Start College Before Graduating From High School

Earn college credit while you’re still in high school with North Island College!

Who says you need to graduate from high school before you start college?

Every year, high school students get a head start on university and kick-start their careers with North Island College (NIC).

“Dual credit saved me money,” said student Danielle Nicholl, who took two psychology courses with NIC in Grade 12. “It was a good test of what was coming and the classes weren’t as scary as I thought they were going to be.”

NIC designs its Dual Credit and ACE-IT courses for high school students looking to save money, start university in small, discussion-friendly classes and have a lighter workload when they get to university.

You’ll receive credit toward your Grade 12 graduation, as well as NIC credit toward a degree, diploma or trades credential. Credits are fully transferable to institutions across BC. Courses are offered in person or online and include:

• first-year English, French and Spanish
• first-year criminology, philosophy, psychology and math courses
• first-year business, fine arts, tourism, applied business technology courses and programs

Interested in learning a trade? High school students in NIC’s provincially approved trades and technology programs choose from aircraft structures, carpentry, professional cook training programs and much more.

Students receive high school graduation credits, pre-apprentice credentials and the workplace hours required for trade certification at the same time, through ACE-IT, a trades program designed for youth.

“Dual credit and ACE-IT students can’t lose,” said Lori Boray, an NIC student recruitment officer. “They explore new subjects with our supportive instructors and, many times, receive financial support.”

To qualify, talk to your career program teacher or counsellor who can guide you through the application process and help you plan courses to meet the entry requirements. Questions? Contact Lori Boray at 250-334-5267 or email lori.boray@nic.bc.ca. Vancouver Island students can also visit nic.bc.ca/nic-at-high-school to find out when NIC representatives will visit your school.

Watch our 2015 Orientation Day video for back to school highlights at NIC.