Thinking about Studying in the Northwest Territories?

While choosing the Northwest Territories for post-secondary education may not be the first thing that comes to mind for students, it is a viable option, especially for those that love the outdoors. It is also a unique educational experience that you cannot get anywhere else in the Country.

The largest of the three Northern territories, the region has a population of just under 45, 000 residents, with approximately half of the population living in its capital, Yellowknife.

The territory is an outdoorsman’s dream. Known for its lakes (Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake), national parks, islands and endless open areas of wilderness and wildlife, you can be at one with nature.

One unique factor about the territory is that it has 11 official languages and there are many cultural groups that inhabit the area, many of which come from Aboriginal heritage.

Aurora College – The Post-Secondary Option in Northwest Territories

Established in 1995, Aurora College is the only public post-secondary school in the Northwest Territories. It was established to serve more than 30 communities that are dispersed across more than 1.3 million square kilometres. To serve students best, there are three campuses in the territory:

• Aurora Campus
• Thebacha Campus
• Yellowknife/ North Slave Campus

Additionally, there are also Community Learning Centres that are set up in communities across the territory to provide people to as much access to education as possible. Distance education is also available for select programs. These options create multiple ways for students to get their diploma.

Education Programs to Consider

The focal point of education in Northwest Territories is to teach residents the skills and knowledge they need to live in the unique communities across the territory. This means that the focal point of many of these programs is on teaching vocational skills and trades.

Since mining is the major industry in the area, there are a number of programs that are related to this career. Programs include Oil Burner Mechanic, Underground Mining, Environment and Natural Resources Technology Program, and many other related apprenticeship programs.

There is one other option for education in the area – Academy of Learning College, which is a private career college offering programs in business, IT, accounting, and more.

Why Consider Northwest Territories for your Education? Here are some reasons why you should considering completing your education in Northwest Territories:

• Close knit communities and smaller class sizes
• More personalized attention for your studies
• A unique living experience
• Ideal for students interested in career in mining and natural resources
• Programs prepare you for careers and life in Northwest Territories
• Certificate, diploma, degree, trades and apprenticeships programs are available

More Information about Northwest Territories

To learn more about the Northwest Territories or to learn about your education options, please visit www.gov.nt.ca