The International Education Office

The International Education Office provides integrated services and support to international and exchange students. All admission and registration services for international students occur within the International Education Office including document and transfer credit evaluations, requests for reinstatement and variance. The International Education Office assists students with immigration information  pertaining to study permits and work permits for students participating in Co-op, as well as medical insurance requirements. In addition, International Education Advisors provide one-to-one academic advising and course planning sessions, orientation, assistance for students in academic distress, seminars and workshops. Canadian students may also contact the International Education Office regarding international exchange opportunities.

Becoming A Student

Step 01 Review

Review the admission criteria for your chosen area of study. All applicants must have the equivalent to British Columbia high school graduation or be 19 years of age and meet the English language proficiency requirement.

Consult the online calendar at www.kwantlen.caprograms.html for additional program requirements.

Some programs have specific English requirements. If English is not specified, see the English language proficiency requirements for your program.

You may apply for more than one program.

Step 02 Apply

Submit your application before the deadline. You must include with your application:

• Official transcripts sent in envelopes sealed by the issuing school and authorized translations if necessary
• English proficiency test scores sent directly from the testing agency; Kwantlen’s TOEFL code is 0157
• Application fee of $120.00 CAD
• A copy of your study permit if you already have one
• A copy of your Care Card if you already have one

If you are applying to English Language Studies you do not need to submit proof of English proficiency as you will be tested upon arrival. If you are applying to a limited enrolment program, you will be contacted regarding additional requirements. Additional testing may be required to meets specific course requirements. All documents submitted become property of Kwantlen University College. Replaceable documents will not be returned.

Step 03 Acknowledgment

Kwantlen acknowledges your application. You will be assigned a student number, and you will be advised of outstanding admission requirements (if any) which must be met.

Step 04 Offer

Kwantlen makes a conditional admission offer. You will be advised of the program for which you are being considered and given further instructions regarding the payment of your commitment fee plus any outstanding requirements.

Step 05 Commitment Fee

Pay your commitment fee. Pay your nonrefundable commitment fee at a campus cashier or by fax or email. You may pay by Visa, MasterCard, AMEX or bank draft.

Step 06 Acceptance

Receive a final admission decision. You will receive an acceptance letter that may include further conditions, and a letter so that you may apply for a Study Permit. The letters will also include the date that you are expected to report to the university college.

Step 07 Study Permit

Apply for your Study Permit. If you are not a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Canada, you must apply for a Study Permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You must have an acceptance letter from Kwantlen to apply. For more information on Study Permits see www.cic.gc.ca/english/study

STEP 08 Register for Courses

With your acceptance letter you will receive a booklet that contains important information regarding course registration. The instructions are also available on-line at www.kwantlen.ca/international_ed. If you have been accepted to an undergraduate program, follow the instructions in your letter and register for courses online. If you have been accepted to English Language Studies, you will test on arrival and registered for your courses.

International Student Admission

• English Language Proficiency
• English Language Studies
• Transcripts 
• Immigration Documents and Medical Insurance
• Full-Time Status  

Kwantlen University College accepts applications from individuals who meet admission requirements to the university college and who are able to undertake studies in the English language. All international undergraduate applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission to Kwantlen. To be admitted to an open registration program, applicants must provide one of the following to demonstrate English language proficiency.

English Language Proficiency

• An official TOEFL score of 550 or higher on the pbt with a TWE score of 4.5 or higher
• An official TOEFL score of 213 or higher on the cbt
• An official TOEFL score of 80 or higher on the iBT
• BC Grade 12 English with minimum "C" grade including the provincial exam or an equivalent from an accredited Canadian secondary school
• Kwantlen English Placement Test (EPT) result for ENGQ 1099 or PSPE 1091 or ENGP 1091 or higher
• Completion of ENGQ 1099 or PSPE 0091 or PSPE 1097 OR ENGP 1097 with a grade of “C” or higher
• Language Proficiency Index (LPI) essay score of 26 or higher
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 with scores of at least 6 on the individual tests
• Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) score of 85 or higher
• A post-secondary (first year) English course for which Kwantlen awards transfer credit with a minimum C grade

Selective-entry career or vocational programs usually have program-specific admissions requirements, including English competency levels, that must be met in addition to the general admission requirements and the English language proficiency requirement.

