Aboriginal Students

The University of Victoria acknowledges with respect the history, customs, and culture of the Coast Salish and Straits Salish peoples on whose traditional lands the university resides. We welcome applications from Aboriginal, First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Non-Status Aboriginal peoples of Canada.

UVic offers a wide range of programs and services to all students, as well as some that are geared towards Aboriginal students. In addition to the information listed below, check out the Indigenous Student Handbook (PDF). It’s full of information relevant to the Aboriginal university experience, including Aboriginal-specific bursaries and scholarships, student support services, academic programs and Aboriginal student profiles.

Indigenous Student Recruiter

For additional information, please contact Michele Noullet Morfitt, UVic’s Indigenous Student Recruiter. She can be reached by phone at 250-472-5569 or noullet@uvic.ca.

Application Information

UVic is committed to increasing Aboriginal enrolment and graduation, and welcomes applications from First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Non-status Aboriginal peoples. You may apply online by following UVic's handy step-by-step admission checklist.

As an Aboriginal student, you are encouraged to self-identify so that UVic can send you relevant information. The voluntary declaration will NOT be used for admissions decisions. Documentation of Aboriginal ancestry is not required.

If you do not qualify under the general admission categories, you can choose the “First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Special Category” (which includes Non-status Aboriginal), and your application will be reviewed by the Senate Committee on Admission, Reregistration, and Transfer.

Don't forget to check your program requirements, as certain degrees—such as law and education—have a specific application process for Aboriginal students. Additional admissions information can be found through the Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Services.

Tuition and Fees

Based on the 2008-2009 academic year, a student with a typical workload—fifteen units of coursework over eight months—can expect to spend around $15,245 on tuition, fees, supplies, and living expenses, with additional funds required for travel, recreation, and clothing. (Fine Arts, Business, and Law students might have higher expenses.)

A breakdown of these annual costs can be found on the registrar’s webpage.

Information about tuition fees is also available.

Aboriginal Awards & Bursaries

UVic offers $3.7 million in scholarships and bursaries each year, and all students are encouraged to apply for student scholarships, bursaries, and loans.

In addition to the general entrance scholarships and in-course scholarships, there are more than 40 different awards and bursaries for Aboriginal students.

Funding opportunities are also available through the LE,NONET Project, a recent initiative that has been designed to support the success of Aboriginal students. Students may apply for bursaries, pursue a Research Apprenticeship or Community Internship, or receive an honorarium for participating in the Peer Mentoring program. Visit the LE,NONET website for further information.

Students who demonstrate reasonable academic standing and financial need can also apply for one of the school’s many entrance bursaries and non-repayable awards.

Further assistance is available through UVic's Work Study program, which offers on-campus part-time paid jobs to students in financial need.

For more information about costs and methods of payment, visit the Student Awards and Financial Aid website.

Funding & Sponsorships

Sponsored Aboriginal students should report the name and address of their sponsor to the Office of Indigenous Affairs . The office can provide the sponsor with appeal materials or course information on the student’s behalf.

Students who are fully funded by an Aboriginal organization are still eligible to apply for a student loan - BC residents apply to the British Columbia Student Assistance Program. Applications are available from April to May of each year.

Aboriginal Student Support

UVic offers students a diverse and welcoming network of support systems - it’s part of our commitment to Aboriginal student support and well-being. In addition to this comprehensive list of services, there is a wide range of athletics and clubs-based extracurricular activities, as well as support systems specifically geared towards students with a disability, and students who would like counselling, academic advising, career planning and more.

Aboriginal students have access to a variety of support services, including the Office of Indigenous Affairs, the Native Student Union and the Aboriginal Counselling Centre.

Students can also hang out at the Aboriginal Student Gathering Space (located in the LE,NONET Project office in the Human and Social Development Building) to study, hold circles, or browse through the Aboriginal reading resources.

LE,NONET Project

UVic’s LE,NONET project strives to enhance the experience of Aboriginal, First Nations, Inuit and Métis students attending UVic. New students are encouraged to contact the LE,NONET staff as soon as possible to learn more about the support systems that are available.

All Academic Programs

The University of Victoria recognizes the importance of bringing together university education with Aboriginal knowledge and culture. Ranked as one of Canada’s top comprehensive schools, UVic has many different faculties to choose from, including business, education, engineering, fine arts, humanities, human and social development, science, and social sciences. There are more than 40 undergraduate program areas for students to choose from.

Beyond the classroom, UVic students are encouraged to participate in the university’s renowned Co-operative Education Program that allows students to apply their academic knowledge in the real world

Programs with Aboriginal Content

The university has many undergraduate programs that may be of special interest to Aboriginal students.

The school of Social Work offers First Nations specializations, including one in child welfare, that can help students prepare for leadership roles in their communities.

There are six designated seats for Aboriginal applicants wishing to go into nursing.

There are also many certificates that focus on Aboriginal issues, such as a teaching certificate in First Nations Language and Culture, Foundations in Indigenous Fine Arts and Aboriginal Language Revitalization.

For a full list of undergraduate programs with Aboriginal content, see the Indigenous Student Handbook (PDF).

Aboriginal Faculty

UVic is committed to having Aboriginal educators in all faculties. There are faculty members, assistant professors, instructors, and lecturers from many nations including the Cherokee, Mohawk, Métis, Ojibway, Chippewa, Kwakiutl, Coast Salish, Haisla, Plains Cree, Tlingit, Lil’wat, and Micmac. Download our Indigenous Student Handbook for a list of Aboriginal faculty members.

Aboriginal Students

Download our Indigenous Student Handbook for profiles of Aboriginal students from a wide range of nations.

Aboriginal Alumni

Name: Eden Robinson
Nation: Haisla
Hometown: Kitimat, BC
Degree: BFA, 1992
Current career: Author: Traplines, Monkey Beach and Blood Sports.
Why UVic? "I'd heard really good things about the Creative Writing department, especially the Co-op program, which sold Mom and Dad on the whole 'arts' thing. It sounded more practical than my poetry workshops. At the Creative Writing department,for the first time in my life I met people as zealous about writing as me."

Name: Dillon Levi Johnson,
Nation: Sliammon First Nation
Degree: Bachelor of Commerce
Campus Involvement: Aboriginal recruitment officer, various intramurals, employee at Felicita's (campus pub)
Why UVic? “I chose UVic because it is close to home, it’s a nice size and I really like Victoria. I also had some good friends that were going to Victoria. My experience at UVic has been very positive, particularly my co-op position as the Aboriginal recruitment officer and my academic exchange to the French Riviera. There are a lot of resources and support services for Aboriginal students, as well as various social groups and functions.”