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Diploma Programs

Your Pathway to a Creative Career

Diploma Programs for a Career in Arts and Technology

The College for Arts and Technology (CAT) delivers industry-leading diploma programs in arts and technology. Founded by a collective of accomplished industry professionals, artists, and educators, CAT’s career-focused programs are designed to foster creativity, technical expertise, and professional success, preparing graduates for thriving careers in dynamic fields, including animation, filmmaking, graphic design, audio engineering, acting, and network security. Located in the vibrant city of Kelowna, British Columbia, our campus features industry-standard facilities, including two professional audio recording studios, a film and photography studio, traditional and digital animation labs, and an interior design lab. Individualized instruction from industry-experienced faculty, ensure students gain hands-on experience with the tools and technologies used by leading professionals. At CAT, students thrive in a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative learning environment. And with a focus on personalized education and strong industry connections, CAT gives students the training they need transform their skills and talent into sustainable careers in the rapidly evolving creative economy.

A College that Educates and Empowers Students 

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Quick Facts

THIS IS US

Our Mission

The foundations of CAT were laid over 45 years ago, with a focus on connecting people with meaningful education in arts and technology disciplines. Throughout the following years those roots evolved, and a little over two decades ago, CAT welcomed our first full-time students to campus. In the years since, we have established ourselves as one of Canada’s leading colleges in digital arts and technical training, producing successful graduates in the areas of animation, audio, design, filmmaking, photography and network security.

College for Arts and Technology is a growing community, and our mission and values reflect that. We are a college that nurtures students along their educational journey, providing challenges and opportunities, mentorship and motivation, all while fostering a collaborative environment where students can reach their full potential.

We believe in empowering people through education.

Our People

From Program Advisors to Department Heads, from Instructors to Student Services, the people at College for Arts and Technology are driven by one common passion – to see the students succeed. Industry professionals will guide you through the classroom while professional development support will help you with those things that don’t come from a textbook. The most important thing to know is that you might be standing at the front of the class, but you’ve got an entire family rooting for you.


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Our Facilities

A hub of creative learning, our campus is home to our dedicated and highly knowledgeable staff and instructors, who connect with and empower our students in a variety of industry-specific learning spaces. Dedicated program classrooms include two contemporary audio recording studios, traditional animation and digital media labs, interior design studio classroom, and three photo and film production studios.


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Your Future Begins Here

Ignite your creativity

When you’re inspired to pursue your passions, amazing things can happen! Our alumni enter their chosen professions as highly desired artists and designers, audio engineers, filmmakers, photographers and creators.

  • A masterful blend of art and skill, our Interior Design programs prepare you for a career in this dynamic industry. Hands-on classes will cover the key skills including design theory and process for residential and commercial spaces, drafting and rendering, design regulations, and material selection.
    Pathway Program
    Diploma in Interior Design
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  • Get the skills and connections to secure your career in finance! Key skills covered in this program include foundational accounting principles, accounting software (Sage, Quickbooks, and Excel), tax preparation, processing payroll, reporting and reconciliation, and more.
    Pathway Program
    Certificate in Bookkeeping & Accounting
    Learn more
  • A blend of foundational theory and applied techniques, our audio programs cover the skills you'll need to set the tone for your career in audio. Skills covered include microphones and recording, music theory, Pro Tools and Ableton Live, mixing and mastering, post-production, ADR, foley and surround mixing.
    Pathway Program
    Diploma in Audio Engineering & Production
    Learn more
  • Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of acting? Our 12 month Acting for Film & Television program is designed to provide aspiring actors with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to thrive in the dynamic and competitive entertainment industry.
    Pathway Program
    Diploma in Acting for Film & Television
    Learn more
  • Graphic design is an expanding industry with a variety of evolving career opportunities. Make your mark with our program that covers key skills including design, illustration, and layout techniques using the Adobe Creative Suite, including print, packaging, digital content, and website design.
    Pathway Program
    Diploma in Graphic & Web Design
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  • Get the 2D animation skills and industry connections to make your mark in this expanding industry. Key skills covered in this program include traditional drawing & animation, digital painting and character creation, storyboarding, digital editing, and working in an animation pipeline
    Pathway Program
    Diploma in 2D Animation & Digital Art
    Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept payments via e-transfer?
Yes! CAT can now accept e-transfer payments for student fees, tuition etc. Simply add us as an e-transfer recipient from your online banking portal and be sure to include your student number in the payment comments. No need for a security question as we are set up to receive transfers as auto-deposits. Please reach out to your Program Advisor or our Finance team to obtain the email address to add to your online banking portal.
What are the admission requirements?
We believe everyone has the right to an education so we don’t make you jump through a ton of hoops here at the College for Arts and Technology. Fill out the application online, pay your application fee of $150, submit an official transcript, and write an essay telling us about you, your goals, and your career aspirations. You will need to also submit your portfolio if you’re applying to photography or animation. (only for certain programs!). Have more questions? Speak with a Program Advisor about your next steps!
I’m interested in more than one program, how do I decide?

