What Can I Expect

What Can I Expect?

Welcome to NBCC’s Student Information Hub! This is where you’ll find important information about program delivery, student services and support, and campus events. We encourage you to visit this page for important student information throughout the academic year.

2024 – 2025 Academic Year

The 2024-2025 academic year will provide students with a vibrant campus experience and flexible learning options, with opportunities for both in-person and virtual learning.

Refer to NBCC’s Academic Calendar for all academic term start dates and other important dates throughout the year.

The Connection

The Connection is your weekly student e-newsletter containing important information on student services and supports, upcoming events, information sessions, and more. Watch for the latest issue in your inbox every Friday!

Study Permits

If you are planning to study in Canada for a period of more than six months, you will require a study permit. A study permit is a document that gives you permission to remain and study in Canada. You will need a study permit to cover the entire duration of your studies and you must comply with its conditions.

Study Permits and TRVs
Be advised that a study permit alone does not authorize entry into Canada. Follow this link to find out if you need a visa to enter Canada.

Applying for a Study Permit

Once you have received a letter of acceptance from New Brunswick Community College, it is necessary to begin applying for a study permit. Canadian overseas visa offices handle paper applications for study permits. You will need to check which visa office, or visa application centre, is responsible for your region. Check how to apply.

A study permit application can be launched in your country of residence (provided you have been lawfully admitted in that country for a period of more than six months), or through the Visa Application Centre in Los Angeles, USA. Depending on your citizenship, you may be able to apply at a Canadian Port of Entry, and in some cases you may even apply from within Canada.

Main Requirements

Among other requirements, you will need to demonstrate that you or your family has sufficient proof of funds to cover your tuition costs and other expenses, such as your food and accommodation, while you remain in Canada.

  1. Proof of Funds
    Number of persons Required Funds
    Single Student $10,000 for 12 months, plus tuition
    Plus one family member $4000 for 12 months
    Plus each additional family member $3000 for each additional family member for 12 months
  2. Study Plan
    In addition, it is strongly encouraged to include a study plan with your study permit application. A study plan explains to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) why you chose your institution in Canada and what your long-term objectives are.
  3. Processing Times
    The study permit application process varies from region to region, and can in some cases take six months or longer. For this reason, plan to receive your letter of acceptance at least 6 months before you are due to commence your studies.
  4. Possible Police Clearances and Medical Examinations
    Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to undergo police background checks and a medical examination.

Get a study permit through the Student Direct Stream (SDS)

If you are a legal resident in China, India, the Philippines, or Vietnam you can get your study permits faster by using the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Information on applying for your study permit through the SDS can be found on Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada’s website.

NBCC’s Designated Learning Number (DLI)

In order to receive a permit to study at New Brunswick Community College, you will need to include the school’s designated learning institution number (DLI) in your application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.

You can find your DLI number on your NBCC letter of acceptance, starting with the letter “O”. The number is O19391556439. Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton, Saint John, St. Andrews and Woodstock campuses all use New Brunswick Community College’s DLI of O19391556439

Letter of Introduction

If your study permit application is approved by IRCC, you will receive a letter of introduction.The letter of introduction – also called the port of entry introduction letter – is not your study permit. When you enter Canada you will need to present this to get your study permit printed.

Applying for a Canadian Study Permit inside Canada

If you have legal status – such as a temporary resident visa - and are currently in Canada, you may be able to apply for your study permit inside the country. There are two scenarios where this may be particularly useful:

First, if you have taken a short course or program of study which is six months or less, and that course is a prerequisite for attending New Brunswick Community College, you may apply to change your conditions and get an initial study permit in Canada.

Second, if you are a secondary school student already in Canada and on a valid temporary resident visa (TRV) or visitors’ record, you may apply within Canada for your study permit.

For all other applications, you must apply online or by paper to a country outside Canada where you are a citizen or legal resident, or you can also apply by mail, or in person, to the visa application centre in Los Angeles, United States.

Applying for a Study Permit at the Border or Airport

Permanent residents and citizens of the United States, and residents of Greenland and St. Pierre and Miquelon, can apply for a study permit at the border or when entering Canada at an airport.

Graduating from a Canadian High School into NBCC

If you are an international student graduating from a Canadian high school, you will need a new study permit to attend NBCC.

The study permit you possess for attending a secondary school does not allow you to study at the college level. You can obtain a new study permit if you follow the same process required to extend your study permit.

In some cases, you can renew your study permit or get a new study permit online or by paper if you are in Canada. It is not advisable to apply to change your study permit conditions from outside Canada, so if you are visiting your home country or another country, and your study permit expires, you should contact a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), or Canadian Immigration Lawyer.

