Olds College has been doing real, hands-on learning long before it was a trend. For over 100 years, we’ve been pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in agriculture, ag-tech, animal health, trades and innovation.
Here, you don’t just study — you build, grow, create and problem-solve. You learn by doing, with the tools, tech and industry partners that actually shape the world. And when you graduate, you’ll be ready for the jobs everyone’s hiring for. If you’re ready to grow your future from the ground up, this is where it starts.
You want to pursue a career that is meaningful to you, that you will find interesting and hopefully enjoy every day (for the most part!). But how do you do that? First, you need to think more about YOU. Ask yourself the following questions:
What are my skills? What am I good at? What do I know how to do?
What are my interests? What types of things do I enjoy doing?
What are my values? What is important to me? What are my “deal breakers”?
What are my traits? What makes me who I am? What makes me unique?
Remember, you can be skilled at something and not very interested in it...or vice versa, you can be really interested in it but not have much skill (yet!). You want to ensure that the career you choose matches up with the things that are most important to you and take advantage of the skills and traits you possess (or can develop through training).
Check out the ALIS - Plan Your Career page for even more helpful information.
Next, you need to find a program/career that suits you. You can accomplish that a few different ways.
Many of the sites below also have quizzes you can take to see what careers might be the best option for you. They also tell you where you can get the training for that particular career.
Maybe there is one at your high school, at the post-secondary you are considering or in your community. These folks are great to talk to about what careers might be a best fit for you.
Find someone who has the job you want and ask if you can job shadow or interview them. Things to ask include:
Remember that an investment in post-secondary education provides transferable skills that may be used throughout your life and will open doors when you least expect it!
Learn more about all of the unique programs offered at Olds College on our Programs page.
Finally, you also need to find out what level of education this career requires. Do you need to take an Apprenticeship? A Diploma? Do you need to take a Bachelors Degree or possibly pursue a Masters Degree or PhD?
Check out the ALIS - Post-Secondary Credential Types page to learn more.
Once you have a career in mind, you need to explore the different post-secondary institutions that offer the program or training you need to achieve your career goals. There are so many different options out there, how do you know which one is right for you?
Some things to consider when choosing a post-secondary institution are:
Do you want to stay close to family so you can live at home, keep costs low and have your support network nearby? Or do you want to spread your wings, explore new places and gain some independence by moving away from home?
Is the institution/program you are interested in competitive or “first qualified, first admitted”? Do you meet the admission requirements for the program or do you have to consider upgrading?
Every post-secondary is going to be a little bit different when it comes to costs. Public institutions may be less expensive than private institutions. If you can live at home, that will save you on living costs, thus making your education less expensive. Which institutions might offer the best scholarships to help you with your costs?
Post-secondary institutions come in all sizes. Some are large research universities or extensive colleges that can have upwards of 40,000 students on-campus. Class sizes can be in the 100’s of people. Community colleges and smaller universities might have between 800 - 10,000 students, with class sizes ranging from 10-100.
It’s important to consider how you want to learn and how the program you want to take is being delivered. Is it online or on-campus? How much of the class is spent in lectures versus labs? Some students learn well online while others do better in-person. Many students like to have “hands on” learning opportunities in their programs. It’s good to know as much as possible about how your program will be delivered before you start so you can ensure that method of delivery is suitable for your particular learning style.
If you are going to be moving away from home, one of the most affordable and convenient places to live is right on campus. Make sure to check if the post-secondary institution you are considering has on-campus housing options.
Are you an athlete looking to take your game to the next level? Do you want to stay active while going to school? There are a ton of teams you can try out for or activities you can participate in, but not every post-secondary has the same options available.
Going to post-secondary is obviously about studying and learning. BUT, part of the experience also includes making great friends, trying new things and having fun. Explore the ways you can get involved, be engaged and make a difference at the post-secondary institution you are considering.
You can visit the individual post-secondary institution websites or use a variety of websites to explore the plethora of post-secondary opportunities available to you. Some examples of these websites are:
What happens if you find multiple post-secondary institutions that have the program you are looking for? How do you decide which one is going to be your best choice?
One of the best ways to determine which post-secondary institution you should attend is to VISIT! You would never purchase a vehicle without test-driving it first and it’s the same with a post-secondary institution.
Get on campus, see what it looks like, talk to current students & instructors, and find out if it feels like the right place for you.
We have a variety of ways that you can explore our campus to see if Olds College is the place for you:
Once you have chosen a program of interest, you have to do some more research to find out what you need to be admitted to that program.
You want to ensure that you do or will meet all of the requirements for admission, including:
Not all programs use the same admission process. It’s important to know whether your program is competitive or first qualified, first admitted.
Applicants are ranked by grades or average, and the highest-ranking applicants are admitted first.
