Overview
The International Student Entry Program (ISEP) is an English program that teaches students the language and study skills needed to succeed at BCIT. ISEP prepares you for what really happens in the BCIT classroom!
ISEP Info Sheet [PDF] | 2025 Calendar [PDF] | 2026 Calendar [PDF]
Why Choose ISEP?
Priority Program Placement
- Get enrolled early into your follow-up program of choice
- ISEP best prepares students for entry into competitive BCIT programs
Student Housing Placement
- Become eligible to apply for BCIT Student Housing
Support for Students New to Canada
- Get all the help you need for student life in Canada from the BCIT International Student Centre
- Enjoy school activities and events and make new friends
- In ISEP, you can apply for work on campus. After finishing ISEP and you enter your program as a full time student you are eligible to work off campus.
Curriculum content is BCIT-focused
- Our instructors teach English using the latest BCIT topics of technology, communication, and business
- You will learn about Canadian culture and workplace customs
- ISEP prepares you for group-based assignments and presentations that all BCIT programs require
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Entrance Requirements
Application processing
If you already have a valid study permit and minimum language proficiency scores, processing times are typically much shorter than for students who need to apply for a study permit. For more information, please email the ISEP admissions staff.
For overseas applicants who do not have a valid study permit, please refer to the application opening dates and deadlines below. These dates allow enough time to process most study permits according to the Government of Canada’s estimated wait times.
Term Start | Application Opening Date* | Application Deadline* |
---|---|---|
January | March 15 | October 15 |
March | March 15 | January 2 |
May | July 15 | March 1 |
July | July 15 | May 1 |
September | November 15 | July 2 |
November | November 15 | September 1 |
*or next business day
Entrance requirements
- English language proficiency
- One of the following:
- Duolingo 60 in Conversation and 60 in Literacy or
- IELTS 4.0 in all skills
- One of the following:
- Complete the following form and upload it with your online application:
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants.
Study permit: A valid BCIT study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
January, March, May, July, September, and November each year.myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
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Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
New students
Application fee: $154 (non-refundable)
First term fees:
The cost of the first term (seven weeks) is approximately $3,600 – $3,800 CAD. This includes:
- $3489.90(from September 2024)
- includes $1,000 CAD commitment fee (non-refundable)
- Other fees, including:
- Student Association and capital levy fees
- Building fee
- BCIT ID Card
- Medical insurance for 90 days: $180 CAD
First term fees are due 8 – 12 weeks before the start of your ISEP term. Please refer to your conditional acceptance letter for the deadline to reserve your seat.
Returning students
Tuition and other fees per term: approximately $3,600 CAD.
Tuition for returning students is due 3 – 4 weeks before classes start. Students will receive a reminder email with the exact date, which can also be found on the ISEP program calendar.
Medical insurance
All students must have medical insurance while attending BCIT. Medical insurance is provided through Guard.me (BCIT's student insurance provider) and costs $180 for three months. For more information, please visit Medical Insurance for ISEP Students.
Students should apply for BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) when they arrive in BC, so that they have coverage when their Guard.me insurance finishes.
Books & supplies
Students are required to bring a laptop and headphones/earbuds with a microphone to class in order to complete class activities. Laptops must have a webcam and connect to WiFi.Refund policy
New applicants
- Application fee ($154) and commitment fee ($1,000) are non-refundable.
- You may transfer the commitment fee to a full-time or Flexible Learning follow-up program only (must be accepted into the program within 12 months of your initial term start date).
- For information on what to do if your study permit application is denied, visit Refunds & Withdrawals: International students: Study permit denial.
All ISEP students
Refund Deadline | Refund* |
30 days prior to term start date | 100% |
Within first week of term start | 85% |
After first week of term | 0% |
*New students withdrawing from their first term will have the $1000 commitment fee deducted from their total refund amount.
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Courses
Class hours
Students are in class 20 hours per week.Program matrix
Please note: | |||
---|---|---|---|
Foundations classes are not currently being offered, but they will be available online in the future. | |||
ISEP Foundations 1 (7 weeks) | Credits | ||
ISEP 0015 | Listening/Speaking Foundations 1 | ||
ISEP 0016 | Reading/Writing Foundations 1 | ||
ISEP Foundations 2 (7 weeks) | Credits | ||
ISEP 0025 | Listening/Speaking Foundations 2 | ||
ISEP 0026 | Reading/Writing Foundations 2 | ||
Technical Academic English 1 (7 weeks) | Credits | ||
ISEP 0105 | Technical Academic English - Listening/Speaking 1 | ||
ISEP 0106 | Technical Academic English - Reading/Writing 1 | ||
Technical Academic English 2 (7 weeks) | Credits | ||
ISEP 0205 | Technical Academic English - Listening/Speaking 2 | ||
ISEP 0206 | Technical Academic English - Reading/Writing 2 | ||
Technical Academic English 3 (7 weeks) | Credits | ||
ISEP 0305 | Technical Academic English - Listening/Speaking 3 | ||
ISEP 0306 | Technical Academic English - Reading/Writing 3 | ||
Technical Academic English 4 (7 weeks) | Credits | ||
ISEP 0405 | Technical Academic English - Listening/Speaking 4 | ||
ISEP 0406 | Technical Academic English - Reading/Writing 4 | ||
Technical Academic English 5 (7 weeks) | Credits | ||
ISEP 0505 | Technical Academic English - Listening/Speaking 5 | ||
ISEP 0506 | Technical Academic English - Reading/Writing 5 |
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
ISEP Level Placements (Duolingo and IELTS)
All scores submitted by ISEP students are evaluated for placement by the Program Head. Please note that a gap of more than one level between skills may require additional evaluation.
ISEP Listening/Speaking
Placement |
Duolingo Conversation Score | IELTS Academic
Listening & Speaking Scores* |
TAE 5 | 105-119 | 6.0 |
TAE 4 | 95-104 | 5.5 |
TAE 3 | 80-94 | 5.0 |
TAE 2 | 70-79 | 4.5 |
TAE 1 | 60-69 | 4.0 |
Foundations | 50-59 | 3.5 |
*IELTS Listening & Speaking scores are averaged and rounded toward the Speaking score.
ISEP Reading/Writing
Placement |
Duolingo Literacy Score | IELTS Academic
Reading & Writing Scores* |
TAE 5 | 105-119 | 6.0 |
TAE 4 | 95-104 | 5.5 |
TAE 3 | 80-94 | 5.0 |
TAE 2 | 70-79 | 4.5 |
TAE 1 | 60-69 | 4.0 |
Foundations | 50-59 | 3.5 |
*IELTS Reading & Writing scores are averaged and rounded toward the Writing score.
Program length
ISEP's curriculum has five levels, from TAE 1 (pre-intermediate) to TAE 5 (low-advanced). Each level takes one term to complete. Terms are seven weeks long with one to two weeks of break between each term.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
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- Next up Contact Us
Contact Us
ISEP – International Student Entry Program
BCIT Downtown Campus
Room 790 – 555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6B 3H6, Canada
Email: isepinfo@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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