Academic Calendar 2024/25

Regulations and Policies

Some of the policies UFV has established are listed below. For a complete list of UFV policies please see UFV's online policy manual.

For more information about UFV regulations inquire at the Office of the Registrar or Student Services.

For additional regulations for graduate-level programs, see the General Regulations for Graduate Studies in the Graduate studies section of this calendar.

Security and privacy

Freedom of information and protection of privacy

UFV collects and maintains personal information used for the purposes of admission, registration, and other fundamental activities related to being a member of the UFV community and attending a public post-secondary institution in the Province of British Columbia. In signing an application for admission, all applicants are advised that the information they provide and any other information placed into their student record will be protected and used in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act [RSBC 1996]. Requests for access to information under the Act should be directed to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy office.

Students should be aware that information about a student cannot be released to a third party, including a parent, without written, signed consent from the student or a valid court order.

Confidentiality of student records

UFV will share information with government agencies for statistical purposes, and will respond to requests for access to records according to provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The B.C. Provincial Education Number (PEN) is required for research into student participation. Students' personal information provided on the application form is used to verify or assign a PEN. Any personal information collected for research purposes will be disseminated in non-identifiable form.

Student names, addresses, telephone numbers, and ID numbers will be shared with the Student Union Society to assist in the delivery of services and the conduct of elections. Names and addresses of graduates are shared with the UFV Alumni Association.

Security of student records

To ensure that no unauthorized person can obtain access to a student's records, students are expected to keep their UFV student numbers private and confidential. Students will be required to set a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) in order to use student web services. It should be kept safe and secure. Students are responsible for any transactions made using their student number and PIN.

For additional information about the University's obligations under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, please contact the University's Information Privacy office at ufv.ca/informationprivacy.

Student conduct

Student non-academic conduct

UFV requires student behaviour to conform to that normally expected of university students in an educational setting. Students are required to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner, consistent with the University mission, policies, and regulations and in compliance with federal, provincial, and municipal laws. Students will be held accountable for their actions whether acting alone or in a group. Failure by students to maintain a satisfactory standard of conduct may result in disciplinary action. See UFV's Safe Student Learning Community policy (204) for more information.

Student academic misconduct

Members of the University community are expected to carry out their scholarly work with honesty, to meet the highest ethical standards, to respect the facts and appropriate standards of evidence, and to acknowledge the contributions and scholarship of others. As members of the University community, students are expected to demonstrate appropriate academic conduct. They are responsible for their actions, whether acting alone or in a group.

The University will vigorously investigate allegations of academic misconduct, while taking all reasonable steps to protect the rights and interests of individuals whose work or performance is questioned. See UFV's Student Academic Misconduct policy (70) for more information.

Harassment prevention

Under UFV policy BRP-201.02 and Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Prevention policy (18), harassment is defined as behaviour that includes any inappropriate conduct or comment (including electronic) by a person who knew or reasonably ought to have known that the behaviour would cause humiliation or intimidation. Harassment excludes interpersonal conflict and any reasonable action taken by an employer or supervisor relating to the management and direction of employees or the workplace, any reasonable action taken by an Instructor relating to the management of the classroom and assignment of work, or action where the harm by any objective standard is fleeting.

Harassment includes behaviour directed towards another person that is abusive or demeaning, including a direct or indirect reference to a prohibited ground of discrimination, and would be viewed by a reasonable person experiencing the behaviour as interfering with the person’s participation in a university-related activity or as creating an intimidating, humiliating, or hostile environment.

For additional information about UFV's Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Prevention policy, please contact the University's Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Office on the Abbotsford campus at 604-864-4660, humanrights@ufv.ca, or ufv.ca/hrcro.

Course loads

A full course load for an undergraduate student is normally five courses per semester. Students are encouraged to enrol in no more than five courses per semester (or maximum of eight credits in two-month sessions) and may not enrol in more than 20 credits per semester without prior permission. Some university-level programs, such as Engineering Transfer, require additional credits.

