All students need:

1. A completed application form
2. An email address
3. An Alberta Student Number
4. Recent Canadian Language Benchmarks results*

LINC Applicants also need to submit:

1. A LINC referral to Bow Valley College*
2. Immigration documents and photo ID (see notes below)

*CLB tests and LINC referrals are available at C-LARC (formerly known as ILVARC).

Visit the Welcome Centre at the Calgary South Campus to get started. If you need language help, please bring a friend or a family member with you.

Here are some questions we may ask when we meet with you:

• What is your immigration status?
• Do you want to attend school full-time or part-time?
• How many years did you go to school in your home country?
• What is your work schedule?

Eligibility for programs may depend on your citizenship status. Find your citizenship category below to learn more about your application process.  

Full-time English Language Learning (ELL) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Canadian citizens can apply for the English Language Learning (ELL) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programs. Funding is subject to eligibility requirements.

To apply, you will need to:

• Complete an application through Apply Alberta and pay the non-refundable application fee.
• Email your Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test results to registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca. If you don't have CLB results, you will have to complete an English placement test at C-LARC.
• If you're applying to the English for Academic Purposes program, you'll have to write the EAP placement test at Bow Valley College. We will send you information about testing after you apply.
• Check the Alberta Works page for more information about the process to apply for Alberta Works funding.

Please note that there are more options for youth between the ages of 18 and 24.

LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)

Permanent Residents and Convention Refugees/Protected Persons may be eligible to apply for the Full-time LINC or Part-time LINC programs.

About the LINC programs

• A student's class schedule will depend on their English level.
• Part-time LINC includes classes from CLB 4 to CLB 6. In order to apply for Part-time LINC, students must have minimum benchmarks 3,3,3,3 and must have completed 10 or more years of education in their home country.
• Full-time LINC applicants must have minimum benchmarks of 3,3,3,2 .

LINC application open and closed dates

How to apply for LINC

You will need to email the following documentation to registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca:

1. A completed application form
2. Photo ID  -  PR card or driver's license
3. Your immigration papers  -  Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Refugee Decision Letter
4. Your recent Canadian Language Benchmarks results

• If you studied at another school, you must also bring your LINC certificate
• If you do not have a benchmark test or referral, you will need to get one from C-LARC.

Full-time English Language Learning (ELL) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Permanent residents and refugees  may also be eligible for Full-time English Language Learning (ELL).
Permanent residents and refugees with CLB benchmarks of 6,6,6,6 or higher may also be eligible for English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Alberta Works funding is subject to eligibility requirements.  

To apply, you will need to:

• Complete an application through Apply Alberta and pay the non-refundable application fee.
• Email your Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test results to registrar@bowvalleycollege.ca. If you don't have CLB results, you will have to complete an English placement test at C-LARC.
• If you're applying to the English for Academic Purposes program, you'll have to write the EAP placement test at Bow Valley College. We will send you information about testing after you apply.
• Check the Alberta Works page for more information about the process to apply for Alberta Works funding.

Please note that there are more options for youth between the ages of 18 and 24.

Have questions?

If you have questions, contact the Welcome Centre

You can also find information in Spanish, French, Persian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Persian, Arabic, or Urdu, on our multi-language website

Are you an international student who wants to study English? Check out our International ELL program.

If you require academic accommodations, contact Learner Success Services four months prior to the start of scheduled classes to set-up your academic accommodation plan.

We will make reasonable effort to provide suitable accommodation, however, there is no guarantee that services will be available and it is possible that your start date may be deferred to provide the accommodation. While the college attempts to facilitate all accommodation requests, there is a current shortage of sign language interpreters.