Many post-secondary students starting or returning to classes this September will be attending one of British Columbia's private universities, colleges or career-training schools.

More than 330 private-education institutions offer a wide range of career-training and degree programs in British Columbia, with more than 60,000 enrolments every year.

Private institutions complement the province's 25 public universities, colleges and institutes, giving students more options and flexibility as they advance their education and skills training, and often meaning students can stay closer to home while attending classes.

Currently, 19 private and out-of-province public institutions are operating in British Columbia with authority to grant degrees under B.C.'s Degree Authorization Act. These institutions must undergo a quality assessment process and obtain consent from the Minister of Advanced Education before they can offer degree programs. Private and out-of-province degree-granting institutions also are required to report annually to the ministry to ensure their operations maintain quality standards and provide consumer protection to students.

About 8,100 students attended private and out-of-province degree-granting institutions in B.C. last year, studying in over 50 different degree programs.

At this time, 317 private career-training colleges are registered with B.C.'s Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA). These institutions offer programs designed to train students for a wide range of jobs in everything from health care to heavy equipment operation. Private career colleges typically operate on a continuous delivery model, meaning students can start a program based on their own schedule.

PCTIA regulates private career-training institutions in B.C., providing consumer protection to students, and enforcing basic education and quality standards of accreditation. Institutions must be registered with PCTIA if they are offering programs longer than 40 hours and with tuition of $1,000 or more.

In 2011-12, private career-training institutions in B.C. awarded 37,473 credentials to students.

The private career-training sector in B.C. reported approximately $270 million in tuition revenue in 2011-12, providing a strong economic benefit for communities in which they are located.

In addition to career-training institutions and degree-granting institutions, the private post-secondary sector in B.C. includes institutions offering faith-based degree programs, non-degree academic programs and language training programs.

Private post-secondary institutions can voluntarily achieve the Government of British Columbia's Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation seal. EQA is used around the globe to promote B.C.'s high-quality, reputable post-secondary institutions. When students choose an institution with the EQA seal, they are assured it has met or exceeded the highest government quality-assurance standards.

More than 115 institutions throughout the province have EQA designation, including all 25 publics, about 50 private career-training, 10 private degree-granting and 25 private language schools.

Private institutions bring diversity to British Columbia's post-secondary system, expand the range of training available, and help ensure students are gaining the learning, skills and experience they need to be first in line for jobs opening up around the province.

Learn more:

To find a private post-secondary institution in British Columbia: http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/privatepsed/welcome.htm

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400