Central Advising
Our team supports 1st and 2nd year domestic students towards achieving their goals
Connect with us and get started on planning your path to graduation.
Central Advising
Central Advising supports current and recently admitted first and second year domestic students who are exploratory/undecided; pursuing certificates, diplomas or associate degrees; or who are in their first or second year of a Bachelor's degree.
Central advisors offer assistance, support and guidance to empower students to take a more active role in creating their pathway to academic success.
We are available to discuss:
- Course planning & selection
- Program choices
- Course prerequisites
- Program & graduation requirements
- Academic regulations & policies
- Educational planning for career goals
Central Advising is available to:
- New or returning student
- Students in their first or second year of studies
- Completing a certificate, diploma or associate degree
- Business or Arts students with fewer than 60 credits
- Design, Science or Trades students
- Students interested in Nursing
See our Academic Advising Guide for information on the above, how and when to book an advising appointment and more:
Prospective students (those who haven't applied to KPU or do not have a KPU student ID) should visit KPU's Future Students' Office. International Students, please contact International Advising.
Academic Advising Appointments
Need to have a more in-depth conversation? To book an academic advising appointment visit Advisor Connect or call 604-599-2828. Find out more about Advisor Connect and how to book an advising appointment.
Drop-in Advising
We offer online drop-in advising sessions to answer 1 or 2 quick questions during peak registration times. To book a online drop-in session please call Central Advising at 604-599-2828. Please note:
- Drop-in sessions are booked on a first-come, first-served basis daily
- Drop-in sessions cannot be booked through Advisor Connect or booked in advance
- Space is limited
- Phone line opens at 9am
Contact an Advisor
Unable to make a drop-in session or advising appointment? Connect with us by email or call us at 604-599-2828.
Available Dates and Times (Telephone hours)
Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pmPeer Advisor Power Hour
Peer advisors are available to answer your questions about registration, the academic calendar, course timetables and more.
Dates and Times: TBA
Congratulations on getting accepted to KPU!
Now what? While it might seem obvious, course planning is more than just picking out which courses you're going to take in the upcoming semester. But, don't worry. We've got your covered.
Still not sure about course planning? Check out our Course Planning 101 workshop.
- How to prepare for registration and choose your courses
- How to use KPU's registration system
- What to do after that!
- Navigating your first semester
For updated information including dates and times click the Register button below
Register now for course planning 101
Please note: the following workshops target KPU students who are domestic or permanent residents. KPU International students should consult with International Advising due to the extra considerations they may have.
What does it mean to be undeclared, exploratory or undecided?
Students at KPU in open access programs start as: undeclared. This means you have not confirmed what credential you want to graduate with. Being undecided or exploratory gives new students the opportunity to test out their anticipated goals and take courses they're interested in before deciding on an educational goal to complete. There are many different programs and areas of study that you can pursue - so keeping an open mind at the beginning can be a strong position to start from.
Undeclared! It's a major decision.
Finding a program that fits your goals and values is important. But how do you know what program is right for you? Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Gather the information about your educational/career journey in one place. Write it down, include it in an online journal, or video log it, but don't just keep all the information in your head.
- Create a milestone for yourself. Don't explore for an undefined amount of time. Most students are able to narrow down their choices in 2-3 semesters but everyone is different.
- Consider adding EDUC 1100, ARTS 1100, or IDEA 1100 in one of your first semesters to build your successful skills for university and build your self-awareness about what you would like to gain from your post-secondary experience. Talk to an academic advisor about whether these courses would fit with the programs you are curious about.
Sorting through all of the potential information about an industry or field of study you're interested in can be daunting. Here are some ways to help you find the most relevant information:
- Talk to people you know and seek out new people who are working in areas you are interested in. Try to get yourself around people whose jobs you are curious about through volunteering, informational interviewing, working part-time, or taking an experiential learning course.
- Ask people you trust for feedback. You might be surprised what they have observed about you.
- Try out some free self-awareness quizzes from Career Services, WorkBC or Job Bank Canada.
- Consider going to a networking event or sign up for a professional organization.
- Do one of the semester abroad programs or a field school.
- Speak with your instructors and ask them about their experiences and advice.
- Take time to reflect on experiences you have had and/or are having now.
Other things to consider when planning your post-secondary education and career goals:
- What are your strengths, talents, values, personality type, and interests? Can you articulate them?
- Have these changed lately? Have you discovered anything new about yourself?
- What patterns have you noticed in your choices? Why are you drawn to these choices?
- What was your reaction to the courses you are taking/have taken? Why?
- How long would you like to plan to be in school at this time?
