About the university
Northern Lights College (NLC) is a public college in northeast British Columbia, with its main campuses in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. It offers associate degrees, diplomas, post-degree diplomas and trades, and trains aircraft maintenance technicians at its Dawson Creek Aerospace Centre. NLC says it has BC's lowest annual tuition for two-year programmes and a low cost of living.
Indian graduates mostly look at the two-year post-degree diplomas, such as Information Technology Management, Management Science and Environmental Management, which cost about CA$13,500–14,000 in tuition for Year 1. These accept a three-year degree. Diploma options include Practical Nursing, Interactive and Digital Technologies and the Aircraft Maintenance Technician Diploma.
- Type
- Public college in northeast British Columbia
- Campuses
- Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Fort Nelson and Tumbler Ridge
- PGWP-eligible programmes listed
- 24, including five post-degree diplomas
- Academic tuition
- CA$452.03 per credit for international students (2025-26)
- Student housing
- 190 beds in Dawson Creek and 98 in Fort St. John
- Application fee
- CA$100
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Post-Degree Diploma in Information Technology Management
- Fee / year
- C$14,013
- Duration
- 62 credits, usually 4 semesters (Fort St. John)
- Intakes
- Fall; Winter; Spring
- English
- English 12 (C or higher) or a university-level English course, otherwise NLC's English proficiency requirement (calendar Appendix A)
- Postgraduate
Post-Degree Diploma in Management Science
- Fee / year
- C$13,561
- Duration
- 61 credits, usually 4 semesters (Dawson Creek and Fort St. John)
- Intakes
- Fall; Winter; Spring
- English
- English 12 (C or higher) or a university-level English course, otherwise NLC's English proficiency requirement (calendar Appendix A)
- Postgraduate
Post-Degree Diploma in Environmental Management
- Fee / year
- C$13,561
- Duration
- 61 credits, about 2 years (Dawson Creek and Fort St. John)
- Intakes
- Fall (standard, September); Winter; Spring
- English
- English 12 (C or higher) or a university-level English course, otherwise NLC's English proficiency requirement (calendar Appendix A)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$17,438
- Duration
- 2 years (22 months, 1,850 hours)
- Intakes
- September (Dawson Creek and Fort St. John)
- English
- IELTS 7.0 overall (speaking 7.0, listening 7.5, reading 6.5, writing 7.0) or CELBAN
- Undergraduate
Interactive and Digital Technologies Diploma
- Fee / year
- C$14,239
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- Fall; Winter; Spring (Fort St. John)
- English
- English 12 (C or higher) or a university-level English course, otherwise NLC's English proficiency requirement (calendar Appendix A)
- Undergraduate
Aircraft Maintenance Technician Diploma
- Fee / year
- C$14,060
- Duration
- 4 semesters of 20 weeks (1,820 hours)
- Intakes
- September; February (Dawson Creek)
- English
- IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, or English 11/12 at C
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Degree Diploma in Information Technology Management | 62 credits, usually 4 semesters (Fort St. John) | C$14,013 | ≈ ₹9.4 lakh |
| Post-Degree Diploma in Management Science | 61 credits, usually 4 semesters (Dawson Creek and Fort St. John) | C$13,561 | ≈ ₹9.1 lakh |
| Post-Degree Diploma in Environmental Management | 61 credits, about 2 years (Dawson Creek and Fort St. John) | C$13,561 | ≈ ₹9.1 lakh |
| Practical Nursing Diploma | 2 years (22 months, 1,850 hours) | C$17,438 | ≈ ₹11.7 lakh |
| Interactive and Digital Technologies Diploma | 2 years (4 semesters) | C$14,239 | ≈ ₹9.5 lakh |
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician Diploma | 4 semesters of 20 weeks (1,820 hours) | C$14,060 | ≈ ₹9.4 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Northern Lights College with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Diplomas need Grade 12 (Indian Class 12) or equivalent with English and maths at set levels; for example Practical Nursing needs Grade 11 maths and Biology 12 or Anatomy and Physiology 12 at C (60%).
- Aircraft Maintenance needs Grade 11 or 12 English and Pre-Calculus maths at C, or IELTS 6.0.
Postgraduate
- Post-degree diplomas need a degree of at least three years, so Indian three-year degrees qualify.
- Information Technology Management needs a three-year degree in computer science, IT or a related field completed within 5 years, or an equivalent mix of study and at least two years' relevant work.
- Management Science accepts degrees in business, economics, computer science, IT, maths, engineering or related fields.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Degree transcripts and certificate (post-degree diplomas)
- English test result
- CA$100 application fee
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| General requirement | English 12 at C or higher, or a university-level English course. Other international applicants must meet NLC's English proficiency requirement in the academic calendar (Appendix A). |
| Practical Nursing (IELTS) | 7.0 overall, with speaking 7.0, listening 7.5, reading 6.5 and writing 7.0, or CELBAN. |
| Aircraft Maintenance (IELTS) | 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, or equivalent. |
Accommodation and living costs
NLC has student housing in Dawson Creek (190 beds) and Fort St. John (98 beds). Rates include electricity, heat, hot water, campus internet and parking; a CA$50 laundry fee per term applies from August 2026.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom in a 3–4 bedroom unit | C$2,240per four-month semester | ≈ ₹1.5 lakh |
| Bedroom in a 2-bedroom unit | C$3,500per four-month semester | ≈ ₹2.3 lakh |
| 1-bedroom unit | C$4,760per four-month semester | ≈ ₹3.2 lakh |
| International medical insurance (GuardMe) | C$290per four months | ≈ ₹19,417 |
Campus and location
NLC's main campuses are Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, with smaller campuses in Chetwynd, Fort Nelson and Tumbler Ridge.
- Dawson Creek Aerospace Centre for aircraft maintenance training.
- Practical Nursing theory is by videoconference, with labs at both Dawson Creek and Fort St. John from September 2026.
- On-campus housing in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John.
Careers and graduate outcomes
NLC lists 24 programmes as eligible for a post-graduation work permit, including all five post-degree diplomas. It does not publish graduate employment figures on the pages we opened. For work rights, see our Canada guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Canada
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much is a post-degree diploma at Northern Lights College?
Year 1 international tuition is about CA$13,561 for Management Science or Environmental Management and CA$14,013 for IT Management, plus student fees and medical insurance.
Is a three-year Indian degree accepted for the post-degree diplomas?
Yes. NLC's post-degree diplomas ask for a degree of at least three years in a related field.
How much does housing cost?
A bedroom in a 3–4 bedroom unit costs CA$2,240 for a four-month semester, and a 1-bedroom unit CA$4,760, including utilities and internet.
When can I start?
Post-degree diplomas have Fall, Winter and Spring starts. Practical Nursing starts only in September.
Sources
- Northern Lights College: international students (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Lights College: applying as an international student (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Lights College: tuition and fees schedule (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Lights College: Post-Degree Diploma in Information Technology Management (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Lights College: Post-Degree Diploma in Management Science (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Lights College: Practical Nursing Diploma (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Lights College: Aircraft Maintenance Technician Diploma (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Lights College: student housing (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.nlc.bc.ca (opens in a new tab)
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