There is more than one way into a Canadian degree or career program. This page compares the main routes for international students in Victoria: applying straight from high school, using an English pathway at the University of Victoria (UVic), or starting at a college and transferring. It also covers UVic Continuing Studies diplomas, other options our Korean-language pages describe, and the basics of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). We help with applications, but no agent can guarantee admission, a study permit or a PGWP.
Three routes
Direct entry, English pathway, or college transfer.
University of Victoria
Admission basics, English scores, tuition and residence.
Camosun College
Victoria’s public college and its transfer courses.
UVic Continuing Studies
Two-year business, data analytics and digital marketing diplomas.
Other options
VCC, Vancouver Film School and Alexander College.
PGWP basics
What changed for college programs on November 1, 2024.
Three common routes
| Route | Who it suits | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Direct entry from high school | Students who will finish high school (in Canada or abroad) with the required courses and English scores | Required courses for the intended program, application deadline, English requirement or exemption |
| English pathway (UVic English Language Centre) | Students who meet academic requirements but not yet the English requirement | Whether the faculty offers conditional admission; UAP entry level and start dates |
| College first, then transfer | Students who want smaller classes, lower first-year tuition, or a second chance at grades | Course-by-course transfer in the BC Transfer Guide; the university’s transfer admission average. Transfer credit does not guarantee admission. |
Korean high school graduates, Canadian high school graduates and transfer students are assessed differently. Start by choosing the target university and program, then work backwards to courses, grades, English and deadlines.
University of Victoria (UVic)
UVic is a public research university in Victoria offering undergraduate degrees in business, engineering and computer science, fine arts, humanities, science, social sciences and other faculties, with co-op work terms available in many programs. Program requirements differ, so always check the page for the program you want.
Applying as an international undergraduate
- Apply through EducationPlannerBC. For Fall 2027 entry, the application window is September 1 to January 31, 2027.
- Programs that need a portfolio, essay or audition have their own supplemental deadline.
- International high school students can upload an in-progress transcript or predicted marks. Official final transcripts are due in July and August.
- Most admission decisions are emailed between November and April. The acceptance deposit is usually due May 1 and is non-refundable.
- Applying early does not guarantee admission; a complete application before the deadline matters most.
English language requirement
| Test | Standard admission | Conditional admission |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each component | 6.0 overall, 5.5 in each component |
| TOEFL iBT (code 0989) | 88 overall, 20 in each section | 79 overall, 17 in each section |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall, 110 in each subscore | 110 overall, 100 in each subscore |
| PTE Academic | 65 overall, 60 in each skill | 54 overall, 50 in each skill |
| CAEL | 70 overall, 60 in each section | 60 overall, 50 in each section |
- Conditional admission is available in Business, Engineering and Computer Science, some Fine Arts programs, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences.
- Tests taken more than two years before you apply are not accepted, and scores must be sent directly by the testing organization.
- Some students are exempt based on previous English-language education; check the official page.
The English pathway: UVic ELC University Admission Preparation (UAP)
UAP is the most advanced program at the UVic English Language Centre (ELC), run by UVic’s Division of Continuing Studies.
- 12 weeks, in person, 342 program hours.
- Entry: for example IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each skill), TOEFL iBT 79 (17 in each section), Duolingo 110 (100 in each subscore), or 80% in ELC Intensive English (ELPI) Level 500.
- For undergraduate admission, completing UAP with 80% or higher in Advanced English and 60% or higher in Canadian Studies meets UVic’s English requirement.
- 2027 start dates: January 4, April 5 and September 7, 2027.
- Estimated cost: CAD $9,712 in total, including tuition balance $4,330, program deposit $350, application fee $150, student services fee $532, homestay application fee $300 and about $4,050 in homestay accommodation and meals (paid to the host family). Medical insurance, airfare and personal costs are not included.
- Another option, ELC Preliminary Admission, lets applicants to some faculties study in Intensive English with up to 24 months to meet the requirement.
Enrolling in an English program is not the same as being admitted to a degree. UVic still makes its own admission decision.
