IMPORTANT: For a limited time, All NEW International Applications May Receive Domestic Tuition Fees*!
    Some Restrictions Apply. Please connect with an Admissions Director.

    Student Resources

    Here at Blanche Macdonald you’re part of the Family even before your first day. We want to make sure you’re taken care of while you’re here, and fully equipped with all the resources you need to be successful. That’s why we’ve compiled everything we think you should know about studying with us and living in Vancouver into this Student Resources guide.

    This is your one-stop-shop for information on moving, living and studying here in Vancouver, including housing and accommodations, transportation, career planning, staying safe, medical care, Frequently Asked Questions and much more.

    Have a question that isn’t addressed here? Contact your Admissions Director. We’re here to help!

    Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Known as the Jewel of the Pacific Rim, it a vivid and vibrant multicultural hub that boasts international sophistication, rich cultural resources and breathtaking scenery. Vancouver’s natural splendour, set against the spectacular landscape of snow-capped mountains, primitive rainforests, and the Pacific Ocean, will dazzle and engage you.

    So will the people you meet. Vancouver is a safe, friendly city, where cultures and cuisines exchange ideas and influences. It is a city brimming with cultural events, world class shopping, gourmet restaurants with an endless array of International cuisines, and a vibrant nightlife. Its temperate climate, with mild winters unlike the rest of Canada, ensures its streets and cafes are always bustling.

    With miles of pristine public walkways, beautiful beaches that hug the coastline, and numerous bike paths and hiking trails, Vancouver’s outdoor activities are endless. Hundreds of movie and television productions have been filmed in and around Vancouver. The city has a well-deserved reputation as Hollywood North, with local film production revenues exceeding over a billion dollars annually. After even a brief visit to Vancouver, you’ll understand why the entertainment industry can’t stay away.

    Vancouver is a wonderful place to visit. It’s an even better place to live.

    Useful Websites

    Vancouver is an arts and culture hub. From Industry Trade Shows and International Festivals and Vancouver Fashion Week, there is always a festival, event week, restaurant opening, concert, convention or cultural happening taking place. Keep track of all that this bustling and vibrant city has to offer with our favourite guides to getting the most out of Vancouver’s cultural life.

    Scout Magazine
    Daily Hive
    Vancouver is Awesome
    Miss 604
    The Georgia Straight

    Vancouver is a beautiful, safe, vibrant and diverse city that welcomes people from all countries and cultures. We love calling Vancouver home, and we think you will be too.

    Blanche Macdonald's three campuses are located in central Vancouver, all conveniently placed for transit, shopping, dining, entertainment and the outdoors.

    Our Housing Administrative Associates will help guide you through the process of finding a place to live in Vancouver. We recommend that you begin your search by emailing our Blanche Macdonald Housing support staff at [email protected].

    They can assist you in your search, help you find a roommate, connect you with a homestay and advise you on living in Vancouver. They are also the Administrators of our private Facebook group, Housing Help, which operates on an invite-only basis to help new or current students find housing options.

    For detailed information on housing and life in Vancouver please visit our Housing Page, which is full of helpful tips on finding and selecting accommodation, living in Vancouver, choosing a neighbourhood, navigating the city, and much more.

    Blanche Macdonald is a globally renowned College for the creative and applied arts. We are an accepting and inclusive safe space for anyone who wants to learn. We encourage each student to apply themselves to their studies while developing as professionals on their journey to becoming their best selves. We’re here to help in any and every way we can.

    In addition to offering world-class training, we also provide lifetime support and advice to set you up for success at any stage in your career.

    Campuses, Classes and Services

    Blanche Macdonald has three campuses across Central Vancouver.

    Our City Square Campus is home to our Makeup, Nails and Esthetics departments. This is also where our Esthetic and Nail student services take place. It is only a short bus ride away from our other two campuses on Robson Street.

    Our Robson Campus in downtown Vancouver is where most of our Global Fashion Marketing classes take place, as well as all of our Fashion Design and Pro Hair classes. Hair services booked on Sundays or Mondays take place at this campus.

    Our Atelier Campus, located on Robson Street in downtown Vancouver, is the second home of our Fashion and Makeup departments. This is also where our Q&A Student Salon and CurliQue Beauty, our in-house retail boutique, are located.

    Q&A Hair Salon

    Q&A is our student salon run by our own Pro Hair students and supervised by our Pro Hair instructors. Students in other programs are eligible for free haircuts and 50% off colour services. Q&A is open Tuesday through to Saturday.

