Admission to UFV programs

• Website: ufv.ca/admissions/
• Email: admissions@ufv.ca

The information that follows is intended to provide applicants with general admission guidelines for credit programs.

For programs offered by Continuing Education, please see ufv.ca/ce or the Continuing Education brochure, published in late August and December each year.

• General admission requirements
• When to apply
• How to apply
• Provincial exam policy
• Documents
• Equivalents to B.C. graduation
• Conditional offers of admission
• Special admission
• Concurrent studies
• Readmission
• Changing programs
• International students
• Assessment for placement

General admission requirements

Citizenship/residency status in Canada

Canadian citizens and permanent residents (landed immigrants) are eligible for admission as domestic students.

Students who do not meet these requirements may be eligible to attend UFV as International 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

The following are the minimum requirements for admission to UFV.

1. All applicants must meet one of the following:
   • B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent;
   • Completion of a minimum of nine UFV or transferrable post-secondary credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00 (C average) based on all credits attempted;
   • A minimum of 19 years of age by the first day of classes; or
   • For admission into preparatory-level programs only, a minimum of 17 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year by the start of the semester.
2. Applicants for post-secondary programs must meet the English language requirement as per UFV's English Language Proficiency Requirement policy (99). Applicants for preparatory programs will be assessed to determine appropriate placement in courses in the program.

Post-secondary programs at UFV generally require B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent for admission. Some programs, such as Qualifying Studies, accept mature students (19 years of age or older by the first day of classes) without secondary school graduation. Many programs accept students based on completion of nine or more post-secondary credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Non-graduates who may require academic preparation are encouraged to contact the Upgrading and University Preparation (UUP) department for assessment and advice before applying to post-secondary programs.

Many programs also require that students 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 preferred program or discipline in the calendar for entrance requirements, documents required, and information about how and when to apply.

Programs may admit students in one of two ways:

1. Date of application: Qualified applicants are admitted in order of their "date of application" (recorded when the application is complete — see below); or
2. Competitive admission: Applicants are admitted on a competitive basis, according to criteria the program has established to determine best-prepared students. Students who meet the minimum entrance requirements are not guaranteed admission. Applicants who complete the application process by the application deadlines (see When to apply below) in order to be considered in the best-prepared group. Applicants are then ranked and seats offered to qualified applicants in order of ranking. If seats remain after consideration of the best-prepared group, programs will either set a second deadline to consider applications competitively, or will consider applications according to application date order. 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 for admission decision" section for each program in the calendar.

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

See UFV's Admission policy (80) for more information.

When to apply

A list of when programs accept applications is available at ufv.ca/admissions/programs-accepting-applications. This shows when the program has intakes, and whether applications are currently open.

Early application is recommended for all programs. Applications should be complete upon submission to UFV, or completed as quickly as possible. Review the entrance and document requirements that are listed in the calendar. 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, students should apply two to three months before the application deadline to give Admissions staff an opportunity to review the application and notify the applicant if any requirements are missing.

Continuous application process

Continuous application means that applications are accepted throughout the year. Grade 12 students may apply beginning October 1 in their graduating year. Once applications are complete (all required documents have been received) an application date is recorded.

Programs that admit students in date order will then offer a seat in the next intake to qualified applicants according to their recorded date of application. 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 applying to a continuous application program who want to enrol in courses while waiting, should contact the Office of the Registrar (OReg) to request admission to Qualifying Studies.

Specific intake application process

For these programs, applications are accepted on or after a certain date, for a specific semester.

Application dates for specific intake applications:

Applications should be submitted as soon as possible after the first day to apply. Programs that have competitive entry may have a specific deadline date to apply. Students should check the details of their program as listed in the Academic Calendar.

How to apply

Applications can be submitted online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

The date received is recorded. However, the official application date is not recorded until all of the application is complete (see below).

Complete applications

An application will be considered complete when the application fee and all the documents listed in the "How to apply" section for the program in the Academic Calendar are received by UFV. Any additional documents should be submitted as soon as possible in order to retain the original application date.

Students should submit authorization for the Ministry of Education to provide UFV with their high school records. Please select the option allowing for UFV to receive transcript updates for one year to ensure that UFV receives final high school grades and proof of graduation. Visit the Student Transcripts Services (STS) website to submit authorization.

Currently enrolled Grade 12 students should note that final high school transcripts with proof of graduation must be provided no later than August 3 of their graduating year.

Some programs allow only specific Grade 12 courses to meet entrance requirements. View our list of approved Grade 12 courses.

Provincial exam policy

B.C. secondary students applying to UFV are not required to submit provincial examination results for courses where the examinations are deemed optional.

Students must write the provincial examinations for those subjects where examinations are mandatory in order to meet graduation program requirements, and the blended grade will be used for evaluating entrance requirements or meeting course prerequisites.

Documents

Official transcripts from other institutions attended are required for entrance to programs. Students who have taken course prerequisites at other institutions will also need to submit official post-secondary transcripts for evaluation. A post-secondary transcript is considered official if it is submitted in the original sealed envelope imprinted with the institution's name and address. The transcripts must bear the official institution seal or authorizing signature.

An English translation by a certified translator must accompany the official transcripts if the document is in a language other than English (some exceptions may be possible for documents in French).

