In what I think is great move that should be paralleled by other provinces, Live Learn BC has posted on their website a link to institutions that are accepted for the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program (“PGWPP”).
pgwpp_eligibility_in_bc_-_updated_september_2016
I have reprinted the list below:
Accepted Post-Secondary Institutions for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program
BRITISH COLUMBIA– Revised September, 2016
Public Institutions
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Camosun College
Capilano University
College of New Caledonia
College of the Rockies
Douglas College
Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Justice Institute of British Columbia
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langara College
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
North Island College
Northern Lights College
Northwest Community College
Okanagan College
Royal Roads University
Selkirk College
Simon Fraser University
Thompson Rivers University
University of British Columbia
University of Northern British Columbia
University of the Fraser Valley
University of Victoria
Vancouver Community College
Vancouver Island University
Private Institutions
Private Institutions Authorized by Provincial Statute to Confer Degrees – Specific Programs Only
Acsenda School of Management
o Bachelor of Business Administration with Concentrations
o Bachelor of Hospitality Management
Adler University
o Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
o Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology
o Master of Arts in Community Psychology
o Master of Counselling Psychology
o Master of Counselling Psychology: Art Therapy
o Master of Public Policy and Administration
o Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Alexander College
o Associate of Arts
o Associate of Science
Art Institute of Vancouver
o Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design
o Bachelor of Applied Design in Interior Design
o Bachelor of Science in Game Programming
City University of Seattle
o Bachelor of Arts in Management
o Master of Counselling
o Master of Education in Leadership and School Counselling
Columbia College
o Associate of Arts
o Associate of Science
Coquitlam College
o Associate of Arts
Corpus Christi College
o Associate of Arts
Fairleigh Dickinson University
o Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
o Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
o Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies
o Master of Administrative Science
o Master of Science in Hospitality Management Studies
Fraser International College
o Associate of Arts
New York Institute of Technology
o Master of Business Administration
o Master of Science in Information, Network and Computer Security
o Master of Business Administration (Finance & Tourism)
o Master of Science in Instructional Technology
o Master of Science in Energy Management
Quest University Canada
o Bachelor of Arts and Sciences
Trinity Western University1
o Non-theological degree programs ONLY
University Canada West
o Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication
o Bachelor of Commerce
o Master of Business Administration
1In addition to being a theological institution, Trinity Western University is authorized to offer secular degrees.
Why this is so important is that Officer processing for students, particularly of private colleges and university, has been inconsistent. Some designated learning institutions (remember just because an institution is designated, does not mean they are eligible for the PGWPP), were actively advertising to their students and the public that post-graduate work permits were available. In other institutions, students would submit post-graduate work permit applications regardless of school policy and would in many cases receive it.
This obviously creates a system ripe for problems and, unfortunately in some cases, even fraud.
Dissemination of clear information and hopefully the sharing of this information with IRCC officials who process the post-graduate work permit applications will make a big difference to ensuring that the PGWPP works effectively and students are incentivized to pursue quality education at an institution that is held to higher standards of review. It protects all stakeholders and, most importantly, it protects international students who are vulnerable to misinformation.
Students, particularly before enrolling in private colleges, should ensure their programs are on the list of eligible PGWP programs.
I suspect this list to expand, and I would be happy to assist educational institutions looking for advocates and immigration advice to try and get on the designated list.