English Proficiency

English is the language of instruction at University Canada West and all applicants are required to provide proof of their academic English language proficiency through one of the following methods:

• English Language Instruction
• English Language Test
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

If you are applying for an undergraduate program and you are unable to meet the English-language requirement then you may still be considered for admissions through the University Access Program (UAP) or improve your English Proficiency with one of our ESL Pathway Partners.

English Language Instruction

If you have completed your education in an English-speaking country, then you may be able to provide your transcripts/reports as proof of your academic English-language proficiency.

UCW accepts the following achievements as meeting the requirements for admission (without the requirement to take UAP).

• BC English 12 (or equivalency) taken in Canada with a final grade of ‘C’ (or better).
• Graduation from a secondary school attended for four or more consecutive years of full-time study at a school that is located in a country where English is the language of instruction with a final-year average grade of ‘C’ (or better).
• International Baccalaureate English A1/A2 or English Literature and Performance with a final grade of ‘3’ (or better).
• 3-credit academic English course with a final grade of ‘C’ (or better).
• 30-credits of academic post-secondary studies in a country where English is the language of instruction with a CGPA of 2.00 (or better).

However, the admissions department may request further proof of English-language proficiency from applicants if it is noticed that there are English-language errors in your application.

English Language Test

If you have completed your education in a non-English-speaking country, then you may choose to provide proof of successful completion of a standardized English-language proficiency test.

UCW accepts the following tests with the stated scores as meeting the requirements for direct admission to a degree program (without the requirement to take UAP).

*UCW now accepts IELTS One Skill Retake which allows test takers to sit just one of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) from their IELTS test again. **The minimum writing score is also applicable to all assessed components of the test. ***May be either of the following three tests; Cambridge B2 First; Cambridge C1 Advanced; or Cambridge C2 Proficiency ****Writing is assessed as the average score for achievement in both Literacy and Production.

However, the Admissions Department may request further proof of English-language proficiency from applicants if the test date is more than two years before the first day of your program start date.

The Language Gallery Canada, a preferred language partner for University Canada West, is launching an online English training program called Online University Pathways Program (Online UPP).

The online English training program includes their University Pathway Program (UPP) so successful students don’t need to take an Academic IELTS or TOEFL exam for admission. The program is designed to prepare students for their academic studies at a Canadian college or university.

Students will need to complete UPP level 6 with a minimum of 80% in course work in order to qualify for direct entry into UCW’s undergraduate degree programs.

New intakes will start every Monday (except statutory holidays) and free arrival tests are available for new students. The latest price can be found here

ESL Pathway Program

If you don’t have the English proficiency for direct entry into our degree programs, you may choose to provide a certificate from one of our ESL Pathway Partners as proof of your English proficiency.

You can apply for admission to UCW once you have acceptance into an ESL pathway program. You will be approved on the condition that you complete your ESL program before you commence your program at UCW.

UCW has partnerships with the following ESL institutions that offer programs that satisfy requirements for admission (without the requirement to take UAP).

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About University Canada West

University Canada West is an innovative business and technology-oriented institution located in the heart of vibrant Vancouver. Established in 2004, UCW offers a range of career-focused programs including the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication, Associate of Arts and Master of Business Administration.

Courses are offered downtown Vancouver and online too. Offering courses online brings flexibility to education, allowing those who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to gain respected qualifications.

Hear from UCW President & Vice‑Chancellor Dr. Bashir Makhoul.

Mission

UCW is an innovative business and technology-oriented, teaching-focused institution in Canada, offering applied undergraduate and graduate degrees for domestic and international students. The university is a dynamic and growing institution defined by its close connections to the business community and a commitment to outstanding student services.

Governance

University Canada West, a division of Learningwise Education Inc., was established in 2004 as an independent institution that provides quality education to undergraduate and graduate students through the campus in Vancouver, as well as through a virtual campus.

