Admission definitions
Current High School Students
BC secondary school students are required to write their Language Arts 12 provincial exam (i.e., English 12, First Peoples English 12 or Communications 12). For English 12 and all other provincially examinable courses, Kwantlen will accept the blended grade (classroom grade + provincial examination grade) OR the classroom grade - whichever is higher - for the purposes of university and program admission and for satisfying course prerequisites. BC Secondary school students do NOT have to write optional provincial exams in order to be admitted to Kwantlen. For applicants who have completed the BC Adult Graduation Diploma program, provincial exams are not required.
High School Graduates
Anyone who is a graduate of a BC Secondary school in any program, or the equivalent from another school system in Canada or another country, is eligible to attend Kwantlen. Applicants are required to meet the English proficiency requirement.
Mature Students
Anyone who is not a secondary school graduate (or equivalent) but who will be nineteen years of age or older on the first day of classes is considered a "mature student" and is eligible to attend Kwantlen. Applicants are required to meet the English proficiency requirement
Transfer Students
Anyone who has attended a post-secondary institution may wish to be granted formal recognition for knowledge acquired at other educational institutions. Through the transfer credit process, a student who has completed courses at another post-secondary institution may request that these credits be transferred to Kwantlen. Visit the transfer credit website to learn more.
International Students
International Students
Kwantlen accepts applications from international students 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. Visit the International student website to learn more.
Permanent Residents
Permanent residents are subject to the same assessment and fees as Canadian citizens.
Returning Students
Returning Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents
Students in open-registration programs do not need to re-apply for admission after missing a semester. Students remain eligible to register for up to two (2) consecutive semesters after applying and up to three (3) consecutive semesters (withdrawals excluded) after registering for a semester. Applicants to selective-entry and continuous intake programs who are not selected for a program intake or who are selected, but do not register, are required to re-apply for admission to the selective entry program. A $20.00 re-application fee is required for each re-application to a selective entry or continuous intake program.
Returning International Students
Applications received from international students are only applicable to the term applied to and are non-transferable and non-refundable. International students are required to re-apply if unable to attend for their first semester. A $120.00 re-application fee is required for each re-application.
Underage Admission
Anyone who is not a secondary school graduate but who is seventeen years of age or older and has not been in regular attendance at a secondary school for a minimum of one year, is eligible to appeal for permission to attend Kwantlen. Applicants in this category will normally only be accepted into the Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English Language Studies (ELST) program. Admission of underage applicants to other programs will be considered on an individual basis.
Concurrent Admission
Students who are enrolled in grade 12 in a BC Secondary School may be admitted to Kwantlen to pursue Concurrent Studies. Normally, no more than 3 semester hours credit may be applied toward the requirements of a certificate program. Similarly, no more than 6 semester hours credit may be applied toward the requirements of a diploma program. For specific terms and conditions of concurrent admission, visit the online calendar.
Home Schooled Applicants
Home Schooled applicants will be evaluated as equivalent to BC Grade 12 graduates, provided they have written and passed the BC Provincial English examination. Students under 19 who have not written the BC Provincial English examination will be required to write Kwantlen's English Placement Test (or equivalent) prior to admission as a Special Admission student. Home Schooled students who require Mathematics for entrance to their programs may also be required to write Kwantlen's Math Placement Test
Students with Disabilities
Kwantlen Polytechnic University promotes a barrier-free environment that facilitates equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. Visit our Services for Students with Disabilities website to learn more.
Aboriginal Students
Kwantlen Polytechnic University serves a South Fraser Region of vast size and diversity, and is located in the shared traditional territories of the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen First Nations. Kwantlen Polytechnic University is named after the Kwantlen First Nation of the Coast Salish People, who are based in Fort Langley. Visit our Aboriginal Services website to learn about the many services available to our Aboriginal students.
Exchange and Visiting Students
An exchange student is someone from one of Kwantlen's partner institutions who has been nominated by their institution to come on exchange to Kwantlen. Exchange students pay tuition and fees to their home institution and not to Kwantlen.
A visiting student is someone who is not from one of Kwantlen's partner institutions and who wishes to spend one semester or a year at Kwantlen without earning a credential from Kwantlen. Visiting students pay Kwantlen international student rates for tuition and fees. If a student comes to Kwantlen as a visiting student, they cannot extend their stay at Kwantlen in order to earn a credential.
Refugees and Refugee Claimants
Refugee Claimants will be assessed as International applicants. Applicants with a Refugee Claimant document must discuss their situation with an International Advisor prior to applying.
Applicants with Convention Refugee status should apply with the domestic application for admission, declaring Approved Conventional Refugee Citizenship status. Applicants with conventional refugee status will be assessed in the same fashion as Permanent Residents / Canadian Citizens.
Diplomatic Dependents
Students will need to provide proof of diplomatic dependent status via an ID card issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs for the parent/guardian. Students may have a similar ID or an indication on their passport indicating they are accompanying a family member of a diplomatic staff, as well as a letter from the respective embassy. Diplomatic dependents pay domestic student fees.
Special Admission
An applicant who does not meet any of the above admission criteria may be admitted as a Special Admission student and complete up to 12 credits before they must meet the regular admission requirements.Anyone who does not qualify for admission in one of the above categories and wants to complete more than 12 credits, may appeal for admission as a Special Admission student. The applicant must provide a rationale as to why an exception to Admissions policy should be considered. Testing and attendance at an interview may be required and the applicant must provide supporting documentation as requested.
