Program Overview

Open Studies

About

Open Studies allows you to take individual courses without being enrolled in a full-time program. It’s perfect for people who want to gain skills, or earn credits toward a future diploma or degree without committing to a specific program right away.

Get the flexibility to study courses that match your goals without committing to a full program. Focus your career path, explore new fields, or progress at your own pace while earning credits toward a diploma or certificate.

Invest in your future at a pace and price that works for you.

Open studies is cost-effective and efficient, allowing you to skip application fees while offering greater work-life balance and control over your schedule.

Courses are offered online as well as at our downtown Calgary campus.

Dual Credit courses are recommended for students in Grades 11 or 12, allowing them to earn both high school and college or university credits simultaneously.

How do I know if Open Studies is right for me?

• You’re considering post-secondary education but aren’t sure which program to choose:
  • Explore courses that interest you to find the right fit.
  • Look for courses that could inspire you to pursue a particular diploma or certificate program.
• If you’ve been accepted into your dream program and want to start taking courses before it begins:
  • Earn credits through Open Studies that count toward your future diploma or certificate program.
  • Successfully completing an Open Studies course could help you skip program prerequisites when you start.
• If you've finished high school and want to take courses before enrolling in a certificate, diploma, or degree program:
  • Bow Valley College Open Studies offers the chance to experience post-secondary courses and earn credits, helping you get a head start.
• If you're looking to reskill or upskill with a specific course:
  • Open Studies helps you build the skills needed for a new job or promotion.
  • An Open Studies course boosts your resume and job profile.
  • Lifelong learners can expand their knowledge in areas of personal or professional interest.

For Regional Learners

If you live in the service area surrounding Calgary and want to take a course:

• To find out about Regional programming, contact us.
• To apply for Fall 2025 (September - December) courses, please fill out this form.

Admission requirements

There are no formal admission requirements, but success in Open Studies courses is more likely if you have an English language proficiency level suitable for the program you're interested in.

Please see the English language proficiency requirements page for more information.

You need one of the following options:

• English Language Proficiency Requirements

Available intakes

Starts in

• July 2025
  • Domestic: Closed
  • International: Not Offered
• November 2025
  • Domestic: Closed
  • International: Not Offered

Tuition and fees

Domestic Students

International Students

*All tuition and fees are subject to change. Program tuitions are estimates only. Your actual tuition and fees are calculated on actual course registrations and can be viewed under "Statement of Account" in MyBVC or by requesting a Statement of Account from Registrar Services.

Courses

School of Community Studies

Chiu School of Business

School of Technology

School of Arts and Sciences