Applicants are required to meet minimum English language proficiency requirements for direct entry into academic programs.
English Language Proficiency Requirements for Academic Study
Admission requirements vary, but all TRU programs require secondary school completion for academic admission.
Students must be at least 17 years old.
At Thompson Rivers University, student success is our priority. We empower our students to reach their goals with flexible learning options, individualized student services, hands-on learning opportunities, and a diverse, inclusive environment.
Since 1970, TRU has taken pride in providing an excellent education to every student who comes to us — from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, at various stages of the learning journey. We serve more than 25,000 students — on our campuses in Kamloops and Williams Lake, and via distance or online courses and programs through Open Learning.
From traditional academics to trades, from certificates to graduate degrees, TRU offers over 140 on-campus programs and 60-plus Open Learning programs. Our students apply what they learn in co-op work terms, study abroad, undergraduate research, field schools and practicums, service learning and other opportunities — with guidance and mentorship by our accessible faculty. Research, creation and innovation thrive in our open, flexible learning environment. And so do our students.
TRU is a comprehensive, learner-centred, sustainable university that serves its regional, national, and international learners and their communities through high quality and flexible education, training, research and scholarship.
Governance at TRU is divided into three bodies responsible for corporate and academic decision-making.
The Board of Governors makes decisions on such matters as property development, labour and finance. The Senate and the Planning Council for Open Learning make decisions on such matters as curriculum, credentials, admissions and educational policies. The composition, powers and duties of each governing body are legislated by the Province of British Columbia.
The Board of Governors is responsible for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business, and affairs of the university, except those affairs vested in the Senate or the Planning Council for Open Learning.
The Senate is responsible for the academic affairs of the university. The Senate sets criteria for awarding credentials, curriculum content, qualifications for admission, and educational policies and procedures.
TRU policies and regulations are developed by the Board of Governors, Senate, and Planning Council for Open Learning. The President’s Council develops operational policies.
TRU is a public post-secondary institution, funded by the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills. The University Act legislates the leadership of the university, including the powers, duties and offices of the president. The president holds the offices of vice-chancellor, member of the Board of Governors and chair of the Senate.
Dr. Airini, the President and Vice-Chancellor, is the chief executive officer, responsible to the Board of Governors and Senate for the supervision of TRU’s administrative and academic work.
Shannon Wagner, Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic, provides leadership for TRU’s academic operations, including teaching and learning, research, and students.
Matt Milovick, Vice-President Administration and Finance, provides leadership for TRU’s administrative operations, including services, resources, and reporting.
The Office of the General Counsel and Secretariat represents the legal interests of the university and its officers and employees while acting on TRU’s behalf.
Baihua Chadwick, Vice-President International, is responsible for the operations of TRU World, the international arm of the university, including international marketing, recruitment, student support, international partnerships, contract training as well student international mobility.
Dr. Brian Roy, Acting Vice-President Research, develops partnerships with other universities, institutes, foundations, and organizations; accesses new resources and funding for TRU; and develops opportunities that benefit both faculty and students.
TRU’s Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses are located on the traditional territory of the Secwepemc peoples, in British Columbia’s southern interior. In Kamloops (from the Secwepemc word for “meeting of the waters”), the main campus overlooks the junction of the North Thompson and South Thompson rivers, from which the university gets its name.
Today, 14,000 students study on campus in Kamloops, Williams Lake, or at our regional centres in 100 Mile House, Clearwater, Barriere, Ashcroft, and Lillooet. Another 11,000 students attend classes throughout the world by distance or online. Our campuses also welcome the community, with conferences and events such as the Canada Summer Games and the Kamloops Marathon, and opportunities to learn through continuing education and visiting speakers like John Ralston Saul, Peter Mansbridge and Margaret Atwood.
Development is underway on our 250-hectare Kamloops campus to create a university village known as The Reach Neighbourhood at TRU.
Located in the Sahali area on the city’s southwest slopes, TRU is walking distance from commercial districts and residential areas, and next door to Kamloops’ largest recreational facility, Tournament Capital Centre. A wide variety of outdoor adventures and cultural events are minutes away, year-round.
A hub for travel east, north, or south, Kamloops is 1.5 hours from Kelowna, 3.5 hours from Vancouver, and a day’s drive from Calgary, Prince George, Victoria or Seattle. Read more about the campus, services, and Kamloops using the links below.
In the heart of the Cariboo, students can begin study in academic programs, or in various career and trades program options. Visit the Williams Lake website.
Thompson Rivers University is the first post-secondary institution in the province of British Columbia to approve a guaranteed-tuition model for international students. This model allows students to know the full costs of their program before they start, allowing for better long-term financial planning.
This model freezes your tuition rate for the entire intended duration of your program plus one additional year. For example, if you’re a bachelor’s degree student with an intended study duration of four years, your tuition rate will remain the same for up to five years. This model also introduces pay-per-credit tuition fee for undergraduate programs.
