Dual Credit

Dual credit makes it possible for grades 11 and 12 students to take post-secondary courses and receive credit towards both high school graduation and post-secondary credentials.

On this page

• What is dual credit?
• What are the benefits?
• What is available?
• Dual credit projects
• How is it funded?
• Resources for educators
• Resources for families
• Frequently asked questions

What is dual credit?

Students can take post-secondary courses while still in high school. In addition to providing the post-secondary credits, these courses count as elective credit at the Grade 12 level.

British Columbia has two main policies that guide partners offering and participating in dual credit. 

• Earning Credit through Equivalency, Challenge, External Credentials, Post-Secondary Credit and Independent Directed Studies enables schools to recognize post-secondary learning with credit at the high school level
• Recognition of Post-Secondary Transition Programs for Funding Purposes enables schools to access regular per-course funding to better support dual credit students

The ministry is exploring policy options to increase dual credit access, equity, and quality.

What are the benefits?

In the next decade, 77% of job openings will require post-secondary education. Dual credit can help because students who participate are 12% more likely to graduate on time and 16% more likely to make an immediate transition to a B.C. public post-secondary institution.

Dual credit offers many benefits to B.C. students, including some tuition-free post-secondary education, a transition to post-secondary study supported by their K-12 community, increased confidence in their ability to succeed at the post-secondary level, and a clear path to future post‑secondary studies as well as the career opportunities that follow.

What is available?

Dual credit opportunities can range from single courses to full-time programs and encompass many sectors. What dual credit programs and courses are offered is determined through agreements between school districts and their chosen partner post-secondary institutions. Where the learning takes place—such as on a post-secondary campus, in a secondary school, or online—is also a local decision. Dual credit courses can be taught by an approved high school teacher qualified to deliver the post-secondary material, post-secondary instructors, or a combination.

Every school district in B.C. has offered dual credit. To learn more about current dual credit opportunities, and future possibilities, check the websites of your school, school district, and post‑secondary institution, and/or connect with your school’s career education teacher or counsellor.

Dual credit projects

While school districts determine what dual credit opportunities to offer, province-wide projects have encouraged program creation and growth in some subjects. 

How is it funded?

B.C.’s policies ensure students receive credit for post-secondary learning, even if they arrange, fund, and complete it on their own. But since high schools normally arrange and support the post‑secondary learning of their students, the ministry funds school districts for dual credit courses.

That funding, provided in the same way and at the same rate as other high school courses, is over a thousand dollars per course. It typically provides for both post-secondary tuition and student supports. Schools must pay the tuition of any dual credit course for which they receive funding, and they must satisfy the following policy requirements.

• Ensure that the student is eligible and meets the following criteria
  • Is school-aged (i.e., a person is considered under 19 years old until the end of the school year in which they reach the age of 19)
  • Is enrolled in Grade 11 or Grade 12
  • Has signed a planned program of courses before beginning dual credit
  • Is starting dual credit prior to graduation (i.e., June 30 of their Grade 12 year)
• Ensure that the post-secondary course is eligible (i.e., meets one of the following criteria)
  • Is offered by a member of the British Columbia Transfer System
  • Is offered by a SkilledTradesBC certified Youth Program training provider
  • Is offered in French through Educacentre
• Ensure that the course is appropriate for the student
  • Is listed among the courses in their post-secondary transition plan
  • Is required for the student to earn the post-secondary credential they plan to pursue
  • Is aligned with the specific occupation the student envisions

Non-tuition costs—such as registration fees, course materials (e.g., books, tools, and equipment), additional requirements and certifications (e.g., First Aid, criminal record checks), and transportation—may or may not be covered by the school. Schools should have processes in place to include students for whom costs are a barrier.

Resources for Educators

Dual credit guidebook (coming soon)

• Set up, manage, and refine dual credit opportunities in your school or district

Dual credit policy Q&A (PDF, 257KB)

• Get answers to questions about dual credit policy requirements and funding eligibility; additional questions can be directed to DualCredit@gov.bc.ca

Resources for Families

B.C. Transfer System

• Review the list of post-secondary providers eligible to offer dual credit

Youth Train in Trades

• Learn more about the technical training offered by SkilledTradesBC

Career Programs

• Discover other B.C. career education programs

Plan for the cost of post-secondary

• Explore funding options for going to college or university and plan to finance that post-secondary education