Extending Your Study Permit

You must apply before the expiration of your study permit if you would like to continue studying in Canada. It is recommended you apply at least three months before the expiry of your status, to allow for processing time. If you apply for extension, you must stay in Canada and meet the conditions of your original study permit (i.e.: you cannot quit school and begin working). You can remain in Canada; however, if you leave, you will lose your status.

NBCC Orientation: Winter 2025

Are you new to NBCC? Visit our Orientation page for more information on Pre-Orientation sessions, Welcome Week, the first day of classes, and more.

Program Delivery

Most programs at NBCC are delivered via a “blended” format. This means that some of your courses may be delivered in person at your designated campus, while other courses will be taught virtually using NBCC’s Learning Management System, Brightspace, and MS Teams.

Students can expect to be on campus between 60 and 80 percent of the time (three to four days per week). Classes are typically held between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Some exceptions apply.

NBCC Course Delivery Options:

  • In-Person Learning – In-person course instruction on campus or at an alternate location. In-person learning may use technology such as Brightspace, laptops, digital textbooks, etc.
  • Blended Learning – Course instruction alternates between in-person and virtual learning.  Blended learning will use technology such as Brightspace or MS Teams. 
  • Hyflex Learning – Course instruction is available in person and virtually at the same time!  This option empowers students to choose how they want to learn on any given day throughout the course.  Hyflex Learning will use technology such as Brightspace and/or MS Teams to enhance both the virtual and classroom-based learning experience.
  • Virtual Learning – Course instruction is synchronous (live, scheduled sessions) and delivered virtually.
  • Online Learning – Course instruction is asynchronous (unscheduled, self-paced) and delivered fully online. 

Explore Student Services and Support

We are here to support you every step of the way. Check out some of the services you can access as an NBCC learner.

Student Services

Other Resources

Things You Should Know

  • Brightspace Calendar: Curious about what’s happening across NBCC? Login to your Brightspace account and click on the "calendar button" located on the homepage. A list of upcoming events, initiatives, deadlines, and important dates is also available on the right-hand side of your Brightspace homepage.
  • NBCC Emergency Procedures (pdf): NBCC’s emergency procedures outline the College’s emergency response procedures in the unlikely event that a life-threatening incident occurs at one of our locations. Physical copies of emergency procedures are also posted in academic spaces and common areas across our seven locations.
  • Urgent Notification System: In cases where NBCC must quickly notify students of events such as campus closures or emergencies, we use the mass notification system Regroup. When classes commence and you are enrolled in all courses, login to Regroup using your assigned unique alphanumeric username and network login password to verify that your contact information is correct. It is important that we have up-to-date contact information for all active NBCC students.
  • Health and Dental Plan & Opt-Out Deadline: NBCC and the NBCC Student Union (NBCCSU) offer MANDATORY health and dental coverage for students (pending eligibility). If you have proof of comparable extended coverage, you must apply to ‘opt out’ of the plan prior to NBCC’s deadline (refer to Academic Calendar for dates). Charges will apply for those who miss the deadline; no exceptions will be considered. Please note: If you are a student who had previously opted out since 2013, and no longer have an alternate comparable Health & Dental Plan, it is your responsibility to reach out to the Student Benefits Office to opt back into the plans by the deadline date.

    In addition, this year, the plan includes myWellness, an award-winning student mental health and wellness program. Through myWellness you can access support resources, an anonymous mental health assessment, and a toolbox full of helpful solutions. This plan is mandatory for students in regular programs of 20 weeks or more, unless proof of alternate (equivalent) insurance coverage is provided. 
  • Tuition and fees: All tuition and fees are due by the first Friday after classes commence (refer to Academic Calendar for dates). We recommend that you make all payments online; learn more about tuition and fee payment options on our website.

    Note: All fees paid beyond the deadline may be subject to late fees.
  • Government Student Loans: If you have not received your loan instalment by the third week of classes, contact your loan provider immediately. Please email financials@nbcc.ca if you expect further delays. Once NBCC receives and completes your confirmation of enrolment, the tuition/fees payment is sent directly to NBCC from your loan. Please don’t pay again if you are paying via student loan; it may take approximately 5-10 business days for this loan payment to be applied to your account.
  • Student Loan Resources: The government of New Brunswick publishes an information guide (pdf) on how to apply for a student loan within New Brunswick. Contact GNB Student Financial Services (1-800-667-5626) for provincial student aid, and canlearn.ca or call toll-free (1-888-815-4514) for federal student aid.
  • NBCCSU Events Calendar: The NBCCSU events calendar is available here. Check out what’s happening this month!