The Government of British Columbia through the Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) has approved University Canada West to offer the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts (Business Communication);
• Bachelor of Commerce;
• Master of Business Administration; and
• Associate of Arts

University Canada West has a system of governance similar to the bicameral system in place at many other Canadian universities.

• The Board of Governors is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the university including fiduciary, legal and financial responsibility for University Canada West, with a role and mandate similar to that Boards of Governors for public universities.
• The Senate consists of broad representation of senior administrative staff, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external members. Decisions about academic programs and policies are made by the Senate as per the approved bylaws.

The University President and Vice-Chancellor is the common tie between the Board of Governors and Senate.

Financial oversight differs from public universities due to the fact that no public funds are received by University Canada West. Nevertheless, the University is accountable to the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills to file audited financial statements, post bonds to ensure that the long-term commitments to our students are met and to undergo a quality review annually by the Degree Quality Assessment Board. Questions regarding the governance of the University may be directed to the Vice President Academic at vpacademic@ucanwest.ca.

UCW Celebrates 20 Years

University Canada West celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, marking a significant journey from its modest beginnings in Victoria to its bustling campuses in downtown Vancouver. Over two decades, UCW has evolved into a premier institution for business and technology education.

UCW now offers MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication and Associate of Arts degrees with more than 14,000 active students both on-campus and online.

UCW’s origins began with the BC provincial government modernizing the province’s post-education system. After permitting university colleges, colleges and institutes to grant associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in 1995, the BC government passed the Degree Authorization Act in 2002, allowing private universities to grant degrees.

That change got the attention of Dr. David Strong, who had been president of the University of Victoria. Dr. Strong realized that many potential students weren’t necessarily getting the opportunity to pursue a university education.

“Most universities across Canada post 65% as the high-school average required for entry, but use much higher cut-off grades as an enrolment management tool,” Dr. Strong wrote at the time. “Prompted by a belief that excellent marks in high school do not guarantee success in post-secondary education, UCW will accept registrations from motivated high school graduates with a 65% or higher graduating average.”

He also saw an opportunity for a university that offered greater flexibility in how students received their education. By using a quarter-term system, students could complete their undergraduate degree in three years, while the MBA program was designed to include both in-person and online learning and be flexible enough for students to continue working while completing their studies.

Dr. Strong brought together a group of private investors and University Canada West was born. UCW was “established under the written consent of the BC Minister of Advanced Education effective August 9, 2004, having undergone a rigorous quality assessment process and been found to meet the criteria established by the minister.”

“This is a new kind of university,” said Dr. Strong. “This puts us in a unique position in the province to deliver post-secondary education in new and innovative ways.”

With approval in place, Dr. Strong needed a team and a campus. In December 2004, UCW signed a lease agreement to take over the former Blanshard School site in Victoria.

UCW opened its doors to its first 19 students on September 26, 2005. The first degree offered was a Bachelor of Commerce in Management Technology. A few weeks later, UCW’s MBA program, which has remained a mainstay, started with 15 students.

The first graduating class of five had their convocation in 2006.

“It was fantastic. In the first class we had five students at the MBA level. They were all mature students, face-to-face. It was more of a classroom school environment rather than a university, but they didn’t mind,” recalled Dr. Milan Frankl, who was among the original professors.

There were growing pains. Plans to expand to Comox fell through and buying an arts school in an attempt to broaden UCW’s offerings didn’t work out.

Other ideas did work. In an effort to attract international students, UCW bought the Victoria-based ESL school Canadian College of Business and Language to form the UCW Language Academy. The first students for the academy came from the Faculty of Business at Meiji University in Tokyo, Japan, who took a four-week course in 2006.

While the experience of having smaller class sizes, quality instructors, experiential learning and learning flexibility pointed a way forward to success, mounting debts put pressure on the original owners. UCW was sold in 2008 to Eminata, which closed the Victoria campus in 2011, announcing “it is evident that the greatest potential for UCW’s growth is on-ground in the greater Vancouver area and online.”

