High school student participating in a dual credit program

OC Early Start

OC Early Start gives high school students a head start on post-secondary education through dual credit and hands-on sampler programs.

What we offer High school career coordinator resources Upcoming events
  • Explore passions early: Try out areas like trades, health care, technology, science, social studies, humanities or business early on.
  • Get a real taste of college life: Experience college-level learning in a supportive environment.
  • Get ahead academically: Earn college credits while still in high school through dual credit or concurrent enrolment.
  • Learn by doing—and enjoy it: Hands-on programs offer real-world experience, whether in shops, labs, or summer camps.
  • Build confidence and independence: Early college experiences help students feel more prepared and capable for their next step.

Bonus: From Grades 4–12, students can begin their OC journey in a way that suits their age and interests. Whether through Camp OC, Sampler, Dual Credit, Concurrent Enrolment, or other youth programs.

Related Links

Ways to start early at OC

Dual credit programs and courses

Start college programs or academic (university-transferable) courses while still in high school. Subsidized and coordinated through your school district.

Grades 11–12 (Ages 16–18)

Sampler programs

Sampler programs let you explore different fields like health, tech, or trades without the pressure of committing to a full program. 

Grades 10–12 (ages 15–18) 

Concurrent enrolment

Concurrent enrolment allows you to enrol in college courses while finishing your high school diploma. Not funded by school districts and is not considered as dual credit.

Grades 11–12 (Ages 16–18)

Additional youth programs

Give your child the opportunity to discover new passions through fun and hands-on learning experiences at Camp OC.

Grades 1–12 (Ages 6–18)

 

Dual credit programs and courses

Dual credit programs

Dual Credit programs are offered to students currently in high school who wish to take college level courses while continuing their high school education. These programs are a collaboration of the School Districts and Okanagan College to help students achieve their academic, career and life goals.

In most cases, the School District sponsors the students for all or part of the tuition portion of the post-secondary program.

Access the BC Ministry of Education policy on Dual Credit for more information.

Benefits to students:

  • Graduate with a Grade 12 academic (Dogwood) Diploma plus up to one year of post-secondary education and training
  • Gain accelerated access to a career or further post-secondary education and training
  • In entry-level trades programs, students also earn Level 1 of their technical training with the SkilledTradesBC

Please contact your high school CAREER COORDINATOR to confirm program availability.

To apply for Dual Credit programs, students need to speak with their CAREER COORDINATOR in their school district first.

Academic Dual Credit Courses

Take post-secondary courses in high school and earn credits that count toward both your high school diploma and a future diploma, degree, or certificate. These academically focused courses are a great way to get ahead on your post-secondary goals.

Find class schedules

Please note that the class schedule will be updated closer to registration dates, and course availability may vary. Use BC Transfer Guide to check course transferability.

*Some academic dual credit courses are marked with an asterisk (*). These are lab courses, please click course links to check for prerequisites. Courses marked with a (T) are transferrable university courses.

ANTH 103 - Introduction to Anthropology (T)

ANTH 121 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (T)

CMNS 100 - Introduction to Communications (T)

CMNS 110 - Introduction to Mass Communication (T)

CRWR 116 - Introduction to Creative Writing I (T)

CRWR 126 - Introduction to Creative Writing II (T)

ECON 115 - Principles of Microeconomics (T)

ECON 125 - Principles of Macroeconomics (T)

EESC 101 - Environmental Science (T)

EESC 111 - Earth Science (T)

EESC 121 - Natural History of the Earth (T)

ENGL 100 - University Writing (T)

ENGL 101 - University Writing - Indigenous Focus (T)

ENGL 150 - Critical Writing and Reading: Poetry and Drama (T)

ENGL 151 - Critical Writing and Reading: Short Fiction and the Novel (T)

ENGL 153 - Critical Writing and Reading: Narrative (T)

GEOG 117 - Introduction to Human Geography I

GEOG 214 - Global Climate Change (T)

GSWS 100 - Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (T)

HIST 112 - Canada to 1867 (T)

HIST 115 - Contemporary World from 1900 to World War II (T)