    CurliQue Beauty

    CurliQue Beauty Boutique offers students 20% off everything (excluding The Ordinary) on class days at Atelier and 20% off MAKE UP FOR EVER products for the duration of your program on class days at Atelier. On days when you have classes at another campus, and after you graduate, you can get 15% off the entire store (excluding The Ordinary).

    Our Social Media Team is always on the lookout for your ghoulish creations, stunning design work, newest nail set, and anything else you create in class! @blancheworld is our online community – a place to connect with other students, admire the work of Blanche Macdonald alumni, find out about events and housing, locate models and meet creative collaborators. Make sure to join us on all of our social channels and tag us, @blancheworld and #blanchegram. You never know when you’ll see your work featured on our feed!

    We want to get connected with each and every student from every program! We can be found on the following platforms:

    Instagram: @blancheworld

    Facebook: facebook.com/blanchemacdonaldcentre

    We also have two Facebook groups to help you gain experience, connect with other creatives and find models for your exams and projects.

    Blanche Macdonald Models Needed Facebook group:

    This private group is for all of our current students, in any program to find models for their exams or student/client days.

    Blanche Macdonald Creative Community Facebook group:

    This group connects our current students and grads with the larger creative community, especially photographers and videographers, in Vancouver to allow for creation and collaboration.

    And don’t forget about CurliQue Beauty – our very own beauty boutique! No matter which program you’re taking, they’ve got all the products, knowledge and deals to get you set up.

    Facebook: facebook.com/curliquebeauty

    Instagram: @CurliQueBeauty

    If you are taking our Makeup, Nails, Esthetics, or Pro Hair course, your Kit is already stocked with top-of-the-line products, tools, and essentially everything you’ll need. But you may need to replenish items, or decide to supplement your kit with personal product choices. If you are taking our Fashion Marketing or Design courses, we have most of the supplies you’ll need to get started on your first day, but as you go through the program, you may find that there are a few things you’d like to pick up for yourself.

    We’ve compiled a fairly thorough, though by no means exhaustive, list of places to start at if you’re looking to stock up on your creative necessities.

    Fashion
    Dressew
    OPUS

    Makeup
    CurliQue Beauty Boutique
    Studio F/X
    Daiso

    Hair
    CurliQue Beauty Boutique
    CosmoProf
    Kingdom Beauty
    Abantu
    West Coast Beauty

    Esthetics
    CurliQue Beauty Boutique
    CosmoProf
    West Coast Beauty
    Kingdom Beauty

    All three of our campuses are conveniently located in Central Vancouver. Everything you need – from restaurants and cafes to grocery stores, pharmacies, libraries, community centres, health and leisure facilities and transit stations – is only a short distance away. All of our locations are easily accessible by bus and train lines, and are approximately 45 minutes from the Vancouver Airport.

    Parking at our City Square campus can be found in the paid underground parkade as well as surrounding paid lots and side streets. This campus can also be accessed by buses 9, 17, 50 and the 99-B line, as well as the Canada Line on the Skytrain.

    Parking at our Robson and Atelier campuses can be found at various paid lots and meters around the downtown core. These campuses are accessible by a variety of bus lines, as well as the Canada Line and the Expo Line on the Skytrain.

    All of our campuses are fully equipped for maximum accessibility.

    The Blanche Macdonald Centre is committed to assisting our students during their school-to-work transition. All of our Diploma Programs include extensive business coaching, professional skills building, resumé preparation, and career search components in which students learn how to market themselves as Makeup Artists, Fashion Designers, Stylists, Estheticians, Nail Technicians, Hair Stylists and much more. You will learn everything from the essential art of networking to interview skills and how to write and maintain a specialized CV (curriculum vitae) as you develop the confidence to put your best self forward.

    Each department has a dedicated Career Services Team or Director that will meet with you throughout your Program to get a feel of who you are, what you enjoy, and where you see yourself in the industry. You are also welcome to set up a meeting with them at any point before or after graduation. Whether it’s a week or 5 years after you graduate, we are here to help you find exactly where you should be! Our Career Service Directors are all industry professionals who provide students and graduates with ongoing resources and support to assist them in launching careers in their chosen field.

