Applicant Categories
The following categories are used to classify all applicants for admission to KPU. Applicants in all categories are subject to published admission requirements.
High School
An applicant who is a graduate of a BC Secondary school in any program, or the equivalent from another school system in Canada or another country may be admitted as a High School graduate.
Home Schooled applicants will be evaluated as equivalent to BC Grade 12 graduates, provided they have written and passed the BC Provincial English examination. For applicants who have completed the BC Adult Graduation Diploma program, provincial exams are not required.
Applicants who have completed less than 24 post-secondary credits above the preparatory level will be classified as a high school applicant.
Transfer
An applicant who has successfully completed 24 or more credits above the preparatory level and has a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or greater from the sending institution(s) may be admitted as a transfer student.
Mature
An applicant who will be 19 years of age or older on the first day of classes who is not a secondary school graduate (or equivalent), and has attempted fewer than 24 credits above the preparatory level may be admitted as a mature student, or at the discretion of the Registrar.
Aboriginal
An Aboriginal applicant may be considered on an individual basis through an assessment of educational background, cultural knowledge, life experience, academic goals and personal achievements. Each applicant under the Aboriginal admission category will be evaluated by the Aboriginal Admissions Committee.
Aboriginal peoples refers to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of Canada. Candidates seeking admission consideration under this category must self-identify as an Aboriginal applicant. Aboriginal applicants include status and non-status First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. Documentation of Aboriginal heritage can include, but is not limited to a First nations, Inuit, or Métis status card. It can also include official letters from Aboriginal organizations, or written or oral statements from Elders, or other relevant information identified by the applicant.
Other Applicant Classifications
General Interest
The General Interest applicant category is for non-credential-seeking students. Students may complete up to a maximum of 12-credits before being required to satisfy admission requirements. Students must achieve a passing grade (as defined in Policy C.20) in every course in order to continue in their studies as a student in the General Interest category. Students who successfully complete 12 credits with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and who satisfy the English proficiency requirement may re-apply to KPU under the Special Entry category. Students admitted under the General Interest category may not earn a credential.
Special Entry Students in the General Interest category who have successfully completed 12 credits with a CGPA of 2.0 and who have demonstrated they satisfy KPU's English proficiency requirement are eligible for admission under KPU's Special Entry admission category.
Concurrent
An applicant enrolled in a BC secondary school who wishes to register in courses at KPU may be admitted as a concurrent student. The University reserves the right to limit the number of seats available to Concurrent students (in total and per section). The applicant must have the written consent of the parent or legal guardian if under the legal age of majority on the opening day of classes. Continued registration as a concurrent student in subsequent semester(s) is contingent on the continued support of the secondary school principal and the student maintaining good academic standing. Once a student has graduated high school they will be required to re-apply to KPU under the applicable admission category.
Partnership programs with specific high schools or school districts may allow concurrent students to be admitted under different circumstances, as negotiated between the parties.
In all circumstances the primary home of students admitted in the concurrent admissions category is understood to be the high school and school district to which they belong.
Exchange
An exchange student is someone from one of KPU's approved partner institutions who has been nominated by their institution to come on an exchange to KPU. Exchange students may be of domestic or international status and pay tuition and fees to their home institution and not KPU.
Visiting
A visiting student may be of domestic or international status and is someone who wishes to spend a period of time up to one year studying at KPU (without earning a credential from KPU). Visiting students must have a Letter of Permission from their home institution.