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, work permits for students participating in Co-op, off-campus work permits, 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.
International Student Admission
Kwantlen accepts applications from individuals who meet the General University Admission Requirements 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.
International applicants should review the admission criteria for the chosen program of study. Applicants may apply to more than one program.
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.
Some programs may have additional English language requirements. Consult the online calendar at www.kwantlen.ca/calendar/programs.html for additional program requirements.
How to Apply
Step 01
-
Apply online now, download a pdf application form, or obtain a Kwantlen International Application for Admissions form from the International Education Office.
For online applications, the $120.00 non-refundable application fee must be paid by credit card at the time of application or the application cannot proceed.
View all programs & courses
Step 02
-
You must include the following with your application:
Submit paper applications to the International Education office or mail to:
International Education
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
12666 - 72 Avenue
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada V3W 2M8
All documents submitted become the property of Kwantlen.
Replaceable documents will not be returned.
Step 03
| Semester (Duration) |
Application
Start Date |
Application
Close Date for
Overseas
Applicants |
Application
Close Date for
Applicants
in Canada |
Fall (September to December)
Spring (January to April)
Summer (May to August) |
November 1
March 1
July 1 |
April 30
August 30
December 31 |
June 30
October 15
February 28 |
Please note that some selective entry programs will have different deadlines. You may confirm these program deadlines with the International Education Office.
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.
All dates are subject to change without notice. If an application start or end date falls on a holiday, then the following business date will apply.
Contact Us
Richmond Campus 604.599.2534
Surrey Campus 604.599.2393
Kwantlen recognizes the following English language standards for admission to open enrolment undergraduate studies:
English Language Requirement
-
An official Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) score of 80 or higher*
-
An official TOEFL score of 213 or higher on the computer test with a score of 4.5 on the essay*
-
An official TOEFL score of 550 or higher on the paper test with a score of 4.5 on the TWE*
-
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module score of 6.0 with a minimum of 6 on individual tests
-
BC Grade 12 English or Communications (or equivalent) with minimum final grade of "C" (which must include the completion of the provincial exam)
-
Kwantlen Accuplacer 108 and Kwantlen ELST Writing Assessment Band 6
-
Kwantlen placement test into ENGQ 1099 or ELST 0381
-
Language Proficiency Index (LPI) essay score of 26 or higher
-
Completion of ENGQ 1098 (formerly ENGP 1089) with a minimum grade of C
-
Completion of ELST 0281 with a minimum grade of B-
-
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery score of 85 or higher
-
A post-secondary English course from an accredited institution within North America may be evaluated to determine eligibility
*If you are planning to take the TOEFL, Kwantlen’s institution code is 0157.
PLEASE NOTE: Most Kwantlen programs require at least 3 credits of first-year English. While the above list meets general language requirements, further upgrading will be needed in order to study first year English. Students need to discuss their academic goals with an International Education Advisor to select the most suitable upgrading option.
English Language Studies (ELST)
Applicants who do not meet the English language requirement will be considered for the English Language Studies Diploma (ELST) program. To be eligible, applicants must have one of the following:
- An official TOEFL score of 32 or higher on the iBT test with a writing sub-score of 12 or higher with an oral assessment before classes start
- An official TOEFL score of 97 or higher on the computer test with a TWE of 2 or higher with an oral assessment before classes start
- An official TOEFL score of 400 or higher on the paper test with a TWE of 2 or higher with an oral assessment before classes start
- Accuplacer score of 78 with Kwantlen ESL Writing Assessment Band of 3 and Kwantlen Speaking Test (KIST) of 25
Students who have not written the TWE or iBT writing test may write the Kwantlen ELST Writing Sample. Please 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.
High School Transcripts
International applicants may be requested to submit official high school transcripts to the International Education Office to meet specific program and course requirements. Applicants currently attending high school will be required to submit interim transcripts.
Applicants currently attending a high school within BC who complete the Choices form available from their high school are not required to submit an official transcript as it will be automatically submitted directly to Kwantlen from the Ministry of Education. Applicants must include their BC Personal Education Number (PEN) on their application for admission. Applicants will be notified by mail if their transcript is not received.
Applicants currently attending a high school outside of BC will be required to submit an official transcript of their final grades before they will be eligible for final admission to Kwantlen.
Post-Secondary Transcripts
Applicants who plan to enrol in courses with college level course prerequisites that have been completed at another post-secondary institution must submit a Request for Transfer Credit form and provide an official transcript for evaluation. This should be done at least six (6) weeks prior to the date the applicant is scheduled to register. There is a fee for evaluation of documents from institutions outside of BC.
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.
Student enrolled in full-time studies at Kwantlen will be charged a fee for the Student Health and Dental Plan. Students may opt out of either or both plans with proof of comparable existing coverage. All questions or concerns may be directed to the Kwantlen Students Association.
