Located in Surrey and Abbotsford, British Columbia, Western Community College provides specialized career training across hospitality, business, healthcare, and aviation. For international applicants seeking post-study work opportunities in Canada, select WCC credentials—including its Bachelor of Hospitality Management and commercial pilot training in Abbotsford—are designated as PGWP-eligible. Here is your complete guide to 2027 fees, English testing, scholarships, and the step-by-step ApplyBoard application process.
Why Choose Western Community College?
- British Columbia Locations: Study in Surrey or Abbotsford, depending on your program.
- PGWP-Eligible Program Options: WCC identifies its Bachelor of Hospitality Management and Commercial Pilot License as programs eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, subject to IRCC requirements.
- Industry-Focused Training: Develop hospitality management skills through industry work experience or aviation skills through practical flight training.
- Practical Aviation Training: WCC offers commercial pilot training in Abbotsford, with ground-school instruction and practical flight training.
Explore Western Community College Programs
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Western Community College Fees for International Students
Western Community College publishes tuition and additional fees on its individual program pages. The costs below focus on its two PGWP-listed programs. All amounts are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
Disclaimer: These are the published fees currently listed by WCC and are not guaranteed 2027 rates. Tuition and flight-training costs can change. The Commercial Pilot License also requires applicants to hold a valid Private Pilot License (PPL). Confirm the complete cost of obtaining both licences with WCC before applying.
Bachelor of Hospitality Management: Tuition and ApplyBoard Exclusive Scholarship
International students applying to Western Community College's Bachelor of Hospitality Management program through ApplyBoard can access an exclusive $22,000 CAD scholarship toward tuition fees.
WCC currently lists 121 credits as the graduation requirement. With the ApplyBoard-exclusive scholarship, tuition is reduced from $520 CAD to $330 CAD per credit. Based on 121 credits, estimated tuition would be $39,930 CAD, compared with $62,920 CAD at the regular rate. These estimates exclude the application fee and annual technology fees. Confirm the scholarship's final value and eligibility conditions with ApplyBoard before applying.
WCC lists the program duration as 2.5 to 4 years, with a minimum completion time of 2.5 years. Students can choose their course load and schedule, subject to WCC's academic requirements and course availability. Tuition is charged according to the number of credits taken each term.
Important: The $22,000 scholarship is exclusive to students applying through ApplyBoard. Contact ApplyBoard for details about scholarship eligibility and availability for your intended intake.
PGWP-Eligible Programs at Western Community College
Western Community College offers programs in hospitality, aviation, healthcare, business, information technology, and other fields. However, this guide focuses on the two programs WCC currently identifies as PGWP-eligible: the Bachelor of Hospitality Management and Commercial Pilot License.
Warning! WCC identifies these two programs as PGWP-eligible, but graduating from either program does not guarantee a work permit. Applicants must meet the applicable Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements. Other WCC diplomas, certificates, and aviation courses are not automatically PGWP-eligible.
Bachelor of Hospitality Management (Surrey)
Bachelor's degree, 121 credits; minimum completion time of 2.5 years
This program develops hospitality management, business, marketing, and financial management skills. Students study hotel operations, food and beverage management, tourism, hospitality marketing, and leadership.
The curriculum includes 555 hours of industry work experience, including placements that allow students to apply their learning in hospitality and tourism settings.
Potential career paths include hotel management, event coordination, hospitality consulting, and restaurant or food service management.
Commercial Pilot License (Abbotsford)
Commercial pilot training; WCC lists 52 weeks of full-time study in its course outline
This program provides advanced flight training and ground school for students pursuing a career as a commercial pilot. Training includes flight operations, navigation, safety procedures, and cross-country flying.
WCC operates a Transport Canada-approved Flight Training Unit at Abbotsford International Airport. The program includes 80 hours of ground school instruction and 65 hours of commercial pilot flight training, alongside preparatory hours.
Graduates who obtain the required Canadian Commercial Pilot License may pursue opportunities in charter aviation, aerial surveying, forest fire detection, and other commercial flight operations.
Important admission requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old and already hold a valid Private Pilot License (PPL). The cost of obtaining a PPL should be confirmed separately with WCC.
Western Community College PGWP Eligibility
A Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows eligible international graduates to work in Canada after completing their studies. WCC lists the Bachelor of Hospitality Management and Commercial Pilot License as PGWP-eligible programs.
However, IRCC applies different eligibility requirements to bachelor's degree graduates and flight school graduates.
PGWP Requirements for the Bachelor of Hospitality Management
Graduates of eligible bachelor's degree programs must meet the following PGWP requirements:
- Graduate from a PGWP-eligible program at an eligible designated learning institution (DLI).
- Complete a program that meets IRCC's minimum duration requirements, generally at least eight months.
- Maintain full-time student status during each academic semester, except for permitted final-semester part-time study.
- Demonstrate English or French proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in all four language skills.
- Have held a valid study permit at some point during the 180 days after receiving confirmation of program completion.
- Apply for the PGWP within 180 days of receiving confirmation that the program has been completed.
Bachelor's degree graduates are not subject to IRCC's PGWP field-of-study requirement. However, they must meet the applicable language and general eligibility conditions.