HIST 116 - History of Western Civilization, 1450 to 1789 

HIST 120 - Medieval Europe (T)

HIST 122 - Canada Since 1867 (T)

INDG 100 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies (T)

PHIL 111 - Introduction to Philosophy I (T)

PHIL 114 - Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking I (T)

PSYC 111 - Introduction to Psychology: Basic Processes (T)

PSYC 121 - Introduction to Psychology: Personal Functioning (T)

SOCI 111 - Introduction to Sociology I (T)

SOCI 121 - Introduction to Sociology II (T)

SOCW 200A - An Introduction to Social Work Practice (T)

SOCW 200B - An Introduction to Social Welfare in Canada (T)

BUAD 111 - Financial Accounting I (T)

BUAD 112 - Intro to Entrepreneurship 

BUAD 113 - Canadian Business (T)

BUAD 115 - Introduction to Tourism (T)

BUAD 116 - Marketing (T)

BUAD 121 - Financial Accounting II (T)

BUAD 123 - Management Principles (T)

BUAD 128 - Computer Applications I (T)

BUAD 176 - Professional Selling (T)

BUAD 201 - Conflict Resolutation and Negotiation (T)

BUAD 212 - Idea Generation 

TOUR 105 - Introduction to Tourism (T)

TOUR 115 - Accounting for Tourism 

TOUR 130 - Tourism Marketing (T)

ASTR 111 - Astronomy I (T) * 

ASTR 112 - Astronomy I (T)

ASTR 121 - Astronomy II (T) *

ASTR 122 - Astronomy II (T)

BIOL 111 - Biology for Science Majors I (T) *

BIOL 112 - Evolution and Ecology (T) *

BIOL 122 - Physiology of Multicellular Organisms (T) *

BIOL 131 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (T) *

BIOL 133 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (T) *

CHEM 111 - Principles of Chemistry I (T) *

CHEM 117 - Introduction to Forensic Science (T) *

CHEM 131 - Chemistry of Brewing (T) *

COSC 111 - Computer Programming I (T)

COSC 122 - Computer Fluency (T)

DSCI 228 - Introduction to Applied Data Analytics (T)

HKIN 100 - Personal Well-being (T)

ICT 111 - Computer Components and Peripherals*

MATH 111 - Essential Mathematics for Arts (T)

MATH 112 - Calculus I (T)

MATH 114 - Business Mathematics (T)

MATH 120 - Pre-Calculus (T)

PHYS 111 - Calculus-Based Physics I (T) *

STAT 121 - Elementary Statistics (T)

STAT 124 - Business Statistics (T)

WET 125 - Operations, Planning and Maintenance for Water Engineering Technology*

How to apply for dual credit

Interested in our dual credit programs and academic dual credit courses? Start by speaking with your school CAREER COORDINATOR and they’ll guide you through the process to start early at OC.

Dual credit application

For high school career coordinators

Okanagan College’s Early Start programs give youth the opportunity to earn post-secondary credits, explore career pathways, and gain hands-on experience. As a career coordinator you play a key role in helping students navigate these opportunities.

Below, you’ll find resources designed to support your work with students.

Our team is also available to deliver training sessions or workshops for your staff. If you're interested in booking a session or learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Contact us

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School resources for dual credit application

*Students must be admitted to OC to view class availability and schedules through their myOkanagan account. For further assistance, contact an OC Education Advisor.

Agreements

In collaboration with the following School Districts (No. 10, 19, 22, 23, 51, 53, 58, 67, and 83), Okanagan College offers preferred admission seats to secondary students for select post-secondary programs. This initiative aims to support and facilitate the smooth transition of students from secondary education to post-secondary opportunities.

If your school doesn’t currently have an agreement with us, please fill out this Expression of Interest form.
 

Sampler programs

Sampler programs let you explore different fields like health, tech, or trades without the pressure of committing to a full program. Typically offered for those in Grades 10–12 (ages 15–18).

For details on application please contact your school's CAREER COORDINATOR.