UCW had expanded to Vancouver, opening its first campus in 2008, taking over two floors of 1111 Melville St.

In 2012, respected educator and former Kwantlen Polytechnic University president Dr. Skip Triplett became UCW’s first elected Chair of the Board of Governors. The University developed into its current form, keeping the MBA program and focusing its undergraduate degrees on Bachelor of Commerce and the precursor to Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication.

“Dr. Triplett’s unwavering commitment to excellence laid a strong foundation for UCW’s growth and success,” said Cyndi McLeod, who is the current Chair of the Board of Governors at University Canada West.

While UCW’s fortunes were heading in the right direction, it was still a small institution. For example, in 2013, UCW held its first-ever summer convocation and eighth overall, at the Italian Cultural Centre in Vancouver, with 55 of 80 graduating students attending.

In 2014, UCW was purchased by Global University Systems and began a new phase, with a greater focus on its core strengths that propelled UCW’s growth and reputation.

“The acquisition of UCW by Global University Systems in 2014 marked a pivotal moment in our history, providing invaluable resources and support that have propelled UCW to new heights,” said McLeod. “Today, we take pride in the significant strides we have made, not only in British Columbia but across Canada and beyond.”

UCW blossomed into a destination for domestic and international students. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredited UCW’s MBA and Bachelor of Commerce Programs in 2017.

“This accreditation is evidence that University Canada West is committed to providing the highest quality business education for their students.” said ACBSP Chief Accreditation Officer Dr. Steve Parscale.

The following year, the University greatly expanded its services to better serve its students, including adding an Associate of Arts degree in 2018.

The university continued to grow. Convocation ceremonies went from dozens to hundreds to the thousands of today. In 2020, UCW’s state-of-the-art Vancouver House Campus opened and UCW’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) programs received NCMA National Accreditation from CIM | Chartered Managers Canada.

In 2021, UCW became the third university in Canada, and the first in British Columbia, to receive a 5 Star rating from QS Stars higher education rating system.

UCW’s reputation continues to grow and its students are excelling. The University won both the BC MBA Games and national MBA Games in only its second appearance at either games and won the right to host both events. UCW became the first institution to hold both titles at the same time.

As UCW turns 20, its journey from Victoria to Vancouver underscores a remarkable evolution into a thriving hub for domestic and international students. UCW’s trajectory reflects resilience, innovation and a steadfast commitment to providing accessible, quality higher education.

“At the heart of UCW’s success lies its dedicated faculty and staff, whose unwavering passion for teaching and mentorship has empowered students to reach their fullest potential,” says Dr. Bashir Makhoul, UCW’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Through personalized guidance and hands-on learning experiences, UCW equips graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.”

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CIBC International Student Pay

University Canada West has partnered with CIBC International Student Pay for students making payments from outside of Canada.

CIBC International Student Pay is a cost-effective method to pay fee from anywhere in the world directly to UCW. Access live, competitive Foreign Exchange rates offered exclusively to UCW students and held for you for 72 hours.

Benefits of CIBC International Student Pay include:

• Pay in your preferred method: CIBC supports various payment options including Bank Wire, Credit/Debit card, Direct Debit (ACH), UnionPay (CUP) and E-wallets (Alipay & WeChat).
• Pay in your home/preferred currency (120+ currencies supported) with no fee* from anywhere in the world via CIBC’s secure portal.
• Access to live, competitive Foreign Exchange rates offered exclusively to UCW students and held for you for 72 hours (excluding weekends).
• End-to-end communication and tracking: receive payment receipts, status updates via email and reminders to facilitate timely payments to UCW.

How To Access CIBC International Student Pay

Current and Prospective UCW Students

For students without access to the MyUCW Student Portal, please access CIBC International Student Pay portal directly by clicking the button below.

By proceeding with your payment, you acknowledge that you will be redirected to a secure payment portal managed by our payment vendor.