A student is considered full-time at UFV if they are enrolled in nine credits per semester (or six for graduate programs), or in non-credit programs defined as full-time by the department (minimum 20 instructional hours per week). This requirement may be reduced for a student with a documented disability that affects their ability to participate in a full course load. Please note that meeting the UFV requirement for full-time status does not ensure eligibility for student loans, awards, or other benefits, which often have other criteria.

Enrolled students are considered part-time if they are not enrolled in sufficient credits for full-time studies.

See UFV's Course Load policy (63) for more information.

Residency requirement

In order to earn a UFV credential, a student must complete at least 25% of the credits required for the program, or at least 75% for graduate programs, through completion of UFV courses. Credits earned through transfer credit or assessment of prior learning do not apply towards the residency requirement. Credit taken at a partner institution through an approved Study Abroad student exchange will apply towards residency requirements.

Some programs require that 50% or more of the required credits be completed at UFV. Programs may also specify that a minimum number of upper-level credits be completed at UFV. Please refer to the program information in the calendar for more information. Transfer credits and credits earned through prior learning assessment, including course challenge, do not meet this requirement.

See UFV's Credentials policy (64) for more information.

Combinations of options within a degree

Degree options are formal areas of specialization, designated as minors, extended minors, majors, honours, concentrations, specializations, etc.

A maximum of two upper-level courses (up to eight upper-level credits) may be shared between any two degree options (e.g. two majors, a major and a minor, two minors, etc.) unless stated otherwise in the program information in the calendar. Should there be additional courses in common between two degree options, students will be required to take other courses in the discipline to make up the credits. Such course substitutions must be approved by the department head or director for the discipline. Courses used towards completion of degree options may, however, be shared with the general requirements for the degree. All the general requirements of the degree also must be satisfied.

Students are not permitted to complete more than one degree option in the same discipline or subject within their degree. Programs also may specify that certain combinations of degree options are excluded.

Some combinations may require more than 120 credits. Students wishing to complete a double major or both a major and honours program should consult with a program advisor.

Subsequent degree

Students who have already completed a degree at the bachelor's level may be approved for admission to an additional bachelor's degree provided the principal area(s) of study (the main discipline emphasized) of the two degrees are different and there is significant difference in academic content. In order to complete a subsequent degree at UFV:

  1. The student must apply for admission and meet all admission requirements for the UFV degree(s).
  2. A student who holds a four-year bachelor degree from UFV or another recognized institution, may be permitted to pursue a subsequent bachelor degree, whether a different degree or the same degree, provided the principal area of study is in a distinctly different discipline from the first degree.
  3. Students with a previous three-year degree may be permitted to complete a subsequent four-year degree with the principal area of study in the same subject.
  4. Admission to a subsequent degree requires approval by the dean or designate responsible for the UFV degree(s). Approval will not be given when the dean or designate deems there is significant overlap in academic content with the initial degree. The guideline is that less than approximately 2/3 of the credits from the first degree apply to the graduation requirements for the additional degree.
  5. A UFV graduate may be permitted to take the courses to complete the requirements of a higher degree option in the same discipline (e.g., a major following a minor) provided the option is available within the same degree. Upon completion, a notation will be made on the transcript that the requirements of the higher option were completed. No adjustment will be made to the degree awarded.
  6. A student may not complete the same or a lesser option (i.e., an option requiring fewer courses) in the same or a closely related discipline in an additional degree as one previously completed.
  7. A student admitted to a subsequent or concurrent degree may not change their degree options(s) without approval of the dean or designate.

To graduate with a subsequent or concurrent degree, the student must be admitted to the degree, and is required to do the following:

  1. Complete at least 1/3 of the total credits required for the additional degree, including at least 30 additional upper-level credits, beyond the credits taken in the first or concurrent degree. All 30 upper-level credits must be obtained through completion of UFV courses.
  2. Meet all graduation requirements for the UFV degree(s) and any degree options, including the residency requirement. In some programs residency requirements may exceed 1/3 of the total credits for the program.

See UFV's Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98) for more information.

Concurrent degree

In some cases, it may be possible for a student to complete two different bachelor degrees (that is, two degrees with different names, such as a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science) concurrently, provided the principle area of study is different.

