Transfer Entry

There are two routes to entry to BC post-secondary institutions:

• the direct entry route, in which a student enters a post-secondary institution directly from high school; and
  
  
• the transfer route, in which a student starts a degree program at one institution and then transfers to another to finish the program and graduate. Many students transfer from more than one institution. The transfer route can be taken by all students whether or not they are eligible for the direct entry route.

In addition, there are a few other admission categories.

The Transfer Route

Universities

Any student who does not meet the admission requirements for direct entry from secondary school to a BC university is eligible to apply for admission once he/she has attended a community college or university and completed at least the number of transferable credits listed in the table below, with a minimum GPA of C (or 60% or 2.0) average or better on all courses, as calculated by the university. (See also Grades & Prerequisites.)

The actual GPA with which students are admitted is often significantly higher than 60% because admissions to many programs at universities may be highly competitive due to high demand for available spaces.

Please Note:

• Students who meet these criteria will not have their secondary school (or equivalent adult program) grades assessed to determine eligibility for admission but may be requested to submit transcript(s) of any secondary school work completed. This is to enable the university to assess, if required, that program-specific or course-specific grade 11 and 12 prerequisites have been successfully completed. See also Grades & Prerequisites.
  
  
• Successful completion of a more advanced course at the college level replaces the requirement of a grade 11 or 12 prerequisite.
  
  
• Students who were eligible for direct admission to one of the above BC universities based on their secondary school (or equivalent) record but who chose to first attend a community college or university, and who completed fewer than the specified number of credits listed above, may apply to one of these institutions based on their secondary school record. However, the performance in their college courses will generally also be taken into account in determining admission eligibility.

Institutes

Admission to BCIT as a transfer student is handled on a program by program and case-by-case basis. Completion of a relevant certificate, diploma or degree is often more appropriate than completion of individual courses. At Emily Carr Institute students may be able to transfer from other institutions after one or two years in a fine arts program. Due to the high demand for many of the specialized programs offered by these two institutes, admission may be highly competitive. Admission to the Justice Institute of BC as a transfer student is uncommon, except for out-of-province students who have completed lower level programs comparable to those offered by the JIBC. Some general college courses may also be transferred for credit into some JIBC programs.

Admission with a BC Associate Degree

The Associate of Arts Degree and the Associate of Science Degree are two-year credentials offered by colleges and universities in BC. The University of Northern British Columbia grants priority admission for holders of an associate degree over all other transfer students, and Simon Fraser University has an admission policy that is advantageous to associate degree holders. For more information on the Associate Degree, please visit http://www.bctransferguide.ca/associate/

Other Admission Categories

While this "Admissions Information" section deals primarily with post-secondary admission for high school and transfer students, institutions in BC have other admission categories for students who do not fit either of the above categories. For example, the universities and other institutions may admit students in the following categories:

- mature student
- degree holder from another Canadian university
- secondary school student in Canada but outside BC
- international student
- visiting student
- special entry

• Information on how to apply under these admission categories can be found in institutional calendars.
  
  
• A description of institutional admission requirements and links to institutional websites are available at Education Planner.
  
  
• Website addresses and contact information for all institutions can also be found in the BC's Transfer System section.