the following by the start of the work experience component:
-a minimum age of 19 years
-some prior work/volunteer experience preferred
- an intermediate level of English (minimum)
-successful completion of the study component
-a Canadian Study Permit and COOP Work Permit OR a Working Holiday Visa
-a Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN)
-medical insurance coverage for their time in Canada