Exchange offers students the opportunity to live and study abroad for a semester or two, experiencing cultural immersion and academic enrichment. In the outbound program, students are selected to study and live abroad for a semester, fostering their personal growth, global awareness, and language proficiency while forming lasting connections with students from different cultures. Simultaneously, the inbound program welcomes international students from various countries, providing them with a chance to experience Canada, access quality education and develop cross-cultural competencies.
Exchange Partners
See below a list of international partner institution that NIC has an exchange agreement with.
Learn more about our partnership agreements.
NIC is also a member of the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) Multilateral Student Exchange Program - an international agreement that streamlines the study abroad process for over 500 institutions in 35 countries
Exchange Eligibility
Semester Exchange Eligibility
- Students must be in good academic standing and must have completed a minimum one full semester at NIC (and be currently enrolled)
- Students will need to have a valid passport
- Note, passports must be valid for 6 months after their expected return to Canada
- If you don’t have a passport, you will need to apply for one but please note that processing times vary and may impact eligibility to travel
How to Apply
- Complete the OGE Exchange application form
- Submit the OGE Field School Application Form via email to istudyabroad@nic.bc.ca
- Check your NIC email for important communications and next steps
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
WINTER 2025 (January 2025 – April 2025) - Application deadline is October 15th, 2024
FALL 2025 (September 2025 – December 2025) - Application deadline is February 15th, 2025
Please note, each partner institution will have their own application deadlines and requirements. Students are responsible for making note of these and following the partner institutions' instructions in addition to NIC. OGE will screen applications and nominate students to partner institutions, however it is up to the partner institution to accept or decline an applicant.
If invited to participate in an exchange, students will be required to participate fully and complete the following activities:
- Make a tuition deposit payment to NIC (note, your full tuition will be due at NIC's tuition deadlines)
- Attend three mandatory virtual pre-departure sessions with OGE
- Complete pre-departure forms and various activities with the support of OGE
- Provide copies of their passport and government-issued photo ID to OGE
- Acquire a study permit/visa (if applicable) and provide a copy to OGE
- Complete a Registration of Canadians Abroad (or comparable with your country's government)
- Complete your course selection with an academic advisor and acquire a letter of permission from your department chair (if applicable)
- Complete various financial aid support documents (if applicable)
- Complete a post-exchange survey and various activities with the support of OGE
- Submit an application for transfer request form and provide copies of your courses' syllabi (if you want to receive transfer credit for the course work you did abroad)
Costs and Financial Supports
NIC Students will continue to pay NIC tuition/fees while participating in an exchange program.
Students should make a budget and plan accordingly for their time abroad. It is important to note that costs will vary depending on the country of exchange (accommodations, meals, etc.). Students are required to meet with an NIC financial aid advisor prior to their exchange.
There are various Study Abroad financial supports available. If you are selected to participate in a field school, an OGE team member will help you review your options.
Inbound Exchange
Inbound exchange offers foreign students an exceptional educational experience, cultural immersion, personal growth, and a pathway to global opportunities. By joining our college community, students become part of a supportive and inclusive environment that nurtures their academic, personal and professional aspirations.
NIC welcomes inbound exchange students for the following terms:
- Fall 2025 (September to December) - Apply by May 15, 2025
- Winter 2026 (January to April) - Apply by Oct. 1, 2025
How to Apply
- Complete NIC's International Application Form
- Contact your international office to nominate you with the NIC Exchange Nomination Form
- Collect the following documents:
- Clear image of your passport information page
- Clear image of your government-issued photo identification
- Copy of transcript from your home institution
- Submit the above items via email to istudyabroad@nic.bc.ca. Please note, incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Your admissions decision will be emailed to your personal email – if accepted, you will be assigned an NIC student number student email.
Moving forward, all communications will be sent to your NIC student email, so it is important you get into the habit of checking it regularly.
Once admitted, OGE staff will reach out to start your course selection process and support you with finding accommodation and various pre-arrival activities.
Contact Us
Have questions or need some support? Email us at istudyabroad@nic.bc.ca.
