Student FAQs

You can take your pick from over 60 career-training programs, applied degrees, and apprenticeships and plunge into hundreds of classroom-based and online credit classes right away. You’ll be active in your education and an important voice in classroom conversations. And your hands-on experience will truly be hands-on – whether you’re studying carpentry, civil engineering technology or the culinary arts. You’ll move quickly from the classroom to the workplace as most programs can be completed in 24 months. 

Get a glimpse of the choices that await you as a student at Lethbridge College. Don’t forget that you can contact us at any time by calling 403-320-3366 or 1-800-572-0103 ext. 3366

There are seven routes for general admission: high school, mature, transfer, international, upgrading, open studies and pathways to advanced learning. The information below applies to general admission, but you should also check with your program as there may be additional program-specific requirements, too.  

• High school: You must provide high school transcripts showing successful completion of a Canadian high school diploma from a publicly-funded institution.
• Mature: You do not require a high school diploma to apply through this admission route. However, you must be 19 or older by the first day of classes; have been out of high school for at least one year; and meet an English requirement.  
• Transfer: You must provide post-secondary transcripts showing successful completion of at least three post-secondary level credit courses from a publicly-funded Canadian-accredited institution. You must be in good academic standing and have completed the courses within the last five years. 
• International: Please refer to the international document assessment page for details on how you can qualify for admission as an international student. 
• Upgrading: In some cases, you may require upgrading to be eligible for admission into programs. In this case, you can choose the Academic Upgrading program. Read more on how to start upgrading at Lethbridge College. 
• Open studies: You can register for credit courses without applying to a designated program of study by registering as an open studies student. Certain conditions apply. Learn more here. 
• Pathways to advanced learning: Accessing laddering opportunities into advanced credentials ensures that your admission requirements for the next level program are met. Contact an academic advisor for more information on this admission route. 
• No high school diploma/alternate admission routes: Four programs (Agriculture and Heavy Equipment, Automotive Services, Culinary Arts and Health Care Aide) may not require a high school diploma. For more information about this or alternate paths to admission, check with an academic advisor at 403-320-3366.

If you need help getting started, just contact us by phone (403-320-4903) or 1-800-572-0103 ext. 4903) or by email. We are happy to help you. 

Choosing a post-secondary program and a career path can be challenging. That’s why we offer Career and Academic Advising for students to learn about career fields that relate to our program offerings.

With over 60 programs to choose from, you’ll have no problem finding the right fit for your interests and skills. From day one of your first semester, you’ll be actively engaged in relevant, hands-on training in the program of your choice. You’ll be in, out and working in your chosen field, usually in less than 24 months. 

Your education doesn’t have to end here either. Many of our programs transfer to universities in Canada and around the world. We give you the opportunity to customize your education and your career.

Contact a student recruiter by calling 403-320-3366 or 1-800-572-0103 ext. 3366. Reach us through email at [email protected].

Yes! Stop by to visit our newly created Pride Lounge opening Fall 2018, located in AN1717, and get involved with our LCSA LGBTQ + club.

Lethbridge College’s LCSA/LGBTQ+ is an important resource for college students who may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or any of the other diverse identities that make up our community. We offer educational programming and access to resources of interest, as well as a physical space for students and staff to meet and socialize with each other. As advocates for gender and sexual diversity, we are committed to providing LGBTQ+ students a safe and supportive campus, absent of discrimination, where the expression of one’s gender and sexual identity is welcomed and respected.

Our LGBTQ+ Club is a student initiative that focuses on creating a fun and safe place and hosts social events. All students who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies are welcome to join in at any time. Questions about the club or an activity? Feel free to drop by the Pride Lounge in AN1717 for more information.

Lethbridge College is committed to fostering an environment of inclusiveness and supporting students' preferred form of self-identification. Our faculty and staff members understand that allowing individuals the freedom to define their own identity, including the way in which they would like others to refer to them, is a vital component of respecting an individual’s gender identity.

Your instructors want all students to feel comfortable in their classrooms, and using your preferred pronouns is one way they can signal their respect and support. We understand that it may be difficult to discuss your gender pronouns with someone new. But our instructors are approachable and appreciate knowing your preferences. We encourage you to contact your instructors before your first day of class and ask them to call you by your preferred name and pronouns.