- What career fields are you interested in? What skills, education, and experience are required by those fields?
- Who are the key employers in those fields locally? In Canada? Internationally?
- What demand is there for the career fields you are interested in?
- What has your work experience taught you about your values, needs, motivation at work?
- What work environments have you enjoyed? What work environment are you curious about?
What do I do once I decide what program I want to complete?
After deciding on a program, you will want to declare your program of study. You will need to do this before you apply to graduate. Some programs require even earlier declaration in order to enrol in program-restricted courses. Once declared, you can still make changes and change your declared goals in the future. Talk to an academic advisor about making any changes once you've declared. Learn out more about how to declare.
Still aren't sure what your educational goals are? Or maybe you're trying to decide between several options? Sign up for our Undeclared! workshop.
- Reflect, gather info, and evaluate your choices
- Understand what your strengths, values, and ambitions are
- Develop a plan for how you explore your options to make a confident choice that is right for you.
For updated information including dates and times click the Register button below
Please note: the following workshops target KPU students who are domestic or permanent residents. KPU International students should consult with International Advising due to the extra considerations they may have.
Head Start
New to KPU? Many new students have questions about how they can prepare for a successful first year in post-secondary and how to access resources at KPU prior to registration. As a student in the Head Start program, you'll have access to a dedicated academic advisor to support you through your first year of studies.
Head Start is a collaboration between you and your advisor with personalized assistance specific to you. It starts with a conversation about your educational and career goals. based on your unique strengths, interests, and career curiosities. Based on your unique strengths, interests, and career curiosities, your advisor will help you explore different programs and create a plan to help you make a supported choices about actions or directions you want to pursue.
Your advisor can also help you:
- Navigate university policies and processes
- Answer questions about timelines, deadlines and how to graduate in a timely manner
- Recommend and connect you to student services to ensure that you are prepared for success KPU
- Offers assistance with choosing a course load that considers your lifestyles, strengths, and interests
How does Head Start Work?
Your advisor will book 3-4 appointments with you prior to registration in your first semester and be in regular contact with you through your first year. Currently, these appointments are being hosted online through MS Teams.
Who can apply for Head Start?
All applicants must:
- Have a KPU student number
- Meet KPU admission requirements
- Must complete Head Start application form
- Complete an online interview with Central Advising
Applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview upon submission of the applicant form.
Application Deadline: The deadline for application is May 15, or when seats are filled. It is recommended students apply early to ensure a spot.
Need more information? Contact Head Start or visit www.kpu.ca/headstart
Academic Probation and Required to Withdraw
Academic Standing describes your status as a student at KPU. There are a variety of possible rankings to describe your academic standing:
- Good Academic Standing
- Dean's Honor Roll
- Academic Warning
- Academic Probation
- Required to Withdraw
- Academic Suspension
The University Calendar provides detailed information about academic standing regulations. Visit the University Calendar for academic standing definitions.
To maintain good academic standing at KPU, a student must achieve a 2.00 GPA or higher for all undergraduate courses taken at KPU. Failure to meet this minimum academic standard will result in corrective action and can lead to permanent withdrawal from KPU. KPU Policy ST6 defines the minimum standard of academic achievement for a KPU student.
If you have received a notification that you have been placed on Academic Warning or Probation, Central Advising is here to help you understand your academic standing and find ways to improve your GPA and succeed in your studies.
For more information about academic standing, visit our FAQ or make an appointment to see an advisor.
If you find you are struggling in a class and don't know where to go for help, please speak with your instructor. Your instructor may refer you to Early Alert, an academic intervention service that provides timely and targeted support. Contact us for more information about Early Alert.
Required to Withdraw and Reinstatement
If you're on Academic Probation, have completed a minimum of 27.0 semester credit hours and your TGPA and CGPA are both less than 2.00, you will be required to withdraw and not permitted to enroll in undergraduate courses for two semesters (6 months).
After being required to withdraw, you should meet with an academic advisor to discuss your academic status and the reinstatement process. Visit Required to Withdraw to find out more about reinstatement.
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Frequently asked questions
You can also visit our FAQs for more information about academic standing, course planning, transfer credit and booking appointments using Advisor Connect.
Meet your first- and second-year Success Team
Jocelyn Choy
KPU Surrey
Tanya Fuller
KPU Surrey and KPU Tech
Mike Harris
KPU Surrey
Meena Sidhu
On Leave
Josh Elford
KPU Langley
Lilia Rodtchenko
KPU Surrey
Calvin Tiu
KPU Langley
Amy Yiu
KPU Richmond
Yue Lee
KPU Richmond