University Transfer
Acceptable Transfer includes:
• University degree courses;
• College courses (including Associate of Arts or Science);
• Certificate and Diploma Programs (including Institutes of Technology and Colleges of Applied Arts Technology).
Unacceptable Transfer includes:
• University Preparation;
• Vocational course programs.
To be considered a transfer student, a minimum of 15 credit hours of acceptable university-level coursework from a recognized post-secondary institution must be presented.
For admission, a minimum grade point average (GPA) equivalent of UNBC 2.00 or C (63%) calculated on the most recent 30 credit hours of university-level coursework is required. GPA is calculated on the coursework completed for students with less than 30 credit hours but equal to or more than 15 credit hours.
Students with in-progress coursework at the time of admission are required to maintain an acceptable GPA (as above) on the in-progress coursework to retain their offer of admission.
Applicants must be in good academic standing at the transferring institution(s). Applicants who have been required to withdraw or have been placed on academic probation by the transferring institution(s) must wait for three full semesters before being admissible to UNBC and outline any work completed or experience gained which would better qualify them to successfully complete coursework at UNBC.
Failure to declare attendance at any post-secondary institution could result in disciplinary action by the University and transfer credit will not be considered for transcripts provided in this manner. Information on falsifications may be shared with the Member Institutions of the Association of Registrars of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
2 + 2 Programs
Okanagan College Diploma in Environmental Studies (Environmental Management and Interdisciplinary Environmental Arts Options)
Students who have successfully completed the Diploma in Environmental Studies (Environmental Management or Interdisciplinary Environmental Arts Option) from Okanagan College, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) equivalent of UNBC 2.0 or C (63%) calculated on the most recent 30 credit hours of university-level coursework are eligible for admission into the BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies (Okanagan Completion) program.
Coast Mountain College Associate of Science Degree – Environmental Geosciences Specialization
Students who have successfully completed the Associate of Science Degree – Environmental Geosciences Specialization from Coast Mountain College with a minimum grade point average (GPA) equivalent of UNBC 2.00 or C (63%) calculated on the most recent 30 credit hours of university-level coursework are eligible for admission in the BSc (Integrated) (Coast Mountain College Completion) program.
Nature-Based Tourism Management
Students who have successfully completed a Tourism Management Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in BC with a minimum grade point average (GPA) equivalent of UNBC 2.00 or C (63%) calculated on the most recent 30 credit hours of university- level coursework are eligible for admission in the Nature-Based Tourism Management (Diploma Completion) program.
Diploma Programs in Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Tourism, Sport or Recreation Studies, Commerce, Geography, or related
Students who have successfully completed a 2-year diploma in Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Tourism, Sport or Recreation Studies, Commerce, Geography, or equivalent, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) equivalent of UNBC 2.00 or C (63%) calculated on the most recent 30 credit hours of university-level coursework are eligible for admission into the BA Nature-Based Tourism (Diploma Completion) program.
CEGEP
Applicants must have a two-year Diplome D’Etude Collegial (DEC), with a minimum grade point average (GPA) equivalent of UNBC 2.00 or C (63%) calculated on the most recent 30 credit hours of university-level coursework.
Letter of Permission – Visiting Students
Applicants may present a Letter of Permission from another post-secondary institution for access to coursework at UNBC. The Letter of Permission indicates that the applicants are in good academic standing and will be using coursework towards a degree program at the home institution. Course prerequisites are still required and it is the responsibility of the students to ensure that the course prerequisites are met.
If the language of instruction at the home institution is not English, applicants need to include supporting documentation from the institution indicating the applicants’ ability to function sufficiently in an undergraduate academic environment. If, upon arrival, it is determined that the applicants do not have the necessary language skills to succeed in the program, they will be required to take the necessary English Language program to upgrade their skills or will be asked to withdraw.
