Written by Chet Raj Bhandari

About Northern Lights College

Ask anyone who has lived through a Peace River winter what “college campus” means, and Dawson Creek’s answer looks different from Toronto’s or Vancouver’s. Northern Lights College (official site) has spent nearly five decades training the people who keep Northeast British Columbia running – aircraft maintenance technicians, electricians, welders, health care assistants, early childhood educators – while also offering university transfer courses that lead straight into a BC university degree.

NLC is not one campus. It is a network spread across the region: Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Fort Nelson, Chetwynd, and Tumbler Ridge, with smaller access centres in Hudson’s Hope, Atlin, and Dease Lake. For a Nepali student, that regional spread is part of the appeal – smaller class sizes, direct contact with instructors, and a genuinely small-town cost of living compared to Vancouver or Toronto.

If you are weighing Northern Lights College against other Canadian options, get advice from the best consultancy in Nepal for Canada before you apply – program intakes and document requirements shift often enough that it pays to double check.

Northern Lights College Campuses

Northern Lights College operates five campuses across Northeast BC, plus smaller access centres in Hudson’s Hope, Atlin, and Dease Lake:

S.No	Campus Name	City	Province	Country
1.	Dawson Creek Campus	Dawson Creek	British Columbia	Canada
2.	Fort St. John Campus	Fort St. John	British Columbia	Canada
3.	Fort Nelson Campus	Fort Nelson	British Columbia	Canada
4.	Chetwynd Campus	Chetwynd	British Columbia	Canada
5.	Tumbler Ridge Campus	Tumbler Ridge	British Columbia	Canada

Programs at Northern Lights College

NLC’s program mix reflects the region it serves: trades and apprenticeships (automotive, welding, aircraft maintenance, electrical), health and human services (health care assistant, practical nursing, education assistant), business, and university arts and science courses that transfer directly into a BC university degree. See the full areas of study list on NLC’s website for the current catalogue.

Campus Life

Two of NLC’s campuses – Dawson Creek and Fort St. John – offer on-campus student housing. Dawson Creek’s residence holds around 98 students in two- and four-bedroom furnished suites; Fort St. John’s two residence wings hold around 190 students across one- to four-bedroom units, including wheelchair-accessible suites. Both include furnished kitchens, campus internet, and free parking. See the student housing page for current rates and availability.

Library

NLC runs library services out of the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John campuses, with online access for students at every other location. Dawson Creek’s library can be reached at (250) 784-7533 or dc-lib@nlc.bc.ca; Fort St. John’s at (250) 787-6213 or fsj-lib@nlc.bc.ca. Both offer research help, interlibrary loans, and study space – see the NLC Library page for hours and databases.

Careers, Work Experience and Part-Time Jobs

NLC does not run a large centralized career-services department the way big-city colleges do. Instead, employment support is built into each program: many trades and health programs include a required practicum or work placement with regional employers, and the Job Education and Training Certificate program specifically arranges work-experience placements matched to a student’s field of interest. Because Northeast BC’s economy runs on oil and gas, forestry, agriculture, and construction, program-based placements tend to lead into those regional industries. Part-time and on-campus opportunities are occasionally posted on NLC’s careers page, which students can also check for casual and student-assistant roles.

Upcoming Intakes For Northern Lights College

Most NLC programs admit students for the September intake, with a smaller number of programs also opening seats in January and May. Because intake dates and seat availability vary by program and campus, confirm the current schedule directly with NLC or your Goreto counsellor before finalising your application.

Top Courses

Top Degrees

Associate Degree
Diploma
Certificate
Post Graduate Diploma
PhD

Eligibility Criteria

BACHELOR’S DEGREE / ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM – ELIGIBILITY
Minimum 60% in 10th & 12th.	Minimum 6.0 overall IELTS, no band less than 5.5.	SOP, LOR, transcripts, resume, official score reporting.

DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM – ELIGIBILITY
Minimum 55–60% in 10th & 12th, depending on the program.	Minimum 6.0 overall IELTS, no band less than 6.0 (writing 6.5 for some programs).	SOP, LOR, transcripts, resume, official score reporting.

