A suite of programs to match your passions

Our courses cover the entire digital product landscape, from graphic design, video, and digital marketing to front-end development, mobile app programming, and project management.

We have combined our courses into a suite of different programs to give you the flexibility to pursue your passions as they develop.

Visit the North Island College website for complete information on all our programs and courses, including tuition costs and how to apply.

Students test the usability of a draft app interface.
Students test the usability of a draft app interface.

Choose a Specialization and Decide How Far You Want to Go

Our diplomas allow you to tailor your studies to your personal interests and goals.

Focus on Design

Immerse yourself in communication design as you explore branding, typography, digital marketing, graphic design, video production, user experience design, and front-end web development.

Focus on Development

Learn industry-standard programming languages and tools for developing effective websites, browser-based applications, and mobile apps for Android and Apple devices.

Transfer to University

Our design programs transfer to Vancouver Island University’s Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Graphic Design, and to Royal Roads University’s Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Professional Communication.  Many of our development courses transfer to computer science programs.

Graduate Ready for Work

All of our programs are designed in partnership with industry professionals and employers to ensure that you will graduate with valuable skills that will make you readily employable.

Your Program Options

Our programs have been designed around different specializations and offer multiple levels of credentials. Start with a certificate and ladder into an advanced diploma.

Apply Now. Start in September 2023!

Quickly master new skills

Micro-credential

DIGITAL Content Production

Length: 4 months min.
Explore website and social media content creation and boost your resume with in-demand skills to increase your brand’s presence.

Focus on design

Certificate

Web Design Fundamentals

Length: 1 year min.
Understand how layout and interactivity come together as you build a solid and practical foundation in essential web design skills.
Advanced Diploma

DIGITAL Design + Development (Design Stream)

Length: 3 years min
Master design thinking for print and digital products as you solve complex communication problems and test your skills with real clients.

Focus on development

Advanced Diploma

DIGITAL Design + Development (Dev Stream)

Length: 3 years min.
Enhance your web and mobile app coding skillset with in-depth design practice as you build your portfolio with real projects.

Re-focus your career

Post-graduate Certificate

DIGITAL Design + Development

Length: 1 year min.
Already have a degree? Get the skills you need for entry-level employment in the web industry or ladder into our Post Graduate Diploma.

Your application toolkit​

After October, you can apply to North Island College for a program that starts the following year. Once your application has been processed, you will need to register for your courses. Registration opens in May for courses in both the fall and winter terms. Our courses are in high demand and fill up fast, so don’t leave it till the last minute!

  1. DIGITAL Design + Development programs on the North Island College website 
  2. How to apply and admission requirements (our programs require a C in English 12 or equivalent)
  3. Funding options available to you at NIC
curriculum

Design </> Code?

You can reevaluate your learning goals and choose to change programs at any point in your studies. Many of the courses you will have taken in your first year will transfer over to your new program because we have built-in crossover. We believe that designers should appreciate code and developers should speak design.

Find out which educational path is right for you

We can help you figure out which program meets your learning goals and how your studies can fit in with your lifestyle needs — whether you’re starting a new career or growing your existing skillset.

Contact a Student Advisor

Flexible education to suit your lifestyle

  • You can start your studies in September (fall term) every year. Some years also provide a January intake (winter term).
  • A full-time student takes 5 courses per term but you only need 3 to qualify for student loans.
  • Each course can be taken online or on campus.
  • Certificates must be completed within 4 years, diplomas within 5, and advanced diplomas within 8 years.
All our courses are offered both on campus and by distance
All our courses are offered both on campus and by distance
Students collaborate in one of our Comox Valley Mac labs.
Students collaborate in one of our Comox Valley Mac labs.

Affordable Education

Tuition for a year of full-time study (10 courses) for a domestic student costs on average $3,500 ($14,000 for an international student). Compared to other universities, you would save over $10,000/year in tuition and housing costs by choosing NIC and staying at home.

See all estimated program fees

A few other expenses, besides accommodation and transport, should be taken into consideration:

  • We try to use as few textbooks as possible as we prefer to develop our own curriculum to be responsive to changes in the industry.
  • You will need an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription and various other software accounts (most are free).
  • It is possible to use the computer labs on campus for all your studying; however, owning a computer at home will give you much more flexibility. It doesn’t matter if that computer is Mac or Windows-based.

Our financial aid advisors can help you figure out your funding options, from loans to scholarships and bursaries. In 2021, the North Island College Foundation awarded over $548,000 to students in scholarships and bursaries. In 2022, more than 500 awards are available, with an average value of $1,650.

Check out some of the amazing work you’ll learn to create

Scroll through our students’ portfolios to see their best projects in branding, design, web and app development and more.

See the students’ work

Meet your faculty

Our courses are taught by a broad variety of expert faculty and industry professionals. You will learn in small classes where you have direct access to your instructors.

Meet your faculty