2022/23 Guide to Kelowna Post Secondary Schools | Career Colleges, Universities, & Okanagan Trade Schools

Planning to learn and study in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in Canada?

This article shows you every university, college campus, trade school, technical institute, and post secondary vocational school in Kelowna, BC Canada.

Whether you’re a student wanting an academic challenge, a professional seeking to further your career with practical skills, or you’re planning to graduate university via continuing studies, this guide has an Okanagan post secondary educational institution for you.

Universities in Kelowna, BC

University of British Columbia Okanagan

UBC Okanagan is the only accredited university in Kelowna, BC - and the most prestigious education institution in the Okanagan Valley.

High quality education combined with a beautiful landscape has earned UBC Okanagan an international reputation as a great place to study in Canada.

University of British Columbia Okanagan's Kelowna campus offers programs in the following faculty areas:

• Arts & Social Sciences

• Creative & Critical Studies

• Education

• Engineering

• Health & Social Development

• Management

• Science

• Southern Medical Program

• Graduate Studies

Since completing a degree at UBC Okanagan is a major financial decision, UBC offers financial support based on academic merit and need. Check their website for details on admissions requirements for each program at the Kelowna university campus.

If you meet the requirements, you may be eligible for financial support via scholarships, bursaries, and grants from UBC Okanagan.

UBC Okanagan’s campus is located in the Glenmore neighbourhood near the Kelowna International Airport. A new 80,000 sq ft Downtown Kelowna campus at 555 Doyle is expected to break ground in Spring 2022 and will be used for academic and research purposes.

3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7

Kelowna Colleges | Colleges in Okanagan, BC

Okanagan College

Okanagan College is a private educational facility located in Kelowna, BC with a mission to “transform lives and communities.”

As the largest post-secondary educational facility in the BC interior, Okanagan College offers students everything from bachelor degrees & diplomas to vocational training, trades, & adult basic education.

The most popular study areas are trades education, engineering, and business.

Okanagan College provides both in-class learning and distance courses through Moodle, their online student portal.

The adult special education department helps students reach their full potential by teaching independence and equipping every student with the competence needed to thrive in the workplace.

Okanagan School of Business

The Business Management program at Okanagan College offers certificates, diplomas, and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degrees.

Subject areas in their business administration program include accounting, marketing, human resources, and tourism & hospitality management.

After you graduate, Okanagan College provides local job placement services throughout BC.

Before applying as a student, check their admissions page for application requirements and important dates.

1000 K. L. O. Rd, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4X8

VanWest College

VanWest College is a Kelowna English language school with 2 campuses: Vancouver and Downtown Kelowna.

Their Kelowna, BC campus offers English programs like English as a Second Language (ESL), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and English courses for business & presentation.

VanWest offers both group classes and one-to-one lessons for children, youth, & adult students.

532 Leon Ave #104, Kelowna, BC

First College

First College is a Downtown Kelowna community college with career training programs in Registered Massage Therapy (RMT), Healthcare, Data Analytics, Business, and Language.

Since Vancouver Career College closed its doors in 2019, First College is now the only school in Kelowna that offers courses towards the Registered Massage Therapy designation.

532 Leon Ave Second Floor, Kelowna, BC

Career City College

Career City College is a Kelowna vocational school with programs in Human Resources (HR), accounting, office admin, and bookkeeping.

After completing a program at Career City, their friendly advisors offer students training and assistance with job searches and interviews.

1634 Harvey Ave #201, Kelowna

CanScribe Career College

CanScribe Career College is an adult school that trains you for a career in Medical Transcription.

They offer both classroom and online programs (distance learning) in four subject areas:

• Medical Transcription program

• Virtual Assistant

• Healthcare Documentation

• Medical Terminology

CanScribe’s Downtown Kelowna location consistently gets 5-star student reviews on Google.

1226 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 1Z6

Kelowna College of Professional Counselling

Kelowna College of Professional Counselling (KCPC) is a private career college offering diplomas and certificates in professional counselling, psychotherapy, counselling therapy, and addiction counselling.

Programs at Kelowna College of Professional Counselling are certified by the Ministry of Advanced Education.

Note that an undergraduate degree is required for admission to most of KCPC’s student programs.

251 Lawrence Ave, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6L2

Trade Schools & Programs

Centre for Arts and Technology (CATO)

The Centre for Arts and Technology (CATO) in Kelowna, BC is a renowned digital art school with student programs in music, film, animation, and online marketing.

Class sizes at CATO range from 6 to 21 students.

CATO Students can choose from a variety of applied subject areas:

• Audio engineering

• Digital music production

• Film

• Animation

• Photography

• Web design

• Graphics

• Network security and admin

The new BCIT Pathway program lets CATO graduates continue their studies to gain either a Bachelor of Business Admin (BBA) or a Business Management Advanced Diploma.

CATO graduates like country artist Teigen Gayse often make the news for their post-graduation accomplishments.

1632 Dickson Ave #100, Landmark Centre, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 7T2

Sprott Shaw College, Kelowna BC

Sprott Shaw College is a career-focused school with 16 locations throughout BC.

Their Kelowna campus offers students certificates and diplomas in 5 main subject areas:

• Administration

• Business

• Child, family, and community support

• Nursing & healthcare

• Trades & design

After graduation, Sprott Shaw College in Kelowna offers job placements with organizations like Interior Health, ICBC, Pushor Mitchell, and Stats Canada.

546 Leon Ave Suite 200, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6J6

Academy of Learning Career College

The Academy of Learning is a career college with 46 locations across Canada. Their Downtown Kelowna location offers skills training through programs like accounting, computer networking, business & office admin, and digital marketing.

1640 Leckie Rd #240, Kelowna, BC

Diving Dynamics

Diving Dynamics is a recreational and commercial diving school that opened for business in 1986.

As one of Canada’s best diving schools, Diving Dynamics provides the skills and training necessary to earn a wide range of diving tickets.

They offer everything from recreational dive courses to intensive commercial dive training:

• PADI Open Water

• Advanced Open Water

• Enriched Air (nitrox)

• Master SCUBA diver

• Divemaster

• Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver (DCBC)

• Underwater Welding

• Occupational SCUBA Supervisor

• Dive Accident Management

If you’re planning to go SCUBA diving on your next holiday, you’ll need a PADI Open Water certification to dive up to 18 meters depth. If you’re planning deeper dives, you can dive to 30 meters with the Advanced Open Water certification.

1884 Ambrosi Rd, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4R9

https://www.divingdynamics.com/

Moving to Kelowna with kids or young students? Check out our guides to getting around town and Kelowna’s Best Elementary and High Schools.