Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
What to expect
Why take VCC Open Studies?
- Sample different courses to figure out which field of study or college education is right for you.
- Get a head start on a program you plan to take — earn credits in advance.
- Prefer a slower pace? Ease into a full program by taking a few courses each semester.
- Build skills for a new job or a promotion.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Complete a VCC application
- Provide evidence of English language proficiency (English Studies 12 recommended)
- Provide evidence of meeting course pre-requisites
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
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.
Courses *
A selection of open studies courses are available each term. Courses with a Course Registration Number (CRN) listed below are open for the January 2025 term. For courses with no listed CRN, please check back at a later date for registration availability.
Seats are on a first-come-first-served basis.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for Open Studies.
Accounting Courses
| Code | Title | Credits | CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT 1035 | Financial Accounting 1 | 3 |
Business and Project Management Courses
| Code | Title | Credits | CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGMT 1001 | Business Mathematics | 3 | |
| MGMT 1002 | Introduction to Economics | 3 | |
| MGMT 1003 | Principles of Management | 3 | 40917 |
| MGMT 1004 | Business Communication | 3 | |
| MGMT 1005 | Organizational Behaviour | 3 | |
| MGMT 1006 | Fundamentals of Marketing | 3 | |
| MGMT 1007 | Financial Accounting | 3 | |
| MGMT 1009 | Business Statistics | 3 | |
| MGMT 1010 | Business Sustainability and Ethics | 3 | 42397 |
| MGMT 1011 | Information Technology Management | 3 | |
| MGMT 1012 | Indigenous Business in Canada | 3 | 42405 |
| MGMT 1021 | Computer Applications for Management | 3 | |
| PGMT 1001 | Fundamentals of Project Management | 3 | |
| PGMT 1100 | PMP/CAPM Test Prep | 1.5 |
Hospitality Courses
| Code | Title | Credits | CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOSP 1310 | Introduction to Tourism | 3 | |
| HOSP 1312 | Essentials of Business Communication | 3 | |
| HOSP 1360 | Food and Beverage Operations | 3 | |
| HOSP 1370 | Accommodation and Lodging Management | 3 | |
| HOSP 1410 | Hospitality Guest Service Management | 3 | 41386 |
| HOSP 1620 | Hospitality Computer Applications | 3 | |
| HOSP 1860 | Introduction to Hospitality Accounting | 3 |
Marketing Courses
| Code | Title | Credits | CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKTG 1024 | Customer Relationship Management | 3 | |
| MKTG 1034 | Introduction to Digital Marketing | 3 | 41067 |
| MKTG 1044 | Marketing Math | 3 | 41068 |
Humanities Courses (University Transfer)
| Code | Title | Credits | CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRIM 1150 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 | 42013 |
| CRIM 1160 | The Canadian Legal System | 3 | |
| POLI 1100 | Introduction to Politics and Government | 3 | |
| PSYC 1100 | Psychology 1 | 3 | 42026 |
| PSYC 1200 | Psychology 2 | 3 | 41999, 42547 |
| SOCI 1100 | Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology | 3 | 42016 |
| SOCI 1200 | Sociology 2: Canadian Society | 3 | 42008 |
Science Courses (University Transfer)
| Code | Title | Credits | CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCIE 1110 | Professional Communication | 3 | |
| SCIE 1151 | Engineering Graphics & Design | 3 |
Accounting Courses
| Code | Title | Credits | CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT 1035 | Financial Accounting 1 | 3 | - |
Business and Project Management Courses
| Code | Title | Credits | CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGMT 1001 | Business Mathematics | 3 | 40839 |
| MGMT 1002 | Introduction to Economics | 3 | - |
| MGMT 1003 | Principles of Management | 3 | - |
| MGMT 1004 | Business Communication | 3 | - |
| MGMT 1005 | Organizational Behaviour | 3 | - |
| MGMT 1006 | Fundamentals of Marketing | 3 | - |
| MGMT 1007 | Financial Accounting | 3 | - |
| MGMT 1009 | Business Statistics | 3 | - |
| MGMT 1010 | Business Sustainability and Ethics | 3 | 42397 |
| MGMT 1011 | Information Technology Management | 3 | - |
| MGMT 1012 | Indigenous Business in Canada | 3 | - |
| MGMT 1021 | Computer Applications for Management | 3 | - |
| PGMT 1001 | Fundamentals of Project Management | 3 | - |
| PGMT 1100 | PMP/CAPM Test Prep | 1.5 | - |
Hospitality Courses
| Code | Title | Credits | January 2025 CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOSP 1310 | Introduction to Tourism | 3 | - |
| HOSP 1312 | Essentials of Business Communication | 3 | - |
| HOSP 1360 | Food and Beverage Operations | 3 | - |
| HOSP 1370 | Accommodation and Lodging Management | 3 | - |
| HOSP 1410 | Hospitality Guest Service Management | 3 | 41386 |
| HOSP 1620 | Hospitality Computer Applications | 3 | - |
| HOSP 1860 | Introduction to Hospitality Accounting | 3 | - |
Marketing Courses
| Code | Title | Credits | January 2025 CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKTG 1024 | Customer Relationship Management | 3 | 41066 |
| MKTG 1034 | Introduction to Digital Marketing | 3 | 41067 |
| MKTG 1044 | Marketing Math | 3 | 41068 |
Humanities Courses (University Transfer)
| Code | Title | Credits | January 2025 CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRIM 1150 | Introduction to Criminology | 3 | 42013 |
| CRIM 1160 | The Canadian Legal System | 3 | - |
| POLI 1100 | Introduction to Politics and Government | 3 | - |
| PSYC 1100 | Psychology 1 | 3 | 42026 |
| PSYC 1200 | Psychology 2 | 3 | 41999, 42547 |
| SOCI 1100 | Sociology 1: Intro to Sociology | 3 | 42016 |
| SOCI 1200 | Sociology 2: Canadian Society | 3 | 42008 |
Science Courses (University Transfer)
| Code | Title | Credits | January 2025 CRN(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCIE 1110 | Professional Communication | 3 | - |
| SCIE 1151 | Engineering Graphics & Design | 3 | - |
* 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.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
Courses have tuition and fees. Tuition costs vary per course and range between $300 – $530. Fees are approximately $92 per term (depending on the number of courses you are taking).
* 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 $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Here are the steps to taking Open Studies courses:
1) Apply on EducationPlanner BC
- When you apply, you will enter the course code and CRN (course registration number) for the course(s) you want to take.
- Example of a course code: PSYC 1100 (this means you want to take 'Psychology 1')
- Example of a CRN: 41999 (this shows the schedule you want. View schedules at vcc.ca)
2) Watch for an email from VCC
- VCC Admissions & Registration will register you into your courses if there are seats available.
- You will receive an email with confirmation of your registration and your course schedule.
3) Pay for your courses
- Tuition and fees vary for each course.
- Log in to your my.vcc account for details.
- Find out how to pay your fees.
4) Enjoy your classes!
Get started