Learning Options

Full-time study

When accepted into a full-time program, you are automatically registered into all the courses you need for program completion. You will be assigned to a set — that is, a group of 16-24 students who take all their classes together for an entire semester or a whole year.

Expect to be with your set for 5 to 7 hours a day, five days a week, starting as early as 7 a.m. but usually ending before 5 p.m. Half your study hours will be spent in the classroom. The rest of your time will be used for hands-on training in a lab, shop or real-world situation, practicing the skills you'll need when you enter the workforce. You’ll work in groups of two to 10 on practical projects which will help you develop outstanding teamwork, interpersonal and communication skills. Student projects are often sponsored by companies in business and industry.

Apprenticeship training is a form of learning that consists of on the job training, work experience and formal classroom technical training. It is a full-time commitment, 80% of which is paid on-the-job work experience and 20% technical training at BCIT in one of 30 trades.

Cooperative education is available for many full-time programs. By participating in co-op, you get paid work experience in your field while completing your studies. It involves alternating between going to school at BCIT and paid work placements, all of which count as credit towards your program completion.

Part-time study

Part-time Studies at BCIT offers great flexibility in both course selection and scheduling. To take courses or start a program through part-time studies or distance & online learning you select the courses you want to take, ensure you meet the prerequisites, register, then pay your fees. If you plan to complete one of the many programs offered through part-time studies, you need to complete a Part-time Program Declaration form [PDF].

The courses that make up full-time programs are usually filled to capacity, but you may be able to take advantage of an opening when studying part-time if you obtain permissions and follow the special enrolment process. Find out which school offers the course, look up the program there, and call the program assistant for the particulars.

Course auditing

You may audit a course on certain conditions, whether in part-time or full-time studies. If auditing, you will not write examinations and will receive no credit for the course, but you'll be expected to:

The conditions are that you must—