• General admission requirements

• When to apply

• How to apply

• English language entrance proficiency policy

• Provincial exam policy

• Documents

• Admission from other provinces

• Equivalents to B.C. graduation

• Conditional offers of admission

• Special admission

• Concurrent studies

• Re-admission

• Changing programs

• International students

• Placement tests
 

General admission requirements

Citizenship/residency status in Canada

Canadian citizens and permanent residents (landed immigrants) are eligible for admission as domestic students. International students should be aware that different application forms, fees, timelines, and procedures will apply. Please see the International students section for more details.

Qualifications

Post-secondary programs at UFV generally require B.C. high school graduation or equivalent for admission.

Many programs also require that you meet additional entrance requirements, such as completion of specific courses with certain grades or averages, written statements, references, etc. Specific admission requirements are set in order to ensure students have a reasonable chance of success. Please refer to your preferred program or discipline in the calendar for entrance requirements and information about how and when to apply.

Some programs, such as General Studies programs and program paths, accept mature students (age 19 or older as of the first day of classes) without high school graduation.

Programs may admit students in one of two ways:

1. Qualified applicants are admitted in order of their “date of application” (recorded when the application is complete — see below), or

2. Applicants are admitted on a competitive basis, according to criteria the program has established to determine best-prepared students. Should there be more qualified applicants for the program, students who meet the minimum entrance requirements are not guaranteed admission. Students must complete the application process by the application deadlines (see When to apply) in order to be considered in the best-prepared group. Early applications are recommended, so the applications can be reviewed (and any missing requirements completed) prior to the deadline.

Programs that admit on a competitive basis will include information on the criteria that will be used in the “Basis of admission decision” section for each program in this calendar.

Admission to a program does not imply space availability in all courses required for the program.

When to apply

Early application is recommended for all programs. Applications should be complete upon submission, or completed as quickly as possible. The application date recorded is the date that the application form, all required information or documents for the program, and the application fee are mailed or submitted.

Application dates are used to order qualified applicants for many programs. For programs that admit students competitively, apply two to three months before the application deadline to give Admissions an opportunity to review your documents and notify you if any requirements are missing. Assignment of registration times for new applicants is currently by date of application (registration order policy is under review).

Continuous application process

Continuous application means that applications are accepted throughout the year, and the names of those with complete applications are added to a waiting list. Programs that admit students in application date order will then offer a seat to qualified applicants when a space becomes available. Programs that admit on a competitive basis will consider applicants who have completed the necessary requirements as of the application deadline, and will offer available seats to those who best meet the criteria. Students currently in grade 12 may apply as soon as they begin grade 12 in September. If you are applying to a continuous application program and want to enrol in courses while you are waiting, contact A&R to request admission to a general program or program path.

Specific intake application process

For these programs, you apply on or after a certain date, for a specific semester.

Application dates for specific intake applications:

* Applications for programs that admit competitively should be complete by this date, with all entrance requirements met, in order to be considered in the best-prepared group. If seats remain after consideration of the best-prepared group, qualified applicants will be considered according to application order.

Many programs may accept applications after this date; check the A&R website at www.ufv.ca/ar, or contact Admissions & Records before sending an application. Applicants who apply after these dates, or who do not provide all the required documents by these dates, will generally be scheduled to register later than other students in the program. Rarely, programs reach capacity and/or stop accepting applications before this date.

How to apply

You can apply by mail (we record the post-marked date), through the internet at www.pas.bc.ca, or in person. The application date is recorded once the application is complete (see below).

For more information, please see this section of the A&R website.

Complete applications

The application fee and all the documents listed in the How to Apply section for each program (i.e., all required documents for a complete application) must be enclosed in order to have a complete application. If you apply through the web, your application fee (if you did not provide a credit card number) and any required documents should be mailed the same day you transmit your application in order to retain your application date. If you have official transcripts sent directly from another institution, you should ensure they are ordered in time to arrive within two weeks of the date your application is submitted.

If an application is incomplete upon submission, the “application date” will be the date the application becomes complete.

Students currently attending Grade 12 have until March 31 to submit test scores, final grades, and/or interim grades for courses required for program entrance, but should submit all other required documents with their applications form. See Documents below for further information.

English language entrance proficiency policy

English is the language of instruction at UFV. UFV recognizes that applicants must have a level of English sufficient to participate and be successful in the learning process. Applicants to all university-level programs, and students registering for any post-secondary courses, are expected to be able to demonstrate language proficiency. Meeting English language entrance proficiency meets language requirements for post-secondary courses, except for English and communications courses which have specific requirements.

All applicants to post-secondary programs will be checked to ensure English language entrance proficiency has been met prior to being admitted. Applicants unable to meet entrance proficiency levels will be given the opportunity to upgrade their language skills through College and Career Preparation, English as a Second Language, and/or the University Foundation certificate.

See English language policies in the Regulations, Grading, and Policies section for details.

Provincial exam policy

B.C. secondary students applying to UFV are not required to submit provincial examination results for examinations now deemed optional by the provincial government. Should a student elect to write an optional grade 12 provincial exam, the higher of the school mark or the blended grade (school mark and provincial exam result combined) will be used for admission or course prerequisites.

Students must continue to write the provincial examinations for those subjects where examinations are mandatory in order to meet B.C. graduation program requirements. For these courses, the higher of the school mark or the blended grade will be used for admission or course prerequisites. For more information, please see www.ufv.ca/ar/admissions/provincial-exam-policy-change.

Documents

Official transcripts from other institutions you have attended are required for entrance to many programs. Transcripts are considered official when they bear the institution seal or authorized signature and are in the original sealed envelope of the issuing institution. If official transcripts are required for entrance to a program, and you are having them mailed directly to UFV, order them early so they arrive within two weeks of the date you apply.

