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.
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.
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.
As of Jan. 22, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires a provincial attestation letter (PAL) as part of the study permit application for newly admitted international students applying outside Canada. Complete details on PALs can be found on the IRCC website. Once admitted international students accept their offer and pay the tuition deposit, Olds College will request the PAL from the Province of Alberta.
Note: Current students in Canada applying to extend their study permit and students who submitted their completed study permit application prior to 8:30 a.m. ET on Jan. 22, 2024 do not require a PAL.
For more information, please visit our Student Verification Documents webpage.
Services for international students include:
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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.
At this time, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is actively looking for agents in the following regions:
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Please reach out to international@oldscollege.ca with any questions regarding agents authorized to recruit students on behalf of Olds College of Agriculture & Technology.
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.
This one year program will provide you with the foundational hospitality skills to prepare you for an entry-level front-line position or serve as the first year of the Hospitality & Tourism Management Diploma.
Designed for those of you who have already completed a diploma or degree, this one year program builds on prior knowledge to prepare you for a supervisory and management career.
In this program, students will gain an introduction to business processes and operating a business within the Canadian context. Students will be able to build on the skills mastered during their first year.
In this program, students will gain an introduction to business processes and operating a business within the Canadian context. Students will be able to build on the skills mastered during their first year.
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 $5,000 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.
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.
Submit an application through Apply Alberta online and pay the non-refundable application fee of $160 (CAD)
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.
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.
While you wait, apply and obtain your temporary visa & study permit. Contact the Canadian embassy or consulate in your home country for details.
Reserve your seat in the program by paying the $5,000 (CAD) tuition deposit through Flywire by the deadline indicated in your Admission Letter.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
All admitted International students are required to pay a $5,000 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.
For more information on tuition or refunds, please visit our Tuition and Fees Payment page.
Our Admissions office can help navigate you through the admissions process and answer any questions you have about your program of study.