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The Winter intake deadline for Northern Lights College international applicants is Sep 30, 2025.
About Northern Lights College
The history of Northern Lights College goes back to the year 1974 when the provincial government formed a Regional Advisory Community to create a community college in Northern BC. In the year 1975, NLC was formally opened. It is a public college. Its main campus is in Dawson Creek, but Fort Nelson and Cassiar locations were soon added. In the year 1981, a new 14,000-square-foot building is constructed in Fort Nelson. In the same year, in Dawson Creek, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Early Childhood Education are added to the program offering of the college. In 2006, student housing opened in Fort St. John. An interesting fact about the derivation of the name of this college is that the name Northern Lights College has been named after the spectacular Aurora Borealis that are seen throughout the region quite frequently.
Starting from Dawson Creek with an enrolment of just 100 students, NLC has five campuses and two access centres now. The two largest campuses of the college are located in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. Apart from these two campuses, the names of the other campuses are Chetwynd, Fort Nelson, and Tumbler Ridge. Northern Lights College offers post-secondary education and workforce training to students. Diploma, Certificate, and a few Associate degrees are offered by the college. Over 100 programs are offered by NLC Canada. The study areas at the college include Business, Education, Health & Human Services, etc. According to a few unofficial sources, Northern Lights College acceptance rate is around 82%. This means that the college is less selective at the time of admission. Also Check: Northern Lights College Campus
One of the most popular alumni of this college is Bob Zimmer (Canadian Politician and a member of Parliament in the House of Commons of Canada). As per the information available on the web, the organizations where the alumni of Northern Lights College Canada work are Walmart, Subway, The Wendy’s Company, AltaGas Ltd, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, McDonald’s, etc. Also, some of the industries where this college’s alumni work are Operations, Engineering, Administrative, Business Development, Sales, IT, Finance, HR, Healthcare Services, etc.
Some of the highlights of Northern Lights College Canada are given below:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
It typically takes 2 weeks or more to get a decision from Northern Lights College. Post- acceptance of the admission letter, students are required to meet some other criteria as well depending on the programme and course.
The history of Northern Lights College traces back to 1974 when the provincial government formed a Regional Advisory Community to create a community college in Northern BC. However, formally NLC was opened in 1975 as a public college. A few other highlights of the college’s history are given below:
- In the year 1981, a new 14,000 square foot building is constructed in Fort Nelson. In the same year, in Dawson Creek, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering and Early Childhood Education are added in the programme offering of the college.
- In 2006, student housing opened in Fort St. John
- In 2007, the Industry Training Centre / Oil and Gas Centre of Excellence opens at the Fort St. John Campus
- In 2010, in Dawson Creek, the Science building undergoes huge renovation and transforms into the new Health Sciences building
- In 2018, NLC opens its Trades Training Centre in Dawson Creek
Northern Lights College Popular Courses
NLC College offers a varied range of in-person and online courses. It offers Diploma, Certificate, and Associate degrees. Study areas for Northern Lights College programs for international students are Business, Education, Health & Human Services, Trades & Apprenticeships, Arts & Science, Upgrading & Access. As per Shiksha Study Abroad, 10+ UG Diploma, 5+ UG Certificate, around 3 PG Diploma, and a few Associate degrees are offered. Check details about Northern Lights College Courses from here.
A pie chart showing the courses opted by NLC alumni is given below:
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
NLC College offers Diploma, Certificate, and Associate degrees. Note that the programs offered by NLC are recognised by employers across Canada. A few of the UG Diploma courses that are offered by this college are Diploma in Business Management, Diploma in Cosmetology, Diploma in Archaeology, Diploma in Practical Nursing, Diploma in Criminology, etc. On the other hand, a few of the PG Diploma courses that are offered are Business Management Post Degree Diploma, Business Management Post Degree Diploma – Health Administration Specialization, Business Management Post Degree Diploma - Information Technology Specialization.
NLC College offers Diploma, Certificate, and a few Associate degrees. The study areas of Northern Lights College are given below:
- Business
- Education
- Health & Human Services
- Trades & Apprenticeships
- Arts & Science
- Upgrading & Access
Northern Lights College Admission 2026
Students seeking admission to Northern Lights College have to fill the online application form, submit mandatory documents and pay the application fee. Northern Lights College accepts some exam scores at the time of admission, including English language exams. Some of the exam scores that Indian students have to submit for admission are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo.
