Regional and Community Planning

Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning degree

The Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning (BRCP) is a four-year degree program providing students with skills that can be applied in a variety of professional planning contexts. The program addresses the community planning and development needs of the Fraser Valley and beyond, including growth and community development, affordable housing, Indigenous planning approaches, climate change, land use planning and GIS, planning law, and communications.

Students will develop job-ready skills, and connections between planning and fields such as environmental studies, art, natural sciences, policy and law, urban design, history, and communications. The BRCP includes a practical work experience component that students complete through a practicum, planning studio, or an internship. Graduates will be prepared to work in planning and may pursue graduate studies in an accredited planning program or in a related field.

Entrance requirements

Option 1: Secondary school (for students with secondary school graduation only)

B.C. applicants

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
2. A minimum grade of C+ in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (see Note).

   Note: Students may also present English 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, AP English, or IB English A (standard level or higher level), or out-of-province equivalent.

Out-of-province applicants

Students will be considered on the basis of courses equivalent to B.C. Grade 12 courses. See the Admissions section of the calendar for more information on equivalents to B.C. secondary school graduation.

Out-of-country applicants

Students must have B.C. secondary school graduation equivalency and meet the prerequisites for ENGL 105 or CMNS 125.

Alternatives to secondary school graduation

Students who have completed the International Baccalaureate diploma program, the B.C. Graduation diploma (B.C. Adult Dogwood), or the General Educational Development (GED) certificate may be considered to have the equivalent of B.C. secondary school graduation for admission purposes.

Option 2: University entrance (for students who have attended some post-secondary school)

1. Prerequisites for ENGL 105 or CMNS 125.
2. One of the following:
   • Completion of a minimum of nine credits at the 100 level and above, transferable to a degree program, with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.
   • Completion of a post-secondary career or technical diploma (minimum of two years post-secondary credit) from a recognized Canadian or International post-secondary institution.
   • Completion of a three- or four-year Bachelor's degree from a recognized Canadian or International institution. Students who have completed a previous degree are governed by UFV's Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98).

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended (excluding UFV) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
2. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section.

Program duration

The BRCP can be completed in four years of full-time study, with students taking an average of 30 credits (9-10 courses) per calendar year.

Location

The BRCP is offered at the Abbotsford campus. Elective courses may be available in Mission or Chilliwack, or online. Practicums and internships may require travel outside of the Fraser Valley.

Program requirements

Note: The requirements below apply to students admitted in September 2025 and later. Students admitted prior to September 2025 can find earlier academic calendars here.

The BRCP requires completion of 120 credits, including the following:

• Breadth requirements: four courses (12-15 credits)
• Planning core: 22 courses (75-83 credits)
• Electives: 22-33 credits

Program outline

Breadth requirements: 12-15 credits

Note 1: CIVI courses are offered as part of the Civic Governance and Innovation certificate program. These courses are assessed at a differential tuition rate. The current per credit cost for CIVI courses can be found on UFV’s program fees page: ufv.ca/registration/fees-and-payments/program-fees/

Note 2: IPK 205 and IPK 206 do not have prerequisites; most of the other IPK courses have a prerequisite of at least one other IPK course. Students should review course prerequisites as part of program planning.

Planning core: 75-83 credits

Note 1: CIVI courses are offered as part of the Civic Governance and Innovation certificate program. These courses are assessed at a differential tuition rate. The current per credit cost for CIVI courses can be found on UFV’s program fees page: ufv.ca/registration/fees-and-payments/program-fees/

Note 2: In preparing to complete the workplace planning experience requirement, students should consult with the program chair regarding appropriate placement opportunities. Internships completed as part of GEOG 396/GDS 310/SOC 396 or GEOG 398/GDS 311/SOC 396 require approval prior to their use in the BRCP program. Students with prior professional experience in planning should also consult with the program chair prior to completing this requirement.

Electives: 22-33 credits

The BRCP requires a minimum of 120 credits. The number of elective credits required will depend on the courses chosen to fulfill the Breadth requirements and Planning core. Electives may be additional courses from the Breadth requirements, Planning core, or any other discipline to bring the total number of credits to 120. Students are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor to plan their courses.

Minors and certificates

Students completing the Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning may combine this with a minor in any other discipline, such as Graphic and Digital Design, Global Development Studies, or Environmental Studies. Students can also work toward an additional credential, such as the Applied Geographic Information Systems associate certificate, Workplace Education associate certificate, or Civic Governance and Innovation certificate.

Program continuance

Program continuance and probation are governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92). Students must have a CGPA of at least 2.00 to remain in good academic standing. Failure to meet or maintain a 2.00 will result in restrictions on registration and may lead to academic suspension. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar.

Residency

Students must complete at least 45 credits at UFV, all of which must be from the Planning core, including at least 16 credits of PLAN courses.

Graduation requirements

To be eligible to graduate students must have completed all the requirements of the Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning with a minimum program GPA of 2.00 and a minimum CGPA of 2.00. Students are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor to plan their courses.

Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.