Occasionally, students discover that the program that they have been admitted to is not the right one for them. This can happen for a number of reasons including changes in career goals, disinterest in the subject matter, or discovery of new passions for learning.
Program change is a significant change, so you must make a formal request by submitting a Request for Program Change form to Campus Services.
Note that a fee for changing programs may apply.
Who may request a program change?
You may request a program change if you attended classes in the previous 12 months. You may not request a program change in your first semester until after the add/drop period of your first term.
If you have not started your program yet, contact Admissions for information about changing your application.
If you have not attended classes in the previous 12 months, you must apply for admission your desired program.
Note that program change may not be used to circumvent a requirement to withdraw.
When can you request a program change?
You can request a program change at any time but processing a request can take up to six weeks. In no circumstances will a program change take effect for the current semester after the add/drop date. There is no "rush" service available for program changes.
Early Period
If you request a program change in the three weeks following the add/drop period of the current semester:
The College guarantees a response to the request by the day before first day of subsequent semester registration.
Late Period
If you request a program change three weeks after the add/drop period of the current semester and more than four weeks before the first day of classes for the desired semester:
The College guarantees a response by the day before the first day of classes for the desired semester.
Limited Period
If you request a program change less than four weeks before the first day of classes for the desired semester and before the end of the add/drop period, the College will not guarantee a response until after the last day of the add/drop period. Therefore, you should enroll anticipating that you will not have a response in time to adjust your schedule.
How do I request a program change?
- Complete a Program Change Request form. To select the correct program, you may require academic advising. Please contact your program chair or Admissions.
- Submit the Program Change Request form to Campus Services in person or via email (StudentHelp@nlc.bc.ca).
- Wait for a reply.
| NOTE: International students are required to pay a non-refundable $100 application fee. For applicants that are approved, NLC will automatically issue an updated Letter of Acceptance (LOA) which may be submitted to Immigration Canada. |
What happens after I submit my request?
Your request will be assigned to a case manager. Your case manager may contact you to ask for additional information about why you are changing programs, or to alert you to problem related to your request.
The case manager will:
- Confirm NLC has room in the new program for you. Your case manager may recommend that you request a different start date/semester.
- Verify you meet the admission requirements for the new program.
- Ensure you are not in a disciplinary status (academic or misconduct).
- Advise you in writing of the outcome (approved or denied).
If your request is approved, your program will be revised effective for the semester noted. Note that the graduation requirements of the new program, are those in effect on the start date of the new program, not those in effect when you were originally admitted to NLC.