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International Admissions

International students are an important part of the Olds College community. We pride ourselves in providing programs and support systems that help all of our students be successful in their chosen path. Olds College prepares students to contribute provincially, nationally and internationally through careers in agriculture, horticulture, environmental land management, agribusiness, and rural entrepreneurship. 

Olds College is a Designated Learning Institute. We offer programs that are eligible to be considered for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Students are encouraged to refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for further details.

Through our applied research and integrated learning, we are proud to be Canada’s Smart Agriculture College, specializing in agriculture, horticulture, land and environmental stewardship. We work closely with industry to advance and adapt our programming to ensure our graduates have the skills to succeed.

Information for Prospective Students

Coming to a new school in a new country is an exciting opportunity and can come with some challenges. We  are here to assist you to adjust to your new environment and make your time at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology a fulfilling experience.

English Language Proficiency

The language of instruction at Olds College is English.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate that they have completed at least three years of academic study conducted entirely in English.

Applicants who do not meet this requirement must demonstrate language proficiency through successful completion of an accepted English Language proficiency assessment dated within two years of application submission.

All English Language Proficiency Assessments will be verified online by an Admission Officer.

  • International students may be eligible to work on and or off campus during their studies and academic break. Students should refer to their study permit for conditions regarding their ability to work while studying.

    Some academic programs require an internship or practicum, and a co-op work permit will be required. Students should apply for their co-op work permit at the same time as they apply for their study permit. If your program requires you to have a co-op work permit, your Admission Officer will provide you with the appropriate documentation to apply for one. Learn more about the requirements. 

    If you are planning to work or are required to do an internship or practicum, you are required to have a Social Insurance Number. Your Admission Officer can assist you in starting this process.

    Working After Graduation

    After you graduate from your program of studies, you may be able to work temporarily in Canada. Please refer to the Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada website for more details.

    On Campus Job Opportunities

  • Services for international students include:

    • Buddy program for new international students

    • Orientation to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and Canada

    • International Student Newsletter

    • Immigration advising

    • Cultural events

    • Canadian educational support & tutoring

  • Consent to Release Information

    In order to release your application status information to an agent, the agent must submit a Consent to Release Information form that has been signed by the student.

    International Agent Positions

    At this time, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is actively looking for agents in the following regions:

    • Central America
    • South America
    • Philippines
    • China
    • Vietnam
    • Korea
    • Thailand
    • Japan

    Authorized Agents

    Please reach out to international@oldscollege.ca with any questions regarding agents authorized to recruit students on behalf of Olds College of Agriculture & Technology.

International Student Programs

Designed exclusively for our international students, these specialized program pages offer a learning experience tailored to your unique needs. While all our programs are open to international students, the programs listed below have been created to support your journey.

Study Permits / Temporary Visa

All International students in a program longer than six months (including Open Studies) must submit a copy of their Letter of Introduction and their Visa or ETA one month before their program starts.

Once you enter Canada, you will be provided with your study (and co-op work, if required) permit, a copy must be provided to your Admissions Officer. Students that do not provide copies of this documentation within the time frame specified may be removed from the program.

If you are denied a temporary visa/study permit by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada you are required to submit a copy of the official denial letter in order to receive a partial refund of the $1,500 CAD tuition deposit.

International students must maintain valid immigration documents to live and study in Canada. It is solely the student’s responsibility, and not that of Olds College staff to:

  • Ensure your immigration and legal documents are current and maintained, this includes paying attention to processing times for study permit renewals.

  • Ensure that any documentation submitted for immigration purposes meets requirements and is accurate and complete.

  • Understand and be compliant with immigration requirements as they pertain to you. This information is subject to change, therefore, please refer to the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada website.

*Olds College can not advise you, or act on your behalf, on immigration matters. 
*Immigration laws, regulations and rules can be found on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Website

Application Process

We strongly recommend applying a minimum of 4-6 months in advance of the program start date - this allows for application (3-6 weeks) and Study Permit processing. It is important to pay close attention to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for Study Permit Processing times.

  1. Submit an application through Apply Alberta online and pay the non-refundable application fee of $160 (CAD)

  2. Submit all supporting documentation to admit@oldscollege.ca for a preliminary admission assessment - include your Alberta Student Number (ASN) created at the time of application. Original transcripts will be required before a final admission decision and documentation will be issued.

    • Not submitting all supporting documentation in a timely manner will significantly delay Olds College processing times

    • Refer to the International Document Requirements for information on how to submit your original documents.

    • International applicants must meet the specific admission requirements for their desired program.

  3. Allow 3-6 weeks for application processing of a complete application. Your Admissions Officer will be in contact with you via e-mail with a decision. Incomplete applications will take longer to process.

  4. While you wait, apply and obtain your temporary visa & study permit. Contact the Canadian embassy or consulate in your home country for details. 

  5. Reserve your seat in the program by paying the $1,500 (CAD) tuition deposit through Flywire by the deadline indicated in your Admission Letter.

  6. Send proof of application for your Temporary Visa/ Electronic Travel Authorization & Study Permit to your Admission Officer by the deadline indicated in your Admission Letter.

Supporting Documentation to Submit

Certified official documents issued by the high school, college or university sent in a sealed envelope bearing the institution’s seal, stamp or signature are required.

  • High School and Post-Secondary transcripts

  • English Language Proficiency assessments

  • If your documents are not in the English language, you must provide a certified English literal translation (word-for-word) with the documents at the time of submission. (We recommend Scholaro Transcript Translation)

  • Refer to the International Document Requirements to learn which documentation to submit. If your country isn’t listed, contact admissions@oldscollege.ca to determine what specific documents are required to be submitted.