    Makeup – Heather Sosa and Jennifer Brown
    Contact [email protected] and [email protected]

    Fashion – Mel Watts and Briana Morrison
    Contact [email protected] and [email protected]

    Esthetics & Nails – Simona Gozner
    Contact [email protected]

    Hair – Sherry Paley
    Contact [email protected]

    All students at Blanche Macdonald must have BC medical coverage or health insurance.

    The BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) is the basic form of medical insurance. MSP hospitalization and most physicians’ services and referrals. It does not cover prescription medication, eyeglasses, and dental care. We strongly recommend applying for the Medical Services Plan (MSP) as soon as you arrive in Vancouver. If you do not have insurance, it will be your responsibility to pay the entire cost of all medical attention you receive.

    The MSP is available to all BC Residents for a monthly fee. It is also available to out of province or International Students that have a valid Study Permit issued for six or more months. New residents who are applying for MSP will be subject to a 90 day waiting period.

    If you are not already a BC resident, or if you are not already covered by MSP, it is strongly recommended to apply as soon as you arrive in Vancouver.

    Applying for the Medical Services Plan (MSP)

    Find out how to apply online or download an application form on the BC Government website here.

    To learn more about MSP, please visit the MSP info page on the Government of British Columbia website here.

    Care Card

    You will receive a British Columbia Care Card in the mail when you register with MSP. There will be a registration number embossed on the Care Card which is used to determine the status of your insurance.

    Your Care Card will have the same expiry date as your Study Permit. Each time you receive a new Study permit, you will need to extend your MSP coverage. If you do not pay your monthly fee, you do not have insurance. It is important to carry your Care Card at all times as it must be presented to health care officials at the time that you are receiving care.

    For further information visit the BC Care Card website here.

    Your safety is of utmost importance to us. At Blanche Macdonald we are fully committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces. Vancouver is generally safe, but like any city, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and remain vigilant.

    The Vancouver Police Department has a wide range of tips for staying safe:

    Vancouver Coastal Health - medical and mental health emergency services

    Personal Safety

    Bicycling Safety

    Cybercrime

    Identity Theft

    Child/Teen Safety

    Residential Security

    Earthquake Awareness Tips

    Seasonal Safety

    Online Dating Safety

    International Student Safety

    Click here for more Safety Tips provided from the Vancouver Police Department.

    COVID-19 Resources

    Online BC Self-Assessment Tool to find out if you or your family need further assessment or Covid-19 testing. Available 24hrs.

    Call HealthLink BC by dialing 811 (toll free in BC) if you have health questions

    COVID-19 Coping Tips

    Mental Health Resources

    Here2Talk - FREE Mental Health Counselling service for all current B.C. post-secondary students. Available 24/7 via Here2Talk App, by phone 1-877-857-3397 and Here2Talk.ca. No appointment needed.
    Better Help - online professional counselling resource with access to licensed therapists. Convenient, discreet and affordable.
    Mental health reminders @nedratawwab - Instagram account by Nedra Glover Tawwab, Therapist. This account specializes in guidelines for setting boundaries.
    Canadian Mental Health Association - BC Division 1-800-555-8222
    Mood Disorders Association of BC - 604-873-0103
    Youth Support - online crisis chat line for youth and young adults in BC
    BC Health Guide - self-management resources
    BC Psychological Association - provides referrals for psychologists across BC. 1-800-730-0522
    Anxiety Disorders Association - 604-681-3400
    Early Psychosis Intervention Program - provides assistance to young people who recently developed psychosis. 1-866-870-7847
    BC Schizophrenia Society - 1-888-888-0029
    BC Partners for Mental Health and Addiction Information - suicide and substance-use information
    Suicide Prevention Resource Centre

    If you identify as a member of the LGBTQ2S+ Community, there are a number of resources, facilities and community organizations to help make you feel at home:

    QMunity
    Youthco
    Vancouver Pride Society
    Gordon Neighbourhood House
    HiM
    Prism Services
    Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre
    THiP
    Rainbow Refugee
    PFLAG
    Big Bros Barber Shop
    Double Rainbow Dodgeball
    Prideline - 1-800-566-1170

    If you have any concerns about your safety, do not hesitate to reach out to a trusted family member or a friend, and call one of the important numbers below.

