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About Us

Alexander College is a private post-secondary institution serving approximately 3,000 students every year.

Alexander College student wearing an Alexander College tshirt

About Alexander College

Alexander College offers a variety of undergraduate programs, including University Transfer, an Associate of Arts degree, and an Associate of Science degree. An integrated English for Academic Purposes program is also available to assist non-native English speakers with their transition to university level studies in the English language.

Alexander College programs are approved by the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, by the Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB), and by the BC Education Quality Assurance (EQA) branch. Alexander College is also a proud participant in the BC Transfer System, organized by the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT). The academic year has four terms: Fall (Sept-Dec), Winter (Jan-Apr), Spring (May-July) and Summer intensive (July-Aug).

Vision

Located in British Columbia Canada, Alexander College aspires to be internationally recognized as a welcoming, inclusive community, where students are academically and socially supported on their quest for success in their studies and careers.

Mission

Alexander College offers excellence in higher education for international and domestic students through university transfer courses, degrees, and other programs to meet the needs of students and the community in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Alexander College Students outside Burnaby campus

Core Themes and Commitments

  • Provide a supportive, individualized learning environment that respects and accommodates the diverse experiences, interests, needs, and identity of each student.
  • Maintain excellence in internationally recognized university courses, degrees and other programs through on-going monitoring, updating and advising from internal and external subject experts.
  • Facilitate equitable access to educational resources and learning support services for academic achievement and community engagement.
  • Demonstrate, through concrete actions and contributions, respect and responsibility for all members of the college community: students, staff, and faculty, as well as the communities of Metro Vancouver.
  • Build transferable skills and knowledge for future employability, including communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and intercultural awareness.

Values

Diversity and Inclusion

We value and welcome the ways in which people differ. We work to make sure all people in the community are included and empowered. We support and encourage engagement in the learning community and beyond.

Integrity and Accountability

We work to build trust by being fair and transparent. We make commitments and follow through. We are answerable for our actions.

Respect and Responsibility

We honour each person’s dignity and capability and treat them with care and high regard. We are reliable and trustworthy in fulfilling our obligations.

Excellence and Innovation

We strive to provide a rigorous and engaging academic experience. We seek creative ways to continuously improve our courses, programs, and services to meet the needs and of students, faculty, and staff.

Connection and Community

We deliberately build connections and experiences that open opportunities for students. Through our activities in Metro Vancouver and beyond, we support and are supported by our relationships with local and global communities and cultures.

Our History

Established in 2006 under the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education, Alexander College consists of two urban campuses. These campuses are located in Burnaby and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Alexander College first offered University Transfer and English for Academic Purposes programs. From the beginning, we have designed our programs to help first- and second-year undergraduates achieve success in their transition to the post-secondary environment. This success is facilitated by strong student support and readily available services.

A photo of downtown Vancouver

Our name, Alexander College, is from Sir Alexander Mackenzie, the Scottish-born fur trade adventurer and author. Alexander Mackenzie holds a special place in Canadian history. Thus, Alexander College’s name reflects a spirit of achievement and vision.

Since the early days in our history, Alexander College has undergone planned growth in all aspects of its operations, including student enrollment, faculty, staff, administration, and physical space. AC offers a versatile university transfer program as well as an extensive range of concentrations in Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. We are currently developing Bachelor degrees to meet the needs of BC and Canadian communities.

In recent years, the turmoil caused by COVID-19 was clearly a major event. Like other institutions, Alexander College demonstrated resilience and innovation during the pandemic. The legacy of that experience involves enhanced capacity and expertise in synchronous and asynchronous online delivery, and additional methodologies that complement our emphasis on in-person instruction.

Today, as one of the largest associate-degree-granting private institutions in the province, we are braced to face a new set of challenges, from the emergence of artificial intelligence (including ChatGPT) to a heightened awareness of supporting students’ mental health. Overall, Alexander College is committed to enhancing post-secondary institution in BC and to strengthening our communities.

Our Campuses

Exterior shot of Alexander College Burnaby

Campus

Burnaby

Alexander College’s Burnaby Campus is located on the corner of McMurray Ave and Kingsway. It is one block from one… Tour Burnaby Campus

Exterior shot of Alexander College Vancouver

Campus

Vancouver

Alexander College is a private post-secondary institution serving approximately 3,000 students every year… Tour Vancouver Campus

Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.

Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.