Study in Vancouver, Canada

About Vancouver

Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia, on Canada's Pacific coast. Statistics Canada estimates the population of the Vancouver census metropolitan area at 3,088,036 on 1 July 2025. The city sits between the ocean and the Coast Mountains, and much of its daily life takes place outdoors.

For international students, Vancouver is above all a place to learn English and to combine study with an outdoor lifestyle. It also has a large public research university and several colleges with career-focused diplomas.

Studying in Vancouver

Our directory lists 12 schools in Vancouver: eight language schools, two universities and colleges, one vocational school and Vancouver Community College. Teaching is in English. Examples:

• The University of British Columbia (UBC) has been teaching since 1915. Its Vancouver campus lies at the western tip of the Point Grey Peninsula, about 30 minutes by bus from downtown; its second main campus is in the Okanagan. UBC reports more than 435,000 alumni in 145 countries.
• Vancouver Community College (VCC) has two campuses in the city, on East Broadway and on West Pender Street downtown. Its programme areas range from culinary arts, design and health sciences to English as a second language.
• Vancouver Premier College groups three separate colleges for arts and science, business and management, and hotel management, with diplomas such as Hospitality Management.
• LaSalle College Vancouver is the vocational school in our list, for applied arts and design.

English schools make up most of the list. The Canadian College of English Language (CCEL), for example, marks 35 years of teaching, offers IELTS and CELPIP preparation and runs a student residence on Robson Street, a 15-minute walk from its campus. Other schools in our directory include International House Vancouver, Inlingua Vancouver, VanWest College and CSLI, and some, such as Alaya International Training Centre, also train English teachers.

Cost of living for students

Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities in Canada for housing. No official figure for typical student rents is published; homestays and school residences are common first options for language students, and it is worth comparing prices with your school before you arrive.

Students at public post-secondary institutions pay for transit through U-Pass BC, a universal and mandatory programme. It gives a three-zone pass for all TransLink buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus across Metro Vancouver, including the YVR airport surcharge. At VCC the U-Pass BC fee is $47.85 per month from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027. A new Compass Card, the fare card used on the network, needs a $6 refundable deposit. Students at private language schools are not part of U-Pass BC and pay regular fares.

Most foreign nationals need a study permit for a designated learning institution (DLI); the application fee is CAN$150, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Students whose permit allows it can work off campus up to 24 hours per week during regular terms.

Getting around and daily life

TransLink runs the buses, the SkyTrain metro lines and the SeaBus ferry to North Vancouver. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is on the transit network, and the U-Pass covers the airport surcharge. The downtown peninsula, where most language schools are, is compact and walkable.

Vancouver has a mild climate for Canada: winters are wet rather than very cold, and summers are dry and pleasant. Rain gear matters more than heavy winter clothing, although the nearby mountains get plenty of snow for skiing.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vancouver a good place to learn English?

Yes. Language schools make up eight of the 12 Vancouver schools in our directory, and they offer general English, exam preparation such as IELTS and CELPIP, and pathway programmes to colleges and universities.

Which universities are in Vancouver?

Our directory lists the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Premier College, as well as Vancouver Community College for career-focused programmes.

How much does public transport cost for students in Vancouver?

Students at public institutions pay a monthly U-Pass BC fee; at VCC it is $47.85 per month in 2026-27, for unlimited travel on buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus.

Can international students work while studying in Vancouver?

Students with a study permit that allows off-campus work can work up to 24 hours per week during regular terms, according to IRCC.