A trades student using a drill

Trades Sampler programs

Explore a variety of trades—including Automotive, Carpentry, Electrical, Heavy Mechanical, Plumbing and Piping, Sheet Metal and Welding.
High school students participating in a sampler program

Additional Sampler programs

Explore our sampler programs spanning in topics from health, technology, engineering, spa, and leadership.

Concurrent enrolment

Concurrent enrolment allows you, as a Grade 11 or 12 student, to enrol in college courses while finishing your high school diploma. No more than 12 credits obtained through concurrent studies may be applied toward a certificate, diploma or degree at the College. 

This is not funded by school districts and is not considered as dual credit.

To apply for concurrent enrolment please ensure to do the following:

  • Notify your high school counsellor for guidance to apply
  • Submit an application through EducationPlannerBC and pay a $30 application fee
  • Submit an email to Admissions (admissions@okanagan.bc.ca) to confirm your application as a concurrent enrolment student

 The following conditions will apply:

  • The applicant must have a superior academic record
  • The applicant must have the support and written recommendation of the secondary school principal
  • The applicant must be enrolled at the Grade 11 or 12 level in a program of studies that meets the regular entrance requirements of the College program to which admission is sought
  • The applicant must have the written approval of the appropriate Okanagan College dean for the courses in which the applicant plans to enrol
  • The applicant must have the written consent of the parent or legal guardian if under the age of majority on the first day of classes

Admission will be limited to one academic year; however, this may be renewable with the continued support of the program dean. Students in concurrent studies will be treated as regular students except that they may not enrol in a full course load. Their selection of courses must be approved by the appropriate dean, and their eligibility to register is valid for one year unless renewed by the dean. Standard transcripts will be issued, and fees, deadlines and all other regulations will be as for regular students.

If you are enrolled in concurrent studies at the College and satisfy program entrance requirements upon your secondary school graduation, you will be treated as a continuing student and will not be required to reapply but you may be fully admitted to the college program. For further details you can speak with the career counsellor at your high school or one of our college recruiters.

Upcoming events

Events
Event Type (field_event_type)
Event Audience (field_event_audience)
11
Aug
Open Studies - Virtual Info Session
Online campus

FAQ

Dual credit programs and courses allows high school students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously by completing them at OC. Subsidized and coordinated through your school district.

Sampler program let you explore different fields like health, tech, or trades without the pressure of committing to a full program. Typically offered for Gr. 10-12 (Ages 15-18) and usually does not provide credits. 

Concurrent enrolment allows you to enrol in college courses while finishing your high school diploma. You need to apply for these through the college instead of through your high school. This is not funded by school districts and is not considered as dual credit.

We recommend starting to plan as early as Grade 9. This allows enough time to meet prerequisites and admission requirements, ensuring a smooth path into dual credit courses. 

International students are not eligible for dual credit and sampler programs due to IRCC regulations, as international high school students typically would not have enough time to obtain the required post-secondary study permit before the program begins. To be eligible for youth programs, students must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada with a valid Permanent Resident (PR) Card.

To set up a Student for a Day experience, you’ll join a current college class for the day to see what it’s like to be a student at OC. You’ll observe class activities, explore shops and kitchens, and have the chance to speak with instructors and students. To book your experience, please contact the OC Recruitment Team. 

Important: If you’re a high school student enrolled in the Okanagan College region (from Osoyoos and Princeton to Mica Creek and Revelstoke), please arrange your Student for a Day through your Career Centre Coordinator or School Counsellor. The experience is free of charge. Please note that CSA-certified steel toe boots are required for most trades programs in order to participate. 

Yes! Participation in an Experience OC event can be used as a substitute for the Student for a Day experience. Please make sure to check with your school to confirm they accept this option. Also, bring any necessary documentation with you and ask the session facilitator to sign it at the end of your session. 

We’re actively working to expand our partnerships and increase agreements throughout our communities to provide more opportunities for students. If your school doesn’t currently have an agreement with Okanagan College, please contact your school (in case you're a parent or student) and ask them to complete our Expression of Interest form to get started. If you are a school representative, please fill out the form yourself. 

Contact us

For more information or inquiries, please contact OCEarlyStart@okanagan.bc.ca.