Students Transferring to VIU

Please be aware that VIU has a Residency Requirement for VIU credentials. Connect with an educational advisor if you have questions about how transfer will affect your progress towards your desired goal.

Steps to transfer to VIU

1. Apply to the appropriate program. You will be considered for admission as a transfer student if you have at least 24 transferable university-level credits completed.
   
2. You are required to submit all official secondary and post-secondary transcripts from institutions you have attended to Registration Services before receiving an offer of admission. Transcripts should be sent directly from the institutions that you have studied at.
3. Transfer credit will be assessed from official transcripts after you have been admitted as a student. It may take some time for these credits to be added to your VIU Student Record. VIU is committed to processing transfer credit in a timely manner. 
4. If transfer agreements are not in place for the courses you have taken at another institution, you may need to submit course outlines in order to receive specific course credit that can apply to program requirements.  You may wish to gather these documents in advance.
5. If you are waiting for your transfer credits to be assessed, you can discuss course selection with an Educational Advisor. Connect at Advising@viu.ca. You may wish to have copies of previous post-secondary transcripts available to refer to when you contact us. If you are transferring from a BC post-secondary institution, you can assist the process by using the online BC Transfer Guide before your discussion. In some cases, you may be referred directly to the appropriate Degree Advisor.

Red Seal Certification to Academic programs

Students are required to meet all admission requirements, course prerequisites and program requirements for their new program choice. Red Seal certification can provide a jumpstart towards an academic credential. Students are given a block of 60 unassigned transfer credits to use towards an academic credential. Unassigned transfer credits may be used towards general lower level elective credit requirements of academic degrees or diplomas. The red seal provides some additional opportunities such as admission to the Graduate Certificate in Business program. 

Important points for those wishing to use Red Seal certification to continue further education:

• The first step is to apply to the program of interest.
• Submit a copy of your red seal certification to the Admissions Department
• Once the documents are received you will be assigned a block of 60 unassigned transfer credits to your VIU student record.
• The transfer credits may provide a jump start into a second credential, depending on the program.
• We encourage you to meet with an Educational Advisor as outlined in the email or letter sent to you from our Transfer Credit Coordinator.
• An Advisor will review the credential requirements and create an educational plan so you have a clear path to completion.

Block Transfer of Credit from a Previous Certificate, Diploma or Degree

Students are required to meet all admission requirements, course prerequisites and program requirements for their new program choice.  Block credit for previous credentials is awarded under the following conditions:

• The credential is from an accredited post-secondary institution
• The normal full time duration of the program is at least one year (i.e. eight months of study or more)
• The credential is completed. (in other words - they need to apply to graduate in order to be completed)
• There is no partial credit under this block transfer policy.
• Block transfer credit does not remove the need to meet all specific program requirements for a new credential.  The manner in which block transfer credit may be assigned to meet program requirements is determined by an advisor or the department Chair.  Ultimate authority lies with the Dean.
• Block transfer credits cannot be used to meet any of the minimum 42 upper-level credits required for an undergraduate degree.
• Students with a one-year certificate (ex: Trades foundation) are entitled to 15 credits of block transfer credit.
• Students with a two year diploma are entitled to 30 credits of block transfer credit.
• Students with a previous undergraduate degree are entitled to 60 credits of block transfer credit.
• Students with a Red Seal certification in a trade are entitled to 60 credits of block transfer credit.

1) Apply to the program of interest.

• Follow all instructions in correspondence related to your application
• Submit a copy of your red seal certification and/or transcript of studies to VIU Admissions and Registration, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5S5 or registration@viu.ca.
• Once the documents are received you will be assessed for unassigned transfer credits and any granted will be added to your VIU student record.
• The transfer credits can provide a jump start into a second credential, depending on the program.
• We encourage you to meet with an Educational Advisor as outlined in the email or letter sent to you from our Transfer Credit Coordinator.
• An Advisor will review the credential requirements and create an educational plan so you have a clear path to completion.

2) Register for courses

• You will be assigned a date in May (or, if applying late, after you accept your offer of admission and pay your tuition deposit) to register for the upcoming Fall (September) and Spring (January) courses. Course planning is easiest if you have all transcripts assessed and in your VIU Student Record.
• Review the Web Registration Tutorial before your assigned date and plan and draft your course registration.
• Contact Advising@viu.ca if you have questions.

*It is, ultimately, the student’s responsibility to choose courses and programs to meet his or her own career or educational objectives.