All the knowledge, none of the textbook costs
To reduce the cost of learning for students, KPU started Canada’s first Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) initiative. Instead of textbooks, we use library and open educational resources (OER) in over 950 course sections.
Since ZTC started in 2018, KPU has gone even further, offering many credential programs with zero textbook cost through the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation and the Wilson School of Design.
ZTC helps remove barriers to access post-secondary education, adapting our programs to create a more equitable place for all students to learn.
ZTC Courses and Programs
Use the Register for Classes app at ONE.KPU.ca to search for course sections with zero textbook costs (Browse Classes> Select a Term> Advanced Search> Attribute> Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC)).
In addition to individual course sections, KPU offers eight complete credentials that don't require the purchasing of commercial textbooks:
- The Bachelor of Interior Design, a four-year university degree based on the completion of 128 credits of coursework (approximately 40 courses)
- The Bachelor of Arts Degree in General Studies, a four-year university degree based on the completion of 120 credits of coursework (approximately 40 courses)
- The Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies, a credential based on the completion of 60 credits of coursework (approximately 20 courses).
- The Associate of Arts Degree in Sociology, a credential that allows students to enter the Bachelor of Arts Major or Bachelor of Arts Minor in Sociology degree program with relative ease.
- The Diploma in General Studies, an exit credential designed as a more flexible alternative to the Associate or Bachelor degrees.
- The Certificate in Arts, a flexible yet foundational program based on the completion of 30 credits of coursework (approximately 10 courses)
- The Certificate in Foundations in Design, a one-year full-time program offered by the Wilson School of Design.
- The Adult Graduation Diploma, equivalent to the BC grade 12 graduation diploma, with Academic & Career Preparation courses that help you prepare for university studies, career pathways, and trades entry by upgrading English, math, and science skills
Did you know
ZTC saved students more than $2 million dollars during remote learning in 2020, and KPU continues to see growth in its ZTC initiative.