International Documentation Assessment

Before you can receive an offer of admission, your original transcripts/diplomas/examination certificate must be submitted for evaluation. All applicants are assessed based on the completion of education at the senior secondary/high school level. Applicants who have completed education in another country must have graduated with appropriate high school documents and credentials. 

The transcript assessment will be completed by the Olds College of Agriculture & Technology Admission Office

  • Once you have applied, a preliminary admission assessment will be completed and for the purposes of this assessment, scan the documents into one pdf file and e-mail to admissions@oldscollege.ca.

    • If scanned copies are difficult to read because of poor copy quality, they will not be accepted.

  • The Admission Officer will then request that official transcripts be sent to them by issuing institution or organization, in a sealed envelope.

    • If your documents are not in the English language, you must provide a certified English literal translation (word-for-word) with the documents at the time of submission. 

    • Applicants may be required to submit verification documentation to support their application (e.g. WAEC scratch card/e-pin, Admit Card, etc.)

  • Once official documents have been received, and presuming that there is still space in the desired program, an Offer of Admission will be made.

    • Delays in receiving official documents may result in being placed on a waiting list if the program reaches capacity before official documentation is received. It is important that international applicants send their official documents when an application is submitted.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Once you are admitted into an Olds College of Agriculture & Technology program, you can request that an assessment be done on any of your previous post-secondary education to see if you might be eligible for transfer credit towards your new program. You will be required to submit:

  • A notarized colour copy of your post-secondary transcripts, where a signature and/or official stamp is visible
  • Copies of all relevant course outlines or descriptions for the courses you want assessed for transfer credit

PLEASE NOTE: All transcripts, course outlines and other supporting documentation must be in English. If your documentation is in another language, you must provide a certified English literal translation (word-for-word) along with a notarized colour copy of the original documents.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Tuition Deposit 

All admitted International students are required to pay a $1,500 CAD tuition deposit to secure your seat in the program. Your admission documentation will provide your tuition deposit deadline date. Please visit oldscollege.flywire.com to make your payments.

Your tuition & fees will be due:

  • Fall Term - the Monday of the week before your classes start
  • Winter, Spring and Summer Term: the first Friday after your classes start

You can pay your tuition & fees prior to arriving in Canada, but you do not have to. As long as the tuition & fees for the term have been paid on time, you will not incur any penalties.

Tuition Deposit / Fees Refund Policy

Fully refundable: 

  • If admission is cancelled up to 4 months prior to the program start date (exception: non-refundable if a Study Permit application has been approved), the tuition deposit & any tuition and fees paid are fully refundable.

Partial refund:

  • If admission is cancelled within 4 months prior to the program start date, and proof is provided that the Study Permit application was denied, a partial refund will be issued.
    • The tuition deposit minus a $300 administration fee and any additional tuition & fees paid will be refunded.  Study Permit denials are not eligible for a Deferral of Admission.
  • If admission is cancelled within 4 months prior to the program start date, and proof is provided that the Study Permit application has not yet been processed, a partial refund will be issued.
    • The tuition deposit minus a $300 administration fee and any additional tuition & fees paid will be refunded.
    • Alternatively, a one-time Deferral of Admission may be requested:
      • Requests for a Deferral of Admission must include proof of the Study Permit application not yet being processed (e.g., screenshot of IRCC portal indicating 'in-progress' within 5 days of the request).
      • In this case, the full Tuition Deposit and any paid tuition & fees will be held for the next intake. 
      • Tuition and fee rates will be based on the rate at the time of attendance (e.g., tuition and fee rates may be higher if the applicant attends the following academic year)

Non-refundable:

  • If admission is cancelled anytime after a Study Permit application has been approved, the tuition deposit and any first-term tuition & fees paid are non-refundable.
  • If admission is cancelled within 4 months prior to the program start date, and proof of Study Permit denial or 'in-progress' status is not provided.
  • If notice of cancellation is not provided.

**The Administrative Fee is $300 (i.e.: after submitting a $1,500 tuition deposit, a student will receive a $1,200 tuition deposit refund)

Scholarships and Bursaries

Students seeking additional scholarship or bursary opportunities are encouraged to apply for Olds College student awards, and to apply for external awards. View the EduCanada Study in Canada ScholarshipsCheck your eligibility for external awards at:

Government Funding/Student Loans

As a student who is considering studying in Canada, you are expected to have enough money to support yourself during your studies. You must ensure you have enough money to pay for:

  • tuition
  • living expenses
  • transportation to and from Canada

If you are planning to attend Olds College on a study permit, you should be aware that you are not eligible to apply for Canadian government funding. If you require a loan to attend school, you should consider getting a loan through your home country.

Some countries will offer government student loans to students who attend Olds College. If your home country does not fund students through their government loans program, you may wish to speak to your bank or other financial institutions to secure funding.

How to Make an International Payment:

International Payment Instructions:

  1. Go to oldscollege.flywire.com 
  2. Select your country of origin and preferred payment method. 
  3. Enter your payment details and receive instructions on how to complete our payment.
  4. Track the progress of your payment anytime online. Receive email and text alerts each step of the way including when your payment reached Olds College. 

Flywire Customer Support Information:

No matter your time zone, you will have a dedicated multilingual customer support team available to you via live chat, email and phone to answer any of your questions.

Explore Admissions

International Entrance Awards

Prospective international students have the opportunity to apply for an entrance award valued from $500 - $2000!

International Entrance Awards

Need Assistance?

Our Admissions office can help navigate you through the admissions process and answer any questions you have about your program of study.

1.800.661.6537
recruitment@oldscollege.ca