The student must apply for admission and meet all admission requirements for the UFV degrees. Admission to a subsequent or concurrent degree requires approval by the dean(s) or designate(s) responsible for both the UFV degrees. Approval will not be given when the dean or designate deems there is significant overlap in academic content with the initial degree. The guideline is that the degrees have less than approximately 2/3 of the credits in common.

See UFV's Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98) for more information.

Graduation

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular program review and/or consultation with the appropriate department.

UFV recognizes a student's graduation by awarding a credential such as a degree, diploma, or certificate. 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.

Students attending another institution on a Letter or Permission in their final semester may not receive official grades in time for Convocation, and may need to delay their graduation.

Students who intend to use credit from other institutions to meet graduation requirements for a UFV credential need to apply for transfer credit at least three to four months before applying to graduate.

Graduation requirements

Graduation requirements for a program may change over time. The graduation requirements for a program, major, or minor will be determined by the academic year in which a student is formally admitted to the program or formally declares a major or minor. Students will not be permitted to graduate using requirements that were in place prior to formal admittance. See the archived academic calendars for previous program requirements.

All students who are admitted to, or declare, a program or program option require a minimum program grade point average (PGPA) of 2.00 (3.00 for graduate level) on all courses taken at UFV that are used to meet program requirements. For non-credit programs, a minimum C average is required.

Credentials other than certificates and associate certificates also require a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 (3.00 for graduate programs) calculated on all UFV courses attempted at the level of the program. Some programs may require higher program GPAs.

Note: This distinction is not applied to developmental or continuing education programs.

See UFV's Credentials policy (64) for more information.

Graduation with additional or concurrent UFV credentials

In cases not covered by UFV's Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98), a minimum of 50% of the credits for a second or subsequent UFV credential, excluding associate certificates, must be in courses that have not been used to satisfy requirements for another credential.

See UFV's Credentials policy (64) for more information.

Convocation

Convocation ceremonies are held in the second week of June. The date, time, and location of the ceremonies is available online at ufv.ca/convocation.

Students must apply to graduate by April 1. There is a $25 graduation fee, plus a regalia rental fee. Regalia should be ordered online prior to the ceremony; see ufv.ca/convocation for details or email convocation@ufv.ca.

Dean's List

The Dean's List recognizes those university students who achieve a high academic standard. It is prepared at the end of each semester. The calculation of this recognition has recently changed.

To be eligible for the Dean's List, a student must:

  • Have successfully completed at least 12 credits in a semester with a minimum semester grade point average of 3.67; or
  • Have a documented permanent disability, which affects their ability to participate in full-time studies and have successfully completed at least nine credits in a semester with a minimum semester grade point average of 3.67.

Dean's Medal

Deans' Medals are awarded annually to one student from each faculty with a minimum GPA of 3.75 calculated on all UFV courses. The student must be outstanding in their program or discipline, exhibit promise in the field of study, and show outstanding service to the UFV community. The winner of a Dean's Medal may not also be a Governor General Medal winner.

Graduated with Distinction

The designation "Graduated with Distinction" recognizes those university students who have maintained a high academic standard throughout their course of studies.

To be eligible, a student must:

  • Have completed all the program graduation requirements with a minimum grade point average of 3.67 based on the credits earned while in a degree, diploma, certificate, or associate certificate program with a minimum semester GPA of 3.50 in the most recent semester in which at least one graded course was completed; or
  • Have completed an entry-level Trades program and have an average of 90% or better in all courses.

Note: As this is a new regulation, not all calendar entries may have been revised to reflect the new minimum GPA standard. Where there is no minimum GPA requirement stated, this regulation applies.

Outstanding Achievement

Outstanding Achievement is awarded to the graduate who earned the highest GPA in their certificate, diploma, or degree program. The student must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.67 to be eligible for Outstanding Achievement.

In the event that two graduates earned the same GPA in a certificate, diploma, or degree program, Outstanding Achievement will be awarded to the student with the highest GPA in the last 30 credits.

 

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