Awesome! It’s great to have diverse interests and this certainly applies to many of our students. If you are in this position, we would suggest booking an appointment with a Program Advisor. They are very knowledgeable and can share detailed program and career information as well as provide opportunities for you to explore our programs in depth, including “try a class”, connecting you with successful alumni, and more! You can contact a Program Advisor by completing any inquiry form on our website.

Lastly, if you are in grade 11, 12 or recently graduated from high school, we offer an annual opportunity for program exploration called Bootcamp! Happening in March every year, Bootcamp offers 4 days of hands-on fun and program discovery.

What is the campus environment like?

The best way to experience our bustling campus is to see for yourself! We offer campus tours, and if you’d like, you can even sit in on some classes to get the “CAT experience” firsthand. You can book a campus tour or arrange to sit in on a class by connecting with a Program Advisor through our inquiry form.

If you are unable to visit the campus at this time, here’s how we would describe it – Our campus in beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia is a showcase of the latest technology and state-of-the-art facilities, providing our students access to the very same equipment and software being used by leading industry professionals. Campus highlights include two audio recording studios, three film and photography studio classrooms, traditional and digital animation labs, and a dedicated interior design lab classroom. More important than what we have, is what we are – a bustling hub of creativity and learning, a tight-knit group of students and staff, and a feeling of ingenuity and exploration. You’ll often find busy classrooms, groups of students hanging out in the Student Lounge and a feeling of freedom and creativity. What more could you ask for?

What are the housing options for students?
While we do not currently offer on-campus housing, we understand the importance of finding suitable accommodations for our students. There are a variety of off-campus housing options in Kelowna and surrounding areas that cater to different preferences and budgets. We can provide you with resources, tips, and recommendations for finding housing in the vicinity. Additionally, we suggest exploring local listings, rental websites, and community bulletin boards for available options. Our team is here to support you in your search for suitable housing, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept payments via e-transfer?
Yes! CAT can now accept e-transfer payments for student fees, tuition etc. Simply add us as an e-transfer recipient from your online banking portal and be sure to include your student number in the payment comments. No need for a security question as we are set up to receive transfers as auto-deposits. Please reach out to your Program Advisor or our Finance team to obtain the email address to add to your online banking portal.
What are the admission requirements?
We believe everyone has the right to an education so we don’t make you jump through a ton of hoops here at the College for Arts and Technology. Fill out the application online, pay your application fee of $150, submit an official transcript, and write an essay telling us about you, your goals, and your career aspirations. You will need to also submit your portfolio if you’re applying to photography or animation. (only for certain programs!). Have more questions? Speak with a Program Advisor about your next steps!
I’m interested in more than one program, how do I decide?

Awesome! It’s great to have diverse interests and this certainly applies to many of our students. If you are in this position, we would suggest booking an appointment with a Program Advisor. They are very knowledgeable and can share detailed program and career information as well as provide opportunities for you to explore our programs in depth, including “try a class”, connecting you with successful alumni, and more! You can contact a Program Advisor by completing any inquiry form on our website.

Lastly, if you are in grade 11, 12 or recently graduated from high school, we offer an annual opportunity for program exploration called Bootcamp! Happening in March every year, Bootcamp offers 4 days of hands-on fun and program discovery.

What is the campus environment like?

The best way to experience our bustling campus is to see for yourself! We offer campus tours, and if you’d like, you can even sit in on some classes to get the “CAT experience” firsthand. You can book a campus tour or arrange to sit in on a class by connecting with a Program Advisor through our inquiry form.

If you are unable to visit the campus at this time, here’s how we would describe it – Our campus in beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia is a showcase of the latest technology and state-of-the-art facilities, providing our students access to the very same equipment and software being used by leading industry professionals. Campus highlights include two audio recording studios, three film and photography studio classrooms, traditional and digital animation labs, and a dedicated interior design lab classroom. More important than what we have, is what we are – a bustling hub of creativity and learning, a tight-knit group of students and staff, and a feeling of ingenuity and exploration. You’ll often find busy classrooms, groups of students hanging out in the Student Lounge and a feeling of freedom and creativity. What more could you ask for?

What are the housing options for students?
While we do not currently offer on-campus housing, we understand the importance of finding suitable accommodations for our students. There are a variety of off-campus housing options in Kelowna and surrounding areas that cater to different preferences and budgets. We can provide you with resources, tips, and recommendations for finding housing in the vicinity. Additionally, we suggest exploring local listings, rental websites, and community bulletin boards for available options. Our team is here to support you in your search for suitable housing, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance.

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