International tuition (Fall 2027 entry)
| Program | First-year tuition (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Most programs | $37,575 |
| Computer Science | $43,292 |
| Engineering | $50,058 |
| Student fees | $1,183 |
| Residence and meal plan (dormitory single) | $17,006 |
| UVic’s estimated first-year total | $55,764 to $68,247 |
These are UVic’s sample first-year estimates. Tuition is based on May 2026 to January 2027 rates (the 2026–27 rates), and residence and fees on September 2026 to April 2027 rates. Final costs depend on your actual course registration. Not included: textbooks, health insurance, phone, travel and personal spending. UVic sets first-year international fees for each program, and increases in later years are capped at 6% a year.
Residence fees 2026–27
| Room type | September–April fee (CAD) | Meal plan included? |
|---|---|---|
| Dormitory single (Cheko’nien House / Sngequ House) | $17,006 | Yes |
| Dormitory super single | $17,292 | Yes |
| Dormitory single | $16,666 | Yes |
| Dormitory double | $14,574 | Yes |
| Pod single (Sngequ House) | $10,442 | No |
| Cluster room, 4-bedroom unit | $10,330 | No |
| Cluster room, 2-bedroom townhouse | $13,432 | No |
| Bachelor apartment | $10,374 | No |
| One-bedroom apartment | $12,954 | No |
| One-bedroom apartment (Cheko’nien House / Sngequ House) | $13,444 | No |
All fees include heat, hot water, electricity and internet. Dormitory fees include a standard meal plan; apartment, pod and cluster residents can buy a meal plan separately. 2027–28 fees have not been published yet, so use these figures as a budget guide only.
First-year residence guarantee for Fall 2027 (2027–28)
The 2026–27 guarantee cycle (for Fall 2026 entry) has closed. For Fall 2027, UVic guarantees a residence space if you meet all of these conditions:
- You finish high school in 2027 and go directly to university.
- You apply to UVic by January 31, 2027.
- You apply for residence by February 15, 2027 (application opened October 5, 2026; $50 non-refundable application fee).
Applications after February 15 go to the waitlist. Room offers are emailed between mid-March and August, mostly before the end of June for guaranteed students. You then have 48 hours to accept by paying a non-refundable acceptance fee and a $250 security deposit and agreeing to the residence contract. You can apply for residence before you receive an admission decision.
Camosun College
Camosun College is Victoria’s public college, with two main campuses (Lansdowne and Interurban). It offers career diplomas and certificates in areas such as business, health, technology, trades and the arts, as well as University Transfer courses.
Transferring from Camosun to UVic
- Camosun offers more than 300 transferable courses in over 30 subject areas. Students heading for a degree in arts, science, education, business or commerce may be able to complete up to two years at Camosun first.
- Use the BC Transfer Guide to see how each course transfers to UVic. Transfer credit does not guarantee admission to a program or entry to third year.
- Camosun lists its University Transfer program as “No credential”. If you are relying on the PGWP after college, ask Camosun how this affects your plan before you apply.
Tuition
Camosun’s international tuition page currently shows 2024/25 figures only (accurate as of September 2024). Newer rates were not published there when we checked, so expect higher figures.
| Full-time course load (most Arts & Science, Business and University Transfer programs) | Tuition per 14-week term (CAD, 2024/25) |
|---|---|
| 3 courses | $5,868 |
| 4 courses | $7,042 |
| 5 courses | $8,216 |
| 6 courses | $9,390 |
Not included: $100 application fee, Student Society fees ($67.15 a month), health and dental coverage ($306 a year, opt-out possible), a mandatory $587 CDEV-WPS course, course activity fees, books and living costs. Seated programs need a tuition deposit of $17,100 and open programs $9,500 (applied to tuition). International students must study full-time to keep work eligibility.
More detail in Korean: Camosun College guide Korean-language resource · Camosun transfer program Korean-language resource
UVic Continuing Studies diplomas
UVic’s Division of Continuing Studies offers two-year, full-time diplomas for international students. These are non-degree diplomas, not bachelor’s degrees, and they do not guarantee later admission to a UVic degree. Hello Victoria Canada is an authorized agent of UVic Continuing Studies.
| Diploma | Length | Estimated international total (CAD) | Next international intakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration (DBA) | 2 years full-time | $18,190 (tuition $13,860) | May 2027 (apply by Feb 1, 2027), Sept 2027 (June 1, 2027), Jan 2028 (Oct 1, 2027) |
| Data Analytics for Management Science (DAMS) | 2 years full-time | $15,559 (tuition $11,880) | Sept 2027 (apply by June 1, 2027), Jan 2028 (Oct 1, 2027) |
| Digital Marketing (DIGM) | 2 years full-time | $15,559 (tuition $11,880) | Jan 2027 (apply by Oct 1, 2026), Sept 2027 (June 1, 2027) |
- Totals include tuition (which includes the $4,000 non-refundable program deposit), the $300 non-refundable application fee, the student services fee and estimated textbooks. Not included: health insurance, housing and living costs. Fees are estimates and subject to annual increases.
