*Previously called “Interactive Technologies and Game Design Diploma”
The Diploma in Interactive and Digital Technologies prepares graduates to work in the growing information technology industry that combines internet, multimedia, networking, and software technologies, management and marketing skills.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. (Download a PDF of the current Program Completion Guide).
Career Prospects
Employment opportunities include:
- Animation in entertainment industry
- Application design
- Game design
- Information technology technician in industry and service companies
Details
Intakes
| Location | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fort St John | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time |
Length
(945 hours), minimum.
For students that start in either Fall or Spring on an odd year (e.g. 2023) it is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Students may be able to start part-time at any time, but as the program follows a 2 year cycle some courses are only offered every two years and it will take longer to complete the program.
If a student starts the program in the Winter semester of an even year (e.g. 2024) it will take longer to complete the program, as some courses have pre-requisites and/or are only offered every 2 years.
Students in this program select course loads and course schedules that fit their needs and course availability. Registration is completed semester-by-semester.
Students are required to complete this program within a four year period from the start date due to the technical and changing nature of many of the program courses.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,653.03 | $ 152.76 | $ 541.62 | $ 4,347.41 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 4,098.70 | $ 159.56 | $ 0.00 | $ 4,258.26 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 463.68 | $ 828.00 | $ 13,021.44 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 13,530.00 | $ 156.42 | $ 463.68 | $ 828.00 | $ 14,978.10 |
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
English Requirement
For applicants from countries that practice Standard Written English, one of the following:
- English Studies 12 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- English First Peoples 12 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- ENGL 050 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- ENGL 099 with a grade of B or higher, or equivalent
- Any university-level English course with a grade of C or higher
- NLC Writing Assessment with placement at the college level (100)
For all other applicants, one of the following:
- IELTS result with an overall score of 6.0 or higher with no band less than 6.0*
- TOEFL iBT of 78
- Canadian Academic English Assessment (CAEL) 60 overall band
- Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) 8 in each section
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) 57
- Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) 76
- Cambridge-Michigan Language Assessment (CaMLA) 69 plus NLC’s Writing Assessment
- A post-secondary level credential with equivalent English language requirements
- Two years of full-time secondary school education in English in Canada and completion of English 12, English Studies 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, or equivalent with a minimum grade of B.
- Completion of the Citation in English for Academic Purposes Level 060
The General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements outline more details of the academic English requirements.
* Students with a writing band of 6.0 or less are required to complete ENGL 099 with a B grade or higher before or during the first semester of their program.
Math Requirement
One of the following:
- Pre-calculus 11 with a C grade (60%) or higher
- Principles of Mathematics 11 with a C grade (60%) or higher
- Foundations of Math 11 with a C grade (60%) or higher
- MATH 040 or equivalent with a C grade or higher
- Readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
Note
Elective courses may have specific prerequisites. Meeting entrance requirements for the program does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Important Notes
- The program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit Student Aid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students and International students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements.
- Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guide.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 50% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses |
*Please note the following semester break down is based on a student beginning their program in the Fall semester. Students starting in other semesters should consult with the course catalogue in Borealis and with a Program Advisor when selecting courses.
Semester One
All of:
- ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 112 – Foundations of Web Development (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 150 – Small Computer Systems: Organization And Architecture (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 104 – Principles of Management (3.0 credits)
- One Interactive Technologies Elective (see below) Minimum credits: 3.0
Semester Two
All of:
- ENGL 230 – Technical Writing (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 210 – Database Design (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 220 – Object Oriented Programming with Java (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 107 – Fundamentals of Marketing (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 217 – Business Systems Analysis and Design (3.0 credits)
Semester Three
- ITEC 225 – Android Mobile Application Development (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 235 – Computer Graphics and Animation for the Web (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 245 – iOS App Development (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 450 – Principles of Project Management (3.0 credits)
- One Interactive Technologies Elective (see below) Minimum credits: 3.0
Semester Four
All of:
- ITEC 255 – Human Computer Interaction (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 290 – Project Based Field Experience (3.0 credits)
- ITEC 320 – Virtual Software Systems (3.0 credits)
- One Interactive Technologies Elective (see below) Minimum credits: 3.0
- One Interactive Technologies Elective (see below) Minimum credits: 3.0
Interactive Technologies Electives
Students can use elective choice to add employable skills or specializations as follows, or for optimizing course transfer to programs at degree granting institutions
Systems Administration
Choose from:
Entrepreneurship
Choose from:
- MGMT 210 – Advertising and Promotion (3.0 credits)
- MGMT 219 – Entrepreneurship: Start Up (3.0 credits)
Additional suggested electives
Choose from:
- COMM 301 – Organizational Communications (3.0 Credits)
- FILM 100 – Introduction to Film (3.0 credits)
- MATH 115 – Introductory Discrete Mathematics I (3.0 credits)
- PHIL 110 – Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking (3.0 credits)(
- PSYC 224 – Organizational Behavior (3.0 credits)
Credential
Diploma in Interactive and Digital Technologies