College of the Rockies
- Last Updated on: July 22, 2025 by
- Sridhar Kongara
College of the Rockies (COTR) is a unique teaching and learning environment serving more than 9,000 full-time and part-time students each year. with approximately 2,100 full-time equivalent students, the college has been able to attract students from more than 30 countries because of its personal and quality education, small classes, and nurturing learning environment.
Courses Offered
** Fees mentioned here are approximate and are per year, Unless specified otherwise
Why choose College of the Rockies
Personalized Learning Experience: Featuring small class sizes, the COTR classrooms enable individual interaction with the instructors. The college encourages knowledge and learning in an environment focused on the learner where interaction and close relations between students and teachers are highly valued.
Affordable Tuition Fees: COTR has one of the lowest tuitions and living expenses. The college provides financial aid and some scholarships for students who wish to pursue their education.
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Transfer Pathways and Dual Admission: COTR students benefit from transfer agreements with some of the top institutions across the country, including direct entrance to the University of Victoria and dual admission to the University of Lethbridge.
Hands-On and Industry-Driven Programs: With programs ranging from trades training to adventure tourism to nursing to sustainable business, COTR provides practical degree and trade skills and responsive education that can give students a real edge in the local job market.
Stunning Location and Community Life: They have campuses right in Canada’s Rocky Mountains which offers some of the best outdoor experiences on the planet. This sense of secure, comfortable, and active living within Cranbrook is conducive to learning and development of the individual.
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Campus Facilities at College of the Rockies
Cranbrook Main Campus: Most of Cranbrook’s administrative offices, academic departments, and student services are located at its main campus. It has infrastructure like smart classrooms, library, science laboratory, health simulation centre and auditorium.
Gold Creek Campus: Gold Creek campus is in Cranbrook, which is known for its trade and apprenticeships. It has routine industry workshops for carpentry, welding, heavy equipment mechanics and automobile testing.
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Learning Resource Centres: Libraries and Learning Centres are connected to books, electricity, the web, community resources and a whole lot more at the many libraries and learning centres located throughout campus.
Fitness and Recreation Spaces: There are campus gyms & weight rooms used to promote health and wellness, fitness, recreation, and intramurals to keep a healthy student body.
Student Housing: The Cranbrook campus offers accommodation with furnished rooms, communal kitchens, and security. This also makes it convenient for students to bond and connect.
Student Services Offered by College of the Rockies
Career and Employment Support: The college aids with resumes, interview preparation and job placement. Connections with local employers give students access to part-time and work-placement career opportunities.
Health and Wellness Services: Students can access counselling and wellness workshops, and students can opt in to the Students’ Association health and dental plan. Programs have focused on promoting mental as well as physical wellbeing.
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Peer Tutoring and Learning Support: Peer tutors and study strategy workshops are available to help students succeed in all classes.
Support for Indigenous and International Students: Specialized advisers and cultural services ensure Indigenous and international students seamlessly integrate into university life. Participation support, mentorship and financial assistance are also given.
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Student Life at College of the Rockies
Recreational Activities and Athletics: Student Life: Highly engaged student body in sports, fitness (instructional and non-instructional exercise opportunities), and one of the Avalanche teams. Activities include sports like volleyball, soccer, and other games.
Clubs and Peer Networks: Clubs run the gamut in terms of subject – anything from the great outdoors to academic societies. Student leaders organize opportunities to get involved and make friends.
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Cultural and Social Events: Assist students in unwinding, and to celebrate their heritage, the college holds seasonal events as well as barbecue nights and multicultural days.
Student Housing Community: On-campus housing fosters life-long friendships, a cooperative living and learning environment with peer mentorship and support.
Students’ Association Engagement: Public relations The College of the Rockies Students’ Association promotes the Colleges policy, events, provides services including locker and health plan rentals, and lobbies for student perspective.
Cranbrook Campus: The Middletown campus and headquarters, offering a range of academic programs and student supports. Student accommodation and contemporary facilities.
Gold Creek Campus: Focusing on the trades and technology offerings. Workshops and laboratories on campus are equipped with industrial standard facilities for hands on experience.
Creston Campus: Offers Adult Basic Education, continuing education, and specialized programs in response to community needs. It is a more affordable option for East Kootenay people.
Ferine Campus: Outdoor Ed and mountain programs are famous. Ferne’s natural offerings are perfect for university students in Adventure Tourism and Environmental Sciences.