Important Details About Northern Lights College For Nepalese Students

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible programs	Yes, for eligible diploma and degree programs
Part-time jobs	Yes, up to 24 hours/week off-campus during study terms under current IRCC rules
Work placements / practicums	Built into most trades and health programs
Credit transfer to BC universities	Yes, via BC Transfer Guide agreements

International Entrance Exams – Scores Required For Admission

Courses	IELTS	TOEFL iBT	PTE
Diploma and Associate of Arts Degree Programs	6.0 overall, no band less than 6.0 (writing 6.5)	78+	57+
Associate of Science	6.5 overall, no band less than 6.0 (reading and writing 6.5)	–	–
Postgraduate diploma programs	6.0 overall, no band less than 6.0 (writing 6.5)	–	–

Admission Requirements For Northern Lights College

Documents Required

Completed application form and application fee
Academic transcripts and mark sheets (10th, 12th, and any post-secondary study)
Passport copy (first and last pages)
Official IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE score report
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Letter of Recommendation (LOR), for select programs
Proof of funds / financial support letter

Full document checklists and requirements can vary by program – see Goreto’s study abroad resources for a general guide, and confirm the exact list for your chosen program with your Goreto counsellor.

Deadline For Admissions

Northern Lights College does not publish fixed year-specific deadlines that apply to every program – timelines depend on the intake and program you choose. As a general rule, plan to apply 9–12 months ahead of your intended intake so there is time for document preparation, an offer letter, and a study permit decision. Talk to your Goreto counsellor early to confirm the current deadline for your specific program and campus.

Northern Lights College Location

The Dawson Creek campus – NLC’s largest and its regional administration hub – is located at 11401 8th Street, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4G2.

Program Details

Aerospace and Aviation

Aircraft Maintenance Technician Diploma

Northern Lights College

Prog Code:

CIP 47.0607

Duration:

2 year(s)

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

6.0

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

Trains students to inspect, maintain and repair aircraft, using NLC's on-campus hangar and workshop facilities in Dawson Creek.

Trade and Technology

Automotive Service Technician Foundation Certificate

Northern Lights College

Duration:

1 year(s)

Part time jobs:

Yes

IELTS:

6.0

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

A foundation-level entry point into automotive repair, covering engine, electrical and drivetrain basics ahead of a formal apprenticeship.

Education, Social Studies and Community

Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma

Northern Lights College

Duration:

2 year(s)

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

6.0

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

Prepares graduates to work with young children in licensed child care settings, including a practicum placement.

Arts, Media & Design

Culinary Arts Advanced Certificate

Northern Lights College

Prog Code:

Duration:

1 year(s)

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

6.0

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

Hands-on kitchen training covering food production, baking, and kitchen management, building on NLC's cook training program.

Health, Wellness and Sciences

Health Care Assistant Certificate

Northern Lights College

Duration:

1 year(s)

Part time jobs:

Yes

PGWP eligibility:

Yes

IELTS:

6.0

TOEFL:

PTE:

*Note:

A BC-recognised credential preparing graduates to work as care aides in hospitals, residential care, and home support across the region.

Accommodation For Nepalese Students Studying At Northern Lights College

On-Campus Accommodation

On-campus student housing is available at the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John campuses. Dawson Creek’s residence holds about 98 students in furnished two- and four-bedroom suites, close to downtown shops and restaurants; Fort St. John’s residence has two wings holding about 190 students in one- to four-bedroom furnished units, including wheelchair-accessible suites. Fees include electricity, heat, hot water, campus internet, and one parking spot per student. See the NLC student housing page for current rates, floor plans, and the application process.

Off-Campus Accommodation

Campuses without on-site residence (Fort Nelson, Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, and the smaller access centres) rely on off-campus rentals in the surrounding community. NLC’s international student office can help new students find off-campus housing options – contact NLC International at 1-866-463-6652 or through the NLC website before you arrive to line up a rental.