Allow a minimum of six weeks for the evaluation. Students may need to submit course outlines if the courses have not previously been articulated.

Documents submitted become the property of UFV. Only documents that are considered by UFV to be irreplaceable will be returned to the student if requested by the student at the time of submission.

Official secondary school transcripts are required for program applications unless otherwise specified. Some programs, including Qualifying Studies, General Studies, and English Language Studies, require that students be secondary school graduates or be 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 secondary school graduation (an official secondary school transcript) with their application forms. B.C. Grade 12 students can arrange to have their grades sent directly from the Ministry of Education upon graduation.

Equivalents to B.C. graduation

Many programs require that students have B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent in order to meet entrance requirements. See below for qualifications that are considered equivalent.

Admission from other provinces

The following is considered as equivalent to B.C. secondary school graduation from other parts of Canada:

Equivalents to B.C. secondary school courses will be established for students who graduate outside the province. Where program entrance requirements include Approved Grade 12 courses, equivalent courses from other jurisdictions will be accepted.

International students

International qualifications that are considered equivalent to B.C. secondary school graduation can be viewed at International qualifications.

Alternatives to Grade 12 graduation

Students who have completed the International Baccalaureate diploma program, the ABE Provincial diploma, the B.C. Adult Graduation diploma, or the General Education diploma (GED) may be considered to have the equivalent of B.C. secondary school graduation for admission purposes. Students with these Grade 12 equivalents who are applying for any program that requires specific secondary school level courses for entrance, e.g., Biology 11 or English 12, or who intend to register for a course that has a specific secondary school course as a prerequisite, must still provide an official transcript showing a final grade in the appropriate subject. International Baccalaureate standard or higher level diploma courses, and Advanced Placement courses, are usually accepted as equivalent to the Grade 12 academic course in the same discipline. In most cases, equivalent courses are also available at UFV.

Conditional offers of admission

If an admission decision is based on courses and/or secondary school graduation in progress, acceptance will be conditional upon proof of completion of final academic requirements. Applicants are encouraged to submit final grades as soon as possible.

Special admission

Any person who does not meet stated admission requirements may petition the Undergraduate Education Committee for special consideration. Special Admission request forms are available at ufv.ca/registrar/forms under Student forms. Special Admission requests, with supporting documents, should be forwarded to the Admissions Coordinator.

Submit a UFV application online, and the application fee, as well as a rationale for special consideration, transcripts, and a reference from a UFV advisor or counsellor. Applicants 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 no later than one month before the start of the semester to which they are applying.

Concurrent studies

Secondary school students may take courses at UFV while still working toward secondary school graduation, under the following guidelines:

1. The student is attending a secondary school.
2. The student is deemed to have strong academic ability or may benefit substantially by taking the university course.
3. The student’s parent or legal guardian provides written support, and the student’s counsellor or principal provides a letter of recommendation.
4. The student may be considered for a maximum of two courses per semester, under normal circumstances. This limit may be increased in special circumstances, with approval of the appropriate dean.
5. The student is expected to meet course prerequisites, if any.

How to apply for concurrent studies

1. Apply online for concurrent studies. Submit a request for concurrent studies (form here) and submit it to the Office of the Registrar at least one month before the start of classes (submission by May 31 is recommended for Fall semester).
2. Indicate the specific course(s) and section(s) requesting. One or two alternatives may be selected.
3. Both the student and a parent or guardian must sign the form, and attach a recent secondary school transcript (including interim grades for the current term), a letter of support from the secondary school principal or counsellor, and the application fee.

Once the request is received, the admissions office will:

1. Contact the course instructor(s) and program/department head for approval.
2. Advise the applicant of acceptance and registration procedures.

Students should be aware that approval of a concurrent studies request does not guarantee the student a seat in a course.

Registration as a concurrent studies student

Approval to register as a concurrent studies student is given for one semester at a time. Students wishing to apply for a subsequent semester of concurrent studies can submit a second concurrent studies request form following the same procedures.

Students in concurrent studies will be treated as regular students in most respects, except that they may not register in a full range of courses, and are not admitted on an ongoing basis. Fees and deadlines are the same as for regular students. Upon completion of courses, students can order an official transcript to be sent to their school.

Students' information is protected under the B.C. Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Information will only be released to any third party, including parents, if the student has signed a Release of information form, available at ufv.ca/registrar/forms under student forms.

To continue studying at UFV after secondary school graduation, concurrent studies students need to apply to a UFV program for the semester following secondary school graduation. Regular application procedures for secondary school students should be followed; however, students will be treated as returning UFV students.

Students who have enrolled in concurrent studies at other recognized post-secondary institutions prior to secondary school graduation may be eligible for transfer credit. The student should submit an official transcript from the institution they attended.

Readmission regulations

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

1. UFV students who fail to attend courses for one calendar year will be required to apply for readmission. Some programs, such as 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 re-application fee is required.

Changing programs

New applicants who wish to apply to a different program must apply online and pay the re-application fee.

International students

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

Assessment for placement

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 available from Assessment Services in Building S (room 3125) on the Abbotsford campus, Building A (room 1350) on the Chilliwack Education Park campus, or online at ufv.ca/assessment/take-a-ufv-placement-test.

Contact the Abbotsford office at 604-557-4006, or the Chilliwack office at 604-792-0025, local 2460, or email: assessinfo@ufv.ca.