Dual Credit and Concurrent Studies | KPU.ca - Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Dual Credit

Want to get a head start on your post-secondary education?

KPU and some local lower mainland school districts have partnered together to create the Dual Credit program. This program allows you to take one or more KPU course(s) in your grade 11 or 12 year of high school and use those academic credits towards your post-secondary education and your high school graduation requirements.

The Dual Credit program is an excellent opportunity to help you transition from high school to university while earning both high school graduation and university credits. Credits earned at KPU may be transferrable to other post-secondary institutions.

Check our Current Partnerships

KPU currently has signed memorandums of understanding for academic dual credit with the following BC school districts:
Check with your school to ensure that there is a current dual credit partnership in place with KPU.

Private schools:

Canada Star Secondary School
Khalsa Secondary School
Maple Leaf World School at KPU
Royal Bridge High School

Connect with Career Centre at High School

Your high school career centre is your first point of contact to receive information regarding the dual credit program. They are there to help with the next steps including course availability, application process and requirements.

Make a Decision

Take a look at your schedule and determine whether dual credit is a good fit for you. Factor in your high school course load, job, or extracurricular activities when reaching a decision. Speak to your high school counselor and/or parent guardian for advice.

At KPU we can provide you with support services to navigate your learning.

Fitness Centre
Indigenous Gathering Place
Library
Tutoring Services
Advising/Counselling Services

Complete the Application Package

Your Career Centre will help you fill out the required documentation in order to submit your Dual Credit Application. Each school district will have their own list of requirements that need to be met prior to being accepted into the program.

Our general admission requirements include:

Completion of English 11 (recommended)
School District Application Package
KPU’s Dual Credit Application Form
KPU’s Third Party Waiver Authorization Form

Application fees are waived for successful applicants. Tuition may be paid by your school district and it is best to double-check with your Career Centre to ensure the cost is covered.

Confirm Acceptance with High School

Check with your high school to confirm application is complete. Your school will submit the application package to KPU for processing. Once your application is processed, KPU will send you an Acceptance Letter.

Attend KPU’s Orientation Session

That’s all there is to it! We will email you with information on attending a virtual or in-person orientation to help you:

Register for your class
Login to KPU’s online learning platforms
Ask any questions you may have

Dual Credit with an Indigenous Focus

KPU is partnered with the Surrey School District to offer indigenous grade 11 and 12 students the opportunity to explore post-secondary courses with an indigenous focus. Your application process begins by reaching out to your Career Centre.

Studying at KPU gives you access to various support services for indigenous students, including our Elder in Residence and the Gathering Place.

KPU proudly shares the name of the Kwantlen First Nation. In hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, Kwantlen means tireless runner and this is reflected in the university motto: "Through tireless effort, knowledge, and understanding."

Courses offered

Faculty of Arts

IDEA 1100: Interdisciplinary Foundations
INDG 1100: Introduction to Indigenous Studies

While our current course offerings are limited, we are committed to adding new courses with an indigenous focus to our Dual Credit program.

KPU Scotiabank Strive Dual Credit Program

The KPU Scotiabank Strive dual credit program provides post-secondary education opportunities to high school within underrepresented groups. Graciously funded through a ScotiaRISE grant, this program will operate over a series of semesters, starting in Spring 2022 with the Surrey school district.

The program has 35 seats reserved specifically for Strive students and has dedicated academic supports, including tutoring options, literacy support, Learning Centre support and a student mentor, the Strive student ambassador. These supports are design to create a safe, comfortable learning environment, encouraging students to be more involved, more willing to share and more incline to get help when needed.

We'd like to thank Scotiabank for their support in funding this program. This partnership provides students the opportunity to gain credits for both high school and KPU, while having an equitable and inclusive educational experience. Through this opportunity, we hope students will be inspired and encouraged to explore their potential and strive towards furthering their education to reach their goals and dreams.

Student Success

Kayla Garvin

“The world of higher education unlocks a lot of opportunities for students. It’s not just what you learn in class, but who you meet along the way. Even for students who may decide university isn’t for them, they still get to make valuable connections"

Partap Grewal

"My KPU Diploma helps in so many ways: brewing theory and science, business best practices, marketing and sales, people management. Since my work experience to this point was more actual brewing and less business focused, it really helps having schooling in the latter three points."

Concurrent Studies

KPU is pleased to offer grade 12 students the opportunity to concurrently enroll in university courses, while still in high school. Students are welcome to take one or more KPU courses concurrently with their regular, scheduled high school classes. Students can begin applying in grade 11. Credits earned count toward studies at KPU and may also count toward high school graduation. Credits may also be transferrable to other post-secondary institutions. Similar to the Dual Credit, Concurrent Studies is for students who want a head start on their university studies.

Difference Between Dual Credit and Concurrent Studies

Dual Credit is a partnership program between KPU and some lower mainland school districts. Participating high schools provide funding and support for eligible students to take agreed upon university courses. Courses taken provide students with credit towards KPU programs, as well as high school graduation.

In contrast, Concurrent Studies allows grade 12 students from any school district the opportunity to independently take university courses outside of any partnership program. Courses taken at KPU provide credit towards KPU programs with no guarantee of credit towards high school graduation requirements. Students are responsible for paying all associated tuition costs and student fees. Please visit KPU's Tuition Estimator for a breakdown of costs and tuition.

Who Can Apply?

Concurrent Studies is intended for grade 12 students with excellent verbal and written communication skills, who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. Students should begin their application process in grade 11. After submitting your online KPU application to an open intake in the Faculty of Arts, Melville School of Business or Faculty of Science and Horticulture, you will need to provide:

A high school transcript showing interim and final grades for courses completed or in progress
Written consent from parent or legal guardian if under the legal age of majority on the first day of class
A letter of support from your high school principal

For more information, please contact Concurrent Studies.

Additional Resources

Contact Information

You can reach us at the Future Students’ Office at 604.599.3030 or Study@kpu.ca

For Dual Credit inquires contact our Dual Credit Coordinator, Erin Lee, at 604.599.5206 or Erin.Lee5@kpu.ca