PGWP Requirements for the Commercial Pilot License
Graduates of flight schools may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) through a separate pathway. IRCC requires applicants to meet the general PGWP eligibility conditions and one of the following flight-training requirements:
- Complete a flight training course at a designated learning institution (DLI) flight training centre and obtain a Canadian commercial pilot licence; or
- Obtain, or be in the process of obtaining, a flight instructor rating and have a job offer as a flight instructor from a DLI flight training centre in Canada.
WCC currently lists its Commercial Pilot License program as PGWP-eligible. However, completing the program alone does not guarantee a PGWP. Graduates must meet IRCC's flight-school requirements, including obtaining the required Canadian commercial pilot licence or meeting the alternative flight instructor pathway.
Graduates of PGWP-eligible flight schools are exempt from the PGWP language and field-of-study requirements. They must still meet the applicable general eligibility conditions.
Review IRCC's official PGWP eligibility requirements before applying.
Important: WCC's PGWP listings do not guarantee approval. Before enrolling, confirm that your specific program, study arrangement, and institution meet IRCC's requirements. Review the official IRCC PGWP eligibility requirements and WCC's PGWP information.
Western Community College Admission Requirements
Admission requirements vary between the Bachelor of Hospitality Management and Commercial Pilot License. Applicants should review the requirements for their intended program before applying.
Bachelor of Hospitality Management
- A Canadian Grade 12 diploma or equivalent with an overall average of C or better, or a GED with an average of C or better.
- Applicants with a grade below C in English 12 or its equivalent may need to complete a preparatory English course.
- Applicants with a grade below C in Math 11 or its equivalent may need to complete a preparatory mathematics course.
- Meet WCC's English language proficiency requirements, where applicable.
Commercial Pilot License
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold a valid Private Pilot License (PPL).
- Meet the applicable aviation medical and licensing requirements established by Transport Canada.
- Meet WCC's additional admission and English language requirements, where applicable.
Contact WCC to confirm the complete international admission checklist and any additional documentation required for flight training.
English Language Requirements
WCC requires international applicants to demonstrate English proficiency according to their selected program. The Bachelor of Hospitality Management publishes the following minimum scores:
WCC accepts additional English assessments, including CAEL, CELPIP, and Cambridge qualifications. Test results must generally be less than two years old at the time of application. Some applicants may qualify for an exemption based on their previous English-language education.
The Commercial Pilot License program has separate aviation-related requirements. Contact WCC to confirm the accepted English tests and minimum scores for international applicants.
PGWP language reminder: WCC's English test requirements for admission are separate from IRCC's language requirements for a PGWP. Graduates of bachelor's degree programs generally need CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all four language skills. The language test and test version accepted by IRCC may differ from the test used for college admission. Graduates of eligible flight schools are exempt from the PGWP language requirement. Check IRCC's language test equivalencies before applying.
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Ready to take the next step? Access your dashboard to review your eligibility and manage your application documents for Western Community College.
How to Apply to Western Community College Through ApplyBoard
You apply to Western Community College through the ApplyBoard platform. WCC does not publish application deadlines. It reviews applications by set review dates and starts programs several times a year, so check the start dates for your program on ApplyBoard and apply early.
Before you apply, prepare the following documents:
- Valid passport (copy of the biographical page)
- Official academic transcripts
- Proof of English, such as a test result or proof of English-language schooling
- Private Pilot License and other relevant aviation credentials for Commercial Pilot License applicants
Choose your program, campus, and intake, then submit your application through the ApplyBoard platform. Apply well before your program's start date.
If you meet the requirements, WCC sends an offer letter after it reviews your documents. Read it carefully, including the payment instructions.
Pay your tuition by bank transfer or e-transfer, as WCC instructs. WCC sends your Letter of Acceptance after it accepts your payment.
Most international applicants need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), a letter from the province that you need for your study permit. Read about the 2026 provincial allocations to learn how Canada's cap affects you.
Use your Letter of Acceptance, PAL, and proof of payment to apply for a Canadian study permit. You can also check IRCC's official study permit page for current steps.
WCC lists off-campus housing help for students. Read the WCC international students page and the WCC news page for updates, and book your housing early.
Frequently Asked Questions: Western Community College
Western Community College has campuses in Surrey and Abbotsford, British Columbia. It is a private college, and its aviation training is based at Abbotsford International Airport.
WCC lists international tuition at $520 per credit before its advertised scholarship or $330 per credit after the scholarship. The program requires 121 credits. Application and annual technology fees are additional.
WCC currently identifies the Bachelor of Hospitality Management and Commercial Pilot License as PGWP-eligible programs. Students must still meet all applicable IRCC requirements to receive a work permit after graduation.
You may qualify if you graduate from an eligible program and meet IRCC's requirements. Bachelor's degree graduates generally need CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all four language skills. Eligible flight school graduates must meet the specific Canadian commercial pilot licence or flight instructor requirements. A PGWP is not guaranteed.
Yes. WCC offers additional diplomas, certificates, and aviation courses in areas such as healthcare, business, hospitality, information technology, and flight training. However, these programs are not automatically PGWP-eligible.
Explore Western Community College Programs
Browse all available Western Community College programs on the ApplyBoard platform and apply today.