Applicants are admitted based on when they submit a complete application and have met the admission requirements. As long as the applicant applies before the program is full and meets the minimum admission requirements, they will be offered a seat.
The specific requirements you must meet may differ depending on what type of student you are. Below is a breakdown of Olds College requirements.
Applicants currently in high school or who are completing academic upgrading must submit proof of enrollment and any available interim/midterm marks.
Final marks must be submitted within one month following the completion of the course(s) and no later than one month prior to the program start date.
Alternate Admission status may be offered to applicants who have not or will not complete one of the academic admission requirements.
To be considered under Alternate Admission Status at Olds College, applicants must provide:
Required Materials
*Please Note: Alternate Admission is not available for all programs. Submitting Alternate Admission material does not guarantee admission*
Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart to confirm which courses match Alberta’s requirements.
Olds College welcomes international applicants and those who completed high school outside of Canada.
International applicants must:
Further information can be found on our website under International Students.
YAY! You have made a choice and are now ready to submit an application. That’s fantastic!
You want to ensure that you give yourself the best chance of getting admitted, so here are a few things to keep in mind to make the application process as easy as possible:
Many institutions open for applications on October 1 for the following Fall intake, but every institution and program may have different application dates, so make sure you do your research and know when you can begin to apply.
The best way to ensure your application is processed quickly is to submit a complete application. Review the admission requirements and make sure you include all requested documents.
Every institution will have a fee to apply. This covers the cost of processing your application. The amount varies by institution and can range from $50 to over $150. For those applying through the ApplyAlberta online application, the application fee must be paid with a credit card.
Some institutions will have application deadlines, while other institutions will continue to accept applications until the program begins. Make sure you find out if the program you are interested in has an application deadline so that you don’t miss out!
Just because a program does not have an application deadline does not mean it won’t fill up. Many programs are very popular and fill quickly, even though they are not “competitive” admission or programs with a deadline. Applying early is the best way to ensure you get a spot in the program you want and aren’t disappointed by ending up on a waiting list.
Check out our Admissions page for more information on the application process.
You may be required to submit documentation to the Office of the Registrar to assist the Admissions Officer with making a decision about your application.
These documents may include:
If you attend a high school in Alberta, we can access your high school transcripts on your behalf. If you attend high school in another province or country, you are responsible to submit your transcripts to Olds College.
If you are still in high school (or upgrading) and you want to be considered for Conditional Admission, we will ask that you submit a timetable or some other proof that you are enrolled in the classes that you need in order to be admitted to your program of choice.
If you have attended another post-secondary institution and that institution is in Alberta, we can request your transcripts on your behalf. If the previous post-secondary you attended is in another province or country, it is your responsibility to submit your transcripts to Olds College.
Many Olds College programs require additional materials, such as:
These requirements vary by program, so review them carefully during the application process.
My time at Olds College allowed me to grow - not just professionally, but as a person. Whether it was in class, through the Students’ Association or in the community, the hands-on experiences that I’ve had gave me the confidence to lead, take on new challenges and launch my career.
Anna Dau
Class of 2027, Bachelor of Applied Science - Agribusiness
President, Students’ Association of Olds College 2024-2026
Being part of the Broncos and representing Olds College as a student-athlete created a deep sense of pride and connection in me. Wearing that jersey wasn’t just about playing the sport I love, but also about giving back to a place that gave me so much. I felt seen, supported and encouraged all the time. That personalized attention played a fundamental role in my development and success. Olds College helped prepare me for my career, but also helped me find more about myself and who I want to become.
Pedro Noschang
Novo Hamburg, Brazil
Class of 2025, Business Management Diploma
Broncos Athlete 2022-25
What started as an experiment in an Olds College dorm room closet is now a multi-million dollar business. Former student Alex Villeneuve started his company, Ceres Solutions, when he developed a way to use wasted brewery and agricultural by-products to grow gourmet mushrooms while attending Olds College.
Alex was starting the Brewmaster’s program around six years ago and realized he could grow gourmet mushrooms using the spent grains left over after brewing beer (that were previously just thrown away). Alex also came up with a plan to recycle the growing substrate as a feed product to sell to cattle ranchers, since the mushroom growing process leaves the grains higher in protein. Alex experimented growing the mushrooms in his dorm room closet in the very beginning, and after the College found out what he was doing, OCCI and TACLP provided him with warehouse space, equipment, access to a laboratory and helped him get set up with grants and a business plan to help him get going.
The TACLP provided professional services and resources for Ceres to develop innovative solutions for the livestock industry. Ceres developed a modular system that uses locally available biomass as a substrate to grow gourmet mushrooms. As the mushroom roots grow through their biomass substrate, they break down complex fibers and convert them into protein. This growth increases the digestibility and protein content of the spent mushroom substrate, potentially making it a valuable livestock feed which Ceres Solutions calls Mycopro™.
