A private college is privately owned and operated. Public colleges are funded by the government.

As a student, you will notice that private colleges tend to offer smaller classes, allowing for more individualised attention. The training offered will be focused, the curriculum may be condensed to allow for faster completion by motivated students, and the scheduling of classes is more flexible to accommodate learners who have a job or families or other time commitments. Because the school is a business, you will find that staff and instructors are "student-centred". This means that they are motivated to meet your needs and expectations. The satisfaction of students and graduates is an integral part of their business, so it is very important to them that you feel you are getting the very best education for your money.

There are several "quality controls" for the private training industry. First, all private colleges must be registered with the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (of BC)  (PCTIA).

This is a government regulatory body with the power to enforce compliance with regulations. Regulation ensures that schools are bonded so that in the rare cases of a school closure, the school will still have enough money available left to repay 75% of the students' unearned tuition. Second, private schools may choose to become accredited, a government review process that ensures the schools not only meet basic regulatory requirements, but measure up to standards of excellence in 8 key performance areas including student satisfaction and graduate employment rates. For more information on accreditation, click here.

YES! For more information on student loans, grants and scholarships, visit Finacial Aid