Engineering

Strong support can lead to better grades

Strong support can lead to better grades

Complete the first year of a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering degree in a supportive environment where you can achieve the best possible grades before you transfer to the University of British Columbia (UBC) or the University of Victoria (UVic).

When you complete UFV's one-year Engineering Common Core certificate successfully, you join all second-year students in the GPA-based competition for entry in the engineering specialties, such as Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical at UBC or UVic. An option also exists to complete the program over two or more years. In such a case,  engineering schools may require a higher entrance GPA.

The higher your GPA, the better your chances to be admitted in the school and engineering specialty of your choice. Because UFV is a teaching-focused institution with smaller class sizes than larger universities, you have direct access to instructors for help and advice, which is key to achieving the high grades that give you an edge.

While UFV's Engineering Common Core certificate program is based in Abbotsford, you can complete the core science courses in Chilliwack. Cost of living in the Fraser Valley is significantly lower than in the larger cities, which is an added advantage of choosing UFV for your first year.

Career Outlook for engineering

A recent study by Statistics Canada that followed the lives of 15,166 Canadians over a 20-year period found that engineering was one of the most reliable fields to achieve high earnings throughout a lifetime.

While career outcomes may vary depending on the specialty you select, a recent report by Engineers Canada notes that there are not enough engineering graduates to fill positions vacated by senior engineers entering retirement.

Employment for engineers often develops in sectors of the economy that are experiencing growth. Specialties such as green engineering, software engineering, biomedical engineering, and nano-engineering are emerging as lucrative fields with excellent growth potential.