Post Secondary Education Planning

Post-secondary education and training includes many different types of institutions, programs, and credentials. Understanding how they differ can help you identify options and decide what to investigate further.

Universities -Offer academic and professional programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, including programs in areas such as arts, sciences, education, nursing, engineering, and business.

Colleges – Offer certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, university-transfer programs, and career-focused training. Programs may prepare people for employment or provide a pathway to further education.

Institutes and other post-secondary institutions – Offer specialized education and training in areas such as technology, health, business, arts, and other fields. Programs may lead to certificates, diplomas, degrees, or other credentials.

Trades and apprenticeships – Provide specialized training for practical occupations in many different industries. Apprenticeships combine paid work experience with technical training, while foundation and other introductory programs can provide a starting point for exploring a trade.

Certificates, diplomas, and degrees – Post-secondary programs can lead to different types of credentials. A certificate generally represents completion of a shorter or specialized program. A diploma usually involves a longer course of study and may provide preparation for employment or further education. An associate degree is a two-year undergraduate degree offered by some colleges and universities and may provide preparation for employment or a pathway to further study. A degree is awarded through a university or other degree-granting institution and may be required for certain professions or further academic study.

The meaning and requirements of a certificate, diploma, degree, or other credential can vary by program, so it is important to look at what a particular credential represents and what it can be used for.

Getting In

Moving from high school into post-secondary education is not a single, fixed process for homeschoolers. Unlike the traditional school pathway, where students typically apply with a standard transcript and set of required courses, homeschoolers may arrive at this stage through a variety of routes.

Some teens will have completed a Dogwood or Adult Diploma through online or traditional schooling. Others may apply using a combination of courses, portfolios, or documented learning. In some cases, prospective students enter post-secondary through upgrading, open studies, or alternative admission pathways rather than a traditional graduation credential.

Because of this flexibility, there is no single “homeschool admission route.” Instead, post-secondary institutions look for evidence that a prospective student is prepared for their chosen program, and that evidence can take several different forms depending on the pathway taken.

It is also important to distinguish between an institution’s general admission requirements and the requirements for a specific program. Meeting an institution’s general admission requirements does not necessarily mean that a young person meets the requirements for a particular program. Individual programs may have additional prerequisites, courses, grades, tests, portfolios, auditions, interviews, or other requirements.

Admission Using a Dogwood Diploma

This is the most common admission pathway used by BC high school graduates. Homeschoolers can also choose to enrol in an online or physical school as students in the school system and work toward completing the Dogwood Diploma. Admission is then based on a BC transcript and graduation credentials, although many post-secondary programs also require specific Grade 11 and 12 courses as prerequisites. Requirements and competitive averages vary depending on the institution and the program being applied to.

Admission Using an Adult Dogwood Diploma

Some teens and young adults may choose to earn their Adult Dogwood Diploma. This requires the completion of 5 specific courses which can be obtained by cross-enrolling in BC Online Learning schools. The certification requires that three of the five courses be completed after the age of 18. Once the Adult Dogwood Diploma is awarded, it is treated as equivalent for post-secondary admission purposes. As with the standard Dogwood, some programs may still require specific Grade 11 and 12 courses or prerequisites depending on the field of study.

Program-Specific Requirements

General admission to an institution does not necessarily mean admission to every program of study. Individual programs may have additional requirements. Homeschoolers will need to have the required learning before being accepted into a program of choice. This is the case even for high school graduates.

For example, a university may allow general admission with certain Grade 12 courses, while its nursing program may require specific courses and minimum grades. An art program may require a portfolio, a music program may require an audition, and a trades program may require first aid training or entrance requirements.

If a homeschooler does not already have the required prerequisites for a particular program, there are ways to obtain them through course upgrading, post-secondary courses, testing, or other approved routes.

Admission with Individual Prerequisite Courses on a BC Transcript

Many homeschoolers meet post-secondary program admission requirements by completing only the specific Grade 11 or 12 courses needed for a chosen program rather than following a full high school curriculum. This is usually done through cross-enrolling in online learning schools or adult upgrading. In some cases, institutions may also consider additional evidence of readiness alongside required courses.

This pathway is typically used once a specific program has been identified and admission requirements have been confirmed through post-secondary advising or program information. The focus is then on completing only the required prerequisites for that program, rather than building a full transcript.

This approach can be a practical way to prepare for targeted program entry, but it depends on early clarity around requirements and making sure all prerequisites and supporting evidence are completed in time for application deadlines.

Admission as a Homeschooled Applicant (Without a Transcript)

Some institutions have specific admission pathways for homeschoolers who do not hold a Dogwood Diploma. In these cases, applicants may be asked to provide evidence of learning and readiness in place of a standard transcript. This could be parent-generated transcripts, course descriptions, portfolios, reading lists, reference letters, interviews, written essays, or assessments, specific prerequisite skills, or employer sponsorship (specifically in trades).

