Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers more than 140 programs—a wide range of degree programs as well as trades, vocational education and qualifying studies—designed with flexibility in mind. Students may build on applied and technical programs by bridging certificate and diploma credentials into bachelor’s degrees. KPU also offers graduate and post-baccalaureate diplomas. Class sizes are kept small; the maximum is 35 students. Co-op education and international learning opportunities are available in many programs. The university also offers the Zero Textbook Cost initiative; students can choose from more than 950 courses that don’t require the purchase of expensive textbooks, thanks to open educational resources and library materials. “Our broad range of programs offer opportunities for students to engage in work-integrated and experiential learning, further creativity, and conduct research. In so doing students have the skills and the knowledge to be successful in their careers and to be engaged as citizens in their communities,” says president Alan Davis. The school is well established in the Lower Mainland, deepening its local roots through a program of dual-credit pathways—offering some post-secondary courses to high school students from nearby school districts. KPU has five campuses, each with a feel and culture all its own. The largest campus, Surrey, is a hub of activity with a student art gallery, an Indigenous gathering place, a gym and a conference centre. The Richmond and Civic Plaza campuses, also located in Surrey, have a metropolitan vibe, while the Langley campus and KPU Tech in Cloverdale are closer to more rural areas.
Campus Buzz: KPU recently expanded its list of intramural sports to include cricket, played inside the university’s gymnasium with modified rules to suit the space.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$6,167
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering: high school diploma; minimum C+ grade in English 12 or equivalent; some program entrance requirements may be higher
School Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 11,152 | Part-time: 2,672
Graduates: Full-time: 169 | Part-time: 38
International Students: First-year: 40% | Graduate: 98%
Housing Facts
Residence: Not offered
Standout programs
Traditional Chinese Medicine: As the first of its kind in Canada, this new degree program teaches students to diagnose, treat and manage patients with complex care needs.
Sustainable Agriculture: With a focus on sustainable food production and farm-based teaching, students learn the science of agro-ecosystem design, ecologically sound crop production methods, sustainable farm business management and challenges facing our food system.
Fashion and Technology: Through an industry-focused curriculum and the newest technology, students gain design, business and marketing skills needed to compete in the global design and apparel industries.
Kwantlen Polytechnic offers a range of degree, diploma and certificate programs and is profiled in both the Ultimate Guide to Canadian Universities and the Ultimate Guide to Canadian Colleges. To learn more about the school’s diploma programs, visit Kwantlen’s college profile.
