Current Student

After successful completion of an eligible post-secondary or graduate program at NBCC, international students may apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The length of the permit depends on how long you studied in Canada, ranging from eight (8) months to three (3) years. You can see how the duration of the PGWP is calculated at this IRCC website. 

There are other criteria that you must meet to remain eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), including being a full-time student during every term of your program (with the exception of your final semester) and completing no more than 50% of your studies via distance learning (online).

Please visit the following IRCC website often as it is regularly updated with potential changes to policy and procedure.

If you think your eligibility for the PGWP might have been or will be affected by a change in academic delivery due to COVID-19, you should review the updates from IRCC regarding the temporary delivery changes to support international students affected by COVID-19 .

No. In order to be eligible for RPL, you must be in good academic standing; however, you may apply when your academic suspension has been lifted.

For more information about the Recognition of Prior Learning process, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

Some clinicals, practicums, and advanced level courses may be deemed ineligible for credit transfer/equivalency. 

Note: If you have completed PERS1228 (Orientation to Community Service) in a previous NBCC program, you are not required to take the full course again. However, we strongly encourage you to participate in the annual College-wide Service Day, which provides a great opportunity for you to develop important skills for success, such as communication, collaboration and creative problem solving through volunteering or service learning.

For more information about the Recognition of Prior Learning process, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

All NBCC campuses have library services with books and periodicals, as well as audio-visual resources. Electronic databases which index and provide full text information from periodicals and reference materials are also located in the library.  Internet access is available in libraries and computer labs and in some classrooms. Hours of operation depend on the campus. 

High school students in New Brunswick can take certain courses that are recognized as prior learning at NBCC through the credit transfer application process. Click this link for more information about which NB high school courses are eligible for credit at NBCC, as well as some FAQs to help you understand more about the process. 

https://nbcc.ca/admissions/recognition-of-prior-learning/high-school-students. 

Note: Credit transfers will not be granted for any high school courses that are not listed in the link above because your prior learning must be achieved at a recognized post-secondary or other adult education institution to be considered equivalent to NBCC courses.

Student Success Week is a week-long break from classes that happens three times per year (October, February, and April) at NBCC. During these weeks there are no classes, however, campuses remain open. You can find Student Success Week dates for each term on our NBCC Academic Calendar. 

From an immigration perspective, Student Success Week is considered a scheduled break from your studies. If you have the appropriate work authorization statements on your study permit and meet all eligibility requirements to work in Canada, you are able to work full-time on a scheduled break from classes, including Student Success Week. The definition of full-time work for immigration purposes, including information regarding working overtime or for different employers, can be found here. 

It is important to note that you must be a full-time student both before and after the break, and have all necessary work authorizations, to work full-time. 

Yes. If you wish to appeal, you must include a letter explaining your reasons for appeal and attach supporting documentation that shows new evidence of prior learning that you did not include in your original application. Appeal requests that do not include new evidence of prior learning will be denied. All appeal decisions are final.

Yes. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program allows you to gain credit for NBCC courses by transferring credits you already earned at another post-secondary institution. In order to obtain credit transfer, you must show that the course(s) you previously took matches at least 80% of the required competencies and outcomes of the respective NBCC course and that you earned a minimum grade of 60%. You may submit up to four courses for credit transfer.  

You must attach (upload) the following documentation to your RPL application form:

• An official transcript from your previous post-secondary institution (you may submit a scanned copy of your unofficial transcript as long as the RPL Office receives the official transcript within 14 days of application submission); AND
• A detailed course outline that clearly identifies the learning outcomes and methods of assessment for the course you previously completed.

Note: Students submitting previously completed NBCC courses for evaluation are not required to submit an official transcript.

For more information about the Recognition of Prior Learning process, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

NBCC does not have on-campus student housing, and all of our students live within the communities where they are studying.

For more information on housing options, and our campus communities, please visit our website at the link below.

https://nbcc.ca/student-services/housing 

NBCC’s International Education Office is accessible via email at International@nbcc.ca. Please reach out to your Team at your convenience for assistance. Emails are generally returned within 1 to 3 business days. 

