If your first language is not English or if your education was completed in any country where English is not the official language, you must have one of the following (minimum scores):

• English 12 (C) or equivalent
• International Baccalaureate English A1/A2 Higher Level (HL)/ Standard Level (SL) = grade 3 or higher
• Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition = Grade 2 or higher 
• Completion of VIU's English Language Centre's University Preparation Level 5 Program
• TOEFL paper-based = at least overall score of 550 overall, with no section below 56
• TOEFL iBT = at least overall score of 88 with no section below 20
• TOEFL iBT home edition = at least overall score of 88 with no section below 20
• IELTS Academic = 6.5 overall with sub-score below 6.0
• CAEL Canadian Academic English Language assessment = score of 60
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) = 176 overall
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) = 176 overall
• Pearson (PTE) = score of 60, with no sub-section below 60
• 6 credits of post-secondary English composition and literature with a minimum grade of "C" from a recognized university where English is the language of instruction
• General Certificate of Secondary Education = English at the O-level with a minimum grade of C or 4

Verify with the institution directly

Choose from the following admission categories applicable to your intended program of study:

General Admission Requirements for Academic Programs 

(minimum grade needed in brackets)

1. One of:

• high school graduation (or equivalent) with English Studies 12 (C) or English First Peoples 12 (C) or equivalent 
  
• completion of a university degree
• be a visiting student from a college or university (a "Letter of Permission" from the home institution is required)
• be a transfer student from a college or university with at least 24 university transfer credits
• mature student status (be at least 21 years old in your first semester) with English Studies 12 (C) or English First Peoples 12 (C) or equivalent 

Note: If you don't meet any of the admission categories, you may be admitted as an "Unclassified Student" to register into university-level courses which you meet the prerequisites. You will register after other students, so course availability will be limited.

General Admission Requirements for Trades and Applied Technology Programs 

1. Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status in Canada

2. One of:

• BC high school graduation (or equivalent)
  
• Mature student status (be at least 19 years old during the first two months of the program)

• minimum 17 years of age, unless stated otherwise
• resume and/or letter of intent and/or references may be required
• an interview may be necessary
• math and/or Reading and/or trades aptitude test may be required
• physically fit and able to adapt to working conditions
• good hand/eye coordination
• good health, free of vision, hearing or respiratory ailments
• valid driver's license for vehicle and equipment operation is required

View details on VIU Admission page.

On the above web page, you will have to scroll down to the following admission categories:

• General Admission Requirements for University Academic Programs
• General Admission Requirements for Trades & Applied Technology Programs 

View details on VIU Admission page.

On the above web page, you will have to scroll down to the following admission categories:

• General Admission Requirements for University Academic Programs
• General Admission Requirements for Trades & Applied Technology Programs 

You must also meet the specific admission requirements of your intended program of study at VIU. The program-specific admission requirements are detailed within each program profile in EducationPlannerBC's Undergraduate Program Search Database for VIU.

If you have completed some post-secondary studies at another institution, you can possibly earn transfer credits toward your program at VIU. Please refer to VIU's Transfer Credit web page. The BC Transfer Guide allows you to check on the transferability of your courses taken at another BC post-secondary institution.

You will qualify for admissions as a transfer student if you have at least 24 university transferable credits. You are required to submit all official secondary and post-secondary transcripts from institutions you have attended to Registration Services before receiving an offer of admission. Transcripts should be sent directly from the institutions that you have studied at.

If you have completed some post-secondary studies at another institution, you can possibly earn transfer credits toward your program at VIU. Please refer to VIU's Transfer Credit web page. 

You will qualify for admissions as a transfer student if you have at least 24 university transferable credits. You are required to submit all official secondary and post-secondary transcripts from institutions you have attended to Registration Services before receiving an offer of admission. Transcripts should be sent directly from the institutions that you have studied at.

See admission details in General Admission Requirements sections referring to Mature Students:

• In the General Admission Requirement for Academic Programs Section, mature students (at least 21 years old by their first semester at VIU) who have English 12 (C) or equivalent can be admitted into academic programs without high school graduation as long as all other admission requirements are met 
• In the General Admission Requirement for Unclassified Students Section, unclassified mature students (at least 19 years old by their first semester at VIU) can register into academic classes for which they meet the course prerequisite. 

Students admitted to Vancouver Island University as ‘Mature Students’ must still meet individual course prerequisites. Check VIU's Course Descriptions or consult an Educational Advisor at VIU to find out if you first need to complete prerequisites. Students can meet course prerequisites through VIU's Adult Basic Education program.

Click list for information on alternative admission categories:

Note: By scrolling down you can access the following admission categories:

• General Admission Requirements - Unclassified Students
• Admission on the Basis of a Previous Degree
• Special Admission
• International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Program

View details on How to Apply for Admission.