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These pages are designed to help students applying as undergraduates to the university. Graduate students can access information about graduate programs and admission by visiting the graduate students page.
The University of Victoria welcomes students from around the world – almost 8 percent of our students are international, and come from over 100 countries.
As an international student, it’s helpful to be familiar with the services and opportunities available at UVic. In addition to the information provided here, you can visit the International and Exchange Student Services website or download the International Admission Preview Handbook (PDF).
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About UVic
Established in 1963, UVic is consistently ranked among the top comprehensive universities in Canada, according to an annual Macleans Magazine rankings.
With over 40 program areas, diverse athletic, social and cultural opportunities, and a
co-operative education program that encourages students to gain real-world experience to complement their academic learning, UVic is home to more than 19,000 students from around the world.
UVic stands out for its approach to learning - tying it directly to real-life work through the third largest co-operative education program in Canada. The university arranges almost 2,700 Co-op placements each year. The program is available in more than 45 academic areas on campus.
The university is located a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria, BC, and within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean. The campus is situated on acres of traditional Coast Salish and Straits Salish land.
UVic in Your Country
UVic recruiters travel all over the world to present about the university. Check out the Events page to see if a recruiter will be visiting your area.
Services for International Students
UVic has a strong commitment to its international student community—we have a wide variety of services to make the international student experience as positive as possible.
International students are encouraged to contact the International and Exchange Student Services Office, which strives to make each student's stay at UVic as rewarding as possible. They provide pre-arrival support, orientation on arrival and ongoing assistance after international students have been accepted to study at UVic.
Once you're on campus, visit the International and Exchange Student Services Office to connect with a Buddy (a returning UVic student) who will show you around the campus and Victoria, or to meet with an international student advisor.
There are many opportunities to connect with other students on campus. Student clubs like the Association of International and Canadian Students (AICS) and the International Friendship Group hold events year-round and all students are welcome to participate.
International Admission Requirements
The application process is the same for international and domestic students, but admission requirements are different.
UVic provides an online list of International Admission Requirements.
US High School Admission Requirements
The application process is the same for international and domestic students, but admission requirements are different.
UVic provides an online list of American Admission Requirements.
(TOEFL) Test of English as a Foreign Language
UVic requires all undergraduate students to meet a certain level of English proficiency.
If your first language is not English, you must submit proof of English proficiency in order to be considered for admission to UVic. Usually, this means you must achieve a certain score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
In addition to completed TOEFL, there are many ways to demonstrate English proficiency, and the Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Services provides a detailed list of options.
Conditional Offer of Admission
International students who are unable to successfully demonstrate English language proficiency may be considered for a Conditional Offer of Admission to UVic if they meet the current admission requirements for their faculty.
Language Proficiency Index (LPI)
All undergraduate students must meet UVic’s Undergraduate English Requirement. This means that they must complete 1.5 units of first-year English unless they have demonstrated a certain proficiency on the Language Profiency Index (LPI), or if they qualify for another exemption.
The Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Services provides information about exemptions and program requirements.
International Baccalaureate (IB) & Advanced Placement (AP)
UVic supports outstanding students, and there is plenty of information about the application process for International Baccalaureate (IB) students and College Board Advanced Placement (AP) students.
About Victoria
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, Canada, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. The city of 335,000 is renowned for its natural beauty and mild climate, while the Pacific Ocean and majestic Olympic Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop. Unlike most other Canadian cities, winters are mild, and it rarely snows.
Tourism Victoria provides information about transportation, accomodation, and city events. Tourism British Columbia is a great source for maps, accomodation, transportation and BC activities. Other sites of interest include:
Moving to UVic
Traveling to another country can seem scary—luckily, UVic has a great resource to make the trip a little easier:
UVic's International and Exchange Student Services Office (IESS) has a comprehensive website with information about:
Study Permits
International students who wish to study in Canada for more than six months must obtain a Study Permit. You do not need to apply for a Study Permit if the total duration of your program will be less than six months. However, if you decide to extend your studies beyond six months, you will have to leave Canada in order to receive a Study Permit.
Before coming to Canada, check the Study Permit Requirement webpage to verify whether or not you should obtain a Study Permit. If you do need to apply for one, you will find detailed instructions and an application kit on the Application to Study in Canada webpage.
UVic's International and Exchange Student Services Office (IESS) has a comprehensive website with further detailed information about study permits.
Working in Canada
On-Campus
International students who are registered at UVic full-time and who have Study
Permits valid for at least six months are allowed to work on campus without
having to obtain a Work Permit. On campus jobs might include working for a
department, an individual faculty member, the library, a commercial outlet or a
student organization.
Off-Campus
Eligible international students may work off-campus by applying for a work permit. This permit will allow students to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full-time during scheduled breaks.
You can visit BC's Off-Campus Work Permit Program website for more information or download the permit application here.
Co-operative Education
International students who are registered in a Co-operative Education Program may work in required Co-op work terms but must get a work permit from Canada Immigration before their first work term. Students should check with their co-op program for more information.
Scholarships & Bursaries for Int. Students
For information about the costs of attending UVic, please visit our page on international student resources. You’ll find a convenient overview of Scholarships, Loan and Work Study Options.
Tuition & Fees for International Students
To help you assess your costs, UVic provides an estimate of international student fees, provided in US and Canadian dollars.
International Student Alumni
Once international students graduate from UVic, they return to their countries as ambassadors of UVic excellence. Currently, over 4,000 international UVic graduates live in almost 100 countries all over the world.
International Faculty
UVic has an impressively international faculty to match its international student population. Many professors and sessional instructors come from outside Canada to enjoy teaching at one of the top-ranked comprehensive schools in the country.
UVic professors have received many honours, including E.R.W. Steacie Memorial Fellowships, 3M Teaching Fellowships, and Governor General’s Literary Awards, along with 33 Canada Research Chairs.
For more information about faculty in your program of interest, contact the program area directly.
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