You can also use this text as a template for sending an email to your professors if you are looking for help getting started.

Dear [instructor’s name],

My name is [preferred name], and I will be attending your course, [name of course], on [days] at [time] this [term]. My name will probably show up on your roster as [birth name], but I would prefer to go by [preferred name here] and to be referred to with [preferred] pronouns. I would appreciate it if you called me [preferred name] in class.

Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to starting your course next week.

Sincerely,

[Preferred name]

Program cost estimates for tuition and fees are posted on every program page under the "Your Investment" tab. We also publish as master cost estimate sheet for all programs. It may be viewed here: Program Cost Estimates.

Budget Wizard

Costs for tuition, fees, books and residence (if needed) vary depending on the program and choice of residence. Use our Budget Wizard to help estimate your costs. This is a free, self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. With a bit of discipline and a good attitude, you’ll be able to stick to it. We suggest you then contact our Student Awards and Financial Aid office to discuss other financial questions. 

Paying for your college education  

Once you've used Budget Wizard to determine how much your education is going to cost, you'll want to figure out how you'll pay for it. There are a few different ways to access additional funds to help pay for your post-secondary education, including student loans, awards and scholarships, and grants. You can read more about these funding sources online.  

Don’t rely on these to cover all of your expenses, though. Start preparing now by setting aside resources to help you cover the cost of your education. Then, get in touch with our Student Awards and Financial Aid office. Staff members there are experts in helping students make their college education as affordable as it can be and they can guide you through the process of applying for scholarships, grants, bursaries and student loans. 

Contact Student Awards by calling 403-320-3371 or 1-800-572-0103 ext. 3372.

Lethbridge College students can live on campus in single or shared residences, or off campus with family, friends, other college students or on their own.  Here are some options:

Living on campus

Living in residence means a lot more than just fast friends and a quick walk to class; you’ll also be part of a community. Residence Life organizes a wide variety of events to promote shared values in residence, academic success and overall fun times.

You can choose to live in a single room, an apartment-style setting or a family suite. Learn more here.

Contact Residence by calling 403-320-7218 or 1-800-572-0103 ext. 7218 or email [email protected].

Living off campus

If you want to live off campus but stay close to the action, look for places on the south side of the city. It’s not a necessity though, as most places in Lethbridge are only a 15-minute drive or 30-minute bus ride away. Learn more here.

Wondering what Lethbridge is like?

For a closer look at Lethbridge and its amenities, visit the City of Lethbridge and Explore Southwest Alberta. 

Lethbridge College is proud to provide assistance to our First Nations, Métis and Inuit students – from prospective students to alumni – in achieving their career and personal goals.  

Through our Circle of Services, you can access: 

• information on programs, admissions, registration and study skills
• assistance with Indigenous funding, awards and scholarships 
• personal, cultural, academic and career advising 
• social, educational, cultural and sporting events 

If you are considering coming to Lethbridge College, be assured that you’ll be supported throughout the process by our Indigenous recruiter, our Indigenous academic and career advisor, our Indigenous student advisor, our Indigenous Cultural Support program, our Indigenous Student Advisory Council and our FNMI Career Pathways program, and that you can find friends and support in our Indigenous Services and Student Lounge.  

Situated on traditional Blackfoot territory, Lethbridge College recognizes and celebrates the rich heritage and culture of the Blackfoot people.

Discover all that Lethbridge College has to offer our Indigenous students in the Indigenous viewbook, and contact us by email or at 1-800-572-0103 ext. 3322 (double check extension)  if you have any questions. 

Yes! Lethbridge College is a home away from home for international students from more than 40 countries each year. Here are a few highlights:

• Lethbridge is a safe, vibrant community of more than 95,000 people. It's large enough to provide many amenities found in larger centers – upscale shopping, dining and live local entertainment – but small enough to remain a safe, secure place to live.
• As a Designated Learning Institution (DLI # O19391056756 – begins with the letter “O”, not zero), Lethbridge College is able to offer all its programs to international students. All our credit academic programs (including ESL) are designated and open to international students. Browse our programs and find the right fit for your future or find out more about English language training. 
• International students are charged three times the tuition fee amount. However, other fees are charged at the same rate as domestic students. Tuition fees and overall program cost estimates are listed in the tables online. More detailed program cost estimates can be found here. 