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 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.
Advancement Placement (AP) Program
Visit www.bccat.ca or see policy B.8 (Credit for Advanced Placement Program Courses) 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.ca or see policy B.9 (Credit for International Baccalaureate Program Courses) 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 2007/2008. Fees are listed in Canadian dollars and are subject to change without notice.
| Semester and Term-Based Program Fees |
| Tuition |
$420 per credit |
| Fees for libraries, technologies & student life |
$15/credit |
| Global Campus Health Plan |
$120 ($170 exchange students) |
| Continuous Intake Program Fees |
| Tuition |
$400 per week |
| Fees for libraries, technologies & student life |
$15/credit |
| Global Campus Health Plan |
$120 ($170 exchange students) |
| Fixed-Term Program Fees |
| Tuition |
$420 per credit |
| Fees for libraries, technologies & student life |
$15/credit |
| Global Campus Health Plan |
$120 ($170 exchange students) |
| ALL STUDENTS |
| Student Association Fees |
Flat rate of $7/student per semester plus $3 per credit to a maximum of $47/semester
Bursary Fund: $1 per semester
Lobby Fund: $2 per semester
Campus Culture & Student Publication fee: $0.75 per credit per semester |
| Canadian Federation of Students Levy |
$0.60 per credit to a maximum of $7.20/semester |
| Student Medical and Dental Plan Fees |
$179.00 per year (can be waived if student already has coverage) |
See the general Tuition and Fees section.
US Student Awards and Financial Assistance
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 Student Awards and Financial Assistance by telephone at 604.599.2040 or by email at finauxil@kwantlen.ca.
Commitment Fee
International students must pay a non-refundable and non-transferable commitment fee prior to admission. 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). The original letter of refusal from CIC must be submitted along with a written request for a refund.
Students who do not register for the semester specified will forfeit the entire commitment fee.
Students who reduce their courseload (drop or withdraw from courses) will be refunded based on the refund policy (see Refunds and Fee Adjustments listed below).
Registration
To register in courses international students must have submitted a Kwantlen International Application for Admission by the published deadline and have been accepted for admission to Kwantlen. They must also have applied for study permits, temporary residence visas (if necessary) and medical insurance. Upon acceptance, students will be provided with further details about the registration process.
The instructions below are for students in university level studies.
| Step 01 Eligibility |
|
Students in good academic standing will remain eligible to register for up to two consecutive semesters after being accepted to and/or attending for a semester.
Apply for or renew study permit if necessary. |
| Step 02 Registration Time |
|
Check the online registration system to confirm your registration time. Check for, and resolve, any ‘holds’ that will prevent you from registering at your appointment time. ‘Holds’ include library fines and overdue materials, outstanding documents, etc. |
| Step 03 Registration Access |
|
Pay your tuition by the specified deadline so that you will be able to register at your assigned time. |
| Step 04 Register Online |
|
Obtain approval if you will need to register into a course for a third time.
Register online at www.kwantlen.ca/webreg on the registration date and time that you were assigned. |
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 Procedures Guide found at www.kwantlen.ca/inted/current_students/procedures.html
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 regarding English language testing and registration in their acceptance letters. If new students cannot provide test results prior to arrival at Kwantlen, arrangements can be made to be tested upon arrival. Kwantlen does not offer Beginners courses so new students must have some English proficiency. It is in the student’s best interest to provide test results prior to arrival to ensure they can be registered into the courses that they need.
Full-Time Status
A student who is enrolled in 9 or more semester credit hours is considered to be full-time.
A student who is enrolled in less than 9 semester credit hours is considered to be part-time.
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 should refer to policy K.1 (Refunds of Tuition and Other Fees for International Students, Non-Canadian Citizens/Non-Permanent Residents) that may be viewed at the Library or online at www.kwantlen.ca/policies.
Fees and charges for international students are determined by the Vice-President, Administration and Student Services. International student fees are set at a level that covers direct costs and overhead.
Report Day and Orientation
All new students must report to the International Education Office on Report Day. Students will be notified of the date in their acceptance letter. New students who were not able to provide test results prior to arrival at Kwantlen may be tested on Report Day.
All newly admitted students must attend the International Student Orientation before their first semester commences. The comprehensive orientation is usually scheduled the week prior to the first week of classes of each semester.
International Student Exchange
There are several great opportunities to travel and study internationally through the exchange programs offered by Kwantlen International Education. Students can choose from several countries and institutions around the world and receive direct transfer credit at Kwantlen for courses completed at a partner institution.
During an exchange, Kwantlen students continue to be registered and pay tuition to Kwantlen and continue to be eligible for all student loan programs, scholarships and bursaries.
