OCNews

Okanagan College (OC) is making its courses more accessible to the public with the introduction of Open Studies at OC, the ability for people to take individual courses without taking a full program.

The College has opened registration for Open Studies, beginning with a series of courses available to the public for Fall 2026, courses that were previously unavailable to take unless you were enrolled in the full program.

"Learning doesn't always start with a program," said OC’s Provost and Vice President Academic, Dr. Samantha Lenci. "There are people in our region who are ready to learn, who have something to bring to a classroom and who just need a way in that fits their life. Open Studies is that way in. We want OC to be a place where someone can start before they're sure — and find the support they need to figure out what comes next."

For Dr. Judith Anderson, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science at OC, Open Studies is an answer to something the College has heard for a long time. 

"People have been asking about these courses for years," said Anderson. "Astronomy. Creative writing. Indigenous studies. Philosophy. Subjects that matter to people — not necessarily because they're working towards a degree or diploma, but because they're curious, or reconnecting with something, or finally making time for the part of themselves that wants to keep learning. Open Studies meets that need." 

Enrolment is open for September 2026 and the invitation is deliberately wide: adults returning to education after time away, recent high school graduates not yet sure which direction to take, working professionals who need specific course knowledge without the two-year commitment, community members following a long-standing curiosity and OC alumni who want to come back and build on their learning.

The launch of Open Studies creates new entry points into the newly named Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship, where learners can now access more than 20 business courses directly, along with more than 60 additional courses through prerequisite pathways. 

“We know that the path into a career in business doesn’t always follow a straight line," said Dean of the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Joe Baker. "People can come to it mid-career, after a life change, or because they want to build on something they’re already doing. They might not need a full program. They might just need the right course at the right time. And they deserve to have that course count for something if and when they're ready for the next step."

Open Studies is currently only available to domestic students. Students can take up to two courses per term and all coursework appears on their official OC academic transcript. Courses fall into three categories: those with no prerequisites, those with high school-level preparation and those with post-secondary prerequisites that can be met through prior study, official transcripts or demonstrated work and life experience. 

Courses are college-level, taught by industry-experienced OC faculty and are eligible for transfer to colleges and universities across British Columbia, Canada and beyond. 

Registration is open now. Learn more by signing up for at a virtual information session on June 18 from 4 – 5 pm.

For details about Open Studies at Okanagan College including the full course listing, application information, FAQs and more, visit okanagancollege.ca/open-studies.