- Application fees :CAD 100
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Northern Light College admission requirement for international students encompasses to demonstrate English Language Proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL IBT and PBT. Although, some programs may have different criteria for English Language test. Assessment tests may or may not be required for certain programs. However, it must be noted that assessment tests are not required for students still in high school. Northern Lights College requirements differ as per the choice of the program. Students who contemplate to apply need to contact the college for major details. However, the general requirements include:
- Meet the program requirements as every program has its own set of criteria
- Demonstrate English Language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL IBT, and Duolingo.
- Submit the required documents along with study permit documents
The college offers three intakes namely, Fall (Sep), Winter (Jan), and Spring (May). Prospective applicants are required to choose the programme and apply through the online portal EducationPlannerBC (EPBC). Admission is offered on first-qualified, first-accepted basis. Post -admission requirements are also laid out programme wise. International students are required to show proof of study permit in order to study in Canada.
NLC Popular Courses
2 yearsNorthern Lights College Placements
Some of the organizations where the NLC Canada alumni work are Northern Health – BC, Walmart, Subway, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, The Wendy’s Company, Axis Family Resources Ltd., McDonald’s, AltaGas Ltd, etc. Furthermore, a few of the industries where the alumni of the college work are:
- Operations
- Engineering
- Education
- Administrative
- Business Development
- Customer Success and Support
- Community and Social Services
- Sales
- Healthcare Services
- Finance
- IT
- Accounting
- HR
- Arts and Design
- Media and Communication
A pie chart showing the industries where alumni of NLC work is given below:
Commonly asked questions On Placements
A few of the industries where NLC Canada alumni work are given below. Operations and Engineering are the two industries where most of the graduates work.
- Operations
- Education
- IT
- Engineering
- Business Development
- Administrative
- Customer Success and Support
- Community and Social Services
- Healthcare Services
- Sales
- Finance
- Accounting
- Arts and Design
- HR
- Media and Communication
NLC Canada alumni work at the following organizations and / or workplaces:
- Northern Health – BC
- Subway
- Walmart
- Canadian Natural Resources Limited
- Axis Family Resources Ltd.
- The Wendy’s Company
- AltaGas Ltd
- McDonald’s
A Practicum Placement is any placement, work experience or community agency visit that is a part of a learner’s program. These are also known as work study, direct employment training, and work experience. As per the policy, NLC enters into work placement agreements or practicum placements with a variety of placement locations to provide off-campus learning environments for the learners of the college.
Northern Lights College Tuition Fees, Duration & Eligibility 2024
The entry requirements for NLC international applicants are mentioned as per the courses. So, it is advised to check the eligibility for the respective course from the official website of Northern Lights College Canada. In general, high-school-level courses or assessment testing shall be taken into consideration. The duration of UG Diploma courses is between 14 months-2 years, whereas for PG Diploma and Associate degrees, it is 2 years.
English Language Requirements
International students seeking admission to NLC Canada must meet the English language proficiency requirements as well. The accepted test scores are IELTS / TOEFL. The minimum scores required in these ELP tests are:
|
Tests |
Minimum Score |
|---|---|
|
Overall score of 6.0 or higher, with no band less than 6.0 |
|
|
TOEFL iBT |
78 |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
UG Diploma(11 courses) | INR 7 L - 11 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 14 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
PG Diploma(3 courses) | INR 7 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
UG certificate(9 courses) | INR 6 L - 11 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 7-13 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
B.Sc.(2 courses) | INR 7 L - 8 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
B.Ed(1 course) | INR 21 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 16 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 78 & Above, PTE: 57 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
The academic entry requirements for Northern Lights College Canada international students vary from course to course. So, the applicants are required to check the official website of the college to know the exact requirements. Generally, the programme admission requirements are going to identify the high-school courses or assessment testing. Besides the academic entry requirements, the applicants are required to submit the English language test scores too. IELTS / TOEFL scores are accepted to get into NLC.
