Academic Partners

University of British Columbia


UBC Website

Incorporated by the British Columbia government in 1908, the University of British Columbia has consistently ranked among the top 50 universities in the world. A research-intensive university with the province’s only medical school, UBC is home to more than 50,000 undergraduate, graduate and international students and has an economic impact of $4 billion to the local economy.­

Only 30 minutes from the heart of downtown Vancouver or the Great Northern Way Campus, the University of British Columbia holds an international reputation for excellence in advanced research and learning. UBC also has campuses in downtown Vancouver, in Kelowna, BC, and is a partner at the GNWC.

The University also boasts some of the city's best attractions and recreation facilities, including the Museum of Anthropology, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, and endless opportunities to explore forested trails in the adjoining 763-hectare Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

Simon Fraser University


Simon Fraser University

The University, named after explorer Simon Fraser, opened in September 1965. In less than 40 years SFU has gained an international reputation for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as for its innovative interdisciplinary and professional programs. It has been rated as Canada's best comprehensive university five times (1993, '96, '97, '98, and '00) in the annual rankings of Maclean's magazine and has consistently placed at, or near, the top of the publication's national evaluations. In addition to its role at the GNWC, the University has three campuses: the main Burnaby campus, the Harbour Centre campus in downtown Vancouver, and Surrey campus in Surrey. SFU offers programs at the graduate and undergraduate level to approximately 25,000 students.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design


Emily Carr

Emily Carr University of Art + Design was founded in 1925 and is one of British Columbia’s oldest post-secondary institutions. Based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, ECI is one of the world's premier arts institutes. The Institute offers a rich variety of Bachelor degree programs, a new Masters of Applied Arts degree program, and Continuing Studies programs.

Campus Facilities include two buildings located on Granville Island in Vancouver, BC (includes new Intersections Digital Studio opened in fall 2006), and a Satellite campus near Granville Island.­

British Columbia Institute of Technology


BCIT Website

As Canada’s premier polytechnic institution, BCIT builds pathways for career success with full-time and part-time studies leading to certificates, diplomas and applied bachelor's degrees. Technological innovation demands higher levels of applied knowledge. BCIT is developing applied master's degrees for several disciplines. Its dedicated resources for applied research support extensive linkages with business and industry. BCIT has its main campus in Burnaby and satellite campuses downtown, and at the Vancouver International Airport. BCIT provides the majority of apprenticeship training in the province of British Columbia, with approximately 15,500 full-time and approximately 32,500 part-time students enrolling annually.­