Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts (VADA) has surrendered the designation certificate previously issued to this institution by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). The institution is no longer certified effective October 1, 2026. The institution may no longer provide, or offer to provide, career training as set out under the Private Training Act.
PTIRU will assist students who were enrolled in an approved program at the institution when the institution closed and who may be eligible to submit a claim against the Student Tuition Protection Fund.
PTIRU hosted an information session for students Monday, October 19, 2026 at 10:00am (Pacific Time).
Comparable Programs
The Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) has identified comparable program options for students affected by the closure of Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts (VADA).
The following institutions have agreed to offer train-out opportunities to students enrolled in the programs listed below.
Students who were enrolled in the 1-Year Dramatic Arts Program
| Train-Out Institution | Comparable Program |
| New Image College | Film Acting Intermediate |
| Story Institute | The Professional Working Actor |
| Vancouver Acting School | Acting Conservatory; Acting: Film, Television and Voice-Over |
| Vancouver Film School | Acting for Film and Television |
Students who have completed a significant portion of the 1-Year Dramatic Arts Program may consider a 24-week comparable program to complete the remainder of their studies.
Students who were enrolled in the Dramatic Arts Program (24 weeks)
| Train-Out Institution | Comparable Program |
| Story Institute | The Professional Actor |
| Story Institute | The Working Actor |
| Vancouver Acting School | Acting: Film, Television and Voice-Over |
Contact information for each train-out institution is provided below.
| Institution | Name | Contact |
| New Image College |
Admissions Charie
|
Charie@newimage.ca |
| Story Institute | Michael Coleman |
michaelcoleman@storyinstitute.ca
|
| Vancouver Acting School | Scott Gamble | sgamble@vancouveractingschool.com 604-564-724 |
| Vancouver Film School | Admissions | admissions@vfs.com 604 685 5808 |
We encourage you to review the available program options and contact the train-out institution(s) directly to discuss program details
After selecting a train-out institution and program:
- Sign an enrolment contract with the institution.
- The institution will provide you with a Letter of Acceptance and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), if required, to support your study permit application.
- After PTIRU receives your signed enrolment contract from the train-out institution, PTIRU will provide that institution with any available student and financial records from your former institution.
- You will be eligible to receive a credential upon successful completion of the program requirements.
Tuition Refund Claims
If you have not already done so, please submit a Tuition Refund Claim Form to PTIRU at PTI.InstitutionClosure@gov.bc.ca.
Once your claim has been assessed, any approved tuition refund will be paid directly to your train-out institution.
Your claim will be assessed based on the tuition you paid as of the closure date. If you still owed tuition under your original enrolment contract, you may be required to pay the remaining balance, up to the maximum tuition amount stated in that contract, to your train-out institution. The institution may also charge any fees permitted under the Private Training Act that are identified in your new enrolment contract.
The Claim Form is available in the right side of this page and must be submitted within one year of the closure. The Claim Form must be completed, in full, for a claim to be processed.
To file a claim against the Student Tuition Protection Fund, submit copies of the following documents:
- Completed Claim Form
- Student Enrolment Contract
- Letter of Acceptance (international students only)
- Proof of Payment (receipt, wire transfer receipt, etc.)
- Any other documents that confirm your enrolment, tuition paid, program and start date
Completed claim forms and supporting documents can be submitted to PTI.InstitutionClosure@gov.bc.ca.
Special Circumstances
If special circumstances prevent you from attending one of the appointed train-out institutions, you may submit a Special Circumstances – Institution Closure Claim Form to PTIRU at PTI.InstitutionClosure@gov.bc.ca.
The Registrar will review your request and determine whether to approve your special-circumstances claim.
Questions
Please contact the train-out institution directly with questions about programs, enrolment, or scheduling.
Questions about tuition refund claims, student records, or institution closure processes can be sent to PTI.InstitutionClosure@gov.bc.ca.
For advice regarding your immigration status, study permit, or related matters, please contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use an education agent to enrol at another post-secondary institutions in BC?
No. Domestic and international students may enrol directly at post-secondary institutions in BC; students do not need to use an education agent.
You are strongly encouraged to review the website of post-secondary institutions offering similar programs, or any other institution you are considering attending, and to visit those institutions before making a decision about enrolling.
For more general information about what to consider before enrolling at an institution, go to the Be an Informed Student page of the PTIRU website.
Who decides whether I will receive a tuition refund?