Use the View Course Profile search feature on the RPL portal to find an NBCC course profile: https://helpdesk.nbcc.ca/CherwellPortal/RPLPortal

Click this link to watch a tutorial on using this feature: https://youtu.be/WtKFgbHL03E

Remember: Course profiles are subject to change. To view the most up-to-date version of the profile, you must use the search feature on the RPL Portal. Do not rely on downloaded copies.

Check the Previously Evaluated Courses list  (also called the “Master List”) to see if your previous courses have already been approved for credit toward an NBCC course. Click this link and enter your login details to view the list: https://helpdesk.nbcc.ca/CherwellPortal/RPLPortal

This list is provided for information purposes only and is made available to assist you in identifying possible credit transfers and/or equivalencies you may be eligible to receive. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this data, errors may exist. The list is reviewed periodically and is subject to change.

For more information about the Recognition of Prior Learning process, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

If you have achieved prior learning through work or life experience (e.g. , volunteerism, military work, family commitments, workshops, seminars, self-directed study, or on-the-job training), you may be eligible to apply for credit equivalency. Your application must demonstrate how the  learning you achieved matches at least 80% of the scope, depth, and level of learning required in the NBCC course.

If you are submitting experiential and/or non-formal learning for evaluation, your supporting documentation must adhere to the following guidelines:

• The documents must verify the learning described in your application form
• A detailed résumé and references are required when learning outcomes are linked to specific work-related experiences.
• Where relevant, you should also include secondary sources of documentation that verify your learning achievements. These sources may take a variety of forms such as:
  • Outlines, course syllabus, pamphlets, newsletters, or promotional materials
  • Certificates of completion from seminars or workshops, accompanied by details regarding the service provider and the intended outcome of the training
  • Samples of work you have produced which demonstrate the specified learning, such as portfolios, products, models, written reports, visual presentations, published articles, or project plans

For more information about the Recognition of Prior Learning process, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

NBCC is proud to provide all international students with the GuardMe insurance plan. This plan is mandatory for all incoming international students. NBCC strongly recommends all international students maintain this coverage throughout their studies in case emergency medical assistance is required. For more information on this plan, please visit our website at the link below.  

https://nbcc.ca/student-services/health-dental-insurance 

Enrollment in the GuardMe insurance plan will take place on Monday before the first day of classes of a student’s first term. Upon enrollment, students will receive an enrollment notice from GuardMe containing details about their coverage dates and options to opt out. Students will also receive their policy number and be able to download their coverage card after the opt out deadline each term (see below). 

Optional Dependent Coverage: A student can choose to enroll their dependents in this plan by contacting GuardMe after the opt out deadline has passed and they have received their policy number. Should a student need to enroll their dependents prior to that date, they should contact international@nbcc.ca. 

Optional Opt-Out: Opt-out requests will be received for 10 days at the beginning of a student’s first and second term of study in each academic year. Please review the Academic Calendar for deadlines.  

https://nbcc.ca/admissions/academic-calendar 

Opt-out requests must be submitted via the link below during the opt-out period and include proof of valid New Brunswick Medicare coverage.  

https://nbcc.ca/international/GuardmeOptOut 

Fee Adjustments: Students who successfully opt-out of the GuardMe insurance plan will receive a credit to their student account within 45 days of the opt-out deadline.  

All students with an active New Brunswick Medicare card are required to have the Annual Excursion policy as it will cover travel-related expenses that Medicare will not. Therefore, students cannot be excluded from this part of the coverage.

Tuition and fee refunds may be available for students who withdraw early from their program. Neither the application fee, or confirmation deposit paid for an admissions offer are refundable fees.  Important dates related to requesting a refund for are available in the academic calendar.

To request a refund, please download the Request for Refund form available in your Student Self-Service.

Note for International Students 

Refunds are NOT calculated based on study permit/visa status.  