International applicants are advised that TOEFL, IELTS and MELAB results do not assess a person’s ability to undertake English or Communications courses. Students planning to enrol in an English and/or Communications course are required to meet the course prerequisites as listed in the current edition of the Registration Guide and Timetable.

Kwantlen accepts a limited number of international students into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.  Qualified international applicants will have to demonstrate the intention to apply for permanent residency status prior to acceptance into the program.

English Language Studies

Students who do not meet one of the above English language proficiency requirements may be admitted to the English Language Studies (ELST) program. ELST is an intensive academic English preparation program that integrates undergraduate studies at the higher levels so that students may upgrade their English language skills before undertaking a full time undergraduate course load. TOEFL or IELTS are not required for admission to ELST; students are tested upon arrival during orientation. Contact the International Education Office for more information.

Transcripts

An official transcript is a record of your academic progress and standing at the time of leaving school. The transcript must be certified and forwarded directly from the issuing institution or government ministry or delivered by hand in an envelope on which the seal has not been broken.

International applicants are required to submit official high school transcripts to the International Education Office. Applicants currently attending high school will be required to submit interim transcripts.

British Columbia high school students must make arrangements through their high school to have their final transcript submitted directly from the Ministry of Education to Kwantlen. Applicants must include British Columbia Personal Education Number (PEN) on their application.

International applicants who are attending a high school outside of British Columbia may be granted conditional admission based on their interim transcripts; however, they are required to submit an official transcript of their final grades before they will be eligible for final admission.

International applicants who plan to register in courses with prerequisites that have been completed at another post-secondary institution must submit to the International Education Office a Request for Transfer Credit form; an official transcript for evaluation and detailed course outlines for each course catalogue descriptions are insufficient. The form, transcripts and outlines should be submitted at least six (6) weeks prior to the date the applicant is scheduled to register.

Canadian Education Centre Network Offices are authorized to certify copies of high school transcripts; original transcripts must be produced upon arrival. Please visit www.cecnetwork.ca for a list of offices in select countries.

Immigration Documents and Medical Insurance

Before final acceptance will be granted, international applicants must submit a valid and current Study Permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for the entire semester for which they have applied. Students participating in Co-op work terms must also have a valid Work Permit. Holds that prevent course registration activities may be placed on student’s records if they do not submit the required documentation to the International Education Office. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of all holds placed on her/his student account number.  All students who are eligible for the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (BCMSP) are required to maintain medical insurance coverage and will be required to demonstrate proof of coverage prior to registration.

Kwantlen has made arrangements with David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) to provide a policy that will provide basic medical insurance for international students during the waiting period before they are covered under the BC Medical Services Plan (BCMSP) and for exchange students who are not eligible for coverage with BCMSP. All international students not eligible for BCMSP at the beginning of their first semester of Kwantlen will be registered in the DCIS Global Campus Health Plan. The DCIS Global Health Plan plan offers eligible international students three months of medical insurance during the waiting period for BCMSP. It also offers eligible exchange students four months medical insurance. The fee for the Global Campus Health Plan is $120 CAD for international students and $170 CAD for exchange students, and will be assessed with tuition and fees for the first semester. Students who, at the time of registration, provide proof that they are already covered by BCMSP or have equivalent coverage will not be assessed this charge and will not be provided insurance under the DCIS Global Health Plan. All questions regarding the Global Campus Health Plan may be answered by a DCIS representative by email student@david-cummings.com or by phone at 604.228.8816 or toll free in North America at 1-800.818.3188.

Full-Time Status

Full-time studies are defined as nine (9) credits.

Application Timelines for International Admission

The International Education Office accepts late applications depending on program availability, the timeframe involved in obtaining a valid study permit and our ability to process applications. Please contact the International Education Office for more information.

Advancement Placement (AP) Program

Visit www.bccat.bc.ca or see policy B.8 that can be viewed at the Library or online at www.kwantlen.ca/policies for further details.

