Bow Valley College
- Last Updated on: July 17, 2025 by
- Sridhar Kongara
Bow Valley College Calgary Alberta Canada (Established in 1965) The college serves over 17,500 full and part-time students each year at its main campus or regional centres. In a career-focused, college education, BVC provides entry into over 80 programs that match the local economy and labour force. It includes the downtown Calgary campus (centre at 8 Ave and 8 St SW), which contains several buildings, the North and South Campus facilities and Gallery Campus in the south of the city, with other campuses in Okotoks, Airdried, and Cochrane.
Courses Offered
** Fees mentioned here are approximate and are per year, Unless specified otherwise
Why Choose Bow Valley College
Career-Focused Education: At Bow Valley College, we design our programs with employability and practical use in mind,” reads the release. Training is industry-led and developed. Ranging from health care, business, digital design, and trades, they are well-prepared for the Alberta job market on Day 1.
High Graduate Employability: Over 90% of BVC graduates find employment out of their program within six months. This strong employment rate is driven by practicums, co-ops, and a strong engagement with community employers, making BVC a solid choice for those who want to be career ready.
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Flexible Learning Options: The college has on-site, on-line, and blended delivery. The applications are rolling and some even have accelerated options for students to learn on their own time and at their own pace. Academic upgrading and ESL (English as a Second Language) courses are also widely available.
Affordable Tuition and Financial Support: Bow Valley College remains among the most inexpensive choices for postsecondary education in Alberta. It also provides more than $2 million in scholarships, bursaries, and financial help every year, including specific supports for Indigenous, international, and underrepresented students.
Recognition and Reputation: We are in Canada’s top 50 research colleges and it’s very exciting that we’re in a growth phase for our research portfolio. It is also one of 19 such Comprehensive Community Colleges a designation that signifies its regional reach, its economic impact, and its stand-out programs.
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Campus Facilities at Bow Valley College
Digital Entertainment Nexus (DEN): One of the facilities is the Digital Entertainment Nexus. The hub, funded by a $5.5-million investment, includes motion capture labs, post-production studios, an esports arena, and a full-service cinema theatre to support training and digital storytelling, game development and film production.
Simulated Nursing Labs: At Med Center High School of Health and Wellness, simulation labs come equipped with high-tech patient rooms, VR headsets and augmented reality solutions like the Microsoft. Resources such as these contribute to the replacement of clinical hours and enhance practical simulation for nursing students.
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RGO Library and Learning Commons: RGO Library & Learning Commons provides students with access to thousands of up-to-date full-text online books, journals, magazines, and other valuable resources. It also supplements academic attainment through citing help, subject guides, and personal consultations with librarian.
Campus Bookstore and Services: Campus Store is located on campus. Facility management, operations & coordination, and sustainability have their offices located on the South Campus. Lifts, heating, and lighting are all operated in an environmentally friendly manner.
Esports and Interactive Spaces: Bow Valley College has inducted esports arenas and interactive classrooms. The facilities will allow students to compete in gaming tournaments, and practice live streaming and digital media creation, with entertainment technology.
Student Services offered by Bow Valley College
Academic Advising and Planning: BVC has advisors who help our students determine which courses to take and what they need to graduate and plan for academically and career wise in the future. Personalized advising keeps students on track.
Financial Aid and Loan Support: Highly specialized Financial Aid Advisors are available to assist with student loans, grants, and budgeting. There are also specialized loans offered by Windmill Microlending and Passage International Student Financing.
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Mental Health and Wellness: Counselling is free, and wellness services are offered. students can sign up for meetings with certified mental health professionals and workshops on everything from stress and anxiety to time management.
Career Development Centre: Their Career Services department not only provides you with VMWare training, but also helps you with resume writing, interview preparation, job fairs and interviews with local employers. The centre serves as a bridge between learning and work.
Technology and Accessibility Services: From laptop loans to scribing, BVC is all about accessibility. Daily learning is supported through My BVC student portal, Brightspace and assistive technology.
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Student Life at Bow Valley College
Events and Workshops: From welcome weeks to mental health days, Bow Valley College makes it a year of events. International Food Days and Career Week are some of the highlights that bring students and employers to a common space.
Inclusive Environment: The college is diversity-centred, offering equity-based services, support for the LGBTQ2S+ community, an Indigenous engagement strategy. It is a haven for all types of students.
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Recreational and Social Spaces: Work and play merge in modern lounges, cafeterias, and esports arenas. When not in class, students can relax or compete in gaming tournaments and digital media contests.
Urban Advantage in Calgary: located in downtown so there are restaurants, public transportation, and the job market at your fingertips. The campus life is fun, and the city is so vibrant especially for international students.
Downtown Calgary Campus: The College’s main campus and academic home in the heart of the city which has Facilities like, labs, study lounges, and student services.