You must apply before the expiration of your study permit if you would like to continue studying in Canada. NBCC recommends you apply approximately three months before the expiry date on your study permit, to allow for processing time. If you apply for a study permit extension before the expiry date of your current study permit, you are able to continue studying and working under the same conditions until a decision is made on your application. This is called maintained status. 

For more information and resources on study permit extensions, please visit: https://nbcc.ca/international/visas-permits-and-immigration

If you have previously attended a post-secondary institution in New Brunswick, check the Council on Articulations and Transfer of New Brunswick (CATNB) credit transfer portal  to identify credit transfers that you may be eligible to receive at NBCC. CATNB was developed by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour in collaboration with NB post-secondary institutions.

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the data in the CATNB credit transfer portal, errors may occur and it is your responsibility to verify this information. The listing of credit transfers in this portal in no way guarantees the granting of credit in a specific situation, as other factors may apply.

RPL offers two main ways you can be awarded a credit towards your program: credit transfer or credit equivalency.

Credit transfer is when you receive credit for learning you gained from one or more equivalent courses you previously completed at a recognized post-secondary institution. You may submit up to four previously completed courses for credit toward one NBCC course. Credit transfer is indicated as CR on your NBCC transcript.

Credit equivalency is when you earn credit for learning you gained from work or life experience, non-formal learning, on-the-job training, volunteerism, self-directed study, military service, workshops, etc. Credit equivalency is indicated as EQ on your NBCC transcript.

For more information about the Recognition of Prior Learning process, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

If you started your program after July 1, 2021, you may obtain a maximum of 75% of your program’s total credits through RPL. If you started your program before July 1, 2021, you may obtain a maximum of 50% of your program’s total credits through RPL.

IMPORTANT: To maintain full-time status, you must complete at least 60% of your program credits per term in class. 

For more information about the Recognition of Prior Learning process, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

Most NBCC communications will be through email. It is important to ensure you have a valid email address on file and to verify this email account regularly for updates to your status and NBCC events. Please ensure that your email security settings for our NBCC email addresses are set properly to guarantee they are delivered to your inbox.

At NBCC we certainly understand that paying for college can be challenging.  For this reason we are proud to offer our students a variety of scholarships, awards, and bursaries to help off-set the costs while they pursue their studies.  Each scholarship, award, and bursary have varying application requirements and staggered award delivery.  Amounts for each opportunity also vary, and therefore we encourage all of our students and future students to review the information posted at the links below, and apply for as many opportunities as possible.  There are no entrance or admissions scholarships available prior to the start of a program at NBCC. 

https://nbcc.ca/scholarships-bursaries-awards 

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has gathered all of the information about temporary policy changes due to COVID-19 at this link.

If a student completes more than one program from NBCC within 2 years, the length of the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) will combine the total duration of both programs. If a student takes two one-year certificates, they may be eligible for a three year PGWP. Please note that each program of study must meet all PGWP eligibility requirements and be at least 8 months in length. You can further review this information at this link.

To learn more about the PGWP, please refer to these resources:

https://nbcc.ca/international/visas-permits-and-immigration/working-in-canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html

There is currently no fee for RPL services at NBCC.

No. If you have already successfully completed courses at NBCC that have the exact same course codes as in your new program, you do not have to apply for credit transfer. You should speak with your Academic Leadership Team to make sure your previous courses will be applied to your current program.

RPL may help you get your diploma or certificate from NBCC by reducing the number of courses you need to take. 

Please note: Getting credit for courses does not shorten the length of your program. Instead, it can lighten your course load each term, giving you more time to focus on study, work or other commitments. 

The RPL application process can also help you prepare for job interviews later on by giving you an opportunity to assess your prior learning and experience and prepare documentation demonstrating your knowledge and skills.

To learn more about Recognition of Prior Learning at NBCC, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

Credit transfer is when you receive credit for learning you gained from one or more equivalent courses you previously completed at a recognized post-secondary institution. You may submit up to four previously completed courses for credit toward one NBCC course. Credit transfer is indicated as CR on your NBCC transcript.

Credit equivalency is when you earn credit for learning you gained from work or life experience, non-formal learning, on-the-job training, volunteerism, self-directed study, military service, workshops, etc. Credit equivalency is indicated as EQ on your NBCC transcript.

