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How to Apply
This page is for students entering first year at VIU. please go here for second year applications.
You have taken the first step and decided to enrol in the Engineering Transfer program, but how do you apply?
The information in this page has been taken from the VIU 2009/10 Calendar (please refer to the current VIU
calendar for more up-to-date information) and is organized to help you through the application process. Please feel free to
contact Brian Dick, the Engineering Advisor, if you have further questions.
Step 1: Do you have the background?
To enroll in the full slate of first year engineering courses, you will need:
- BC Secondary School graduation or at least 21 years of age by end of first semester
- Math 12 (B or higher)
- Chemistry 12
- Physics 12
- Helpful but not required: Computer Science and/or Calculus
Step 2: Application for Admission
You will need:
- An Application for Admission form -- Fill in all the requested information. When asked to specify which program you are applying, put in Engineering Transfer or Bachelor of Science (BSc)
- An official high school transcript (current BC high school students need also supply their Personal Education Number)
- A $35 non-refundable application fee (first time applicants) to complete the application process.
Submit the form (and supporting documents) to:
Registration Centre
Bldg 200
900 Fifth St.
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5
CANADA
When your application has been received and processed, you should receive a confirmation of acceptance letter from
the Admissions office. Read it carefully and keep it in a safe place. It should contain information
on how to access your on-line student record and the date when you can start registering for courses.
Step 3: Funding Sources -- Scholarships, Bursaries, Grants, and Loans
Going to university can be expensive, though several sources of funding may be possible for you to minimize the cost.
- Explore the Financial Aids and Awards site for links to government and institutional assistance programs.
- A list of general and entrance scholarship/awards are available on the Financial Aid site. Talk to your school counsellor about how to apply for these awards. Typically the deadline is around March 15 of your Grade 12 year.
- Specific scholarships/awards are available to students entering into the one or two year engineering transfer program. The Engineering Department highly recommends that you apply for these awards as the limited enrolment in this program enhances your ability to receive funding.
- Ensure you apply for government student loan programs to make up the difference.
- Consider the first year co-op program (available in the summer after your first year of university studies) to help build your career experience and help fund your studies.
Step 4: UBC or UVic?
One of the first choices you are going to have to make is whether you are planning to transfer into UBC or UVic following your first year of studies. UBC offers a larger number of engineering options (the majority of our students transfer into civil or chemical engineering) while UVic offers electrical, computer, mechanical, and software engineering with a mandatory co-op program. VIU also offers a second year transfer option for students entering the electrical and computer engineering streams at UVic.
Both UBC and UVic have a common core of first year courses -- you do not have to choose to go into a specific engineering discipline until you enter second year. Unfortunately, the common core for each institution is slightly different. We have indicated in the notes section below each first year course listing which courses to take to 'hedge your bets' if you are uncertain as to whether you wish to transfer into the UBC or UVic engineering program after first year. Also, you should feel free to contact Brian Dick, the Engineering Advisor, if you have questions on what courses you should take and when.
UVic Transfer
| 1st Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | Hours | Spring Term | Hours |
| CHEM 150(a) | 7 | CSCI 161 | 5 |
| CSCI 160 | 5 | ENGM 141 | 4 |
| ENGE 199 | 3 | (b)MATH 101 | 4 |
| MATH 100(b) | 4 | MATH 141 | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | 7 | PHYS 122 | 7 |
| *ENGL 115 | 3 | ||
| Total Hours | 26 hrs | Total Hours | 27 hrs |
*ENGL 115 may be taken in either the Fall or Spring term.
(a) Students who are uncertain as to whether they will transfer to UBC or UVic should take CHEM 150 in their first semester.
(b) Students may take MATH 121/122/110 instead of MATH 100/101 UBC Transfer
UBC Transfer
| 1st Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | Hours | Spring Term | Hours |
| CHEM 121(a) | 7 | ENGM 141 | 4 |
| CSCI 160 | 5 | MATH 101 | 4 |
| MATH 100(b) | 4 | MATH 141 | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | 7 | PHYS 122A(d) | 7 |
| ENGL 115 | 3 | CHEM 122A(e) | 3 |
| Complimentary Studies(c) | 3 | ENGR 150 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 29 hrs | Total Hours | 25 hrs |
(a) Students who are uncertain as to whether they will transfer to UBC or UVic should take CHEM 150 in their first semester
(b) students may take MATH 121/122/110 instead of MATH 100/101
(c) Complimentary studies courses give a student breadth in their education and several will be taken through your engineering degree program. Science and business courses are often excluded for eligible courses. See UBC Calendar for an up-to-date list of eligible complimentary studies courses. We highly recommend that students take ENGE 199 in place of the complimentary studies course if they are uncertain as to whether they are going to UVic or UBC after their first year of studies.
(d) Generally, we recommend that students take PHYS 122 (includes lab) instead of PHYS 122A (does not include lab). Generally, we have found that students achieve a better grade in PHYS 122 over PHYS 122A because the lab helps with their understanding of the course material and the lab mark usually is higher than that of their course work.
(e) or CHEM 122
Note: Applied Science 121/122 are taken at UBC in first year, but are not offered at VIU.
Step 5: Select Courses
The Registration Centre will send you full details on how and when to register. This information should arrive in late Spring. It is recommended that you develop a time table of your courses prior to your registration date. This is done through your on-line student record.
For UBC transfer students: You will need to time table each course in the first year program individually and ensure you have no overlap.
For UVic transfer students: The first year courses have been set-up in one of two clusters. You simply have to choose one of
the clusters and all the required first year courses will be automatically time tabled such that there are no conflicts. If you need
to deviate from the standard first year course curriculum, you will have to enrol in each course individually instead of through the
cluster system.
Step 6: Pay Tuition Deposit
A $200 tuition deposition will be required to confirm your acceptance; this deposit is applied towards your first semester's tuition fees.
The date by which you must pay this deposit will be sent to you with your registration materials, although typically it is on or before 30-Jun.
Step 7: Attend an Orientation Session
Orientation sessions are held to help you familiarize yourself with Vancouver Island University. If you are enrolling in a University program, you need to sign up for an Orientation session when you register for your Fall classes.
Step 8: Pay the Tuition for the courses
Tuition is usually due after the first couple of weeks of classes. For now, enjoy yourself and we will see you in September as you embark on an exciting and reward career in Engineering!