Selection for participation in an exchange program is by application. A GPA of 3.0 is required and students are typically encouraged to participate in their second or third year of academic study. The length of exchange can be for one academic term or a full year. Students who are considering going on an exchange should meet early in their programs with their department academic advisor or the International Education office in order to best plan their courses both at home and abroad.
Information sessions will begin later in the Fall term. All applications need to be made by March 15th, 2009 for an exchange program beginning the following September.
For more information contact:
| International Education Office |
| Richmond |
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Main Floor
Monday to Friday North Entrance
Telephone: 604.599.2534
Fax: 604.599.2641
|
| Surrey |
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM G Building
Monday to Friday Room 2005
Telephone: 604.599.2393
Fax: 604.599.2449 |
| Mailing Address |
Kwantlen Polytechnic University 12666-72nd Avenue Surrey, BC Canada V3W 2M8 |
| Website: |
www.kwantlen.ca/inted |
Homestay Services
Kwantlen realizes that the task of locating safe and affordable housing in a new city can be very difficult. For this reason, Kwantlen Polytechnic University has organized a Homestay Program for our students.
The Homestay Program allows students 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 easier.
“Studying abroad is a great experience, but it is not always easy to manage things far from home. Homestay is the best way to feel at home in a foreign country. There is somebody there to talk and to help. Personally, I’ve had the best experiences during my time in Canada with my homestay family. They took me to a lot of places and we did activities together like skiing, hiking and kayaking. They also shared with me a lot about life in Canada and Canadian culture, something I didn’t learn in school.” - Manuela Leutenegger, Switzerland.
What Services should visitors expect?
A fully furnished private bedroom
- Three meals a day with nutritious snacks and beverages
- In-house laundry facilities
- A quiet place to study
Most importantly, the Homestay package includes a warm and friendly family who is willing to share their knowledge and experiences to help with the adjustment to Canadian culture and way of life.
Additional services provided by the Homestay Department include:
- Host family selection and screening
- An inspection of all homes and criminal record checks for household members age 18 and over before placement
- Standardized fees, withdrawal and refund policies
- Information and contact details regarding your Host family before you arrive
Prices are listed in Canadian Dollars and current at time of printing and are subject to change without notice.
What does Homestay cost?
Placements of 8 weeks or longer for Kwantlen students:
-
$200.00 CAD non-refundable placement fee (required with the application)
-
$800.00* CAD per month (first month required with the application) or
-
$500.00* CAD per month without meals (first month required with the application)
-
One month’s fee, as a damage deposit, is required with the application and will be refunded two weeks after the student moves out.
Placements of 8 weeks or longer for High School students:
-
$250.00* CAD non-refundable placement fee (required with the application)
-
$850.00* CAD per month (first month required with the application)
-
One month’s fee, as a damage deposit, is required with the application and will be refunded two weeks after the student moves out.
For placements less than 8 weeks, the fees are:
-
$250.00* CAD per week for students 19 and over (application fee included, minimum $80.
-
$300.00* CAD per week for students under 19 (application fee included)
-
The fee for the entire short term stay should be received 2 weeks before the student moves in.
*effective as of January 1, 2009
Airport and relocation transportation are available upon request (prices vary according to location)
Why choose Homestay?
Homestay can be an economical choice for students who do not already live in the Vancouver area. Homestay accommodations are fully furnished and students are given their own bedroom that comes equipped with proper bedroom furnishings; including linen, pillows, blankets, towels and other household items.
There is a screening process completed by Homestay Services which includes a thorough inspection of the home, interviewing the family and a criminal record check is required from all household members 18 years or older. Likewise the student is also required to provide a criminal record check.
Homestay Services will endeavor to match students with hosts who have similar hobbies and interests. If a student is willing, the host family will include students in family activities, social events, or recreational outings. Students are given the opportunity to have as much, or as little, social interaction between themselves and their hosts as they choose.
Finally, Homestay is an excellent opportunity to help improve the student’s spoken English. Immersion is the most effective method of learning another language.
Who do you contact for more information?
You can contact the Homestay Department for more information by:
Email: homestay@kwantlen.ca
Website: www.kwantlen.ca/inted/homestay.html
Phone: 604.599.2439
Fax: 604.599.2449
Mailing Address:
Homestay Department
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
12666 72nd Avenue
Surrey, BC, Canada V3W 2M8
Connect with Kwantlen
The Connect with Kwantlen Program (CwK) 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 participants. For example, day trips 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 Connect with Kwantlen Program is offered to all students attending any of the Kwantlen campuses; however, meetings take place at the Surrey and Richmond campuses only. To find out more information, please contact Homestay Services at 604.599.2439 or e-mail at connectwithKwantlen@kwantlen.ca