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This is an ARCHIVED version of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Calendar for 2008-2009 (SPRING) and is provided for historical reference only. See the current version of the Calendar for updated information.

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General University Admission Requirements

All students wishing to apply to undergraduate studies at Kwantlen must meet the General University Admission Requirements. There are two basic step involved, as outlined below. Students wishing to apply to trades or other non-undergraduate programs must meet Step 2 as outlined below, and any other specific entrance requirements.


Step 1

English Proficiency

English Proficiency for Open Registration and Undergraduate Selective Entry (Under review)

Applicants applying for admission to undergraduate level studies are required to have met the English proficiency requirement with a minimum grade of “C” in English 12 (or equivalent) prior to registering for courses (please refer to the section entitled Admission to a Program for definitions of program types). The following achievements can also be used to meet the English Proficiency requirement (approved by Education Council, June 2008):

  • "C" in English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, Communications 12 or TPC 12 (each option must include the completion of the provincial exam), or
  • Computer-based TOEFL 213 with Essay 4.5, or valid until September 2008
  • Paper-based TOEFL 550 with TWE 4.5, or
  • Internet-based TOEFL 80, or
  • LPI Essay score 26 level 4, or
  • IELTS Academic Module score of 6.0 with a minimum of 6 on individual tests, or
  • Completion of ENGQ 1098 with a minimum grade of "C", or
  • Completion of ELST 0281, ABEE 0081 with a minimum "B-" grade, or
  • Kwantlen Placement test into ENGQ 1099 or ABEE 0091 or ABEE 0092 or ELST 0381, or
  • Concurrent enrolment in a designated program

For further information see the Qualifying Studies Pathways for English.

For certain undergraduate selective entry programs and for certain individual courses the English proficiency requirement may be higher (refer to the particular program section for further details). For certain fixed term programs, preparatory programs or continuous intake programs the English proficiency requirement is program specific (refer to the particular program section for further details).

Students who do not meet this English Proficiency requirement will not be granted admission to open registration or undergraduate selective entry programs but will be offered admission to Adult Basic Education (ABE), University Qualifying Studies or English Language Studies (ELST). Please note that admission to Adult Basic Education (ABE), English Language Studies (ELST), or University Qualifying Studies is not a guarantee of registration into specific courses.


Step 2

Admission Categories

In order to be eligible for admission to a program or course at Kwantlen, an applicant must also meet one of the following requirements:

Regular Admission

Anyone who is a graduate of a BC Secondary school in any program, or the equivalent from another school system, is eligible to attend Kwantlen. Applicants who are missing only one course for graduation are also eligible to attend, provided they have completed English 12 or Communications 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 or Communications 12). BC Secondary school students do NOT have to write optional provincial exams in order to be admitted to Kwantlen.

Mature Student Admission

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

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.

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.

Home Schooled applicants who have not written the BC Provincial Math and English examinations will be required to write Kwantlen’s Math and English Placement tests as part of the evaluation of their application for Special Admission. A Special Admission applicant is admitted to a specific program and may not change programs without the prior approval of the Registrar or the Director, Registrar Services (or designate).

Concurrent Studies

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:

  • The applicant must have achieved a B standing in academic subjects in the last full year of high school completed
  • The applicant must be enrolled in a BC Secondary School at the grade 12 level, in a program that meets regular Kwantlen entry requirements
  • The applicant must have the written recommendation of the secondary school principal
  • The applicants must have the written consent of his or her parent(s) or legal guardian if under the legal age of majority on the opening day of classes
  • The applicant must have the support of the Dean responsible for the course(s) in which she or he plans to enrol
  • 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

Students in Concurrent Studies will be treated as regular students in most respects except that 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). Standard transcripts will be issued and fees and deadlines will be as for regular students.

Kwantlen reserves the right to limit the number of seats available in total and per class.

Applications for semesterized courses must be submitted by the published application deadline for the semester. For other courses, please apply at least one month before the start of classes. International students should consult the International Education Office for deadline information.

Students who have enrolled in concurrent studies at other recognized post-secondary institutions prior to secondary school graduation may also be eligible for transfer credit.

For more information about Admissions contact:

Enrolment and Registrar Services
Langley: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Mon - Fri 604.599.3215 Room 1010
Surrey: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur 
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Fri
604.599.2000 Surrey Campus C Building
Richmond: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Mon, Fri
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tues, Wed, Thur
604.599.2512 Main Floor - North Entrance
Cloverdale: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Mon
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Tues - Fri
604.598.6000
Room 1110
NOTE: Between May and August, summer hours of operation will be in effect on all campuses. We will remain open Monday – Friday, but with limited evening hours.
Extended Hours First week of classes (each semester) all campuses are open Mon to Thur 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM, and Fri 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
E-mail: admissions@kwantlen.ca  
Website: www.kwantlen.ca/admissions  

* All hours are subject to change.

Once an applicant has met the university admission requirements, they may be considered for admission to a specific program. Each program has a different set of program admission requirements.