Find out more about being an international student at Lethbridge College. Reach out to international Services by emailing [email protected].

Check out the Learning Café, Lethbridge College’s learning assistance centre. Whatever your skill level or program, we can help you develop the skills, strategies and behaviours needed to succeed in your coursework and professional life. Our qualified team of academic strategists and peer tutors provides a variety of academic services from workshops and presentations to face-to-face and online appointments. 

Academic skills support 

We can all benefit from a little expert advice from time to time. You can access face-to-face academic skills support from our academic strategists on a drop-in or appointment basis. Or, if you don’t have time to stop by the Learning Café, phone or online appointments may be available. Our academic strategists can assist with writing, research and APA documentation; math, sciences and basic computer skills; Canvas and online learning skills; group work; and presentation skills. 

Peer tutoring 

If you are experiencing difficulties with specialized course content not typically supported by our academic strategists, peer tutoring might just be the answer for you. We provide free one-on-one and small group learning assistance to students in credit courses at the Lethbridge campus.  

Study skills 

Set yourself up for success with solid study skills. We offer individual appointments, workshops and class presentations on a variety of topics, including effective study practices, test taking, note taking, academic reading, time management and online learning skills. Join us for an upcoming workshop or assess your study skills online. 

For any other information, stop by CE1340 (the southwest section of the library), call us at 403-382-6952 or send us an email. 

Yes! We have a team of registered nurses, doctors, and counsellors who make your health and wellbeing their priority. Contact Wellness Services by calling 403-320-3289 or 1-800-572-0103 ext. 3289.

Health services 

Our health care team of registered nurses, and doctors are here to provide services that positively influence your health and well-being. We can also connect you to the most appropriate support services. Our services include, but are not limited to, doctor clinics, immunizations, sexual health and first aid. And our registered nurses are available to answer your health concerns and questions. 

Counselling services 

Our Counselling Services offer a variety of services to help you meet the challenges of achieving your personal, professional and academic potential. The primary form of support is personal counselling, which provides an opportunity to work collaboratively with a professional counsellor to solve personal issues. Counselling workshops and groups will also be offered throughout the school year.

Counselling can be sought for many reasons, including: 

• managing stress/distress
• mental health concerns (like anxiety or depression) 
• suicidal thoughts 
• substance use/addiction 
• relationship stress 
• career and academic issues 
• any other personal issues you may be facing 

To set up an appointment or for more information email [email protected].

Gender Based Violence Support

Wellness Services is committed to providing a safe space for disclosures and support for anyone who has experienced gender based sexual violence.  To connect with supports or information for gender based sexual violence contact [email protected]  

Yes! The friendly and knowledgeable people in our Accessibility Services office can arrange services to meet your needs. We provide flexible, innovative and collaborative support for the success of diverse learners while advancing a culture of universal teaching and learning.

We are able to support prospective and current students with disabilities, including: 

• learning disabilities (e.g. math, reading, writing, processing)
• developmental disabilities (e.g. fetal alcohol effect and autism spectrum) 
• ADHD – inattentive type (formerly known as ADD) 
• sensory impairments (e.g. deaf/hard-of-hearing, blind/partially sighted) 
• physical disabilities 
• mental health impacts 
• chronic medical conditions 
• temporary mobility issues (e.g. broken arm) 

We know you're unique. That's why we work with you to create your own pathway to academic success. Our key supports include: 

• disability advising
• review of disability-related history and documentation 
• disability-related funding applications 
• requests for academic accommodations, including referrals to other campus services or community agencies; accommodated testing or additional support (such as tutoring, strategies and assistive technology). 

For more information on services for students with disabilities, please stop by CE1340, call us at 403-320-3202 ext. 5400 or send us an email. We look forward to working with you.

Yes! On-campus day care is provided by the accredited Hands on Early Learning Centre. Since we first opened in 1975, we’ve been providing students with peace of mind – while you’re studying for your future, your child is just down the hall receiving high-quality child care.