- Typical entry requirements: high school graduation and IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each band), Duolingo 110, 80% in ELC ELPI Level 500, or an equivalent. DAMS also requires two years of full-time work experience or two years of post-secondary study.
- PGWP: UVic Continuing Studies states that DAMS and DIGM meet IRCC’s PGWP eligibility requirements. For diploma graduates whose study permit application was made on or after November 1, 2024, eligibility depends on the field-of-study list, so check each program’s CIP code against the IRCC list before applying.
More detail in Korean: Business Administration diploma Korean-language resource · Data Analytics (DAMS) diploma Korean-language resource
Other options outside Victoria
Our Korean-language pages also describe these Vancouver-area institutions. We have not re-checked their fees for this page, so confirm current costs on their own websites.
- Vancouver Community College (VCC) – a public college in Vancouver with programs in culinary arts, hospitality, health, design and trades, plus some university transfer courses. VCC notes that certificates under 8 months are not PGWP-eligible and that, for study permits applied for on or after November 1, 2024, graduates must be in an eligible field of study. Source: VCC – Post-Graduation Work Permit (checked October 7, 2026). VCC guide Korean-language resource
- Vancouver Film School (VFS) – a private school offering intensive one-year programs in film, animation, game design, acting, sound and design. VFS states that none of its programs are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. VFS also offers degree pathways with partner institutions such as Royal Roads University, where PGWP eligibility relates to completing the partner’s degree; ask VFS for details. Source: VFS – International students (checked October 7, 2026). VFS guide Korean-language resource
- Alexander College – a private institution with campuses in Burnaby and Vancouver that grants Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees and takes part in the BC Transfer System. Associate degrees are not bachelor’s degrees, so the PGWP field-of-study rule may apply; check the college’s PGWP program list. Source: Alexander College – About us (checked October 7, 2026).
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) basics
A PGWP may let eligible graduates of PGWP-eligible programs work in Canada after they finish. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) decides every application, and rules change often.
- Field-of-study rule: if your study permit application was submitted on or after November 1, 2024, graduates of college, polytechnic and other non-degree programs must have studied in a field linked to occupations in long-term shortage. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates are exempt from this rule.
- Language: university degree graduates need CLB/NCLC 7 in all four skills; college and other non-university graduates need CLB/NCLC 5.
- Program and school: the program must be at least 8 months long, at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution, and studied full-time. Programs that a private college delivers on behalf of a public institution (curriculum licensing) are generally not eligible.
- Location: more than 50% distance learning makes you ineligible, and time studied outside Canada can reduce the length of the permit.
- Timing: apply within 180 days of confirmation that you completed your program.
Check the exact program, its CIP code and the current IRCC field-of-study list before you accept an offer. We can help you find the information, but we cannot promise a PGWP.
Fees, deadlines and immigration rules change every year. Always confirm the figures for your start term on the institution’s official page and on canada.ca before you pay or apply. An agent relationship does not guarantee admission, a study permit, residence or a PGWP.
How we can help
Tuition is paid directly to the school. We can help you compare routes, check requirements and prepare applications.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to UVic without an IELTS or TOEFL score?
Some applicants are exempt based on previous English-language education. Others can apply for conditional admission with lower scores in some faculties, or meet the requirement by completing UAP at the UVic English Language Centre. Check the official English requirement page for your situation.
Do good college grades guarantee transfer to UVic?
No. Transferable credit and good grades help, but UVic still assesses each transfer application against program requirements and competition. Plan your Camosun courses with the BC Transfer Guide from the start.
Will a two-year diploma qualify me for a PGWP?
It depends on the program, its field of study, your study permit date, your language results and other IRCC rules. For example, Vancouver Film School states that none of its programs are PGWP-eligible, while UVic Continuing Studies states that DAMS and DIGM meet IRCC’s requirements. IRCC makes the final decision.
Related pages: English language programs · Study costs · Living in Victoria · Canada university admission guide Korean-language resource