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Writer's pictureHermann Fink

ESL and Business in One: A review of the TOP Choice Language School

Updated: Aug 17, 2023

One of the main reasons students come to Vancouver is to study English, so… we decided to introduce you to one of the best options for doing so! This is only the first of a series of articles that will show you more about schools in the city.


A Serial Winner


VGC International College is an English and Business School in downtown Vancouver, founded in 2003. We thought we would cover them first because of how pretty their purple looks with our background, and because they have been voted Top Choice Language School in Vancouver for 3 years in a row (2019, 2020, and 2021) which is impressive.


Campus Life


VGC is a designated learning institution (DLI), which means it is approved by the government to accept international students. This college has two campuses located near Waterfront Station and each has its unique charm. The campus on West Hastings, is located in an old part of downtown that features buildings with high ceilings and brick walls. If you end up taking lessons in this location, it will feel like you are in a New York City office in SOHO. However, if you attend the Granville campus it will be a completely different experience.


The Granville Campus is a modern location where the spaces and decorations are more suitable to a business environment. Say goodbye to brick walls and hello to classrooms with big windows that give you a peak at the learning environment, even from the hallway. One of the reasons why we think this campus has this startup-like approach is because in this campus they have the business courses.


Their offering


The English School has a system made up of 8 levels in which you progress as you get more fluent in the language. You will have to do a placement test and the score will say which will be your first level.


The UP (University Preparation) program will prepare you for life as a University student in Canada, and gives you direct entry into 20 of their partnered schools. We personally think these programs are genius.


The school of international business has three diplomas: Managing Customer Relationships, Business Communication, and Applied Communications.

All diplomas can be selected with or without co-op, which means having work experience for six months to 1 year after you finish the program. Their courses range from Leadership to Business Presentations.


Thrivve’s Assessment


Three criteria: Your goals, location & budget.


Your goals. VGC is perfect for you if your goals are:

  • Making friends with people from all over the world

  • Getting applied business knowledge

  • Immigrating to Canada

  • Improve your English


Location. VGC has a great location, no matter which campus you end up being at. The Hastings Campus is 4 min away from Waterfront station where you can access both main skytrain lines, and the seabus (to go to North Vancouver). The Granville Campus is 2 min away from the Waterfront Canada Line station, and 5 mins from the one with the seabus.


Budget. VGC has competitive prices that will be similar to what you will pay at other schools. However, here we would like to remind you that this is a school with awards that represent the quality of the services offered at this College. If sometimes it’s a little more expensive, it’s for a reason.


Did you enjoy this article and need more help? Contact us here and we’ll get you connected.



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