University Canada West allows students to transfer academic credit from other recognized post-secondary institutions to University Canada West courses and programs.

Undergraduate Courses

A minimum course grade of C (2.00 on a 4.33 scale) or equivalent is required.

The maximum number of credit hours that can be awarded toward degree requirements as a combination of transfer credit and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is 30 credit hours for an Associate degree and 60 credit hours for a Bachelor’s degree

The full transfer credit policy is available here.

University Canada West participates in the British Columbia post-secondary system that facilitates student transfer between educational institutions. The British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT) oversees this system. The Council coordinates agreements between institutions regarding student transfer of course credits from one post-secondary institution to another.

Find out how your previous education may be assessed as credit toward a University Canada West program:

  • From British Columbia institutions use the online BC Transfer Guide at: www.bctransferguide.ca/
  • From Ontario institutions click here.
  • From Alberta institutions click here.

Graduate Courses

A minimum grade of B (3.00 on a 4.33 scale) or equivalent is required.

A maximum of 50% of degree requirements may be granted through a combination of transfer credit and PLAR with no more than two courses granted through PLAR.

The full transfer credit policy is available here.

  1. Once a student has been accepted or conditionally accepted to the University, they may be considered for transfer credit.
  2. Students should submit a completed Request for Transfer Credit form with their Application for Admission.
  3. Students are responsible for supplying the documents required to evaluate courses for transfer. For international institutions, course descriptions, course outlines, syllabi and other supporting documentation for each course to be reviewed must be submitted by the student. UCW may request documentation for domestic institutions that have not previously been articulated (see lists above) or when requested by Admissions.
  4. The following will be considered in the determination of transfer credit:
    • The type of institution attended
    • The comparability of course content and level of study at the previous institution to the program of study and courses at University Canada West
    • The grades achieved

University Canada West actively supports the concept of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for all its programs and courses. University Canada West will grant credit where warranted for the knowledge and skills a student has already acquired through academic courses, professional development or experience. PLAR complements transfer credit as a means for students to gain academic credit for prior work.

The PLAR process involves an assessment of a portfolio including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Verification of transcripts
  • Evaluation and verification of credentials
  • Demonstration of competencies before objective observer(s)
  • Credit challenge through examinations
  • Completion of research or other papers to demonstrate currency of knowledge
  • Interviews
  • References from persons familiar with the applicant’s skill set

Students are eligible to apply for PLAR once they have been admitted to the university. There is a fee for each course for which PLAR is applied amounting to $500 per portfolio.

The PLAR application form can be found on the MyUCW Student Portal.