In order to prove the safety and nutritional value of Mycopro™, Ceres worked with Olds College’s TACLP in 2018 to conduct Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) requested tests and research on the product. The TACLP conducted a sheep rumen in-vitro fermentation trial of the product and provided a comprehensive report of the results. This report was valuable to Ceres in understanding the digestibility and fermentation characteristics of the product. The report and results were included in the product’s official CFIA application for approval as a novel viable microbial feed product. These tests continue to be beneficial to Ceres through the attraction of private investment and a TRL that would not have been possible without the TACLP’s support.
Ceres Solutions leased pilot laboratory facilities from the TACLP for development and production purposes. With a pilot farm at the TACLP, Ceres had access to novel equipment, extensive livestock research acumen and accommodating facilities which created an innovative environment to further develop and validate products and technologies. Ceres Solutions outgrew the incubator space available at TACLP due to its substantial growth, and Alex secured funding and investment to construct a dedicated and full-scale commercial facility in Crossfield, Alberta with plans to produce 4,000 pounds of mushrooms (which he sells to Alberta restaurants) and 12,000 pounds of enhanced cattle feed every week. As a part of Emissions Reduction Alberta Food, Farming and Forestry Challenge, Ceres Solutions received $500,000 of funding which it was able to use to leverage $1 million of private funding — for a project total of $1.5 million.
“Traditionally, spent grains used in the production of beer have been looked upon as a waste by product. My research and work has been focussed on finding ways to efficiently use this waste in the production of new food products. In addition to helping me to establish my processes and giving me insight into the scientific side of things, partnering with OCCI has given me the opportunity to learn about how to start up and operate this business. The support of Olds College has been crucial to getting the company off the ground.”
Alex Villeneuve
Founder, Ceres Solutions Ltd.
The Equine Reproduction Technician (ERT) program at Olds College provides students more than just the technique to inseminate mares. The program is designed for students that want to learn everything about the equine reproduction business and how to run it.
It is very hands-on, and by the end of the course, you will be both knowledgeable and competent in equine reproduction procedures and the management of a breeding operation. As a veterinarian, I entered this program to be able to start my own breeding practice. In vet school, I was taught about the anatomy and physiology of the equine reproductive systems, but I did not get prepared for running a breeding operation and everything that comes with it. This course certainly provided me with all the knowledge and practice that I need to feel comfortable in starting a business, and be able to confidently work with clients and their horses.
You get taught about every aspect of the business, from learning how to read an ultrasound to doing artificial insemination and uterine lavages. After the course, you will be able to set up a breeding plan for the mares depending on their teasing results, ultrasounds and vaginal speculum exams — and you will know how to use hormones to optimize conception. You get to handle many stallions, and you will learn how to collect and evaluate semen as well as to prepare it for shipping. You also get to do your own billing and client contacts, which makes the course a very good representation of the real industry. Besides the breeding part of the business, there is also a foaling side of it. You will get to attend and guide many foalings, and do all the care for the foals during their weaning period. You will learn to recognize abnormal foaling and how to handle the situation.
All the aspects of the course together make it a very valuable and unique program. It opened doors for me to grow in the equine business and be a confident and competent equine reproduction technician and veterinarian.
- Eline Ferrari
Olds College offers many pathways to build your future in agriculture and technology.
Start with a one-year certificate, a two-year diploma, or an apprenticeship program, then level up with a post-diploma certificate or a Bachelor of Applied Science degree.
Many programs also offer transfer opportunities to other institutions — learn more on our Articulations & Agreements page. Note: Recognition of Prior Learning may apply across multiple programs.
Yes! You are welcome to apply to multiple programs, but it will require that you submit an application and application fee for each program that you wish to be considered for. We are unable to admit you to multiple programs, so once we have determined which programs you are admissible for, your Admission Officer will contact you to see which one you would like to move forward with.
If you are looking to save a bit of money, you can attend one of our campus visit opportunities that provide attendees with a free application, such as our Open House event. Some programs do fill up quite quickly, so it’s best to check with your Admission Officer to see if you can wait for one of these free application events or if you should submit an application sooner to ensure you get a spot before the program fills up.
Yes, Olds College offers programs for high school students including Dual Credit courses and the Green Certificate program. Dual Credit allows Grades 10-12 students to take approved post-secondary courses while still in high school, helping with career exploration and post-secondary preparation. The Green Certificate is an agriculture apprenticeship-style program where students gain practical farm skills in areas like dairy, crops, poultry, swine, and equine, earning up to 16 Grade 12 diploma credits and a credential for careers in agribusiness.
