Overview
Are you looking to upskill quickly for a career switch, re-enter the workforce, or work in web development? The BCIT Front-End Web Development certificate program offers job-ready skills in just six months. It is ideal for those with little to no knowledge of web development and you have the option to do the program online or in-person.
The Front-End Web Development (FWD) hands-on program provides a solid foundation of web development skills needed for front-end web development and design positions today, preparing you to join the workforce immediately.
In addition to core web development and design training, you will also:
- Gain industry-relevant job search skills such as creating an effective IT-focused resume and honing interview skills
- Create a professional LinkedIn profile highlighting your new web development and design skills
- Enhance competencies such as self-care, time management, communication, and teamwork
About the program
- Work through this intensive, hands-on, 6-month web development-focused, full-time program with your cohort, sharing your experience and expertise, and building a professional network that will last long after you graduate
- 4 intakes: offered online (Jan & Oct) or in-person (May & Sep) at the Downtown campus
- Full-time (Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm) certificate program
- Work on web development projects as part of a team
- Excellent job placement rate upon graduation
See the Program Details to learn more about what to expect from FWD, and how to prepare for a career in web design.
Who should complete the FWD Certificate?
This program might be for you if you:
- Already have a credential in a non-related or related field, and are ready to start a new career in web development
- Are looking to quickly learn the skills needed to begin working in a web developer position
- Have good communication skills – both written and oral
- Are comfortable working on a Windows or macOS computer
- Enjoy working with people, either in person in an office, or virtually, in a work-from-home arrangement
- Are seeking a supportive, hands-on educational experience studying in Canada
If any of these sound like you, please check the Entrance Requirements to ensure you can apply and start your new web developer career path!
What Front-End Web Developer grads can do
By earning your BCIT Certificate, you’ll be honing your web development skills to prepare for various positions in web development.
Upon graduation, you will have a publicly accessible web portfolio showcasing your work created throughout the program along with your capstone project, giving you an edge during your job search.
Find out more about the program by checking out how Kelsey Grant looks back on her FWD experience.
Or read the interview with Program Head Michael Whyte and his efforts to keep FWD current with the changes in the dynamic web industry.
Learn more about future opportunities on the Graduating and Jobs page.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
This program is open to applications:
| Intake | Applications open | Intake delivery mode |
|---|---|---|
| January | September 26* | Online |
| May | January 18* | In person |
| September | May 23* | In person |
| October | May 23* | Online |
*or next business day
Applications are considered for a specific intake.
Entrance requirements
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: Effective Fall 2024, BCIT will implement English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories for programs requiring a minimum of English 12 with 50%, 67%, or 73% into Categories 1,2,3, and Graduate Studies. This will allow students who have met their English Language Proficiency requirements using a method other than BC Secondary School English to easily see the equivalent option for their desired program. Applications submitted for intakes scheduled to start on or after September 1, 2024, (or received starting October 1, 2023 for programs with rolling start dates) will be evaluated using the new English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories. The ELP categories replace the previous English requirements.
This program has a two-step admission process. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains.
Step 1: Pre-entry assessment
Applicants are required to complete the Pre-entry Assessment form [PDF] to review their prior experience and how they meet the entrance requirements.
Please email your completed assessment form to TPP@bcit.ca.
An approved pre-entry assessment form must be uploaded to complete your application.
Step 2: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (50%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (50%) or
- Acceptable equivalent high school course or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (50%) from a recognized institution
What if I don’t meet these English requirements?
International applicants
The in-person delivery is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
The online delivery option is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than study permit. International applicants accepted into the online delivery option are not eligible for a study permit.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
- In person intakes are offered in May and September each year.
- Online intakes are offered in January and October each year.
Please see the program overview for precise dates.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
Tuition fees include classroom materials and all required software.
Students are required to bring in their own laptop to class each day. Please refer to the Laptop Specifications [PDF] for requirements.
The instructions on installing the software on your computer will be provided on the first day of class.
Laptop costs vary depending on the configuration chosen but will likely range from approximately $1000 to $2000.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Refund policy
If notice is submitted in writing and received by the TPP Program Office at least twelve (12) working days prior to the first day of classes, all tuition fees paid (less the $1,500.00 commitment fee) will be refunded.
If notice is submitted in writing and received by the TPP Program Office by 4:00 p.m. on the second day of class, all fees paid less $2,500.00 ($1,500.00 commitment fee and $1,000.00 penalty fee) will be refunded.
There will be no refund of fees issued after the second day of class.
Withdrawal for medical reasons, possible partial refund with doctor's medical note.
Courses
Class hours
9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday (excluding statutory holidays)
Program matrix
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| FWDP 1000 | Web Development 1 | 4.0 | |
| FWDP 1100 | Web Design Fundamentals | 2.0 | |
| FWDP 1200 | UX Fundamentals | 2.0 | |
| FWDP 1400 | Web Scripting 1 | 5.0 | |
| FWDP 2000 | Web Development 2 | 4.0 | |
| FWDP 2200 | Web Design Process | 3.0 | |
| FWDP 2300 | Managing Web Projects | 1.0 | |
| FWDP 2400 | Web Scripting 2 | 5.0 | |
| FWDP 3400 | Web Scripting 3 | 4.0 | |
| FWDP 3600 | Content Management Systems | 5.0 | |
| FWDP 3700 | Online Stores | 2.0 | |
| FWDP 4000 | Web Portfolio Project | 4.0 | |
| FWDP 4500 | Capstone Project | 9.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 50.0 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
The program covers the following key areas:
- web development tools
- information architecture and user experience
- front-end web development
- web application development
Program length
26 weeks, full-time
Grading
Students must obtain a minimum of 65% in each course in order to proceed to the next course. All courses must be passed in order to qualify for the final capstone project.
Program delivery
This program offers intakes in the following delivery modes:
- In person: The intake is delivered on campus.
- Online: The intake is delivered fully online.
This program is run as a cohort model with instruction in the morning and mandatory labs in the afternoon. All classes are held in a computer lab.
Program location
May and September intakes:
BCIT Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
January and October intakes:
Online Learning
Graduating & Jobs
Sector snapshot
Job Opportunities
Graduates will find careers in a variety of industries including business, finance, government, health, information technology, telecommunications and independent consulting. Depending on previous academic and work experience, career paths for graduates may include but are not limited to:
- Front-end web developer
- Web application developer
- Web developer
- UX/UI Designer
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2020-2022 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2019-2021 graduates and for Degree 2017-2019 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty
Michael Whyte, FWD Program Head
Beata Kozma, FWD Faculty
Staff
Bal Lidhar, Program Coordinator
Advisory committee
BCIT is well-respected by employers for its ties to industry. In Computing, this connection is formalized through a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of experts in a range of roles from a cross-section of companies. The department consults regularly to ensure program currency and relevance.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this program, please send us an email.
You can also use the form below to make contact with our department, or other applicable departments at BCIT.
Questions or comments?
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