Additional Information On CIBC International Student Pay

To learn how to make a payment, please watch the tutorial video. Also available in French, Hindi, Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional).

Visit CIBC’s Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.

How To Make A Payment

1. Access the CIBC International Student Pay portal directly OR Access CIBC’s portal via the MyUCW Student Portal (refer to How to Access CIBC International Student Pay above).
2. Select your country of payment.
3. Pick your preferred currency and your choice of payment method.
4. Enter your details and click Submit!

CIBC International Student Pay Customer Support Information

24/7 support for CIBC International Student Pay via:

• Email: studenthelp@cibc.com
• Telephone numbers:
  • India (toll free): +1 (800) 121-661661
  • North America (toll free): +1 (844) 637-8898
  • Worldwide (toll free): +91 90713 73838

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How international students can get scholarships in Canada

As per a survey conducted by the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE), Canada was home to more than 500,000 international students in 2018, making it one of the more popular destinations for studying abroad. Moreover, there was a whopping 154% increase in international students over a period of eight years. Good quality of life, competitive tuition fees and friendly people are some of the reasons for this increase in the number of international students. To further attract students, universities offer scholarships in Canada to international students. In this blog, we are going to discuss the scholarships, bursaries and grants offered by University Canada West (UCW).

UCW’s entrance scholarships for international students

UCW offers a variety of scholarships, bursaries and grants for international students, who are applying for associate, bachelor degree and master degree programs at the university. International students must submit their scholarship applications before the Entrance Award Application deadline, which is at least a month before the start of their term at UCW. Moreover, international students are only entitled to receive one entrance scholarship, grant or bursary. Most scholarships, bursaries and grants require a personal statement, so prospective students are encouraged to submit a personal statement along with their application. The value of a particular scholarship cannot exceed the students’ tuition fees; scholarship disbursements will be pro-rated based on the number of courses the student is registered in. Even after receiving scholarships, international students must continue to meet all the requirements, which includes remaining in good academic standing. Students who receive UCW’s scholarships, grants and bursaries are encouraged to represent the university as ambassadors for outreach initiatives in their home countries. Now, let’s take a look at the scholarships, bursaries and grants on offer.

Entrance Scholarship for Academic Excellence

This is meant for those students who display leadership potential in a global business environment through excellence in their chosen field and first-rate academic achievement. Students at associate, bachelor’s and master’s level can apply for this scholarship program. The scholarship value received by the students depends on their admission cumulative grade point average (CGPA). In order to receive continuing scholarship disbursements, the undergraduate scholarship recipients must maintain a CGPA of 2.67. On the other hand, the graduate scholarship recipients must maintain a CGPA of 3.0.

International Student Leader Award

This award is meant for those international students who want to contribute to the economic development of their home country. To receive this award, students are required to submit a personal statement explaining how a degree from UCW will help them in achieving their personal, educational and career goals. They also have to explain how they plan on assisting the overall economic development of their country and what obstacles they might face. The award value depends on the quality of their application and personal statement.

Live Our Vision of Education (L.O.V.E.) Undergraduate Scholarship

This scholarship is limited to those students who are pursuing an undergraduate program at UCW. International students who have gained admission to an undergraduate program will be considered for the scholarship based on their personal statement. The personal statement should include how obtaining a degree from UCW will impact their personal and career goals. This scholarship is distributed to the recipients as tuition credit for the first two years of their degrees.

MBA Foundation Grant

This grant is applicable to those students who have gained admission to UCW’s MBA Foundation program and possess leadership potential in a global business environment. In order for students to be eligible for this grant, they must submit a personal statement describing how completing an MBA and an MBA Foundation program will affect their future goals and careers. The grant will be disbursed as tuition credits for the final four courses of their MBA degree.

The Americas Tuition

This tuition is applicable for international students applying to undergraduate and graduate programs at UCW. This grant aims to make Canadian education accessible for international students coming from the Caribbean, North America, Central America and South America as they will be admitted under applicable domestic student rates. The grant value is calculated as the difference between international and domestic tuition rates.

