University of Victoria [UVic] 2023-2024 Admissions: Entry Requirements, Deadlines, Application Process

Regarded as one of the highly coveted academic organizations, the University of Victoria offers admissions to plethora of undergraduate and graduate courses at ranging levels of the degree to certificates. Majorly renowned for its co-op programs, the institute provides some unparalleled courses for international students and is honored among the best higher education institutes of Canada. 

• Admissions to the University of Victoria are offered round the year in several intakes with September being the major seasonal term for undergraduate enrollments.
• The university observes a moderately selective admission process but this shall not be mistaken for it to be a cakewalk.
• Enrollment at the institute depends upon several factors and submitting a score minimum of 80 in TOEFL and 6.5 in IELTS is a part of standardized tests in Canada.

• While 60% of the weightage of your application is held by good academic track record and GPA, another 40% is governed by student’s overall personality and other parameters like extra-curricular activities, well written personal statement, management and leadership capabilities, etc.
• Though the process initially can be a little strenuous, the fact that a degree from the institute can help you land one of the high-paying jobs in Canada make it a worthwhile pursuit.

Highlights

University of Victoria Admission Deadlines

The University of Victoria mainly invites applications for September Entry. However, it also offers admission to some degree programs in January and Summer semesters. The deadlines for UG and PG courses are tabulated below.

University of Victoria International Student Admissions

Admission Portal: Apply online at the official website.
Application Fee: 132 CAD.
Admission Process:

• Check the basic and program-specific admission requirements of the course you are interested in.
• International candidates also have to fulfill certain English language and country-specific requirements which shall also be noted before applying.
• The deadline for an array of courses available at the institute varies and thus should be taken into account. Check the season of intake and availability of space in the program you are hoping to enroll in.
• Once you have ensured all the above-mentioned steps, start the application process by adding uvic.ca as a safe sender to receive timely updates which shall be notified to you via email.
• Start an online application by creating an account and providing your academic plus personal history.
• Submit the completed application along with an application fee to be paid via a credit card and wait for a confirmation email with your nine digit student number from the university which shall be received within 2 business days of sending in an application.
• Provide all the necessary documents including your transcripts, language scores, et al. and wait for an offer of a place.
• While you are waiting for a response regarding your admission, start applying for housing and scholarships as they usually fill in early and are offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Once you receive your letter of acceptance, pay the required amount of tuition fee and apply for a permit and visa in order to ensure your enrollment with the university.

Country-Specific Requirements

The institute requires international applicants from around the globe to fulfill certain country-specific requirements which vary depending upon their respective nationalities. Some of the Asian countries with their corresponding specifications are detailed as follows:

English Proficiency Requirements

Since the medium of instruction at the university is primarily English, the organization requires that its international applicants provide sufficient proof of their English language skills. Students can provide any one of the below-mentioned tests as acceptable proof of their language capabilities.

Canada Visa for International Students

After receiving the acceptance letter from the university, applicants need to apply for a valid study permit and visa to study in Canada. Candidates can obtain a permit from the nearest Canadian Embassy or with the help of a consultant. It is however important that students apply for the visa at the earliest since the process can take up to months.

To obtain a study permit and temporary visa permit, applicants must provide the following documents:

• A valid passport
• Application fee ( billed in CAD)
• Acceptance letter from the institute
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Medical examination
• Biometrics

Natives and legal residents of countries including China, India, Morocco, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, or Vietnam can also opt the alternative way of applying via Student Direct Stream (SDS) for processing their permits faster. To qualify for SDS, a candidate must submit the following:

1. Copy of acceptance letter.
2. Proof of first-year paid tuition fee.
3. Proof of Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) for 10,000 CAD.
4. Medical exam.
5. Qualifying language test score

English – 6.0 or more in each skill (IELTS)

French – TEF score equal to a Canadian Language Benchmark minimum score of 7 in each skill.

University of Victoria Undergraduate Admissions

The University of Victoria offers more than 100 undergraduate programs in various fields. The selection of an apt program that suits the applicant's interests is very important. Applicants will be informed of a checklist of tasks to be completed after the initial application has been received.
Where to Apply: Online Application
Application Fee: 132 CAD
Admission Requirements: 

• Complete application
• Official high school/ college transcripts
• Interim grades (required if applicants are still studying in a high school)
• English Proficiency Test Scores (for international students)
• LOR

University of Victoria Graduate Admissions

Admission Portal: Apply online at the official website.
Application Fee: 163 CAD.

Candidates need to abide by certain program-specific requirements for graduate-level admissions which is tabulated as follows:

Engineering students applying for enrollment must note that the admissions are available only via the approval of a supervisor. To select a supervisor which will be a perfect fit for you, look through the list of faculty members of the institute and go through their research areas and work. Select a member with your similar research interest and contact them via email. Ensure you mention all your achievements, goals, GPA, research experience and send in a proposal to see if they will be interested in assisting you.

The application deadline for admission at University of Victoria is usually 3 months prior to the start of term. However, International aspirants are highly encouraged to send in their entries 9 months in advance to allow sufficient time for procuring a study permit. Since the application process usually slows down during peak time when the volume of entries received increases, applying early will help applicants avoid such a circumstance and will improve their chances of availing studentships and awards.