Minimum courses required for international students to maintain full-time status at TRU:
The intended duration of most undergraduate programs is based on a minimum of 15 credits per semester.
| Graduate Programs | Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma in Business Administration | $17,454.48 |
| Master of Business Administration | $55,568.27 |
| 1 Year MBA (if GDBA is not required) | $38,113.79 |
| Master in Environmental Economics and Management | $38,010 |
| Master of Engineering Science – Software Engineering | $48,660 |
| Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management | Project option:$37,540 Thesis option: $38,970 |
| Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies Completion requires minimum of 9 credits or 3 courses | $10,972.76 |
| Master of Education (3 semesters) 4th semester may be needed for project or thesis options | $36,575.87 |
| Master of Science in Data Science (2 years/4 semesters) | $49,694.35 |
| Master of Environmental Science (2 years/6 semesters) | $48,768.10 |
| Master of Nursing (2 years/6 semesters) | $43,525.23 |
| Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice (4 semesters) | $36,575.87 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diplomas | 2025/26 $/per credit rate | 2025/26 $/per course | Number of courses | Total tuition fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Applied Data Science | $849 | $2,547 | 20 | $50,940 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Supply Chain Management | $849 | $2,547 | 20 | $50,940 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Mathematics and Economics | $849 | $2,547 | 20 | $50,940 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting | $849 | $2,547 | 20 | $50,940 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Business Administration | $849 | $2,547 | 20 | $50,940 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Economics | $849 | $2,547 | 16 | $40,752 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Economics and Political Studies | $849 | $2,547 | 15 | $38,205 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Entrepreneurship | $849 | $2,547 | 20 | $50,940 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Finance | $849 | $2,547 | 20 | $50,940 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Human Resource Management | $849 | $2,547 | 20 | $50,940 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in International Business | $849 | $2,547 | 16 | $40,752 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Marketing | $849 | $2,547 | 16 | $40,752 |
| Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Tourism Destination Development | $849 | $2,547 | 16 | $40,752 |
| Programs | 2025/26 $/per credit rate | 2025/26 $/per course | Number of courses | Total tuition fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAP (English for Academic Purposes) | $696 | $2,088 | 10 (30 credits) | $20,880 |
| Certificates | $849 | $2,547 | 10 (30 credits) | $25,470 |
| Diplomas | $849 | $2,547 | 20 (60 credits) | $50,940 |
| Bachelor’s Degrees | $849 | $2,547 | 40 (120 credits) | $101,880 |
Tuition fees for the programs listed below may vary based on the minimum number of credits that students are required to enrol in every semester:
| Programs | 2025/26 $/per credit rate | 2025/26 $/per course | Number of courses | Total tuition fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering | $849 | $2,547 | 50 (153 credits) | $129,897 |
| Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering | $849 | $2,547 | 50 (153 credits) | $129,897 |
| Engineering Transfer Program | $849 | $2,547 | 12 (36 credits) | $30,564 |
| Horticulture Diploma | $849 | $2,547 | 24 (58 credits) | $49,242 |
| Regenerative Agriculture Diploma | $849 | $2,547 | 21 (63 credits) | $53,487 |
| Adventure Guide Certificate | $849 | $2,547 | 12 (30 credits) | $25,470 |
| Adventure Guide Diploma | $849 | $2,547 | 30 credits | $25,470 |
| Architecture and Engineering Technology Diploma (ARET) | $849 | $2,547 | 22 (80 credits) | $67,920 |
| Water and Wastewater Technology | $849 | $2,547 | 21 (63 credits) | $53,487 |
Housing Fees
Three meals per day, private, furnished room in a Canadian family home. Learn More
Furnished, air-conditioned, non-smoking, secure building, internet access, phone service, cable TV, light housekeeping. 4 suite styles, shared suites have private bedrooms. No meals. Minimum stay 2 semesters. Learn More
Furnished private room with simple kitchen facility. Bathroom shared with three other students. No meals. Learn More
2- or 4-bedroom suites with a shared kitchen and living area with bedrooms accessed from the common area. No meals. Learn More
Suites are furnished with a bed, desk, study chair, closet and dresser, and include a kitchenette with a two-burner cooktop, apartment-sized fridge, sink and microwave. Each unit also has individually controlled heating and air conditioning. Learn More
All fees, dates, and policies are subject to change without notice. Some specialized programs may require additional fees. Refer to your admissions letter for latest fees. An average course is three credits. All fees are in Canadian dollars.
Visit the Universal Currency Converter to convert Canadian dollar amounts to your national currency, all using up-to-the-minute currency rates.
International students at TRU are eligible to be considered for all merit based funding (scholarships, awards, fellowships, & prizes) whether it is based on an application, faculty nomination, or automatically by GPA. These funds are made on the basis of individual achievements such as academic, athletic, artistic or other accomplishments, and financial need is not a factor. To apply for merit based undergraduate awards, submit an Online Awards Application through myTRU by September 30. Please note that some awards are restricted by program, year of study, citizenship, and other factors. Within myTRU, there is a separate application for international students called “Undergraduate Awards Application (Int’l)” that bypasses all of the unapplicable financial need questions and allows you to apply for scholarships and awards. All graduate merit awards either have a separate application or are faculty nominated.