Definition of Recognized Institution
An institution, authorized by the recognized government authority for university- or college-level Higher Education in that Jurisdiction to be able to award credentials, including Certificates, Diplomas, and (Associate, Bachelor, Master and Doctoral) degrees, that could be considered equivalent to a Canadian credential.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is awarded according to agreements articulated in the BC Transfer Guide (available online at www.bctransferguide.ca).
All University-level coursework completed at a recognized institution is eligible for transfer credit. If the content of the course matches a significant amount of UNBC course content, it will receive “specific credit”. If specific credit is not awarded, it may receive discipline credit or non-specific credit. Not all transfer credit may be able to be used to meet UNBC degree requirements. No transfer credit will be awarded for any course with a grade of less than equivalent to UNBC 0.67 or D- (50-52.9%).
Courses more than 10 years old are normally assigned unspecified credit. Programs may specify a shorter time period at their discretion. Students who wish to have such credit recognized should apply in writing through the Office of the Registrar to the appropriate program Chair(s).
Up to 90 credit hours of transfer credit from a recognized sending institution may be eligible to be applied to completion of a four-year degree program at UNBC.
Up to 30 credit hours of transfer credit from a recognized sending institution may be eligible to be applied to completion of a 60 credit hour diploma program at UNBC.
Up to 15 credit hours of transfer credit from a recognized sending institution may be eligible to be applied to completion of a 30 credit hour certificate program at UNBC.
Students who change programs or who are re-admitted to their program after a stop out may have their transfer credits reassessed.
Associate Degree
Holders of an Associate of Arts or Science degree are awarded a minimum of 60 credit hours of transfer credit.
IT, CAAT, Diplomas and Block Credit
Holders of two-year diploma programs may be eligible for block credit to a maximum of 30 credit hours of transfer credit. Students who hold specific diplomas, including Business Administration, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies, Nursing, or Social Work, may be eligible for additional transfer credit. Certain program areas may require a higher minimum grade to award transfer credit.
CEGEP
Holders of a two-year Diplome D’Etude Collegial (DEC) may be eligible for a maximum of 30 credit hours of transfer credit (normally from the second year of studies). Holders of a three-year DEC applicable to specific UNBC programs may be eligible for additional transfer credit.
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)
Advanced Placement courses are eligible for transfer credit if you complete the course with a grade of 4 or higher.
International Baccalaureate coursework completed at the Higher Level is eligible for transfer credit with a grade of 4 or higher. If you complete the IB Diploma, you may be eligible for block credit for Subsidiary Level coursework.
See the BCCAT website to review the credit assigned: bctransferguide.ca/learn-more-about/international-baccalaureate/
GCE
Each A level subject course with a grade of at least C may be awarded up to 6 credit hours of transfer credit.
Letter of Permission
A Letter of Permission ensures that courses successfully completed at another institution will be transferred to UNBC for consideration as credit toward the student’s degree program. Before taking courses from other post-secondary institutions for credit on a Letter of Permission towards a UNBC credential, a student must
a. complete at least 9 credit hours of study at UNBC and not be in their first semester of admission (or re-admission);
b. be in good academic standing;
c. not have any outstanding obligation to the University, which may include, but is not limited, to the following:
• tuition fees owing;
• library or other fines owing;
• outstanding library loans;
• outstanding equipment or other loans.
Coursework taken on a Letter of Permission is considered to be transfer credit, and therefore subject to all policies and practices related to transfer credit. Letters of Permission are only valid for the semester in which they are issued. Extensions will require the submission of a new Letter of Permission request. Letters of Permission will not be processed for the current semester after the withdrawal date of that semester.
Students who complete courses without having first obtained a Letter of Permission risk not having those courses accepted for transfer credit.
Advanced Standing
In cases where course challenge is not possible, or appropriate transfer credit is unable to be granted, the program Chair(s) or instructor, as appropriate, upon review of the student’s background, may grant a student permission to undertake advanced coursework without the normal prerequisites. Such advanced standing will not reduce the number of credits that the student must accumulate to obtain a UNBC degree.