Douglas College: British Columbia’s Largest College and a Gateway to Opportunity

Douglas College stands as one of British Columbia’s most dynamic and accessible post-secondary institutions. As the largest college in British Columbia, Douglas has been transforming lives and building communities since its founding in 1970. With well over 50 years of educational heritage, the college has earned a distinguished reputation for combining the academic foundations of a university with the career-ready skills of a college—a powerful formula that prepares students for both further education and immediate employment.

A Name Rooted in History

The college is named after Sir James Douglas, born in 1803, who became British Columbia’s first governor. This namesake reflects the institution’s deep connection to the province’s heritage and its commitment to serving the communities of British Columbia with the same pioneering spirit that defined its namesake. Buy fake diploma online.

Campuses Across Metro Vancouver

Douglas College operates two major campuses in Metro Vancouver—New Westminster and Coquitlam—as well as several training centres in Surrey, Burnaby and Maple Ridge. The New Westminster Campus, located at 700 Royal Avenue, sits just one block from the New Westminster SkyTrain station. The Coquitlam Campus, at 1250 Pinetree Way, is situated one kilometre north of Coquitlam Centre mall. With both main campuses directly on SkyTrain lines, Douglas is one of the most accessible post-secondary institutions in the region, drawing students from across Metro Vancouver. In a significant development for student life, a new 20-storey building at the New Westminster campus will feature both academic spaces and student housing—the first of its kind for the college—with an expected opening in the fall of 2027.

Sports and Extracurricular Activities Alongside Your Douglas College Degree

Academic Excellence Across Six Faculties

Douglas College’s academic programs are organized into six faculties: Applied Community Studies, Commerce and Business Administration, Health Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Language, Literature and Performing Arts, and Science and Technology. The college offers 12 bachelor’s degrees as well as certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, and post-degree programs. Popular programs include the Associate Degree in Science, Associate Degree in Psychology, Associate Degree in Arts, General Studies Diploma, and Criminology Diploma. Unique offerings such as Therapeutic Recreation, Hearing Instrument Practitioner, and Geological Resources provide students with specialized career pathways.

The Best of Both Worlds

Douglas College’s defining characteristic is its applied academic model. As an applied academic institution, it combines deep, well-rounded academic education with applied, real-world skills. Students receive rigorous theoretical foundations alongside practical, hands-on training that makes them immediately valuable to employers. Programs are tailored to offer practical opportunities through co-ops, job shadowing, internships, community projects, and applied research with partner organizations. The college’s strong academic base ensures that the majority of for-credit courses transfer to research universities across Canada, providing students with flexible pathways to reach their academic goals.

A Diverse and Global Community

Douglas College educates close to 25,000 students per year. Each year, approximately 17,000 students take for-credit courses, including 4,210 international students from over 92 countries. The college also serves around 8,500 students through Continuing Education and The Training Group, offering hundreds of short-term, non-credit courses, programs and workshops. With over 960 experienced, teaching-focused faculty bringing both academic rigor and real-world experience to the classroom, supported by more than 900 other employees, Douglas creates a friendly, inspiring, supportive and respectful environment.

Student Support and Career Success

Douglas College is committed to student success from application to graduation. The Advising Services team provides academic support and financial planning throughout a student’s time at the college. Free, confidential counselling services help students manage stress, relationship issues, and personal challenges. The Career Centre assists students and graduates in building their careers. The college consistently achieves strong graduate outcomes, with 85–90% of students finding employment after completing their studies. Upon graduation, students join a lifelong community of over 262,000 Douglas alumni.

Athletics and Campus Life

The Douglas College Royals compete in eight sports—men’s baseball, women’s basketball, men’s basketball, women’s soccer, men’s soccer, women’s softball, and women’s and men’s volleyball. The Royals were a founding member of the PACWEST in 1970, the same year the college was founded, and have become one of the most successful programs in Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association history.

As British Columbia’s largest college, Douglas College continues to fulfill its mission of providing educational experiences that challenge, enlighten and open doors to lives of passion and purpose. For students seeking a supportive community, quality education, and clear pathways to success, Douglas College remains an outstanding choice.