For more information about the Recognition of Prior Learning process, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

If you lose your study permit you will need to apply for a replacement document. If this happens to you, you may continue studying in Canada, but you should not leave the country, until a copy of a valid study permit has been sent to you.

You can learn more at this link. Please note: you will be required to submit a police report to declare your lost document.

If you have not applied for an extension before your study permit expires, you must stop studying (and working) immediately. You will need to apply for a study permit restoration within 90 days of the expiry date. Failure to do so has very serious consequences and you may be removed from Canada. Learn more about restoration at this site. If you are in this situation, please contact NBCC’s International Immigration Advisor.

If you have applied to extend your study permit prior to the expiry date, you have maintained status. Learn more about maintained status here.

For more information please visit: https://nbcc.ca/international/visas-permits-and-immigration/lists/international-students/study-permits. 

An official transcript is an original document detailing a student’s academic record that is generated by a recognized educational institution, includes an official signature, and is stamped with an embossed seal.

You may upload a scanned copy of your official transcript with your RPL application OR if you do not have a copy of your official transcript, you should attach an unofficial version for review. However, in order for your result to be finalized and credit added to your NBCC transcript, you must submit an official transcript to the RPL Office no later than 14 calendar days following submission of your RPL application.

If you need to request an official transcript from your previous post-secondary institution, please ask them to email it to the RPL Office at RPL@nbcc.ca.

If your previous post-secondary institution will not email your official transcript to us directly, ask them to mail it to your home address. You can then scan the document and send it to RPL@nbcc.ca. Please include your full name, NBCC student ID, and the Service Request number of your RPL application in the subject line of your email. 

Please note that we do not require official transcripts from NBCC. If you are submitting an NBCC course for credit transfer, you may simply upload your unofficial transcript with your application.

Pre-approval of credit is an option for NBCC students who have failed or otherwise not completed a course that is required for graduation. You may submit an application to the RPL Office to obtain permission to take an equivalent course at another post-secondary institution in order to make up the credit at NBCC. Pre-approvals are only available for external courses that you have not yet taken.

To determine whether pre-approval is the right option for you, you should discuss your situation with a Co-ordinating Instructor or another student advisor. You can review the Previously Evaluated Courses List  with your advisor to check if any external courses have been approved for credit toward the NBCC course you need to make up.
We strongly recommend that you wait to receive your result before enrolling in an external course.

To learn more about the pre-approval process, please see the pre-approval application guide.

The RPL Office will only consider applications for courses being offered in the term indicated on the website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl. Click this link to see application dates and deadlines for the full academic year.

We recommend that you keep an eye on the website and apply as soon as you can once we begin accepting applications for the term in which your course is scheduled to start. Applications are usually processed within 3-4 weeks of submission.

**Please do not wait until the last minute to submit your application. Internet outages, computer problems and other issues can occur suddenly, so be sure to give yourself enough time to deal with any complications that could interrupt the online submission process.

For more information about the Recognition of Prior Learning process, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has gathered all of the information about temporary policy changes due to COVID-19 at this link. 

RPL is available to students who are active in a full-time program, and in good financial and academic standing with the college.

Students are not eligible to apply if they are enrolled in part-time or Continuing Education programs, with the exception of those intending to complete the Educational Assistant or Early Childhood Education certificates through Continuing Education. Please note you must be registered in at least one course to access the application form.

To learn more about Recognition of Prior Learning at NBCC, please visit our website: www.nbcc.ca/rpl

Possibly. Students are no longer considered to be full-time if more than 40% of credits per term are obtained through the Recognition of Prior Learning process. For example, if you are taking courses that add up to 10 credits altogether in a term, you may obtain up to 4 of those credits through RPL and still maintain your full-time status.

Before you apply for a credit transfer or credit equivalency, you should calculate whether  being granted the credit through RPL will result in a status change from full-time to part-time, which could impact your eligibility for student loans, sponsorships, study permits, or the post-graduation work permit.