Other Regional Campuses: BVC also has satellite campuses elsewhere in Airdried, Cochrane, High River, and Strathmore. All support local students, exam support or distance learning. Invigilation of external learners is also possible.
Accessible Regional Programming: Regional campuses are all part of BVC’s larger system. “It expands opportunities to gain experience around the province of Alberta because students can access, and receive their learning supports, within the program in Calgary.
Scholarships offered by Bow Valley College
Bissett Family Scholars Entrance Bursary: This award of up to a maximum of $5,000 per semester is open to Canadian citizens/permanent residents enrolled in full-time study in a certificate or diploma program. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and must not have previously enrolled at a post-secondary institution.
Youth Determination Award: OPEN TO Domestic and International Students under 25 VALUE $2,000 per term for first year certificate / diploma program. It builds resilience and an ability to achieve.
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Entertainment Arts International Scholarship: International students who attend the Centre for Entertainment Arts may be eligible for awards of between $3,250 and $19,500 through portfolio review. No separate application is required.
Alta Women in Tech Award: Women enrolled in, or entering, diploma or post-diploma program in tech can apply for up to $10,000. Like the software development student or digital marketing or animation aspirant. Open to full-time and part-time students.
Alberta Entrance Award: Alberta Provincial Entrance Award for $1000 This award is open to Alberta residents at home attending a 2-year diploma program with no previous post-secondary experience. Students must maintain a strong level of academics and have a need.
Internships and Placements at Bow Valley College
Hands-On Industry Experience: Most diplomas at BVC include a practicum, work experience or internship component, where students get real-world experience for academic credit. Among the disciplines that commonly require a practicum for graduation are healthcare, business, and technology.
Career-Focused Partnerships: The colleges also have strong ties to Calgary-based companies and industry. Employers in the fields of health care, banking and finance, digital arts and social work often provide internships and attend campus hiring events.
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Resume fairs and Job Fairs: Career Services holds resume workshops, employer spotlights and a campus career fair all year long. They can be great exposure and even lead to part-time and full-time work!
Graduate Employment Support: BVC alumni also have continued support with job listing and placement support even after the course. Its ongoing support from the school also will raise the odds of landing a real teaching job a few months after you graduate.
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Entry Requirements at Bow Valley College
Undergraduate Certificate and Diploma Programs: Most programs require a high-school diploma or equivalent. International students’ popularity on the rise as requirements are equivalent to completing a Canadian high school. Some programs may require you to take math or English courses before you are admitted.
English Language Requirements: Applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency in the form of: IELTS 6.0 (no band less than 5.5); TOEFL iBT 71 or completed an Academic English program at BVC.
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Foundational Learning Programs: These are open-entry courses for students who need upgrading or a high school equivalency. There are no formal prerequisites and assistance with progressing to diploma level study is provided.
Portfolio-Based Admissions: Some digital arts or animation programs may require that applicants submit a portfolio. Areas are evaluated on art, technical and conceptual skill in preparation of pursuing higher education in art.
Visa and Permit Requirements: Applicants from other nations must apply for a Canadian study permit. Once accepted into Bow Valley College, they will receive a Letter of Acceptance that is required for a visa application.
Rankings and Awards at Bow Valley College
Bow Valley College is included in the Top 50 of Canada’s research colleges. The college focus on applied research in the areas of health care, digital media and social innovation is newsworthy coast to coast.
Applied Research Investments: The College received initial funding of over $5.7 million from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund and NSERC to develop the Digital Entertainment Nexus and research the next generation of virtual production and game design.
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Comprehensive Community College Designation: The Government of Alberta bestowed Bow Valley College with this designation in 2023 in recognition of the College’s leadership in adult learning, and contribution to Alberta’s workforce.
Award-Winning Programs: Both the Centre for Entertainment Arts and School of Health and Wellness have received praise for innovation and great programs. The schools utilize virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and interactive learning environments.
Acceptance Rate: The acceptance ratio here is also less than 40% which reflects college commitment to academic standards and dedication to provide best education to the students. For a college as big as BVC that is also regarded as a community college, their method is well-thought and trait-based in screening applications especially with competitive streams such as Health and Entertainment Arts.
Holistic Admission Process: Applications are evaluated based on various criteria – such as academics, English language proficiency, and in some cases, program specific portfolios or interviews. It is the intelligence in such depth of detail that makes the admitted candidates very much up to the challenges of their course of study and subsequent employment.
Pathways for All Learners: There are competitive diploma and certificate programs, but the college also offers open-access programs in the School of Foundational Learning. BVC mission is to not put barriers in the way to education and unrestricted access is philosophically consistent with that.
Opportunities for International Students: International Students As international students are becoming increasingly a more holistic part of the diversity of the college; they are represented in several programs. The college helps them make the transition with special services such as language training and immigration advising, so that they thrive academically and socially.
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