Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers more than 170 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 900 courses that don’t require the purchase of expensive textbooks, thanks to open educational resources and library materials.

“[KPU’s] intensive learning environment blends theory with practice and is recognized for its extensive engagement with its communities,” says president Alan Davis. He adds that the university “serves one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.”

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 is newly designated as an age-friendly university, meaning it supports education for older adults by helping them to pursue second careers, offering expanded graduate-level programming and providing more access to online education.