The city of Yellowknife (pop. 19,000), located on the shores of Great Slave Lake, is the territorial capital and the largest community in the Northwest Territories. The city sees itself as the Diamond Capital of North America.

Yellowknife's economy is largely based on the mineral, oil and gas activity across the Northwest Territories, especially diamonds. Since the discovery of diamonds on the barrenlands in 1991, two diamond mines have been established in the NWT, with a third expected to become operational in 2007.

Not only a hub for industry and government in the North, Yellowknife is also a regional health centre and is home to Stanton Regional Hospital, the largest health care facility in the NWT. As such, Yellowknife Campus is the natural site for the Bachelor in the Science of Nursing program, which is delivered by partnership with the University of Victoria. All four years of the BScN can be taken at Yellowknife Campus.

Over 200 full-time students at Yellowknife Campus are registered in a variety of programs.