Special Targeted Regional Award Program

This award is applicable to those students coming from Morocco, Mongolia, Turkey, South Korea and Mauritius. The recipients will be chosen from prospective students based on their personal statements on how earning a degree from UCW will help them in achieving their career and academic goals. The maximum value of this award is $5,000 and is disbursed to recipients as tuition credits.

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Regional Grant and Southeast Asia (SEA) Regional Grant

These study grants are provided through special arrangements with the aim of offering tuition support to those students who are interested in studying outside the SEA and CIS regions. Recipients are chosen on the basis of their submitted personal statement which explains how undertaking a degree program at UCW will help them in achieving their goals. Similar to other grants and awards offered at UCW, this one also is disbursed to the recipients as tuition credits.

If you are an international student who is interested in studying in Canada, then look no further than University Canada West, which offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate and preparatory programs. Once your application process is underway, you can take a look at the Canadian scholarships, grants or awards that you can apply for.

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Below you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about studying at University Canada West.

IS UNIVERSITY CANADA WEST A DESIGNATED LEARNING INSTITUTION (DLI)? WHAT IS YOUR DLI NUMBER?

Yes, University Canada West is a Designated Learning Institution. Our DLI number is O19377235822

DO YOU HAVE AN ORIENTATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OR THE CITY OF VANCOUVER?

Yes. At orientation, students can learn about the university, familiarize themselves with the campus, meet administration staff, and find out where to ask for help if they need it. The goal of the orientation is to reinforce our strong learning culture and student support network. Please note that New Student Orientation is mandatory for all new students. It must be completed to be eligible to continue with other courses.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT ACCOMMODATION?

We do not provide on-campus accommodation such as dormitories. However, University Canada West has partnered with 4stay to offer students a variety of housing and affordable rooms for rent around the University campus and Greater Vancouver. When booking through 4stay students can choose from a number of accommodation options, pay no deposit and book with confidence thanks to 4stays’s guarantees.

DO YOU HAVE SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS OR GRANTS AVAILABLE?

Yes. We offer a variety of scholarships, awards and grants for both domestic and international students. For a full list, as well as the eligibility criteria and regulations visit our “Awards & Scholarships” page.

In recognition of Canada’s 150 birthday, discounted tuition is available to members of the Canadian Armed Forces. This includes active members, reservists and veterans.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SERVICES THAT OFFER CAREER ADVICE TO STUDENTS?

Yes. University Canada West’s Career Development Centre assists students and alumni as they transition into the workforce.

DO YOU HAVE AN ACADEMIC ADVISING SERVICE AVAILABLE?

Yes. Academic Advisors are available to help students with any questions they might have about courses or degree programs.

WHAT COMPUTER SERVICES WILL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO?

UCW has full computer labs, as well as wireless internet, available to students at both its West Pender and Vancouver House campuses.

WHAT TYPES OF DINING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?

There are a number of restaurants, cafés and delis surrounding both UCW campuses.

CAN STUDENTS WORK WHILE ATTENDING UNIVERSITY?

Many international students studying in Canada are eligible to work up to 24 hours a week if they are enrolled in a full-time program for at least six months.

For more information about studying and working in Canada, please visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.

CAN STUDENTS GET A POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR PROGRAM?

To be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, students must have a valid study permit and have successfully completed their program with a C average for bachelor degrees and a B average for graduate degrees.

For more information about getting a Post-Graduation Work Permit, please visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.

WHAT TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS?

Both UCW campuses are located in downtown Vancouver, close to the city’s major public transportation systems such as buses and SkyTrain stations.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR YOUR PROGRAM?

Fill out the inquiry form and a recruitment advisor will contact you shortly. You may also contact our recruitment advisors at enquiry@ucanwest.ca, 1-877-431-6887.

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