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Post-Diploma Certificate

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Length: One year Delivery: On-Campus Program Intake: Fall Intake

Build on your existing post-secondary education by gaining practical, in-demand skills with our one-year post-diploma certificate programs.

Overview

Designed to enhance your previously obtained post-secondary education with practical and employable skills in an area of specialization. These post-diploma certificate programs are suited for recent graduates who have earned a diploma or degree in a general field like business or science and are looking to round out their education with focused and career-ready skills. The post-diploma certificate may also be an excellent choice for mature learners with previous education and who are looking to retrain for a new career.

Credential

Upon successful completion of a PDC program, graduates will receive a post-diploma certificate.

Post-diploma certificate programs prepare individuals for employment in a specialized role or for further study. Post-diploma certificates are not a graduate level credential and new international applicants will be required to obtain a provincial attestation letter for their study permit application. 

Admission Requirements

Please Note:

  • Students may not receive advance credit/standing based on credits considered as part of the admission requirement.
  • Up to 12 students can be enrolled each year on a first qualified, first admitted basis.

Program Details

Tuition, Fees & Affordability

Please refer to the current Fee Schedule for complete details.

Tuition, Fees & Payments

Funding & Awards

Scholarships & Student Awards

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology offers over 450 awards, valued at $500,000+ in scholarships, bursaries and prizes. Thanks to our industry partners, alumni, and friends of Olds College we are fortunate to offer a generous student awards program to students.

For additional information on scholarships, bursaries and prizes at Olds College, visit Scholarships & Awards.

Entrance Awards Available!

Entrance awards range from $250 - $1,500 for students applying for the upcoming academic year and have paid the tuition deposit by the deadline.

Awards are selected randomly from those that have applied and qualify based on the criteria.
Award will be applied as a tuition credit to the student's account after the add/drop course deadline, confirming full-time attendance. Not all that apply will receive an entrance award.

Student Funding

For information on how to apply for government student loans, financial aid or for help with financial planning, visit our Student Funding page.

Courses

  • Students will be contacted by a Student Advisor approximately one month prior to the start date of the program to select courses.
  • Students will select suitable courses based on availability.
  • Course selections will normally be from one area of specialization, however applicable courses from other areas of study may be considered.

Academic Calendar: View Courses

Admitted Students

Technology Recommendation

It is required that you come to Olds College of Agriculture & Technology with the following technology:

  • A Windows based laptop capable of running Microsoft Office and ESRI ArcGIS Pro 2.5. Students will be using these programs extensively in lectures and classes. The software will be available for installation once you are on campus.
    • The minimum requirements for this laptop are:
    • Operating System: Windows 8.1 (64 bit) or Windows 10 (64 bit)
    • CPU: 2 cores, hyperthreaded (4 cores or more recommended)
    • RAM: 4 GB (8 GB or more recommended)
    • Storage: 32 GB of free space (Solid State Drive recommended

As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:

  • Go to portal.office.com
  • Enter your Olds College email address and password
  • Once logged in there is a button on the right that says "Install Office Apps"

This will give you access to the full Office suite on your computer, for both Windows and Mac based platforms.

Materials & Supplies for Post-Diploma Environment Students

It is recommended that you come prepared with the following items for your field experiences:

  • Waterproof jacket & pants
  • Rubber boots
  • Solid hiking books (no flip flops or sandals)
  • Umbrella
  • Rain poncho
  • Long Pants
  • Sunhat
  • Sunglasses (if desired)
  • Sunscreen & bug spray (if desired)

Many courses at Olds College require instructor prepared modules as a substitute for textbooks. These modules provide you with the essential course notes and laboratory exercises. They also serve as excellent reference materials for you after you leave school. Modules typically cost between $25 - 40, depending on the size.

Information on other required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.

Talk to Recruitment!

Connect directly with the recruitment team at Olds College to get personalized support as you explore your pathway to post-secondary study. Whether you have questions about programs, admission requirements, campus life or next steps in your application journey, our recruitment specialists are here to help you make informed decisions and plan with confidence.

Talk to Recruitment

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply now for 2026-27!

Applications for 2027-28 open Oct. 1, 2026, 9 a.m.

Get started — learn how to apply today!

Our easy online application process guides you through each step, making it simple to apply and get started. Start preparing now, and be ready to apply!