Students who have completed Advanced Placement subjects with a standing of 4 or greater will receive advanced standing in accordance with the table of course equivalencies which has been established in consultation with faculty. The table of equivalencies is reviewed and updated by the appropriate Departmental and Divisional Curriculum Committees on or before May 31 each year.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

Visit www.bccat.bc.ca or see policy B.9 that can be viewed at the Library or online at www.kwantlen.ca/policies for further details.

Students who have completed Higher Level International Baccalaureate subjects with a standing of 5 or greater will receive advanced standing in accordance with the table of course equivalencies which has been established in consultation with faculty. The table of equivalencies is reviewed and updated by the appropriate Departmental and Divisional Curriculum Committees on or before May 31 each year.

International Tuition

Fees in effect for the Calendar year for 2006/2007 Fees are listed in Canadian dollars and are subject to change without notice.

See  the general Tuition and Fees section. 

US Student Financial Aid

Students from the United States of America should be aware that they must graduate from high school, obtain their GED, or pass a United States government approved exam deemed equivalent to high school in order to participate in the US Federal Loans program. Kwantlen is an approved institution for students sponsored by the US Veterans Affairs Office.

For more information regarding US student aid or US alternate lenders, please contact Kim Darling by e-mail at kim.darling@kwantlen.ca

Commitment Fee

International students must pay a non-refundable and nontransferable commitment fee prior admission to their first semester or prior to admission into a selective entry program. Payment of the commitment fee signifies acceptance of the seat by the applicant. The commitment fee will apply towards the tuition assessed for the first semester of study.

The commitment fee, minus a $300 CAD processing charge, will be refunded only if a student is denied a study permit by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). A letter of refusal from CIC must be submitted along with a written request for a refund. Students who do not register for the term specified or who withdraw forfeit the entire commitment fee.

Registration

To register, international students must have submitted an Application for Admission by the published deadline and have been accepted for admission to Kwantlen. They must also be eligible for and apply for study permits, temporary residence visas (if necessary) and medical insurance. Upon acceptance, each student will be provided with information regarding the registration process.

The instructions below are for students in open registration, fixed and semester or term based. Please also refer to the Registration section of the calendar to fully understand all registration procedures. 

Open Registration and Selective Entry Programs

Registration for open registration and for most selective entry programs is online. Instructions and tuition payment deadlines are included in the online International Student’s Registration Procedure Guide found at www.kwantlen.ca/international_ed/guide.htm. Additional information and instructions can be found in the Registration Guide and Timetable at www.kwantlen.ca/admission/ttpage.htm. For programs that are not listed in the timetable, registration instructions are provided following acceptance into the program.

Acceptance into a selective entry program may guarantee the student a space in each of the courses required for the program. Registration information will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

Registration for English Language Studies (ELST)

Students in the ELST Diploma register in person for courses. Continuing students will be notified of their registration dates by mail. New students will be notified of their report date upon arrival. They will complete the Accuplacer and Kwantlen Speaking Test to determine course eligibility and placement.

Full-Time Status

Full-time studies are defined as nine (9) credits.

Refunds and Fee Adjustments

Requests for variances of the refund policy must be submitted to the International Education Office.

International applicants who receive Canadian Permanent Residency status must present their Permanent Resident Identity Card to the International Education Office before the start of classes to qualify for domestic fees. Tuition from previous semesters, the application fee and library fees will not be adjusted or refunded.

International Students need to refer to policy K.1 that can be viewed at the Library or online at www.kwantlen.ca/policies

Fees and charges for international students are determined by the Vice-President, Learner Support. International student fees are set at a level that covers direct costs and overhead.

Report Date and Orientation

All newly admitted students must attend the International Student Orientation before their first semester commences. The comprehensive orientation occurs the week prior to the first week of classes of each semester. Students will be notified of their report date in their acceptance letter. New ELST students will be tested during Orientation and registered in the courses appropriate to their language levels. For more information regarding report date and orientation, please contact the International Education Office.

