This application guide is designed for domestic students.
You're considered a domestic student if you are:
- a Canadian citizen; or
- a permanent resident of Canada.
Open Studies application guide
Guide designed for learners of all ages who want to apply for Open Studies and take individual credit courses at Okanagan College.
Is this guide for you?
Looking for something else?
See our How to apply page to find a tailored guide that best suits you.
Step 2: Apply online
All applications for Open Studies are submitted online through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC).
Choose your area of interest first, Business, Science or Arts and Open Studies will populate under programs.
Apply via EducationPlannerBC
Open Studies application fee: $30
The application fee is non-refundable.
Step 3: Receive your admission offer
Track your application
Typically you can expect to receive your admission offer within a few days.
Log in to your myOkanagan account and navigate to "My Program > View my applications" to monitor your application status.
Check your email regularly
Admissions may send you additional emails with other required items throughout the process
→ Add Okanagan College domain to your email's safe sender list to ensure you receive all communications.
Accept your offer
When you receive an offer of admission, follow these steps by the provided deadline to secure your seat:
Pay your $200 non-refundable deposit; AND
→ Visit Tuition and Fees to see available payment methods.
Confirm your acceptance
→ You can accept your offer in your myOkanagan.
Step 4: Register for your chosen Open Studies courses
View Open Studies course schedules
View the schedule for your Open Studies courses you wish to take in myOkanagan (available June 1).
Request a prerequisite knowledge equivalency waiver if required.
Open Studies courses fall into three general categories:
Courses with no prerequisites
You can register directly.
Courses with high school-level prerequisites (e.g., English 12)
You can register without submitting proof, but you are expected to have the knowledge and skills required to succeed; course expectations are not adjusted based on Open Studies status.
Courses with post-secondary prerequisites
You must meet the prerequisite in one of the following ways:
- Completed the course at Okanagan College
- Completed the course elsewhere (transcript required)
- Demonstrate equivalent knowledge (e.g., work or prior learning) and receive a prerequisite knowledge equivalency waiver. Approval is not guaranteed and is based on demonstrated readiness to succeed in the course.
Register for your chosen Open Studies courses
Registrations for Open Studies students begins on:
- August 1 for Fall (September) classes
- November 1 for Winter (January) courses
Your dates and times when you can begin registering will be emailed to you. See how to register for courses for more information.
Review important dates and deadlines
Visit important dates and deadlines for more info.
Step 5: Pay tuition and fees
Tuition and fees are generally due about three weeks before classes start.
- For Fall 2026 courses, tuition and fees are due Tuesday August 25, 2026, 4.00 p.m.
- For Winter 2027 courses, tuition and fees are due Tuesday December 15, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of their payment deadline and to ensure fees are paid by the deadline date. Failure to pay fees on time may result in removal from all of your courses.
Have questions about applying?
You're not alone! We've put together answers to the most common questions about applying to Okanagan College - whether you're just getting started or finishing up your application.
You can apply online through the EducationPlannerBC (EPBC) website.
| Program Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Most programs (one program/intake per application) | $30 (non-refundable) |
| Adult Upgrading | Free |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) | Free |
An initial tuition deposit is required to accept your offer of admission.
| Program Type | Deposit Amount |
|---|---|
| $500 |
| All other programs | $200 |
| Foundational programs (Adult Upgrading, ESL) | No deposit required |
Yes, you can apply to multiple programs, intakes or campuses. You’ll need to submit a separate application and pay a fee for each application.
However, once you accept an offer of admission and pay the tuition deposit for one program, intake or campus, your other applications will be cancelled.
- Make sure you're searching in the correct Area of Study in EducationPlannerBC:
- Many certificate programs are listed under Continuing Studies.
- Unclassified and Visiting application options appear only under Arts, Business, or Science.
Make sure applications are open for your program. You can find intake dates on your program page - use Program Search to find it.
In general, intakes follow this schedule:
Intake Applications Open Fall 8:30 a.m. on the first weekday of October in the year before the intake Winter 8:30 a.m. on the first weekday of February in the year before the intake
(some exceptions apply)Practical Nursing (January intake) 9:00 a.m. on the first business day of April in the year before the intake
Need more help? Email askoc@okanagan.bc.ca.
You cannot update submitted applications on EducationPlanner BC. Please email admissions@okanangan.bc.ca as soon as you realize your error.
Visit EducationPlannerBC Help for support.
Domestic students: admissions@okanagan.bc.ca
International students: askoc@okanagan.bc.ca
Or call us at 1-877-755-2266 (toll-free) or 250-762-5445.
If you change your mind about the program, intake or campus you applied to, you'll need to submit a new application for admission.
If you would like to change the campus on your application to any Arts, Business or the Associate of Science program, please email admissions@okanagan.bc.ca. We may be able to change the campus without a new application.
Need more info?
For more help or answers to specific questions contact our Admissions team at admissions@okanagan.bc.ca.