The fees for NLC Canada vary from course to course. The tuition fee range for this college is between INR 6 L - INR 20 L. The table given below can be checked to have an idea about Northern Lights College tuition fees for international students:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
PG Diploma (3 courses) | INR 7 L |
BSc (2 courses) | INR 7 L - 8 L |
B.Ed (1 course) | INR 20 L |
UG Diploma (11 courses) | INR 7 L - 10 L |
UG Certificate (9 courses) | INR 6 L - 10 L |
Cost of Living: The cost of living in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John Street is lower than the large Canadian cities. The average cost of living of NLC (2 bedroom unit) is CAD 900 (INR 55k), whereas, that of Greater Vancouver is CAD 3,089 (Around INR 2 L) and Ontario Colleges is CAD 2,758 (INR 1.6 L).
Also Check: Cost of Living in Canada for Indian Students
No, there is no application fee waiver but there might be tuition fee waiver for the eligible students. Students unable to afford the expenses should apply for scholarships and grants as they may vary programme wise.
College comparison
Compare NLC with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 7.05 L - 10.82 L | -/- | |
| INR 5.72 L - 15.4 L | -/- | |
| INR 2.82 L - 16.03 L | -/- | |
| INR 11.37 L - 28 L | -/- | |
| INR 5.01 L | -/- | |
| INR 7.13 L - 16.46 L | -/- |
CompareNLCStudying in Canada
Key Facts About Canada
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Northern Lights Vs Centennial Vs Selkirk
The two colleges that are at par with the Northern Lights College are Centennial College and Selkirk College. According to Shiksha Study Abroad, the overall rating given to Centennial College is 3.2, whereas, the rating given to Selkirk College is 4.1. The decision to choose a particular college in Canada depends on various factors like location, tuition fee, preferred course, career alignment, etc. Hence, it is solely a student’s decision to choose either one of these colleges. A comparison of these 3 colleges is shown below:
NLC FAQs
International students who want to study at Northern Lights College can check out the reasons mentioned below to know it is a good investment to study at this particular college:
- Excellent education: As a public college, Northern Lights College Canada grants Diplomas and Associate, Certificate courses recognised by employers across Canada
- Affordable tuition: NLC Canada offers British Columbia’s the lowest annual tuition fee for its two-year programs. Also, the region where NLC is situated has a low cost of living
- Small class size: NLC has a small class size. The benefit of this is that the instructors known the students by their names. Students can also get hands-on personalized learning because of small class size
- Good natural surroundings: Students can complete their studies and explore the outdoors in one of Canada’s most beautiful, natural landscapes
According to the facts listed on the Northern Lights College official website, most of the college’s students find part-time work upon arrival and often work full-time during the summer. Furthermore, some of the organizations where the alumni of this college work are Walmart, Subway, AltaGas Ltd., The Wendy’s Company, McDonald’s, Conuma Resources, Axis Family Resources Ltd., etc. In addition to this, a few of the industries where this college’s alumni work include Engineering, Operations, Administrative, Education, Sales, Business Development, Healthcare Services, Finance, etc.
NLC
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 7 months ago
The Northern College tuition fee for international students varies as per the course level, study department and the programme specliazation. The tuition fee is in the range of INR 6 L to INR 20 L for international applicants for the first year. Check more about the tuition fee from the table below:
j
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
The English language test requirements at Northern Lights College are for international students whose first language is not English. To prove their English language proficiency, international students are required to meet the minimum score of the English language test accepted at the college. To kn
j
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
The Northern Lights College UG certificate fee for international students ranges between INR 6 L and INR 10 L for the first year, depending on the specialisation and the programs. The course offered at the UG certificate level is a 7-13 months long course with majors in Medicine, Finance, Business,
j
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
The programs offered under the undergraduate certificate at Northern Lights College are in the study disciplines of Medicine, Finance, Business, Technology, social Science and many more with different majors and specializations.
Some of the Northern Lights College UG certificates are listed below:
Cer
j
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
The application deadline for the admission of international students at Northern Lights College depends on the intakes as mentioned below:
Particular | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
Fall | May 31, 2025 |
Winter (includes EASL) | Sep 30, 2025 |
Winter (vocational only) | Oct 31,2025 |
Spring – EASL | Dec 23, 2025 |
j
Contributor-Level 10
About the author
Northern Lights College picture
Northern Lights College picture
Northern Lights College picture
NLCLocation
| University City | Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada |
| Size of city | Small |
| Population of City | 12,978 |
NLCContact Information
11401 - 8th St, Dawson Creek
British Columbia, Canada, V1G 4G2
Dawson Creek ( British Columbia)
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