University of Victoria
A West Coast university on Vancouver Island known for co-op in every faculty and ocean and climate science.
- Students
- 22,000
- Tuition
- CA$37,576
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1963
- QS World Ranking
- #370
- 2027 edition
About UVic
The University of Victoria traces its roots to Victoria College, founded in 1903 as an affiliate of McGill University, and became an independent degree-granting university in 1963. Its campus sits in the municipalities of Saanich and Oak Bay on Vancouver Island, close to the Pacific at Cadboro Bay, with the academic buildings arranged inside a circular Ring Road. UVic has more than 22,000 students from over 100 countries and more than 900 faculty members.
Undergraduate teaching runs through faculties of Business (the Gustavson School of Business), Education, Engineering and Computer Science, Fine Arts, Health, Humanities, Law, Science and Social Sciences, the largest. UVic's hallmark is experiential learning: every undergraduate program offers hands-on opportunities, co-op is open to all students including international students, and the Gustavson School of Business says it runs Canada's only business program with mandatory co-op for all undergraduates.
Research strengths include ocean and climate science: UVic hosts Ocean Networks Canada's VENUS and NEPTUNE seafloor observatories and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions. Admission is based on a Grade 12 average, with recent estimated averages of about 80% for Computer Science, 82% for Psychology and 85% for Engineering. UVic suits students who want a research university of manageable size in a mild coastal city with easy access to the outdoors.
Multitudo sapientium sanitas orbis
“A multitude of the wise is the health of the world (UVic also carries the Hebrew motto 'Let there be light')” — university motto
Why students choose UVic
Co-op is available in every faculty, including to international students with co-op work permits, and UVic says 70% of co-op students graduate with a job offer in hand.
The Gustavson School of Business runs Canada's only undergraduate business program with mandatory co-op for all students.
International students admitted with an A- average or equivalent can receive a one-time CA$15,000 entrance scholarship without applying.
UVic's Vikes teams have been crowned Canadian university champions 92 times, with more than 80 national titles across varsity programs.
Admissions
September 2027 entry
Selectivity
UVic does not publish an overall admit rate. Program pages give estimated admission averages based on recent cycles: Computer Science minimum 80%, Psychology minimum 82%, Engineering minimum 85% (Canadian curricula). Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission, and averages may rise with demand.
Typical entry requirements
| Canadian high school (estimated admission average) | Computer Science 80%; Psychology 82%; Engineering 85% (with Pre-calculus 12 at 77% or more) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Estimated IB scores: Computer Science 27 points; Psychology 28; Engineering 30; up to one year of transfer credit for a full Diploma |
| GCE A-levels | BBC for Computer Science and Psychology; BBB for Engineering (based on 3 exams) |
| US high school | Cumulative unweighted GPA 3.20-3.40 depending on program, with required college-preparatory courses; SAT/ACT not required |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 88 IELTS Academic 6.5 with no component below 6.0 (One Skill Retake accepted); TOEFL iBT 88 with no section below 20, or 4.5 overall (no section below 4.0) on the new scale; PTE 65; Duolingo 120; CAEL 70. Four years of full-time study in English also satisfies the requirement. Conditional admission is possible with lower scores through UVic's English Language Centre. |
Deadlines
- September 2027 entry, most degree programs Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 monthsJanuary 31, 2027
Some programs keep accepting applications after the deadline if they have space; applications can close without warning.
- Early admission (submit grades) Non-bindingEarly December 2026
High school students who apply and submit grades or transcripts by early December can be considered for early admission and may receive offers within a few weeks.
UVic publishes admission deadlines as annual fixed dates (checked 29 September 2026). B.C. students must order transcripts through the Student Transcripts Service when they apply to be considered for automatic entrance scholarships.
How to apply
Apply through EducationPlannerBC and pay the application fee (CA$89.50 if all transcripts are from Canada, CA$184 otherwise). Create a UVic NetLink ID to track your application checklist, then submit current grades as soon as possible; high school students who submit grades by early December can be considered for early admission.
What admissions looks for
- A strong admission average in the required Grade 12 (or equivalent) courses; academic performance is the main criterion.
- Program prerequisites, such as Pre-calculus 12 at 77% or more and an approved science for Engineering.
- English language proficiency, shown by four years of English-medium study or an approved test.
- A limited number of applicants below the average may be admitted on expanded qualifications that include non-academic achievements.
Tips for applying to UVic
- 1 Apply and send your grades before early December to be considered for early admission.
- 2 International applicants: an A- average (or equivalent) makes you eligible for the automatic CA$15,000 entrance scholarship, so send your interim transcript promptly.
- 3 B.C. students must sign up for the Student Transcripts Service when applying, or they will not be considered for average-based entrance scholarships.
