Open Studies

Study what matters the most for your goals.

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Open Studies

Open Studies allows you to take individual courses without being enrolled in a full-time program. It’s perfect for people who want to gain skills, or earn credits toward a future diploma or degree without committing to a specific program right away.

Get the flexibility to study courses that match your goals without committing to a full program. Focus your career path, explore new fields, or progress at your own pace while earning credits toward a diploma or certificate.

Invest in your future at a pace and price that works for you.

Open studies is cost-effective and efficient, allowing you to skip application fees while offering greater work-life balance and control over your schedule.

Courses are offered online as well as at our downtown Calgary campus.

How do I know if Open Studies is right for me?

You’re considering post-secondary education but aren’t sure which program to choose:

  • Explore courses that interest you to find the right fit.
  • Look for courses that could inspire you to pursue a particular diploma or certificate program.

‍If you’ve been accepted into your dream program and want to start taking courses before it begins:

  • Earn credits through Open Studies that count toward your future diploma or certificate program. Find which Open Studies courses are part of diploma or certificate programs:
  • Successfully completing an Open Studies course could help you skip program prerequisites when you start.

If you've finished high school and want to take courses before enrolling in a certificate, diploma, or degree program:

  • Bow Valley College Open Studies offers the chance to experience post-secondary courses and earn credits, helping you get a head start.

If you're looking to reskill or upskill with a specific course:

  • Open Studies helps you build the skills needed for a new job or promotion.
  • An Open Studies course boosts your resume and job profile.
  • Lifelong learners can expand their knowledge in areas of personal or professional interest.

Available intakes

Starts in
Registration opens in
Domestic
International
May 2026
Transcripts due:
Applications closes:
Application Opens:
May 25, 2026
Transcripts due within two weeks of application submission.
Transcripts due:
Starts in
Registration opens in
March 9, 2026 for May 2026 course start dates
July 6, 2026 for September 2026 course start dates
To register in an Open Studies course, find the course in the list below and click on the course code. Select the offering of the course that you would like to take, add it to the cart, proceed to checkout, and pay with a credit card.
Registration for all courses opens at 9:00 A.M. Calgary time.

Admission requirements

There are no formal admission requirements, but success in Open Studies courses is more likely if you have an English language proficiency level suitable for the program you're interested in.

Please see the English language proficiency requirements page for more information.

Do you live outside of Calgary?

If you live in the service area surrounding Calgary and want to take a course, visit our Regional Stewardship page.

Courses

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Course is eligible for PLAR

Not all delivery modes are available for all courses or programs, and not all courses are available each term. Students should follow up on their individual program areas or their MyBVC for information for courses delivery types and availability.

Delivery modes, descriptions, and availability of courses each term are subject to change.

