International Students
More than 47% of our students come to VFS from overseas, before graduating and pursuing their dreams at home or in entertainment hubs, like Vancouver.
International Offices
We have offices in high-demand spots around the world. Our International Admissions Advisors, based in these areas, can help you make an informed decision about your education at VFS. They are available to work with you personally, explain all the programs thoroughly, and give you student work to view. They can also discuss financing options and help walk you through the application, acceptance, and student visa process.
Latin America
Barbara Martínez Ruiz
Director, International Admissions& Business Development
Phone: +1 604 6313024
Mexico: +52 55 5661 2704 or
+52 55 5661 3397
Rest of World
Scott P. Steiger
Director, International Admissions& Business Development
Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
Chat With Us
For Asia Pacific & South East Asia countries:
For South Asia, Middle East & Others countries:
Brazil
Juliana Severgnini
Phone: +55 11 3476 6470
Av Francisco Matarazzo,
1752 – Conjunto 405
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
05001-200
Canada
Sam Chen
Phone: +1 604 631 3003
Cell: +1 604 719 4786
WeChat, Line ID: vfssam
Vancouver, Canada
Hong Kong / Macao
Penny Peng
Phone: +886-975-120-430
WeChat: vfs_penny
Line: vfs_penny
Korea
Hakyun Lim
Phone: +82 2 2008 4900
Fax: +82 2 2008 4555
41/F Gangnam Finance Center
Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu
Seoul, Korea, 135-984
LA (Mexico)
Veronica Jeronimo Cardenas
Phone: (52 55) 4737 0897 or
(52 55) 5661 3875
Manuel M Ponce 347.
Col Guadalupe Inn
Postal Code 01020. Mexico City
Thailand
Scott P. Steiger
Director, International Admissions
& Business Development
Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
Vietnam
Scott P. Steiger
Director, International Admissions
& Business Development
Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
Scholarships
VFS offers a variety of scholarships throughout the year. For a list of the currently available tuition grants, click to our Scholarships page.
Language Requirements
All students are required to speak and write English at an acceptable level for their program of study. In order to succeed in any VFS program, students will need to understand technical terms and be conversant enough in English to participate in presentations and in-depth discussion.
Depending upon your program of study, you must meet either the Level 1 or Level 2 English language requirements as outlined below. Achieving the indicated scores in any of these tests satisfies the VFS English language requirements.
Programs with Level 1 Language Requirements
- Acting Essentials
- Foundation Visual Art & Design
- Makeup Design for Film & Television
- Sound Design for Visual Media
International Standardized Test Scores
- IELTS Band 6.0 – Academic level
- TOEFL – score of 68 internet-based (iBT), or 520 Paper based (PBT)
- PTE – score of 52 - 57
- TOEIC – score of 700
- B2 First (formerly Cambridge English: First (FCE)) – Grade C
- LPI – Level 4
- Duolingo – score of 105 or higher
- EF – Completion of Level B2
- SGIC – Completion of Level 8/UCPP with 70%
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
-Level 7 on the CELPIP General or CELPIP LS
Permanent Resident
- A 65% or higher in BC English 12 or Communications 12
International Baccalaureate (IB)
- A final grade of 5 or higher on IB English A1 (English A: Language & Literature) or A2 (English A: Literature) course
Post-secondary
- Attended one year at a post-secondary institution in English, in an English Speaking country.
VFS English Language School Partners
VFS has partnered with a number of ESL schools in Vancouver. Beside each school you will see an indication of the level or score required to satisfy the VFS Level 1 English language requirements.
- BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) - Completion of ISEP 500
- iTTTi – Upper intermediate level with 80%
- EC English Language Centre – completion of Upper Intermediate
- ELS Language Centres – completion of Level 109
- Eurocentres & Oxford International Education Group – completion of Level 6
- The Language Gallery – level 5 with 80%
- ILAC (International Languages Academy of Canada) – completion of ILAC Pathway 3.1 or Level 14
- ILSC (International Language Schools of Canada) – completion of A1 Level, University Pathway Program
- VanWest – EAP 300 with 85% or Level 8
- Tamwood – EAP 193
- International House – completion of EAP Level 1
- Sprott Shaw Language College – completion of EPE (English for Post-Secondary Education) with at least 80% in coursework
- VGC International College – minimum 70% grade for Level 7
- CCEL – Completion of ENGL 140
- Kaplan – Completion of Kaplan Higher Intermediate with 70%
Programs with Level 2 Language Requirements
- 3D Animation & Visual Effects
- Acting for FIlm & Television
- Animation Concept Art
- Classical Animation
- Digital Design
- Film Production
- Game Design
- Programming for Games, Web & Mobile
- Writing for Film, Television & Games
- VR/AR Design & Development
International Standardized Test Scores
- IELTS Band 6.5 – Academic level
- TOEFL – score of 80 internet-based (iBT), or 550 paper-based (PBT)
- PTE - score of 58 - 64
- TOEIC – score of 785
- B2 First (formerly Cambridge English: First (FCE)) – Grade A
- C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) – Grade C
- LPI – Level 5
- Duolingo – score of 120 or higher
- EF – Completion of Level C1
- SGIC – Completion of Level 8/UCPP with 80%
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
-Level 8 on the CELPIP General or CELPIP LS
Permanent Resident
- A 65% or higher in BC English 12 or Communications 12
International Baccalaureate (IB)
- A final grade of 5 or higher on IB English A1 (English A: Language & Literature) or A2 (English A: Literature) course
Post-secondary
- Attended one year at a post-secondary institution in English, in an English Speaking country.
VFS English Language School Partners
VFS has partnered with a number of ESL schools in Vancouver. Beside each school you will see an indication of the level or score required to satisfy the VFS Level 2 English language requirements.
- BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) – Completion of ISEP 600
- iTTTi – Advanced Level or EAP
- EC English Language Centre – completion of Pre-Advanced
- ELS Language Centres – completion of Level 112
- Eurocentres & Oxford International Education Group – completion of Level 7
- The Language Gallery – level 6
- ILAC (International Languages Academy of Canada) – completion of ILAC Pathway 3.2 or Level 15
- ILSC (International Language Schools of Canada) – completion of A2 Level, University Pathway Program
- VanWest – EAP 400
- Tamwood – EAP 194
- International House – completion of EAP Level 2
- Sprott Shaw Language College – completion of EPE (English for Post-Secondary Education) with at least 85% in coursework
- VGC International College – minimum 80% grade for Level 7
- CCEL – Completion of ENGL 145
- Kaplan – Completion of Kaplan Advanced
What Are My Other Options?
We realize that you may have to plan ahead in order to secure your seat at VFS, and that you may want to start applying before you've met the required conversational or written level of English. Our Admissions Advisors understand ESL issues and are more than willing to help you meet all language requirements to make sure they do not get in the way of your dream.
If you don’t pass an approved test, you may be accepted on a conditional basis. If you receive conditional acceptance, you must provide regular feedback to your Admissions Advisor on specifically what you are doing to improve your English before you start your course at VFS (e.g., attending ESL classes). Additionally, you must schedule and pass an approved test no later than one month before your start date, or risk having your enrollment postponed or cancelled.
Study Permits
All of VFS’s programs require international students to obtain a study permit. You must apply for your study permit at the Canadian Consulate or Canadian Embassy for your area, before your program starts.
To get a study permit you must provide:
You'll need to present the original acceptance letter from Vancouver Film School and proof of deposit.
The letter needs to show that there are sufficient funds in your account to support you while you're studying, including full tuition fees.
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your program.
Be sure to include the VFS’s Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number on your study permit application: O19239015912. Please note, the first digit in the sequence is the letter “O”, and not a zero.
For more information, contact:
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaCustodianship
VFS Students under the age of 19 are considered “minors” in the province of B.C. and must be cared for by an adult. At the point of entry into Canada, Immigration Officers may, on a case-by-case basis, require any VFS international student under the age of 19 have an appointed custodian. To prevent delays in receiving a study permit, appointing a custodian before arrival in Canada is highly recommended. Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for details on how to appoint a custodian:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/minor-children.html
Minor-aged VFS students without a responsible adult, such as a family member, in and around the Vancouver area capable of accounting for them will need to retain a “custodian” who will ensure the minor-aged student’s safety and the necessary advice & support to safely reside in Canada. Agencies providing stand-alone custodian services and agencies providing homestay in addition to custodian services are both available. Agencies providing custodian services can offer valuable services including:
- Ongoing, deliberate contact with the student
- Assistance with access to immediate and/or ongoing medical service
- Mental, physical and emotional health monitoring for the student
- Explanation of local laws and regulations
- 24/7 response to emergency situations involving the student
Students under 19 years of age have numerous, excellent homestay options they and their families can choose from. Additionally, homestay agencies can provide custodian services for a fee.
Below are some homestay options as well as homestay & custodian agencies.
Cypress Accommodations - https://www.cypressaccommodations.com
NorthWest Homestay - https://northwesthomestay.com
Casa Vancouver - https://casa-toronto.com/vancouver
For information on preferred homestay agencies, please contact VFS Housing.
Tel: 1.604.631.3078
E-mail: housing@vfs.com
Note: Vancouver Film School is not affiliated with the homestay companies listed above, and assumes no liability for any disputes arising from custodianship or other services advertised. This information is intended to provide only general information and guidance.
Medical Insurance
All students must have medical insurance coverage while studying in Canada. You'll need to apply for coverage before you arrive in Canada, and it must cover you for your first three months in British Columbia. Students MUST have medical insurance while studying at VFS, or you will not be eligible for services from us.
Some main fees medical fees and their cost:
| Type of fee | Cost without insurance |
| Emergency visit | $927 |
| Outpatient visit/day | $1000+ |
| Day surgery | $3,495 |
| X-Ray | $49+ |
| MRI | $2,028 |
| Ambulance Charges | $240 |
| Lab test | $125 |
| Physician fees | $100-240 |
International students: All international students are required to have medical insurance for the length of their studies at Vancouver Film School. We have partnered with Guard.me, an insurance provider in Canada that provides coverage to international students at affordable rates. The estimated charge is $2.00 CAD per day. Guard.me covers you from the time you leave home (up to seven days prior to arrival) until a week after your program end date. VFS does not accept insurance from companies outside of Canada.
Canadian students: Canadian students can remain on their home provinces medical plan. However, you must notify your provincial health provider that you will be away from BC studying at a post-secondary school.
Guard.me
Guard.me Insurance coverage can be used for injury or sickness requiring emergency hospital confinement or emergency treatment up to CDN$2,000,000.00. For a comprehensive summary of the services included in their plans, go to the policy section of the guard.me website.
- You must be a student of foreign nationality
- You must not be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant
- You must be enrolled in and attending a recognized learning institution (Vancouver Film School)
- You are not travelling against a physician's advice
CDN $2.00/day per person.
For more information contact Student Services by emailing studentservices@vfs.com or talk to your advisor.
If you have been involved in an accident and have gone to a non-direct-billing clinic you will need to pay and submit a claim after. To make a claim, please go to the Guard.me website directly.
(Insurance claim is a request to the insurance provider to cover/compensate or refund you expenses for a covered loss or policy event.)
Check here to find a direct pay clinic near you.
If you are a student, and have been living in BC for more than three months you are eligible for BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP). Click the link below to obtain a copy of the BC Medical Insurance application or apply online.