Associate of Science

Diploma: Associate Degree

Location: Broadway

International students admissibility: Accepts International Students

Two scientists in lab coats and safety goggles conduct an experiment. One adjusts a device in a beaker of blue liquid.

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Overview

Complete two years of undergraduate science at VCC, earning a solid foundation for upper-level university programs or a standalone credential.

Tuition $15,084
Credential Associate Degree
Length 2 years
Hours Part- or Full-time
Delivery Class-based
Campus Broadway
Start Dates
Tuition N/A
Credential Associate Degree
Length 2 years
Hours N/A
Delivery Class-based
Campus Broadway
Start Dates
PGWP Not listed as eligible

What to expect

What you will learn

  • Analyze and interpret data collected through research or laboratory experiences
  • Apply the core concepts of introductory sciences to real world problems
  • Apply competent and relevant technology skills in solving problems
  • Work well independently and in a team environment
  • Use their scientific educational experiences as a solid foundation for academic readiness to higher level study at the third and fourth year level courses

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

The expected length of the program is two years. There is also the option of part-time studies, which would result in a longer time frame for completion of the credential. The maximum allowable time for students to complete the program is five years.

Admission Requirement

Program-specific

  • Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
  • English Studies 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or equivalent
  • Pre-Calculus 12 with a minimum ‘B’ grade, or equivalent
  • One of the following:
    • Anatomy & Physiology 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or 
    • Chemistry 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or
    • Physics 12 with a minimum ‘C+’ grade, or
    • Equivalent

Notes:

  1. Students are required to have successfully completed prerequisite courses leading to courses in the Associate degree (for example: prerequisite course Chemistry 12 or equivalent needs to be successfully completed in order to take CHEM 1121 Chemistry 1; a minimum of a ‘B’ grade in English 12 or equivalent is required to take ENGL 1100 English 1). See the requirements for each course. 
  2. Specific post-secondary level courses may be used to substitute for secondary school courses at the discretion of the appropriate departments.

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

Recommended Characteristics

Program Availability

Fall 2026

Program Start Date Sep 2026
Status Open
Application opens October 1, 2025
Application Deadline June 1, 2026

Winter 2027

Program Start Date Jan 2027
Status Open
Application opens February 1, 2026
Application Deadline October 1, 2026

Not currently available.

Courses

The Associate of Science degree requires the successful completion of a minimum 60 credits that have assigned or unassigned credit at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, or the University of Northern British Columbia.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 university-transferable credits at the 1st and 2nd-year level. These must include a minimum of 18 credits in Science at the second-year level taken in two or more subject areas (See Specific Requirements C2).

No course can be used to meet more than one of the specific requirements (for example, MATH 1120 as both a Math requirement and a First Year Science requirement).

Students can accumulate credits at more than one institution and have them count as transfer credits towards the Associate of Science degree at VCC as long as they meet the general and specific requirements of the credential.

Registration in courses is open to any student who meets the requirements for the course, regardless of program. Students in Open Studies or another program can later apply to the Associate Degree program, using any previously completed eligible courses toward associate degree requirements. However, students will need to meet the admission requirements to the program in order to complete the Associate of Science degree.

For further details about how a course is defined (e.g. arts/science/other, first-year/second-year, lab science/non-lab science etc.) please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca/learn-more-about/associate-degrees/

Students must complete:

A. 6 credits in first-year English

B. 6 credits in Mathematics which shall include at least 3 credits in Calculus (6 credits in Calculus is recommended)

C. 36 credits in Science which shall include:

C1. A minimum of 3 credits in a laboratory Science

C2. A minimum of 18 credits in second-year Science taken in at least two different subject areas (including additional Mathematics credits)

D. 6 credits in Arts other than English (excluding Mathematics and Laboratory-based Science courses)

E. 6 credits of first or second-year transferable courses in Arts, Science or other areas.

Total Program Credits: 60.0 credits (minimum)

This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and Costs

Application fee $36
Tuition $15,084
Student union $290
College initiative $181
Campus resource $302
Medical & Dental $570 Provided by Student Union
U-Pass $657 Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more.
Graduation $45
Total $17,163

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.

Need help with tuition?

Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.

Technical requirement

General technology requirements for online learning

Campus resource $302

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.

Need help with tuition?

Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.

Technical requirement

General technology requirements for online learning

How to Apply

Are you interested in this program?

Applications are open! Don't forget to:

Read the Associate of Science Course Selection Guide to find out more.

Do you have questions about University Transfer courses? Email our math, science, and humanities departments at:

Ready to apply?

Online

You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.

Mail

Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

Contact us

Advising services

Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: studentservice@vcc.ca

Advising services for International students

study@vcc.ca

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and we acknowledge our privilege to be here.