Code Course Credits PDF
ANAT1101 Anatomy And Physiology 6.0 picture_as_pdf
BIOL1402 Fundamentals of Bioenergetics 4.0 picture_as_pdf
BIOL1403 DNA, Inheritance, and Evolution 4.0 picture_as_pdf
CHEM1901 General Chemistry: Structure and Bonding 4.0 picture_as_pdf
CHEM1902 General Chemistry: Change and Equilibrium 4.0 picture_as_pdf
CNST1100 Introduction to Canadian Studies 3.0 picture_as_pdf
COMM1101 Interpersonal Relationships And Communication Skills 3.0 picture_as_pdf
ENGL1201 English Composition 3.0 picture_as_pdf
ENGL1302 Literature and Society 3.0 picture_as_pdf
ENGL2301 Children's Literature 3.0 picture_as_pdf
FIPR2102 Topics in Film Genre 3.0 picture_as_pdf
INDG1101 Introduction to Indigenous Studies 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MATH1600 Introduction to Statistics I 4.0 picture_as_pdf
MATH1601 Introduction to Statistics II 4.0
MATH1902 Introductory Calculus 4.0 picture_as_pdf
MATH1903 Introductory Calculus II 4.0 picture_as_pdf
MATH1904 Linear Methods I 4.0 picture_as_pdf
PHIL1201 Ethics 3.0 picture_as_pdf
PHYS1901 Modern Physics 4.0 picture_as_pdf
PSYC1101 Introduction To Psychology 3.0 picture_as_pdf
PSYC1202 Child and Adolescent Development 3.0 picture_as_pdf
PSYC1201 Human Growth And Development Across The Life Span 3.0 picture_as_pdf
PSYC2102 Social Psychology 3.0 picture_as_pdf
SOCI1101 Introduction to Sociology 3.0 picture_as_pdf
SOCI1201 Sociology of the Family 3.0 picture_as_pdf
SOCI1301 Sociology of Aging 3.0 picture_as_pdf
SOCI2302 Sociology of Death and Dying 3.0 picture_as_pdf
STAT1151 Statistics I 3.0
WGST2101 Introduction to Women and Gender Studies 3.0 picture_as_pdf
Code Course Credits PDF
ACCT1103 Introduction to Financial Accounting 3.0 picture_as_pdf
ACCT2201 Management Accounting I 3.0 picture_as_pdf
ADMN1101 Introduction to Professional Keyboarding 3.0 picture_as_pdf
DESN1201 Introduction to Digital Media Production 3.0 picture_as_pdf
DESN2201 Introduction to Web Design for Digital Marketing 3.0 picture_as_pdf
ESPR1101 Introduction to Esports 3.0 picture_as_pdf
FNSR2101 Introduction to Insurance and Risk Management 3.0
FNSR2301 Financial Markets & Products 3.0 picture_as_pdf
FNSR2302 Personal Financial Planning I 3.0 picture_as_pdf
FNSR2403 Risk Financing 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HRES1101 Organizational Behaviour 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HRES2101 Change Management 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HRES2201 Introduction to Human Resources 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HRES2203 Compensation & Benefits 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HRES2203 Introduction to Human Resources 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HRES2204 Talent Acquisition and Retention 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HRES2301 Employment Law 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HRES2401 Employee Learning and Development 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HUCL1101 Professional Practice and Communication in Health Care 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HUCL1201 Introduction to Health Care Fundamentals 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HUCL1401 Medical Terminology 3.0 picture_as_pdf
LEGL1201 Introduction to the Legal Profession 3.0 picture_as_pdf
LEGL1501 Litigation I 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT1101 Introduction to Management 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT1102 Introduction to Organizations and Sustainability 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT1201 Business Communication 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT1302 Computer Applications 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT1401 Microeconomics 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT1402 Principles of Economics 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT1501 Business Mathematics 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT1601 Business Law 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT2301 Microsoft Excel 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT2304 Introduction to Business Analytics 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT2401 Macroeconomics 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MGMT2503 Introductory Statistics for Business Disciplines 3.0 picture_as_pdf
MKTG1101 Introduction to Marketing 3.0 picture_as_pdf
SCMT2101 Introduction to Supply Chain Management 3.0 picture_as_pdf
SCMT2201 Operations Management I 3.0 picture_as_pdf
SCMT2302 Negotiation Skills 3.0 picture_as_pdf
SCMT2401 Logistics & Transportation 3.0 picture_as_pdf
VOAS1100 Introduction to the Veterinary Profession 3.0 picture_as_pdf
Code Course Credits PDF
DAST1202 Disability Work Management and Supported Employment 3.0 picture_as_pdf
DAST1401 Positive Behaviour Support 3.0 picture_as_pdf
ELCC1101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Development 3.0 picture_as_pdf
ELCC1305 Developing Through Play 3.0 picture_as_pdf
FASD1101 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness for Human Service Professionals 3.0 picture_as_pdf
JUST1101 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System 3.0 picture_as_pdf
JUST1102 Diversity and Criminal Justice in Canada 3.0 picture_as_pdf
ADDC1101 Introduction to Addiction Studies 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HMSV3201 Program Design and Evaluation 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HMSV3204 Digital Transformations in Health and Human Services 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HMSV3401 Social Determinants of Health 3.0 picture_as_pdf
HMSV3501 Case Management 3.0 picture_as_pdf
DAST1102 Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder 3.0 picture_as_pdf
Code Course Credits PDF
SODV1101 Programming Fundamentals 3.0 picture_as_pdf
TECH1101 Web and Internet Fundamentals 3.0 picture_as_pdf

Frequently asked questions

Are you ready to (re-) start your post-secondary education journey?

In the School of Arts and Sciences, you’ll learn to think critically, communicate clearly, and consider multiple perspectives—skills that support your studies, your work, and your goals.