Study Abroad and Exchanges

Kwantlen University College offers opportunities for students to study in other countries as either short-term study abroad students or exchange students. Exchange experiences are invaluable components of graduates’ resumes; international experience differentiates alumni from other job applicants because employers look for employees with the socio-cultural experiences and communication skills necessary to work in the global knowledge economy.

Kwantlen students going abroad and incoming exchange students are required to participate in in-depth orientation sessions. For students going abroad, the sessions include applying to a host institution, assistance with travel documents, vaccination requirements, ensuring adequate out-of-country medical coverage, and registration with the Canadian Embassy in their host country. Kwantlen is a member of the Consortium for North American Higher Education Consortium (CONAHEC) Exchange program. Students may qualify to study for a semester at partner institutions in either Mexico or the United States of America. For more information go to www2.conahec.org/conasep/english/student/index.html

The Fashion Design program has exchange agreements in Finland with the EVTek Institute of Art and Design and in Taiwan with Shih Chien University and the Tainan Women’s College for Arts and Technology.

Students in the following programs with a GPA of 3.0 may be eligible to study with either the EVTek Institute of Technology, Mercuria School of Business, Arcada Polytechnic or the EVTek Institute of Art and Design in Finland:

• Accounting
• Business
• Computer Information Systems
• Fashion Design
• Fine Arts
• General Studies
• Graphic Design
• Information Technology
• Marketing

Exchange studies in other programs may be possible.

Qualified students wishing to go abroad for one or two semesters as an exchange student should inquire with their department or contact the International Education Office.

Kwantlen is a member of the British Columbia Consortium for Study Abroad. Qualified students are eligible to apply for a range of programs offered by post-secondary institutions in the Consortium. Successful completion of the programs may allow students to transfer to credits that may be applied towards a degree. A list of available opportunities can be found at www.bccie.bc.ca/bcca/index.asp

For more information contact:

Homestay Services

Homestay Services offers a safe and affordable housing alternative for international and domestic students. International students have the opportunity to live in a Canadian home as a member of the family, sharing meals with their hosts, participating in family activities and conversations, and establishing friendships with people who can help make the adjustment to the new environment much easier.

All Homestay homes and household members are carefully screened and selected by the Homestay Coordinators through an in-home interview and inspection. Homestay Services obtain criminal record checks from all Homestay family members 19 years and older.

Homestay Services endeavour to match each student with a host family who shares similar interests. For example, a student who enjoys sports will be placed with an athletic family or a student who enjoys playing the piano will be placed in a Homestay that has one. Students can expect the following:

• Your own private bedroom
• Three meals a day with nutritious snacks and beverages available throughout the day
• In-house laundry facilities
• A quiet place to study

In addition, students have access to all necessary household items and furniture. Private phone lines and internet connection may also be installed at the students’ expense.

Additional services provided include:

• Host family selection and screening
• A thorough inspection of all homes and household members before placement
• Standardized fees, withdrawal and refund policies
• Information regarding your Host family before you arrive
• 24-hour emergency access
• Custodianship - Applicants under 19 years of age may be required to provide proof of custodianship to Immigration in order to study in Canada.

Prices are listed in Canadian Dollars and current at time of printing and are subject to change without notice. 

Airport Reception

Airport and relocation transportation are available upon request. Prices vary according to location. Please contact Homestay Services for more information and to make arrangements for the service.

Language Buddy Program (LBP)

The Language Buddy Program (LBP) brings together people of different cultures who would not otherwise have the opportunity to interact. Participants are both English speaking volunteers and English Language Studies students who meet one another weekly in groups for the purpose of a language and cultural exchange.

In addition, the program offers larger social events for all participants. For example, day trip to local scenic attractions, ski/snow-boarding trips to local mountains, hockey games, karaoke evenings and movie nights. These events provide a wonderful opportunity for all participants to meet one another while exploring beautiful British Columbia!

The Language Buddy Program is offered to all students attending any of the Kwantlen campuses; however, meetings take place in Surrey and Richmond campuses only. To find out more information, please contact Homestay Services at 604.599.2744 or e-mail at homestay@kwantlen.ca