Programs at Olds College do not have application deadlines. We will continue to take applications until the start-date of the program. However, just because there isn’t a deadline does not mean that the program won’t fill up quickly, so we do encourage students to apply as early as possible so they ensure there is still a seat available for them.
Submitting an application to Olds College does not mean that you have a seat in the program. Once you have submitted your application to Olds College, you will receive a confirmation e-mail indicating that we have received your application, typically within 48 business hours of your submission. Your application will then be processed by an Admission Officer to determine if you meet all the admission requirements for the program.
If you are admissible, the Admission Officer will send you an e-mail indicating if you have been granted Conditional or Full Admission into the program, and there will be an Offer of Admission letter attached to that e-mail. If you are not admissible, the Admission Officer will send you an e-mail letting you know the status of your application and the missing admission requirements.
Assuming that the Admissions Officer has received all the necessary documents to review your application (transcripts, etc), and that you meet all of the admission requirements, it typically takes about 2-4 weeks for an application to be processed, reviewed and a decision made. This will vary depending on the time of year and the application volume at that time. If there are delays in getting required documents to your Admission Officer, this will delay the time it takes to get an admission decision.
If you apply to a program and it is already full, or your average is not competitive enough for you to be admitted, you may find yourself on a waitlist. Being on a waitlist is not the end of the world, as there is definitely still a chance that a spot may become available for you. However, we cannot guarantee how much movement there will be on a waitlist each year, so we strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible for the program you want or maintain a competitive enough average in high school to try and avoid ending up on a waitlist. Seats may be offered to students on the waitlist up until the first or second day of classes, so an offer could come at the very last minute. You are always welcome to check your waitlist position with your Admission Officer at any time and discuss your options.
Students are granted Conditional Admission on the basis of their current marks and confirmation of enrolment in the courses needed to fulfill the admission requirements for their program. Applicants with Conditional Admission must submit final marks/transcripts within one month following the completion of each course and no later than one month prior to the program start date. Final marks/transcript will be reviewed and their admission status reassessed. If they have successfully completed the admission requirements, then the Admission Officer will send a confirmation e-mail that they have received Full Admission. If they are not successful in meeting the admission requirements, then heir admission will be cancelled and the Admission Officer will contact them regarding next steps.
Olds College offers two main residence options: Centennial Village with private rooms and washrooms, and College Court Townhouses with shared units. Residences include security, furnished rooms, social areas, and support staff. Costs vary, and Residence Life organizes community events to support students socially and academically. The Residence Team also organizes community events, resident assistant (RA) opportunities, and supports students socially and academically.
You can apply to live in Campus Housing here at Olds College once you have been admitted to a program. Once you are admitted to a program, your Olds College e-mail account will be activated. You need this account in order to apply to Campus Housing through their online application.
It is not mandatory to live on campus but we highly recommend it! Living on campus is a great way to make new friends, get involved in your campus community, and it’s very safe and convenient too!
You can find an estimate for the tuition & fees, as well as books & supplies, on the program page. For a more detailed breakdown of the costs for each program, please refer to the Fee Schedule.
You are required to pay a tuition deposit once you are admitted to your program. The remainder of tuition and fees are due on the first Friday of each term.
You don’t have to! The majority of the programs at Olds College are prescribed, so you will be automatically registered in the courses you need to take each term. If your program has electives you need to select, or you are taking Open Studies, or you wish to make adjustments to your schedule, please watch your Olds College e-mail for more information from your Student Advisor at the Office of the Registrar.
Olds College programs are designed in partnership with industry and every student is guaranteed at least one WIL experience as part of their academic journey. From applied research projects and simulation labs to field placements and co-ops, you’ll graduate with the real-world experience that sets you apart. Experiences include an engaged partnership of at least: an academic institution, a host organization (which may be the post-secondary institution), and a student.
Olds College participates in men’s & women’s basketball, soccer, futsal and volleyball, as well as badminton, curling and women’s hockey. We also have a varsity rodeo team! If you are interested in participating on a Broncos Athletics team, we encourage you to connect directly with the coach of that team to determine the recruitment and try-out process. Visit the Broncos Athletics website for more information. Go Broncos!
Students from all of the diploma programs at Olds College have the option of continuing into an Applied Degree here once they have successfully completed their diploma. Many of our programs also have articulation or transfer agreements with other institutions, where students can use their studies at Olds College towards earning a Bachelor's Degree. Check out the Articulations & Agreements page for more details.
Olds College provides a variety of student services, including academic advising, counselling, career support, accessibility services, financial aid, health and wellness programs, and recreation opportunities to support students throughout their studies. Learn more about the student services offered.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our Student Success team is ready to help you navigate your academic journey and provide the support you need.
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