A certified translation is required for documents in a language other than English (some exceptions may be possible for documents in French).

Documents submitted become the property of UFV. Only documents that are considered by UFV to be irreplaceable will be returned to the student (on request).

Most programs require high school graduation or equivalent, so official high school transcripts must be submitted. Some programs, such as General Studies programs and program paths, require that students be high school graduates or 19 years of age by the first day of the semester. Students who are under 19 and not in school will be required to submit proof of high school graduation (an official high school transcript) with their application forms. Students enrolled in B.C. Grade 12 should also arrange to have their grades sent directly from the Ministry of Education; however, if the program requires completion of specific high school courses, Grade 12 students will be given until March 31 to submit spring interim high school grades.

Students who have taken course prerequisites at other institutions will also need to submit official post-secondary transcripts for evaluation. Allow a minimum of six to eight weeks for the evaluation. You may need to submit course outlines if the courses have not previously been articulated.

Admission from other provinces

Many programs require that students have B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent in order to meet entrance requirements. Students who have graduated from the secondary school system (Grade 12) in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland are considered to have satisfied this requirement. Students from Quebec who have completed one full academic year at CEGEP and students from Ontario who have graduated on the new curriculum (2003 or later) are also considered to have equivalent to B.C. graduation. Ontario graduates from previous years are required to have six OAC courses or Grade 13.

Equivalents to B.C. graduation

Students who have completed the International Baccalaureate diploma program, the ABE Provincial diploma, the B.C. Adult Graduation diploma Adult Basic Education completion, or the General Education diploma (GED) may be considered to have the equivalent of B.C. secondary school graduation for admission purposes. However, students who are applying for any program that requires specific secondary school level courses for entrance, e.g., Math 11 or equivalent, or who intend to register for a course that has a specific secondary school course as a prerequisite, must provide an official transcript showing a final grade in the appropriate subject.

Conditional offers of admission

Some programs may accept students prior to completion of all entrance requirements. Other programs do not consider applications without documentation that all requirements have been completed. Check the How to Apply section for your program for information.

If an admission decision is based on courses in progress, acceptance will be conditional upon proof of completion of final academic requirements. Your offer of admission will state a final date for receipt of this information. However, applicants are encouraged to submit final grades as soon as possible.

Special admission

Any person who does not meet stated admission requirements may petition our Academic Standards committee for special consideration. Special Admission request forms are available from our website at www.ufv.ca/ar, or at Admissions and Records. Special Admission requests, with supporting documents, should be forwarded to the Associate Registrar. The request must be accompanied by an Application for Admission form, and the application fee (currently $45).

Special Admission applicants are required to provide a rationale for special consideration, transcripts, and a reference from a UFV advisor or counsellor. They may also be required to undertake testing, write provincial examinations, attend an interview, and/or write an essay in order to assess academic level. Applicants are advised to apply for special admission by April 30 for fall entry, October 31 for winter, or February 28 for summer semester.

Concurrent studies

Secondary school students may take a course at UFV while still working toward secondary school graduation. Concurrent studies may be permitted under the following guidelines:

1. The student is attending a secondary school.
2. The student is deemed to have exceptional ability or may benefit substantially by taking the university course.
3. A similar course is not available at the secondary school.
4. The principal of the secondary school and the student’s parent or legal guardian provides written support.
5. The course instructor and program/department head approves the request.
6. There is space in the course at the time classes begin.

Applications for concurrent studies should be submitted to the Associate Registrar, at least one month before the start of classes.

Interim grades, letters from the student, the principal, and the parent or guardian, and the application fee, must accompany the application form. Written permission from the instructor must be available at the time of registration.

Re-admission policy

Students who have been admitted to a program at UFV and who fall into any of the following categories must apply for re-admission to that program:

1. UFV students who fail to attend courses in the program for two years. Some programs, e.g., Health Sciences and Trades, require continuous enrolment. Check individual program information.

2. Students who fail to register in the first semester, or who withdraw completely in the first semester of attendance.

A $20 re-application fee is required.

Please refer to policy 340.20 for more information.

Changing programs

New applicants who wish to apply to a different program must submit another Application for Admission form, and the $20 re-application fee.

Continuing UFV students who would like to enter a new program must also submit an Application for Admission form. No application fee is required for continuing UFV undergraduate students (i.e. students who are currently registered or who have attended within two years prior to the start of the semester).

International students

UFV welcomes many international students each year. These include exchange students sponsored by local community groups, visitors from overseas and others residing temporarily in our communities, as well as students applying from outside Canada.

Although it is not always possible to meet the needs of international students completely due to the priority for university services (which is reserved for local residents) UFV does, wherever possible, attempt to make available its full range of services to interested students. Different fees, application forms, and procedures apply.

For further information concerning international education and the enrolment of foreign students please call UFV International at 604-854-4544, 604-504-7441, or international@ufv.ca, or refer to the international education website at www.ufv.ca/international.

Placement tests

Students may need to take tests to determine skill levels and aid in selection of courses appropriate to their educational backgrounds and abilities. Placement tests may also be used to meet entrance requirements for some programs, the language proficiency policy, and/or course prerequisites.

Dates, times, location, cost, minimum scores, preparation, etc., and detailed handouts on placement tests, are on the website at www.ufv.ca/Assessment/Placement or at Assessment Services located in Room G159 on the Abbotsford campus, and Room D117 on the Chilliwack campus. Contact the Abbotsford office at 604-557-4006, or the Chilliwack office at 604-792-0025, local 2460.