Enjoy your Journey of Studying in Coquitlam

About Coquitlam

Situated in the Lower Mainland area of British Columbia, Coquitlam is one of the many attractive urban communities in Metro Vancouver. As the sixth-largest city in the province, the vibrant city boasts plenty of beautiful parks, local festivals and events, and endless shopping, dining and entertainment options. It also sits next to nature – walk a few kilometres in any direction and you’re bound to hit a hiking or biking trail. 

Today, Coquitlam is considered to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the province. With a population of approximately 140,000, Coquitlam is the largest city that sits alongside the Scenic 7 Highway and the largest of the Tri-Cities, which includes Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. Its community consists of diverse cultural heritage backgrounds, with notably large Chinese, South Korean, Franco-European and Persian populations. 

Coquitlam is easily accessible by car and by public transportation. For those taking the Skytrain, Coquitlam Central Station is perhaps the most popular stop. The station is served by the Millenium Line and the West Coast Express, functioning as a key bus exchange for the Tri-Cities. From the station, you’ll also have easy access to shopping, restaurants, parks, festivals, outdoor recreation and other activities. 

Why Study in Coquitlam?

With over 32,000 students attending 70 schools, the Coquitlam School District is rated by the B.C. The Ministry of Education is one of the best districts in the province for education and learning.  Elementary, middle and high schools, as well as colleges, universities and other post-secondary institutions, are all equipped with new “state-of-the-art” technology and equipment that will assist students with their studies. 

Additionally, the District boasts the most successful International Education Program in all of Canada. During the academic year, the District offers international students full-time programs, with intakes in both September and January. Summer programs include a regular course program, where students can take summer courses to study. It also includes an English & Culture Program, where students will learn English in the morning and leave school to explore the Lower Mainland area in the afternoon. With this, students will get to experience Canadian culture and put their English skills to use while participating in a variety of activities like hiking, holding, bowling, First Nations arts and crafts, and bus trips to popular sightseeing areas in Vancouver. 

As listed by the District, here are just a few more reasons why Coquitlam is an ideal location to study:

• The safe and affluent community
• Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Fraser River in scenic natural surroundings – close to Vancouver and Whistler 
• Wide variety of academic and career programs as well as English Language Learning for students in elementary (kindergarten–grade 5), middle (grades 6–8), and secondary (grades programs)
• History of academic excellence and scholarship
• Secondary school graduation certificate recognized by all Canadian and U.S. Universities
• ESL – trained teachers provide support to international students
• Located close to Simon Fraser University, Douglas College and the University of British Columbia
• Excellent homestay, athletic and outdoor opportunities are available

Coquitlam College

About Coquitlam College

First established in 1982 as an International College, Coquitlam College is now a private, post-secondary institution located in the heart of Coquitlam, B.C. The school has two campus locations: Coquitlam Main Campus, located within walking distance of the Lougheed Town Centre Skytrain station, and Surrey Satellite Campus, located near the King George Skytrain station in Surrey, B.C.

Today, Coquitlam College offers a variety of programs, including a University Transfer Program, an Associate of Arts Degree program, a Senior High School Program, and an English Studies program. The school also offers a variety of student-led clubs and activities as a way to encourage participation in life in Canada. Students also have the option of applying for a Coquitlam College homestay. 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for College programs, students are required to submit scans of their most recent:

• Official transcript(s)
• Passport
• English proficiency test
• Study permit (if applicable)

Each program has specific additional requirements that applicants must meet to be considered:

• University Transfer Program / Arts Associate Degree
  • A high school diploma or school completion certificate,
  • A vocational/technical/polytechnic diploma with a 60% or higher average, or
  • Mature student status 
  • A minimum acceptable score on either the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test (see here for the minimum acceptable scores)

• High School Program (Dogwood Diploma, Advanced Program, Adult Graduation Program)
  • See here for full details of each program’s admission requirements

• English Studies Program (English Certificate Program, University Preparation Program)
  • The Coquitlam College English Proficiency Test, which determines which English skill level is best for the applicant
    • Only for the English Certificate Program
  • Must pass Advanced Reading and Advanced Writing before entering the University Preparation Program

See the Coquitlam College website for more information on programs, student life, admission requirements, tuition and more. 

Sources: Coquitlam College, Why Study in Coquitlam? City of Coquitlam