Dual Credit

Last updated on September 2, 2026

B.C.'s dual credit policy offers high school students flexibility to access post-secondary learning. Now, students can explore post-secondary studies before committing to a credential and career, and they can enrol later in the school year. Read about dual credit policy criteria:

Dual credit makes it possible for grades 10–12 students to take post-secondary courses and receive credit towards both high school graduation and post-secondary credentials.

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Important information for school administrators
Project Deadline
2027 Dual Credit Program Expansion application

Information about the next application period, including application forms, will be posted here September 25, 2026. 
Course codes

Refer to the course codes cheat sheet (PDF). Effective for the 2026/27 school year, codes for the early childhood education and health careers dual credit projects are closed; all future occurrences of those courses should use the applicable general codes.

Dual credit policy review

New policy is now in effect. Please review B.C.’s dual credit policy in full.

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.

Whether exploring subjects or pursuing a pathway, students can further their intellectual, human and social, and career development through dual credit.

British Columbia’s dual credit policy guides partners offering and participating in dual credit. 

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 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 schools or 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.

High schools normally arrange and support the post‑secondary learning of their students. However, students may receive credit for eligible post-secondary learning, even if they arrange, fund, and complete it on their own.

Who should participate?

A wide array of students can benefit from participating in dual credit.

In other words, dual credit is for students from varied cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and personal backgrounds, including those who have no immediate family members with post-secondary experience.

Schools should ensure that the above students, Indigenous students, and students with disabilities or diverse abilities have equitable access to dual credit options and appropriate supports.

Below are examples of four different students illustrating the flexibility of dual credit.

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Alex

Alex is considering becoming either a medical office assistant or a dental assistant. With guidance from a career counsellor, Alex enrolls in Applied Dental Sciences and Medical Terminology during Grade 11. Through this experience, Alex discovers that dentistry is not a fit but remains interested in medical office administration. In Grade 12, Alex joins a Medical Office Assistant dual credit cohort. Dual credit can allow students like Alex to test different pathways while still in high school, helping them make informed post-secondary choices.

 

Grace

Grace planned to become an Early Childhood Educator and enrolled in four dual credit early childhood education (ECE) courses in Grade 11. Partway through the semester, she realized that she wanted to become a teacher instead. With support from her career counsellor, Grace is considering taking one, two, or three dual credit courses in Grade 12 that align with the prerequisites for a Bachelor of Education pathway. Although Grace's Grade 11 dual credit courses supported her initial career goal, policy allows her to explore a change of direction.

 

Noah

Noah is uncertain about his future and does not see himself attending college or university. Although he has enough credits to graduate, he becomes increasingly disengaged during his final year of high school. His career counsellor encourages him to try a dual credit course and helps him register for ENGL 100, with academic supports in place. After successfully completing the course, Noah gains confidence and begins to see post-secondary education as an option. Dual credit can support students like Noah and help them envision themselves in a post-secondary environment.

 

Aliya

Aliya wants to be an electrician and her own boss. She recognizes that a future of self-employment may require business and financial skills. Working with a mentor in her high school, she creates a custom program that combines trades and business-related learning. Specifically, alongside her Electrician Foundation Certificate, Aliya completes dual credit courses in accounting, business, and marketing. Many occupations require multiple, complementary skillsets. For trades students, business-related courses can provide valuable preparation for entrepreneurship, self-employment, and career advancement.

 

How is it funded?

Boards of Education and Independent School Authorities (Boards/Authorities) can receive funding from the Ministry of Education and Child Care (the Ministry) for facilitating dual credit courses and supporting participating students.

 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 Ministry 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 grades 10–12
    • Is starting each dual credit course prior to June 30 of their Grade 12 year
  • Ensure that the post-secondary course is eligible and meets the following criteria
    • Appears on a post-secondary transcript
    • Results in credit towards at least one post-secondary credential
    • Involves a partner that is a post-secondary listed as a BC institution in the British Columbia Transfer System, or a SkilledTradesBC designated training provider, or Le Collège Éducacentre

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.

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. 

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The early childhood education dual credit project 

A $6.3M investment over four years through the Childcare BC Plan to introduce or improve dual credit opportunities for students interested in a career as an early childhood educator.
The project produced the following outcomes: 

  • 50 school districts (PDF) and some independent schools 
  • 15 partner post-secondaries 
  • over 2,450 course enrolments across more than 1,300 students 
    • 20% of students self-identified as Indigenous
    • 95% of students that participated successfully completed at least one course
    • 92% of surveyed students would recommend their ECE dual credit program

Even in the project’s first year over 70% of students—rising to 80% for Indigenous students—transitioned to the same post-secondary institution.

Examples of these programs and student experiences are celebrated in the following success stories:

The remaining 10 school districts have since engaged in researching and considering ECE dual credit.

 

The health careers dual credit project 

A $1.5M investment over two years through the Health and Human Resources Strategy has resulted in newly introduced or improved dual credit opportunities for students interested in health sector careers, such as health care assistants, lab technicians, and nurses.
The project produced the following outcomes: 

  • 24 participating school districts (PDF)
  • 18 post-secondary partners
  • over 65 new dual credit opportunities
  • more than 80 expanded dual credit offerings
  • over 2,800 course enrolments across more than 1,500 students 
 

Dual credit program expansion grants 

 An ongoing investment of approximately $1M annually is resulting in new and stronger regional partnerships. Working together, school districts, post-secondary institutions, and other local partners can connect a greater number and diversity of students with dual credit opportunities, including training that leads to careers in high demand in those communities.

 

Pathway to teacher education for First Nation students

Grant funding was available in 2026 for school districts to create new dual credit programs for First Nation high school students to explore teaching as a career path. The programs, which are being developed in partnership with local First Nations and post-secondary institutions, are intended to increase awareness of the teaching profession and provide practical experiences to students interested in becoming teachers.

 

Resources for Educators

Dual credit guidebook (coming September 25, 2026)

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

Dual credit policy Q&A (coming September 25, 2026)

Resources for Families

Youth Train in Trades

  • Learn more about the technical training offered by SkilledTradesBC

B.C. Transfer System

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

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