2011-12 University Calendar
 Kwantlen Polytechnic University  Calendar  2011-12  Admissions, Registration & Financial Assistance  General University Admission Requirements

General University Admission Requirements

Admission to Kwantlen varies depending on the program to which you are applying. Not only does Kwantlen offer undergraduate-level studies, we also provide qualifying courses and programs within our Faculty of Academic and Career Advancement that are at the university preparatory-level, as well as a variety of vocational-level programs. Each level of programming has different requirements for admission.

To qualify for admission, applicants must:

  1. satisfy the appropriate undergraduate, vocational, or university preparatory-level English proficiency requirement,
  2. qualify under one of Kwantlen’s admission categories,
  3. satisfy specific program admission requirements

1. Kwantlen’s English Proficiency Requirement

Undergraduate-Level English Proficiency Requirement

All undergraduate applicants must satisfy Kwantlen’s General University Admission English Proficiency Requirement.
Any of the following achievements can be used to satisfy this requirement:

High School Grades

A grade of “C” in one of the following courses (or equivalent from another school system):

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. Current students wishing to use a higher classroom mark for the purposes of satisfying prerequisites should request to have an official copy of their high school transcript sent to Admissions should they wish to have their academic record updated to include the classroom mark for any provincially examinable courses.

Testing Options

One of:

Kwantlen Course Completion Options

One of:

Vocational-Level English Proficiency Requirement

Applicants to vocational-level programs are not required to meet the above English proficiency requirement. English proficiency is assessed according to the specific requirements of the vocational-level program. Program admission requirements are included in the descriptions of each program.  See the Program Index. Note: Apprenticeship programs are not subject to Kwantlen's English Proficiency Requirement.

University Preparatory-Level English Proficiency Requirement

Applicants to university preparatory-level programs are not required to meet the above English proficiency requirement. English proficiency is assessed according to the specific requirements of the preparatory-level program. Program admission requirements are included in the descriptions of each program.  See the Program Index.

Applicants to undergraduate or vocational-level programs who do not meet the English proficiency requirement of their program of admission may be offered admission to Adult Basic Education (ABE), University Qualifying Studies, or English Language Studies (ELST). Information about these program options can be found at www.kwantlen.ca/aca.

2. Admission Categories

All applicants must qualify under one of the following admission categories.

Regular Admission

Anyone who is a graduate of a BC Secondary school in any program, or the equivalent from another school system, qualifies under Kwantlen’s regular admission category. Applicants who are missing only one course for graduation are also eligible to attend, provided they have completed English 12 or the equivalent with a minimum "C" grade. As per the 2004 Provincial Graduation Program requirements, 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. Home Schooled applicants will be evaluated as equivalent to BC Grade 12 graduates, provided they have written and passed the BC Provincial English examination. Home Schooled students who require Mathematics for entrance to their programs may also be required to write Kwantlen's Math Placement Test.

Mature Student Admission

Anyone who is not a secondary school graduate (or equivalent) but who will be nineteen (19) years of age or older on the first day of classes for the term is eligible to attend Kwantlen as a mature student.

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 as an underage applicant. 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.

Special Admission

An applicant who does not meet any of the above admission criteria may appeal to be admitted as a Special Admission student and complete up to 12 credits before they must meet the general university admission requirements. Testing and attendance at an interview may be required and the applicant must provide supporting documentation as requested. Students under 19 who have not written the BC Provincial English examination will be required to write Kwantlen's English Placement Test (or equivalent) in order to be considered a Special Admission student.

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. The following conditions will apply to concurrent studies:

Admission will generally be limited to one semester only; however, it may be renewable with the continued support of the school principal and the Dean. Concurrent students will be treated as typical students in most respects except they may not register in a full range of courses, and their eligibility to register is valid for one semester only (unless renewed as above). Kwantlen reserves the right to limit the number of seats available in total and per class.

3. Program Admission Requirements

Once an applicant has met the appropriate English Proficiency requirement and has qualified under one of the above admission categories, they may be considered for admission to a specific program. Each program has a different set of program admission requirements, and some programs require a higher English proficiency requirement than that listed under the above undergraduate English proficiency requirement. The specific requirements of your program of interest are included in the descriptions of each program.  See the Program Index.

Last Updated: Oct 12, 2011

This online version of the Kwantlen Academic Calendar is the official version of the University calendar. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, Kwantlen reserves the right to make any corrections in the contents and provisions of this calendar without notice. In addition, the University reserves the right to cancel, add, or revise contents or change fees at any time without notice. To report errors or omissions, or send comments or suggestions, please email Calendar.Editor@kwantlen.ca.