Public post-secondary education institutions in the Lower Mainland are preparing students for in-demand careers in a wide variety of sectors that support a growing and prosperous British Columbia economy.

Lower Mainland public post-secondary institutions:

• British Columbia Institute of Technology
• Capilano University
• Douglas College
• Emily Carr University of Art and Design
• Justice Institute of British Columbia
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University
• Langara College
• Simon Fraser University
• University of British Columbia – Vancouver campus
• University of the Fraser Valley
• Vancouver Community College

Number of Students in 2014-15:

• 272,860 students enrolled in public post-secondary institutions in the Lower Mainland compared to 244,280 in 2002-03. This includes 30,975 international students enrolled in 2014-15, compared to 12,410 in 2002-03.

Credentials* awarded in 2014-15: 39,370 compared to 31,296 in 2003-04.

Investment in public post-secondary education:

• $1.18 billion invested for operating costs at Lower Mainland public post-secondary institutions in 2016-17, an increase of 45.3% since 2001-02 when government invested $814.5 million.

Investment in campus facilities:

• $1.7 billion invested to support 1,122 capital projects at Lower Mainland and Southwest post-secondary institutions since 2001-02. Examples include:
  • $13.5 million toward $14.4 million for the BCIT and VCC Motive Power Centre of Excellence at Annacis Island. Completed in November 2014.
  • $16.4 million toward $76.7 million for expansion of Aerospace Technology at Sea Island for the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
  • $22.7 million toward $39.5 million at British Columbia Institute of Technology for Renewal Of Building SW1 and adjacent areas to improve classroom/lab functionality, improve ventilation and increase energy efficiency.
  • $18.7 million toward the construction of a new $38.5 million Digital Media and Film Centre at Capilano University. Officially opened in February 2012.
  • $3.9 million toward $7.4 million for the renewal of the New Westminster campus of Douglas College. Completed in 2010.
  • $35.2 million toward $39.3 million expansion of the David Lam Building at Douglas College.
  • $101.7 million toward the $122.7 million new Great Northern Way campus of Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Slated for completion in spring 2017.
  • $12 million toward construction of the new $36 million Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Anticipated completion in spring 2018.
  • $39.2 million toward $42.3 million for expansion of Cloverdale Trades Training at the South Surrey Campus of Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
  • $8.8 million toward $15.9 million to upgrade and renovate the library building at Langara College. Completed in November 2009.
  • $29.3 million toward $49.1 million towards new Library and Classrooms at Langara College.
  • $825,000 toward $1.9 million to build a new Fire Rescue Training Facility at the Maple Ridge campus of the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Completed in 2010.
  • $1.2 million toward $2.4 million to renovate classroom and study space at Langara College. Completed in 2010.
  • $10 million as part of $37.0 million for a new science and multi-purpose building at the Canada Education Park campus of the University of the Fraser Valley. Completed in 2012.
  • $25 million toward $49.4 million for the phased renewal of the existing Shrum Science Centre to improve research space and address deferred maintenance needs at Simon Fraser University.
  • $34.5 million toward $57.6 million for the expansion of the Health Sciences Building at Simon Fraser University.
  • $36 million toward $71.6 million for the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University.
  • $89.2 million toward $104.6 million for the Surrey campus of Simon Fraser University, including acquisition and expansion into Podium 2 within the Surrey Central City campus building and strategic land acquisitions. Opened November 2011.
  • $30.9 million toward $61.9 million for Renewal and Improvement Of Biological Sciences West and South to create advanced research and teaching facilities at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus.
  • $37.5 million toward $75 million for expansion of the Earth Systems Sciences Building at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus.
  • $86.4 million toward $133.3 million for the construction of the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences and Centre for Drug Research and Development building at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver campus). Officially opened September 2012.
  • $109.9 million toward $121.7 million for expansion of the Life Sciences Centre faculty of medicine at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus.$45.1 million toward the $56.4-million new health sciences building at Vancouver Community College. Completed April 2009.

* Credentials include certificates, diplomas and degrees