A portfolio or evidence package may include materials such as:

a short letter of academic intent
a transcript of the subjects studied
scope and sequence of resources used (a table of contents of the textbook, for example)
transcripts of any accredited courses taken (secondary school courses, open studies, or adult upgrading courses)
assessment outcomes
dated work and writing samples
reading lists
extracurricular activities (music, sports, volunteering, employment, etc.)
letters of recommendation or references from instructors, employers, parents

Requirements vary significantly between institutions, and each school may assess these materials differently depending on the program being applied to.

Unclassified, Non-Degree, and Open Studies

Some institutions allow students to begin post-secondary study through open studies or general studies programs without being formally admitted into a degree program. This means a prospective student can take individual courses on a part-time or exploratory basis, rather than committing immediately to a full program.

In some cases, successful completion of these courses can later be used when applying for formal admission, and may be considered alongside or in place of traditional high school credentials depending on the institution. Open studies can be a practical option for those who want to gradually transition into post-secondary learning, explore interests before committing to a program, or strengthen a future application through demonstrated academic performance.

Mature Student Admission (as young as 16)

Mature student admission is available at many post-secondary institutions once an applicant reaches the institution’s mature student age threshold – anywhere from 16-23, or their “time away from school” requirement depending on the institution. This pathway does not place emphasis on the completion of high school and a full transcript is not required.

In most cases, admission is based solely on an English or communication assessment to determine readiness for post-secondary study. Specific programs of study may also require certain prerequisite courses depending on the area of study. Schools will often offer assessment and placement exams to determine readiness in Math as well as English. Pre-requisite courses can be obtained through Online Learning, Continuing Ed, or most conveniently, at the school in which you have been admitted.

The BC Transfer System

In BC, most colleges and universities are part of a transfer system where credits from one institution are recognized and accepted by other institutions.

This benefits homeschoolers in that a homeschooler can enter an institution with a low mature student age or a preferable classroom size and environment and later transfer their credits to another institution as the child matures or settles on their end goals. The new school would look at the recent post secondary credits, not the lack of high school credits.

Students complete a set number of university transfer courses or one or two years of a certificate or degree program of study in a local college, for instance, before transferring to finish their degree or trades program at another institution.

BC Transfer Guide

Admission requirements can be different even for similar programs at different institutions. When a homeschooler’s circumstances do not fit the usual admission category, speaking directly with the admissions office or program advisor can help clarify the available options. Speak to a person who makes the decisions, not the person who upholds the general rules.

Ask specifically how a homeschool education can be documented, whether a graduation credential is required, what prerequisites are required, and what alternative admission routes are available. Knowing the requirements in advance can help you choose the most appropriate path and avoid earning courses or credentials that are not necessary for the program you want to enter.

Planning Your Path

There is often more than one way to reach the same educational or career goal. Understanding the different routes can help you choose a path that fits your young person’s interests, circumstances, and goals.

Choose a program based on future goals – Consider what your child wants to do next and work backward to identify the education, training, experience, or credentials that may be needed.
Compare different routes to the same destination – A particular career may be reached through different combinations of university, college, trades, apprenticeships, career training, work experience, or other education and training.
Starting at a college and transferring to a university – Some young people begin at a college and later transfer to a university to continue toward a full degree. This can be an option when a college program or transfer pathway is a better fit for the first stage of their education.
Using the BC Transfer Guide – The BC Transfer Guide provides information about how courses and programs transfer between participating post-secondary institutions in BC.
Taking post-secondary courses without being admitted to a degree program – Some institutions offer open studies, unclassified studies, or other options that allow people to take individual courses without being admitted to a specific degree program.
Planning prerequisites and other requirements in advance – Some programs require particular courses, grades, tests, portfolios, or other qualifications. Identifying these requirements early can help you plan the most appropriate route.

Learn More:

Find an Institution

Education Planner BC

Paying for Post-Secondary

Post-secondary education and training can be paid for in many ways. Depending on the program and the young person’s circumstances, funding may come from government programs, the institution itself, private organizations, employers, or other sources.

Student loans and grants -Government financial assistance such as BC StudentAid, Canada Student Grants, and student loans.
Scholarships and bursaries -Awards based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, athletics, specific interests, or other criteria. These are not just for school kids with great grades.
Institution-specific funding – Scholarships, bursaries, awards, and other financial assistance offered by colleges, universities, institutes, and other institutions.
Other funding and assistance – Education savings, employer assistance, community awards, and funding available for particular circumstances or programs.
Apprenticeship and trades funding – Financial assistance available to apprentices and people entering skilled trades, including supports related to technical training.