    Ambulance, Fire, Police – 911
    Crisis Line – 604.872.3311 (this is a 24 hour emergency line)
    S.A.F.E.R – 604.879.9251 (confidential line for depression, suicide)
    Violence Against Women Crisis Line – 604.255.6344
    Women’s Crisis Line – 604.872.8212

    Vancouver Coastal Health - medical and mental health emergency services

     

    Blanche Macdonald Centre is committed to the prevention of and appropriate response to sexual misconduct.

    1. Scope

      This Policy applies to sexual misconduct involving a student.

      The alleged incident must meet the definition of Sexual Misconduct (see below) and is limited to on-campus activities.

      Behavior outside of these parameters and that does not affect a student’s studies or a staff member’s employment at Blanche Macdonald Centre is not covered by this Policy.

      The Policy does not apply to regular instructional activities as part of the personal services (Makeup, Esthetics, Nails, Hairstyling and Barbering) programs’ classroom activities.

      This Policy is not designed to deal with violent situations. In the event of a violent situation, law enforcement authorities will be notified.

    2. Sexual misconduct refers to a spectrum of non-consensual sexual contact and behaviour including the following:
      • Sexual assault: is any form of sexual touching or the threat, express or implied, of sexual touching without the Individual’s Consent. Sexual assault is the legal term used in Canada and it is a crime.
      • Sexual harassment: is unwelcome conduct, by comment or gesture, of a sexual nature that detrimentally affects the learning environment, or leads to adverse consequences for the individual directly subjected to the harassment.
      • Stalking and cyberstalking: (stalking through the use of electronic means) is the engaging in unwelcome conduct expressed or implied, that causes an individual to fear for their physical or psychological safety. It includes repeatedly following the individual, repeatedly communicating with the individual through any means, engaging in threatening conduct, or keeping watch over the place where the individual happens to be.
      • Indecent exposure: is exposing one’s body to another individual either physically or electronically, for a sexual purpose without the individual’s consent.
      • Voyeurism: is the distribution of a sexually explicit photograph or video of a person to one or more persons other than the person in the photograph or video without the consent of the person in the photograph or video and with the intent to distress the person in the photograph or video;


    3. A Complaint of sexual misconduct is different from a Report of sexual misconduct. A person may choose to disclose or complain of sexual misconduct without making a formal report. A Report is a formal notification of an incident of sexual misconduct to someone at the institution accompanied by a request for action.

    4. A student making a Complaint will be provided with resolution options and, if appropriate, accommodation, and will not be required or pressured to make a Report.

    5. The process for making a Complaint about sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
      • A Complaint may be made verbally or in writing and is to be directed to the attention of the applicable Program Director.

        Fashion Department:
        Peggy Morrison, Executive Program Director: [email protected]
        Briana Morrison, Executive Program Director: [email protected]
        Tyler Udall, Executive Director: [email protected]
        Hair Department:
        Debby Plaster, Program Director: [email protected]
        Esthetics/Nail Department:
        Simona Gozner, Program Director: [email protected]
        Makeup Department:
        Tracey Payne, Program Director: [email protected]
      • If the appropriate Program Director is not available, the Complaint may be directed to an alternate one.


    6. The process for responding to a Complaint of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
      • The institution will acknowledge receipt of the Complaint within 14 days.
      • The Complainant will be offered appropriate confidential support, accommodations, and other resources. Accommodations include the ability to alter academic schedules, to withdraw from/retake a class without penalty, and to access academic support.


    7. The process for making a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
      • A Report must be submitted in writing to Debbie Nickel, Executive Director at [email protected]. In the event that the Executive Director is not available, reports will be submitted to Barbara Johnston, Managing Director at [email protected].
      • The allegation must be made against a current student or staff member of Blanche Macdonald Centre at the time of the alleged misconduct, has occurred within the last six months and the conduct falls within the definition of Sexual Misconduct as indicated in the Policy.
      • The Report must include all relevant details including dates, times, locations, any witnesses, copies of emails, texts, or social media communications.


    8. The process for responding to a Report of sexual misconduct involving a student is as follows:
      • The institution will review the Report within a reasonable timeframe and confirm next steps in writing.
      • BMC is committed to due process, and as such the investigation will normally conclude within 30 - 60 days from when the Report is filed. However, the investigator may need to extend the investigation if it is determined that the 60 day timeline cannot be met. In these instances the parties will be notified and reasons for a delay will be provided.
      • Upon completion of the investigation, all parties involved will be provided with written copies of any findings.
      • Depending on the nature of the sexual misconduct and that disciplinary measures are required, BMC may: issue a verbal warning, issue a written warning noting Disciplinary Probation, suspension from the program or employment with BMC or dismissal from the program or employment with BMC.
      • BMC may not be able to take action or proceed with an investigation based on reports that are made verbally, anonymously, or lacking evidence, as this may constitute a violation of procedural fairness.


