International Admissions

We are happy to announce that Prairie Western College (DLI O278565506082) can enroll International Students for our exciting programs. 

Prairie Western College has been granted DLI status. A DLI is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.

(Please find the PDF Handbook at the end of this page for detailed information)

For details, please contact the admissions office via international@prairiewestern.ca or 403-454-7923

Preface

Prairie Western College (PWC), a fully accredited Private Career College in Alberta,is committed to excellence in teaching, learning, intellectual inquiry, advancement of knowledge, personal & professional development and good citizenship. Our goal is to provide quality and affordable education to our students and develop them as responsible individuals and members of the society with all rights and responsibilities.  Our programs are designed to give students on-the-job experience that employers are looking for.

Our students are expected to abide by and promotePrairie Western College’s core values of honesty, trust, respect, empathy, compassion, fairness and personal accountability in all aspect of college life - be in academic or non-academic activities. These core values are intended to enlighten students and guide their behavior so as to foster mutual respect for the dignity, property, right and well-being of others.

We value integrity, inclusiveness and teamwork.For thisour college is committed to provide developmental and educational opportunities to student on behavioral issues when appropriate. We believe college is a place for our students to grow and develop themselves. To this end, non-academic misconduct system atPrairie Western College’s is also part of that boarder learning environment.

Why Study in Canada?        

Canada is recognized worldwide for outstanding quality of education and ranked among the top 3 countries in the world for studying abroad. Every year students from different corners of the world migrate to Canada for their higher education.

There are countless benefits for international students studying in Canada. Canada has been consistently ranked as one of the safest nations in the world. As international student, you will enjoy the same rights as any other Canadian. Canada also gives you the opportunity to work for up to 20 hours every week during semesters and full-time during the summer and winter breaks. Study permit is enough to help you find a part time job (no additional work permit is required). As per current Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guidelines, international students graduating from licensed programs at a private career college in Alberta are not eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Please check the following Government of Canada site for more details (with a section on working and studying in Canada)

Govt of Canada Link for International Students​

Why Study in Prairie Western College (PWC)?          

Prairie Western College is a modern and progressive institution that creates pathway to university for international students. Life at Prairie Western College is more than an academic experience. You will benefit from our innovative learning environment. Prairie Western College offers a variety of services and advantages-

• You will learn skills that enable you to take a leading role in your future profession. Leadership skills will help you negotiate with colleagues, and clients, manage a team, make decisions, communicate your ideas and ultimately progress your career.
• All of Prairie Western College programs provide the students with the opportunity to focus in on the development of particular skills in keeping with needs and interests.
• Employers want graduates who can understand and respond to complex problems. Prairie Western College offers units of study, programs and experiences within the classroom and beyond, that give you the space to explore your interests and pursue your goals, enabling you to take a leading role in your future profession.
• Prairie Western College education will help you not just to learn, but to apply your knowledge to real-life situations.
• Prairie Western College provides you with the skills sought after by employers, and connects you to a truly global network, so you can choose the one that best suits your aspirations.
• Prairie Western College programs and education environment prepare you for work, as well as for success into the future, reshaping every aspect of your life including long lasting career success.

Program offered by Prairie Western College

Currently in Prairie Western College we are offering four (4) programs. However, more exciting and career oriented programs are in approval process with Advanced Education, Govt. of Alberta. Please check the college website for most up-to-date information on program offering.

• Accounting and Payroll Administration Diploma
• Business Administration 1 - Year Diploma
• Business Administration 2 - Year Diploma
• Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk Diploma

International Admission Process: In View

             Prairie Western College welcomes international student. For the students interested to study at Prairie Western College, the flowchart below shows steps of International Admission process at Prairie Western College.

International Admission Process: Details

Step 1. Review admission requirements

To be admitted into the post-secondary program at Prairie Western College, you must meet the admission requirements, as well as meet the following criteria before you begin your application.

The criteria include-

• Admission Requirements for International Students
• English Language Requirements
• Foreign Credentials Assessment

Admission Requirements for International Students

            International students are required to provide the transcripts (High School Diploma) (directly from the candidate’s previous institution). Official English language translations should be provided in cases where the transcripts/result are not in English

International students from countries where the language of instruction is not English will need to provide proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP). However, the ELP is waived for International students who are from a country where English is the official language of instruction. Please check the following list for ELP Waived Countries:

If an applicant is in Calgary, he or she will be required to take the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test and must score a minimum of 60% in order to qualify for admission.You can contact the international office of Prairie Western College via international@prairiewestern.ca for any issues.

English Language Requirements

          Students interested to apply at Prairie International College must have sufficient proficiency in English language.

The following requirement forEnglish Proficiency will apply to programs at Prairie Western College

1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 

• Academic Score: 6.0 (no section/band score below 5.5)

2. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Testing (TOEFL)

• TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT): 79-80
• TOEFL Computer Based Test (CBT): 213 
• TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT):    550

3. Canadian Language Benchmarks/Milestone Test

• 7 in each strand, not an average of 7.

4. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General: 7

• (With no section score below 6)

5.Duolingo English Test

• Minimun score 105

The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with Prairie Western College when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session

Test results are valid for two years from the day of testing.  If a result is set to expire before the start date of the program, the result may not be accepted.

Foreign Credentials Assessment and Recognition

All foreign credentials need be translated into English and an equivalency to Canadian Grade 12 level must be determined. International Students can use the services of the following credentials evaluation services to evaluate their credentials

International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)

ICAS is a Canadian company with over 20 years of experience in the assessment of international credentials.  ICAS are committed to helping people achieve their personal, career and education goals by providing accurate and reliable credential assessment services.  ICAS reports help employers, education institutions, immigration officials and community agencies understand the education you have completed outside Canada.

For more information check the ICAS website

International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)

The International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) is an Alberta government service. It does assessments and issues certificates that compare educational credentials from other countries to educational standards in Canada. In Canada, some occupations are regulated. Regulated occupations have legal requirements or restrictions in place to protect the public. To work in these occupations, you must register with the appropriate professional regulatory organization. You can get this type of assessment if you have a formal academic or technical degree, diploma or certificate earned outside Canada. For more information on your foreign qualifications assessment please visit:

For more information check the IQAS website

World Education Service (WES)

A credential evaluation is a comparison of your academic accomplishments to standards in Canada. This report helps institutions like schools, employers, licensing boards, or immigration authorities better understand your educational background. World Education Service (WES) evaluates credentials per year and report from WES helps to:

• Identifies and describes your credentials
• Verifies that your credentials are authentic
• May include a grade point average (GPA) equivalency
• Includes an evaluation of the authenticity of your documents

For more information on assessment by WES please visit the website 

Step 2. Submit online application with supporting documentation and fee

Once you reviewed the admission requirement and confident that you have the necessary credentials, applying to Prairie Western College as an international student is easy. You have to download the International application form, complete it and submit your application with scanned copies of necessary supporting documents and pay CAD 100 non-refundable international application fee to Prairie Western College International Office email address international@prairiewestern.ca

To Direct Deposit the international application fee from your bank to Prairie Western College, you can use the following information:

You can post the documents the following address

Prairie Western College International Office

915 33 ST NE

Calgary AB T2A6T2

Canada

You can find more information about what supporting documents are required in the Admission Requirements section.

Step 3. Prairie Western College International Office reviews application

After the International Office receives your completed application, it will be reviewed by admissions officers. If additional information is required to support your application, this will be communicated to you via email.

Step 4. Prairie Western College International Office sends tuition information

If all required documents are in order, we will send you an email wiith the tuition fee details (see Tuition Fee Collection Schedule section for details)

Tuition Fee Structure

Tuition Fee Collection Schedule

Prairie Western College will request tuition fees from international students for the program in which the student is accepted and enrolled according to the tuition collection policy set out by the Private Vocational Training Regulation

• As per the Private Vocational Training Regulation, a private career college cannot require students to pay any tuition amount before the first day of class, unless it is the registration fee (no more than $500) or if the tuition is being paid by Alberta Student Aid. This applies to domestic and international students.
• For domestic and international students, if the student terminates a student contract on or before the 4th business day after signing the contract, the licensee must refund all tuition fees paid by or on behalf of the student.
• For domestic and international students, if a licensee is required to refund any tuition fee or incidental fee, the refund must be paid no later than 30 days from the day the student contract is terminated.

Following the Private Vocational Training Regulation, Prairie Western College charges a registration fee of CAD 200 for international students.

Step 5. Receive your LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE

Prairie Western College International Office will send you a Letter of Acceptance (LOA).

Step 6. Apply for your STUDY PERMIT

After you receive your “Letter of Acceptance”, apply for your Study Permit (visa) application to the Canadian Immigration Office at the Canadian Embassy or Consulate. Visit the Government of Canada’s website for more information on the study permit application process

Step 7. Prepare to study at Prairie Western College

Congratulations! You are now ready to become an international student at Prairie Western College. At this moment, you can start to finalize your travel plans to Canada.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

Withdrawal Policy

For some serious issues (see list below) the student may intend to withdraw from college. In such cases, following steps have to be taken:

1. Student will notify decision to withdrawal to the College in writing.
2. Student has to mention the reason for which he/she is unable to complete the studies/training/practicum etc.
3. College will inform the appropriate agency
4. College will refund the student based on the refund policy

List of serious issues

1. Medical Issue
2. Emotional Issue
3. Serious personal or family problems (with proof).
4. Other serious issue with solid proof.

These issues will make it impossible for the student to continue studies/training/practicum etc.

Refund Policy

Prairie Western College will accept and collect tuition fees from international students for the program in which the student is accepted and enrolled according to the following conditions and schedule*:

*This follows the “Tuition refunds --Find out how Alberta’s private career colleges process tuition refunds.” provided by private career college, Advanced Education, Govt. of Alberta.

Details inhttps://www.alberta.ca/tuition-refunds.aspx

For details, please contact the admissions office via international@prairiewestern.ca or 403-454-7923

Please download the attached PDF file for detailed information regarding International Admission in Prairie Western College (DLI O278565506082)

Update: December, 2023