Claims for a tuition refund are adjudicated by the Trustee of the Student Tuition Protection Fund.
When will I find out if I am going to receive a tuition refund?
To be adjudicated, a student must file a claim and may be required to provide supporting documentation. PTIRU staff provide the information that the Trustee requires for the adjudication, as outlined in the Claim Form. The Trustee will then make a decision which will be communicated to the claimant and the institution. Given the steps involved and the number of anticipated claims, it may take several months for adjudication decisions to be made for all students. However, the sooner you submit your claim and other required information, the sooner you can expect an adjudication decision.
I am an international student on a study permit. How does the closure affect my study permit?
An institution closure means the school is no longer open and is no longer eligible to host international students who require a study permit because it is no longer considered a designated learning institution (DLI).
If you were studying at this institution at the time of the closure, you have up to a maximum of 150 days to secure a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from another DLI and apply for a new study permit, or otherwise apply to change your status (e.g., to visitor). Please consult IRCC’s official guidance on Changing your school or program for details on how this may affect your individual study permit.
Because these institutions have closed, you may be allowed to begin studying at your new DLI while your study permit application is being processed, as outlined in IRCC’s guidance.
For further information about whether you require a new Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or other documentation, please see IRCC’s page on the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). PALs are a limited resource and issued at the discretion of institutions, you will need to contact institutions directly to confirm availability to support your transition to a new program and DLI.
If you have questions specific to your study permit status or future application, please contact IRCC directly.
I receive student financial assistance for my program. How does the closure affect my financial assistance?
Every effort will be made by the relevant government agencies to limit the disruption to your studies.
StudentAid BC funding will only be affected if your studies are disrupted for a period of 21 days or more. This means that no more than three weeks may pass between the last date of attendance at the original post-secondary institution and the start date at a new institution.
However, you will be required to notify StudentAid BC if you transfer to a new institution, as well as if your studies are disrupted for 21 days or more.
For any SABC inquiries email: StudentAidBC@gov.bc.ca or phone: 1-888-561-1818.
Students receiving financial assistance from another jurisdiction should contact the government department responsible for financial assistance. If you are a student from Alberta receiving financial assistance from Alberta Student Aid, go to: Home | Alberta Student Aid. If you are a student from Saskatchewan receiving financial assistance from Saskatchewan Student Aid, go to: Saskatchewan Student Aid | Saskatchewan Education and Learning | Government of Saskatchewan. If you are a student from Ontario receiving financial assistance from the Ontario Student Assistance Program, go to: OSAP: Ontario Student Assistance Program | ontario.ca.
What are my options with regards to my StudentAid BC funding?
Should you enrol at a different institution within 21 days of your last date of attendance at your original institution, and you are attending your program full-time, you may complete an Appendix 5 – Transfer of School form to avoid having an overaward assessed or having to reapply for StudentAid BC funding. If you are attending your program Part-time, please reach out to StudentAid BC at Studentaidbc@gov.bc.ca.
If you do not enrol at a new institution within 21 days of your last date of classes with your original institution, a withdrawal will be processed on your student loan record.
How do I notify StudentAid BC if I enrol at a different institution?
In the case that you enrol at a different institution and commence studies at the new institution within 21 days of your last date of attendance at your original institution, and you are a full-time student you are required to submit an Appendix 5 – Transfer of School form. PTIRU will complete Section 2 of the form, the new institution you have enrolled at will complete Section 3 of the form, and you are responsible to complete Section 1 of the form.
If you are a part-time student, reach out to StudentAid BC directly by phone or email.
What happens to my StudentAid BC funding if I do not enrol at a different institution within 21 days of my last day in attendance at my original institution?
If you do not enrol at a new institution within 21 days of your last date of attendance at your original institution, a withdrawal will be processed on your student loan records. As your StudentAid BC funding was calculated based on the completion of your anticipated study period, a withdrawal may result in an overaward being assessed on the StudentAid BC funding you have received. An overaward can affect your future StudentAid BC funding. Please see https://studentaidbc.ca/apply/overaward for more information about what to do in the event of an overaward.
If you decide to return to full time studies within 6 months of your withdrawal date, you may submit an overaward appeal. This will initiate a review of your circumstances for consideration in having the overaward set aside until your loan is scheduled for repayment. Overaward appeals must be submitted within 90 days from the date of your overaward notification letter.
Additional information
For more information, contact PTIRU at PTI.InstitutionClosure@gov.bc.ca.