Bursaries (based on financial need) are limited to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents only, as these are either taxpayer supported or locally funded. TRU assumes that international students will arrange their own funding to meet immigration requirements for the issuance and/or renewal of student authorizations and visas, as per IRCC stipulations and understanding that you have adequate financial resources to support yourself and any accompanying family members. If you are an international student, you should explore financial aid programs from your home country to see if you qualify.
Emergency Funding (including the TRUSU Emergency Bursary) is available to international students who are admitted to any TRU program and currently enrolled full-time. This application is only to address unforeseen needs in the current semester. To open an application, international students must first contact their International Student Advisor to discuss their financial situation and options. Applications are opened on a case-by-case basis. Once your application has been submitted, our office will follow up with an email, a phone call or sometimes a virtual Teams meeting to review your application. Please see the Emergency Funding page for further details.
You should only be completing an Emergency Funding application if you meet all of the following conditions:
1. You have recently encountered an unforeseen financial crisis, and
2. You can demonstrate financial need using a standardized assessment (which requires a modest student standard of living) and
3. Your financial details can be verified by Student Awards & Financial Aid, and
4. The crisis will have a material impact on your ability to successfully complete the semester.
Government of Canada – International Student Scholarships
Universities Canada – Programs and Scholarships
UniversityStudy.ca – Scholarships for student from abroad
Canadian Bureau for International Education
Visit the International Students page for information about additional services and resources available to you at Thompson Rivers University.
Does TRU’s guaranteed international tuition model apply to all international students?
TRU’s guaranteed international tuition model applies to new international students starting from Fall 2025 enrolling in on-campus programs. The following programs are exempt from TRU’s Guaranteed International Tuition Model:
All other programs are subject to TRU’s Guaranteed International Tuition Model.
How does the new guaranteed international tuition model impact current international students?
The new model applies to students who begin their studies at TRU in Fall 2025 or later. Current students will continue with the current tuition model.
When will my tuition guarantee start?
Your tuition guarantee period will start in your first semester of attendance at TRU.
What if my offer of admission is deferred to a future semester?
Your tuition guarantee period will take effect in your first semester of attendance at TRU.
How is my tuition calculated?
Your tuition will be calculated on a per-credit basis at the time of registration each semester.
How long is my tuition guarantee?
Your tuition is guaranteed for your program’s intended duration, plus one year. The intended duration of your program can be found at https://www.tru.ca/truworld/future-students/programs.html.
What if I need to register for additional pre-requisite courses, such as English for Academic Purposes or math, that are not part of my program duration?
Your tuition rate is guaranteed for the duration of your program plus one additional year. This additional year provides you with flexibility to complete pre-requisites.
What happens if I have not completed my program within my tuition guarantee period?
If you are still working on your program when your tuition guarantee period expires, you will be subject to annual tuition increases each additional year of study until you complete your program.
What if I am required to withdraw from my program?
If you are required to withdraw from a program due to academic performance, you must re-apply to return to TRU after the withdrawal period. You will be subject to a new tuition guarantee at the time of return.
What if I am required to withdraw from my program?
Open Learning courses are not included in the guaranteed international tuition model and tuition will be assessed at the time of registration.
What if I am required to withdraw from my program?
Open Learning courses are not included in the guaranteed international tuition model and tuition will be assessed at the time of registration.
What happens if I change programs during my tuition guarantee period?
If you decide to change to a new program which is part of the guaranteed international tuition model, there will be no change to your tuition guarantee. If you change to a program that is excluded from the model, then your tuition will be assessed based on the new program at the time of registration.
If you are unable to complete your new program in the original guaranteed tuition period, you will be subject to annual tuition increases each additional year.
What if I am required to re-apply?
You will receive a new tuition guarantee.
If I receive transfer credit for other post-secondary or advanced placement from high school programs, will it affect my tuition guarantee period?
No, the addition of transfer credit to your record will not impact the duration of your guaranteed tuition.
Course registration or program application
Estimated fees and tuition, course materials, deadlines, withdrawals and more
Residency requirements, transfer credit, PLAR and more
When, where and how to write exams
Examinations FAQs » ProctorU FAQs »
Student awards and loans, refunds, fees
Making courses you took elsewhere count at TRU
Canada is a top destination for international students, offering world-class education, diverse cultures, and numerous career opportunities. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a master’s degree, MBA, or even MBBS, here’s everything you need to know about studying in Canada.
Whether you’re considering a master’s degree in Canada, an MBA, or other specialized programs, Canada offers a diverse range of options and a supportive environment for international students. Apply for your Canada student visa today, start planning, and take the first step towards an exciting educational journey in Canada!