- 4 If you are interested in business, note that Gustavson's co-op is mandatory, so plan for work terms in your degree timeline.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CAD
UVic gives automatic entrance scholarships based on admission average: CA$1,500-5,000 (one-time) for Canadian students with 90%+ or 32 IB points, and CA$15,000 (one-time) for international students with an A- average or equivalent (2027-28 values). Other entrance awards require an application. Canadian students can apply for need-based bursaries, including a residence and meal plan bursary of up to CA$1,500.
- CA$15,000 one-time for an A- average or equivalent
- International entrance scholarship (2027-28)
- CA$1,500-5,000 one-time for 90%+ or 32 IB points
- Canadian entrance scholarship (2027-28)
Academics
Academic calendar: Terms (September, January and May entry)
Engineering (Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science)
Co-op, award-winning student teams and a path to professional licensure; estimated admission average 85% (IB 30, A-levels BBB).
Computer Science
Co-op open to international students with work permits; estimated admission average 80% (IB 27).
Bachelor of Commerce (Gustavson School of Business)
Canada's only undergraduate business program with mandatory co-op for all students, in a relatively small business school.
Earth and Ocean Sciences
Taught alongside Ocean Networks Canada's seafloor observatories and two Environment Canada climate labs on campus.
Psychology (Faculty of Social Sciences)
In UVic's largest faculty; estimated admission average 82% (IB 28, A-levels BBC).
Nursing (Faculty of Health)
A practicum-based program in the Faculty of Health, which also offers Health Information Science and public health.
Research
- UVic hosts Ocean Networks Canada's VENUS and NEPTUNE deep-water seafloor observatories and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions.
- UVic reports CA$200M+ in research funding, 68 research chairs and 50+ research centres, and ranks 1st in Canada for international research collaboration (Leiden Ranking 2025).
- UVic has recorded more than 1,145 invention disclosures and 169 start-up companies.
- Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards fund undergraduates to do research with faculty mentors.
Schools & faculties
- Gustavson School of Business
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science
- Faculty of Fine Arts
- Faculty of Health
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
UVic reports that 83% of graduating students find jobs related to their studies, and that 70% of co-op students graduate with a job offer in hand; students have completed 109,000 co-op placements since the program launched.
Student life
UVic's campus is built around a circular Ring Road, with forest trails such as Mystic Vale and Finnerty Gardens and the ocean at Cadboro Bay close by. Student housing is grouped into neighbourhoods with their own community leaders and themed residence communities, and international students can also choose the UVic Homestay program. The Vikes varsity teams have won 92 Canadian university championships, and Fine Arts stages more than 200 theatre, music and dance performances and events a year.
- Vikes athletics: 92 Canadian university championships and 80+ national titles.
- More than 200 theatre, music and dance performances and cultural events a year through Fine Arts.
- Exchange partners in over 20 countries and field schools abroad and on Vancouver Island.
- One of 16 post-secondary institutions worldwide with a STARS Platinum sustainability rating.
Housing. On-campus housing is organised into residence neighbourhoods and themed communities; Canadian students in financial need with an eight-month contract can apply for a residence and meal plan bursary of up to CA$1,500.
Location
Victoria is British Columbia's capital, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. UVic's campus lies in the municipalities of Saanich and Oak Bay, not in the City of Victoria itself, close to the Pacific shoreline at Cadboro Bay. Campus forests such as Mystic Vale sit next to academic buildings, and a UVSS bus pass is included in student fees.
Nearest airport: Victoria International Airport (YYJ)
Notable alumni
- SB Stewart ButterfieldCo-founder of Flickr and Slack; BA in philosophy from UVic
- NF Nathan FielderComedian and filmmaker, co-creator of Nathan for You; majored in business at UVic
- EE Esi EdugyanNovelist and two-time Giller Prize winner; studied creative writing at UVic
- RA Rona AmbroseInterim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Leader of the Opposition (2015-2017); studied political science
- RC Ryan CochraneOlympic silver and bronze medallist swimmer who competed for UVic
- PH Patty HajduFederal cabinet minister; Master of Public Administration from UVic
- AT Alex TabarrokEconomist and co-author of the Marginal Revolution blog; BA from UVic
- WP W. P. KinsellaAuthor of Shoeless Joe, adapted as Field of Dreams; studied creative writing at UVic
Frequently asked questions
What average do you need to get into UVic?
Recent estimated admission averages are about 80% for Computer Science, 82% for Psychology and 85% for Engineering. Meeting the estimate does not guarantee admission.
When is the UVic application deadline for September 2027?
January 31, 2027 for most degree programs, through EducationPlannerBC. Submitting grades by early December can get you considered for early admission.
How much is UVic tuition for international students?
For 2026-27, first-year international tuition is CA$37,576 for most faculties and CA$42,618 for Engineering and Computer Science, plus ancillary fees; published rates rise in later years.
Does UVic offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. International students admitted with an A- average or equivalent are automatically considered for a one-time CA$15,000 entrance scholarship.
Does UVic require the SAT or ACT?
No. Standardized tests are not required; US applicants are assessed on their cumulative unweighted GPA and required courses.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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