Golden and Invermere Campuses: They provide community-based education, Adult Upgrading and demand skilled programs (e.g., healthcare, trades).
Scholarships Offered by College of the Rockies
Entrance Scholarship: Awarded to first-year students at the time of enrolment based on prior academic record in high school. Amount: $1,000–$1,500.
Indigenous Student Award: Open to Aboriginal students in any discipline. Amount: $1,000. Requirements for Entry: students must be able to prove that they are a native and in good academic standing.
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International Student Merit Scholarship: Awarded to high-performing international students. Amount: $1,500. Eligibility: Full-time international students with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
Financial Need Bursary: Helps students experiencing financial difficulty. Amount: Up to $1,200. Eligibility: Demonstrated need; full-time students.
Women in Trades Bursary: Aids women apprentices in the trades. Amount: $1,000. Eligibility: Female apprentice or foundation trades student on a full-time basis.
Internship and Placement at College of the Rockies
Practical Learning through Co-op Programs: Co-op is incorporated in programs such as business, tourism, and computer technology. They offer students tailor-made opportunities to gain experience beyond the classroom.
Apprenticeship and Foundation Trades Training: In career tech, students learn by doing in-shop, in-job settings and are job-trained, effective ways to prepare for welding, carpentry, automotive repair jobs.
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Health Sciences Clinical Placements: Students in programs such as Nursing and Health Care Assistant are doing required clinical placements at hospitals and care homes across the Central Okanagan.
Part-Time Work Support: Part Time On Campus Job Work the Career Centre has job postings and a resume binder that may be used to help students find on campus or local part time work while attending school.
Post-Graduation Work Pathways: Students will also benefit from the well-established ties that COTR has with community and employers in British Columbia and internationally which help with securing full-time employment after they graduate.
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Entry Requirements at College of the Rockies
General Academic Requirements: Applicants should have completed Grade 12 or equivalent. Prerequisite high school courses are in high school subject requirements, notably in the sciences and health professions, and are a prerequisite for some programs.
English Language Proficiency: International students need IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 iBT.
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Program-Specific Prerequisites: Some courses (like Nursing or Engineering) may have specific prerequisite subjects or require a test of entry. Vocational schools may require athleticism or manual dexterity.
Mature Student Entry: Applicants must be 19 years of age or older (at the time of application) who do not hold a high school diploma may be admitted as future students.
Application Process: Prospective students apply through Education Planner, send in transcripts, and pay a $30 application fee. The college offers admission with instructions on how to register for classes.
Ranking and Awards of College of the Rockies
Regional Excellence in Education: COTR has a reputation for commitment to student success and community engagement. It has been recognized for its innovative efforts to deliver postsecondary programming to rural areas.
Student Satisfaction and Retention: Surveys show elevated levels of satisfaction among students in faculty support, course content, academic advising and more.
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Strong Employer Reputation: Graduates are well regarded by industry around the region, nursing, tourism, and trades. The hands-on training that COTR provides is something employers value.
Community and Indigenous Partnerships: The college is also noted for its efforts in Indigenous Engagement and Northern Development collaborating with First Nations and Métis.
Acceptance Rate: The College of the Rockies (COTR) is lauded for its open hearted and open-minded admissions policies. The school does not report an official acceptance rate, but several reputable (albeit unofficial) education sites say that the figure is in the high 90s — and some suggest that it is 100%. This ensures COTR is accessible to students who meet minimum entry requirements and wish to access post-secondary education without significant barriers to entry.
High Accessibility for Diverse Learners: The college also has a high acceptance rate – they believe in giving a fair chance to all students, irrespective of their backgrounds, an opportunity of higher education.
Minimum Academic Requirements: Many students must be in grade 12 or equivalent to be admitted. Further academic requirements exist for each program but in general the process is not that difficult to get in.
Language Proficiency for International Applicants: The ability to communicate in the English language is required for COTR. For international applicants, fluency should be verified by one of the acceptable test scores: IELTS (min 6.0), TOEFL (80iBT), or PTE. Students who do not meet the above admission requirements may gain admission on a conditional basis through English upgrading.
Welcoming Global Community: Every year COTR attract students from more than 30 countries. The open admission policy allows every non-domestic student to enter.
Program Variety and Availability: As an open admission institution, the college offers introductory programs in a wide range of academic and career-technical subjects.
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