VanWest College Kelowna
Truly Canadian Experience in Kelowna
Located in the heart of the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Kelowna is an ideal destination for international students looking for a truly Canadian experience. The bright modern campus is an easy walk to both the main bus station and the lake. At VanWest College Kelowna you will be greeted with a warm smile every morning and a feeling of ‘family’ everyday.
– 8 Classrooms
– Computer Lab
– Student Lounge
– Downtown Kelowna
– Small class sizes = personalized attention
– Academic pathways and career-focused ESL programmes
– Opportunity to study and work (with certain programmes)
– Affordable Cost of Living
– Lower rent and daily expenses compared to major Canadian cities
– Student-friendly housing options available
– Convenient Location – Easy to reach from Vancouver (short flight or scenic bus ride)
– Access to regional airport with flights across Canada
– Smaller, Friendly Community Safe, welcoming, and inclusive city
– Easy to make friends and feel at home
– Less crowded and less expensive than big cities like Vancouver or Toronto
– 90% of Kelowna population’s first language is English
Highlights
- Small class sizes for personalized learning and more speaking practice in every lesson.
- Study in beautiful Kelowna, surrounded by lakes, mountains, and a relaxed Canadian lifestyle.
- Diverse student community creates a welcoming, multicultural environment for all learners.
- Career-focused ESL programmes with work options help you build language and job skills together.
Programmes Offered
General English
English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
English for Business
Speak Up (All Day Speaking)
Electives
English for Youth
English & Volunteer Experience (YCC)
Hospitality Management Co-op Diploma
High School Preparation
Contact
Staying with a Canadian family is an excellent way to improve your English.
Homestay
VanWest College ensures safe, comfortable and friendly host families. Our homestay families have worked with us for many years. Homestays are a wonderful way to experience Canadian culture and learn about the surrounding area while being part of a Canadian family. All of VanWest College’s host families have passed a criminal record check and are carefully selected by the homestay coordinator. We regularly monitor and evaluate the host families to ensure the safety of each student. Surrounded by local Canadians, pick up everyday vocabulary and speak like a native in a homestay.
Residence
VanWest Kelowna Copeland Residence is located in the heart of Kelowna. Living in the student residence makes it easy for students to meet new people and live in a study-oriented atmosphere. The student residence has easy access to restaurants, shopping mall, movie theatre, and public transportation. It is exclusively offered to full-time students in Kelowna only.
- Homestay
- Residence
A large part of your experience will be after school hours when you will meet new friends and enjoy all that Kelowna has to offer. VanWest College organizes a variety of activities to suit people of all nationalities and interests. VanWest College activities are educational, cultural, entertaining and athletic. A number of our activities are also travel and work related. Kelowna offers a perfect mix of natural beauty and city life.
The VanWest College campus is located downtown—just steps from lakeside beaches, cozy cafés, trendy shops, and great public transit options. Kelowna is known for its safe, friendly atmosphere and outdoor lifestyle. Students can enjoy hiking, biking, paddleboarding, or skiing in the nearby mountains—all just minutes away.
With over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, it’s a year-round playground. Popular with both tourists and locals, the city also boasts award-winning vineyards, a lively arts scene, and plenty of local festivals. It’s a great place to improve your English, make friends from around the world, and live your best Canadian life.
Exams
We offer a Hospitality Management Co-op Diploma Programme in our Kelowna campus and our co-op department provides individual Work Placement support for programme students to make when they start co-op term, all students have full time jobs.
More Features
VanWest College Kelowna is proud of its warm, inclusive community, where students from over 30 countries come together to learn, grow, and connect. This multicultural environment fosters a global perspective and lifelong friendships, both in and out of the classroom. One of our standout features is our English and Volunteering Programme and Work and Study Co-op programme, which allows eligible students to gain valuable Canadian work experience while studying English—an ideal way to build resumes and confidence in real-world settings. We also offer personalized support and small class sizes, ensuring students receive individual attention and guidance throughout their learning journey. Plus, our frequent social activities—from winery tours to ski trips—make studying here an unforgettable experience.
Testimonials
Related Schools
VanWest College Vancouver
VanWest College is a privately owned Canadian college with two locations in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia.
- Adults 16+/Max Class size 18
- Juniors 7+/Max Class size 18
- Year-round with winter camp open in January and summer camp in July-August
- English
