Commerce & Marketing Co-op Diploma

This program focuses on the fundamental principles of business and gives graduates hands–on skills to gain employment in the commerce and marketing sector. The program incorporates current business concepts and real–life examples to illustrate a global view of the corporate commerce and marketing environment.

Recommended for students who want to work in the sales, marketing, and advertising industries for future career

Program Details

Program Length: 30 months (total 120 weeks)
Academic Study 12 months (total 952 hours) + Co-op 12 months (total 952 hours)
Offered Location: Vancouver
Start Dates:
- 2025 – February 18, August 5
- 2026 – January 19, August 31
co-op: VanWest College’s Co-op has a strong system in place and a solid foundation of host company partnerships across various industries; a system that equips students with the adequate knowledge and skills to help them succeed in getting work placement in an English environment. Students receive first-hand experience in how job hunting works in Canada through various activities that offered by Co-op department such as on-campus activities, information sessions etc. Depending on our student needs, the Co-op department will provide regular counselling and training until students secure their placements. Graduates will be able to perform multifaceted business functions such as project management, business analysis, accounting, sales, teamwork, and research to support the marketing activities of an organization.
Credential: Upon the successful completion of the program, graduates will receive Commerce & Marketing Co-op Diploma

Admission Requirement

English Admission Requirement

VanWest English Placement Test: Level 8, or
Completion of VanWest Level 7 or EAP 300 course with a final grade of 75%+, or
IELTS 5.5+, or
TOEFL IBT 65+, or
TOEIC 730+, or
Duolingo 100+, or
Cambridge English Scale: 160+, or
CEFR B2+

Academic Admission Requirement

High School Diploma (Grade 12), or
General Education Development (GED)

Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees
Tuition (Domestic):	$16,000
Tuition (International):	$19,900
Application Fee (Domestic):	$150
Application Fee (International):	$250
Student Services Fee:	$250

*Textbook costs are not included. Textbooks should be purchased by the individual. For the list of required textbooks, please click HERE.

Program Sequence

Semester 1: Academic Study
Term 1 – 2 months	Term 2 – 2 months
BUS101 Cross-Cultural Communication	BUS102 Interpersonal Skills for the Workplace
BUS107 Business Correspondence	BUS105 Principles of Management
BUS109 Workplace Preparation	BUS106 Customer Service Skills

8-week break

Semester 2: Academic Study
Term 1 – 2 months	Term 2 – 2 months
BUS104 Organizational Behaviour	BUS103 Marketing Essentials
BUS114 Introduction to Accounting	BUS115 Social Media Marketing
BUS117 Leadership Skills	BUS116 Project Management

8-week break

Semester 3: Academic Study
Term 1 – 2 months	Term 2 – 2 months
BUS108 Sales Strategies	BUS118 Finance
BUS120 E–Commerce	BUS121 Market Research
BUS119 Sales Management

8-week break / job-hunting

Semester 4: Co-op
12 months
BUS122 Co-op Placement

– You will be able to work full-time during the co-op terms and part-time during the study terms.
– The schedule is subject to change without notice.
– Friday classes may be provided online.

Schedule

Sample Program Schedule

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri
15:00 – 17:45	Lecture 1	Lecture 3	Lecture 1	Lecture 3	Lecture 1 or 3
18:00 – 21:30	Lecture 2	Lecture 4	Lecture 2	Lecture 4

Important Dates

Semester 1 Academic Study		Semester 2 Academic Study		Semester 3 Academic Study		Semester 4 Co-op	Ending Date
Term 1 Starting Date (8 weeks)	Term 2 (8 weeks)	Term 1 (8 weeks)	Term 2 (8 weeks)	Term 1 (8 weeks)	Term 2 (8 weeks)	Co-op (48 weeks)	Ending Date
Feb-18-2025	Apr-14-25	Aug-5-25	Sep-29-25	Jan-19-26	Mar-16-26	Jul-6-26	Jun-4-2027
Aug-5-2025	Sep-29-25	Jan-19-26	Mar-16-26	Jul-6-26	Aug-31-26	Dec-21-26	Nov-19-2027
Jan-19-2026	Mar-16-26	Jul-6-26	Aug-31-26	Dec-21-26	Feb-16-27	Jun-7-27	May-5-2028
Aug-31-2026	Oct-26-26	Feb-16-27	Apr-12-27	Aug-03-27	Sep-27-27	Jan-17-28	Dec-15-2028

Career Opportunities

Upon the completion of the program, graduates will have the ability to:

Apply classroom learning to guaranteed paid co-op positions
Develop social media marketing initiatives designed to meet business objectives
Analyze the relationship between strategic decision making and corporate financing decisions
Develop teamwork, interpersonal, problem solving, and leadership skills in a face-to-face setting
Demonstrate understanding, development, and knowledge of business methodologies
Demonstrate communication skills required to develop constructive relationships in diverse workplaces

Career Opportunities

Technical Sales Representative
Advertising Assistant
Sales Planning Manager
Marketing Coordinator
Digital Marketing Manager
Product Manager

Average Salary Per Year
Source: payscale.com

Technical Sales Representative: $60,681
Digital Advertising: $55,000
Marketing Coordinator: $42,724
Digital Marketing Manager: $70,475

Job Outlook in BC
Source: workbc.ca

Occupations	New Job Openings (2022 – 2032)	Median Wage Rate
Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (NOC 0124)	4,500	$48.08/hr
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations (NOC 1123)	5,380	$27.47/hr

Increased Opportunity of EmploymentIncreased opportunity for employment in vital labour industries such as Business, Finance and Administration, Management and Sales and Service occupations where about half of projected job openings are expected to be (BC 2024 Labour Market Outlook)
The Longest Co-op PeriodIncludes the longest co-op period - you will gain more working experience in Canada
Practical Marketing & Sale SkillsGain the skills and experience today’s employers are looking for: teamwork, interpersonal, problem solving, and leadership skills
Expand Knowledge of Business MethodologiesDemonstrate understanding, development and knowledge of business methodologies