    9. It is contrary to this policy for an institution to retaliate, engage in reprisals or threaten to retaliate in relation to a Complaint or a Report.

    10. Any processes undertaken pursuant to this policy will be based on the principles of administrative fairness. All parties involved will be treated with dignity and respect.

    11. All information related to a Complaint or Report is confidential and will not be shared without the written consent of the parties, subject to the following exceptions:
      • If an individual is at imminent risk of severe or life-threatening self-harm.
      • If an individual is at imminent risk of harming another.
      • There are reasonable grounds to believe that others in the institutional community may be at significant risk of harm based on the information provided.
      • Where reporting is required by law.
      • Where it is necessary to ensure procedural fairness in an investigation or other response to a Complaint or Report.


    BRITISH COLUMBIA SERVICE RESOURCES

    Directory of police-based and community-based victim services in British Columbia.
    https://www.policevictimservices.bc.ca/victim-services-in-bc/

    Community-based victim services programs.
    https://endingviolence.org/need-help/services/

     

    An environment of positive interaction and personal empowerment is encouraged within the Blanche Macdonald Centre.

    If a communication breakdown occurs, or if a student initiates a complaint regarding BMC and any aspect of its operations, the student is encouraged to discuss the concern with the other party(ies) in order to resolve the problem.

    If a complaint cannot be resolved in this manner, the Centre ensures a fair and reasonable dispute resolution process. A student who makes or is otherwise involved in a complaint will not be subject to any form or retaliation by the institution at any time.

    The process by which the dispute/complaint will be handled is as follows:

    • The dispute/complaint must be made in writing and directed to the appropriate Program Director.

      Fashion Department:
      Peggy Morrison, Executive Program Director: [email protected]
      Tyler Udall, Executive Director: [email protected]
      Briana Morrison, Program Director: [email protected]

      Hair Department:
      Debby Plaster, Program Director:
      [email protected]

      Esthetics/Nail Department:
      Simona Gozner, Program Director:
      [email protected]

      Makeup Department:
      Tracey Payne, Program Director:
      [email protected]

    • If the appropriate Program Director is not available, the dispute/complaint may be directed to an alternate one.
    • The Program Director will review the information and meet with the applicable party(ies) in order to resolve the dispute/complaint and provide a written determination.
    • In the event that the dispute/complaint cannot be resolved at this point, the information will be forwarded to the applicable campus Managing Director:

      City Square campus:
      Barbara Johnston, Managing Director: [email protected]

      Robson campus:
      Lise Graham, Managing Director: [email protected]

      The Managing Director will review the information and, if necessary, meet with the applicable party(ies) in order to resolve the dispute/complaint and provide a written determination.
    • BMC will provide the reasons for the determination to the student(s) within 30 days after the date on which the student made the complaint.
    • The written reasons will advise a student, that if the student is dissatisfied with the determination AND has been misled by BMC regarding any significant aspect of the program, the student may file a complaint with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB)
      (www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca). Complaints must be filed with PTIB within one year of the date a student completes, is dismissed from, or withdraws from the program.
    • The student making the complaint may be represented by an agent or a lawyer at his/her/their own expense.

     



    Who can I talk to for further information?

    Please contact our Admissions Directors at our City Square Campus at 604-685-0347, our Robson Campus at 604-685-0337, our Atelier Campus at 604-685-5560 or by email at [email protected]. We will be happy to answer your questions.

    IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information provided is for general information and is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to provide accurate and complete information however Pacifique Riche Enterprises Ltd. (doing business as Blanche Macdonald Centre (BMC) makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy of the information provided. Some of the information provided may have been provided by independent third parties and should not be assumed to be approved or endorsed by BMC. BMC expressly disclaims all and any liability to anyone who acts in reliance on the information provided, whether the direct recipient of such information or not. Before acting in reliance on any information provided, you are strongly advised to contact BMC or such other person, organization or legal entity as you consider necessary or advisable to confirm that any information you are relying upon is current and accurate. BMC will not be responsible for any loss or damage arising to you as a result of any actions taken by you in reliance on the information contained herein or for any errors or omissions.

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