Program calendar icon Program Length

  • 2 Years

Program credential icon Credential

  • Diploma
  • Transfer Program

Program option icon Options

  • Co-op
  • Transfer Program

Program location icon Location Offered

  • Nanaimo

Vancouver Island University is a signatory to the BC Common First-Year Engineering Curriculum (CFYEC).  The Engineering Transfer Diploma provides a pathway into engineering studies at Simon Fraser University, Thompson Rivers University, the University of Northern British Columbia, the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, and the University of Alberta.

Transferring to UVic

The Engineering Transfer Diploma program provides twenty first- and second-year courses towards UVic Engineering degree programs.  Students successfully completing the entire Engineering Transfer Diploma program have:

  • Guaranteed admittance into 2nd year Engineering at UVic provided students achieve a minimum required overall GPA and minimum grade in each curriculum course. 
  • Placed in a common pool with all students for competitive entry into their 2nd year engineering program of their choice at UVic. Average GPA for entry into a specific engineering program at UVic changes each year depending on the number of students applying and the number of seats available.

Transferring to SFU, TRU, UNBC, UBC, and UofA

With the addition of one course in the Fall term (Term 1A) and one course in the Spring term (Term 2B) of the Engineering Transfer Diploma, all the courses required for the Common First-Year Engineering Curriculum will be met.  Students achieving this requirement may exit after one year of studies with the Engineering Transfer Certificate, and transfer to one of these institutions. 

If this path is of interest to you, please contact VIU Registration as soon as possible after receiving your acceptance letter for more information. 

Year 1

Credits

Fall Semester 
CSCI 160 - (Computer Science I for Engineering)4
ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research)3
ENGR 112 - (Engineering Design I)3
MATH 121 - (Calculus I)4
PHYS 121 - (Physics for the Physical Sciences I)4
Spring Semester 
ENGL 204 - (Business and Technical Writing)3
MATH 122 - (Calculus II)4
ENGR 121 - (Engineering Design II)3
MATH 141 - (Matrix Algebra for Engineers) 3
PHYS 122 - (Physics for the Physical Sciences II)4
Total Credits33

Note: ENGR 107 should be taken in the Spring semester by those students who wish to take part in the optional engineering Co-Op program. 

Year 2Credits
Fall Semester 
CHEM 150 - (Engineering Chemistry)14
MATH 221 - (Calculus III)13
MATH 254 - (Statistics I)3
CS and/or SCI elective(s)26
Spring Semester 
ENGM 141 - (Engineering Mechanics)33
MATH 222 – Calculus IV13
CS and/or SCI Electives29
Total Credits31

1Students intending to transfer to Software Engineering at the University of Victoria may replace this course with another SCI elective of equal credit. 

2Please see advisor for appropriate complementary or science electives for specific transfer pathways into engineering disciplines at the University of Victoria.

3Students may take ENGR 214 in lieu of ENGM 141. 

  • English 12 with a minimum grade of "C+"
  • Pre-Calculus 12 with a minimum grade of "B"
  • Physics 12 with a minimum grade of "C+"; Candidates missing Physics 12 or equivalent are encouraged to apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Chemistry 12 with a minimum grade of "C+"; Candidates missing Chemistry 12 or equivalent are encouraged to apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Recommended: Calculus 12 (if available); Programming 12 (if available)

Notes on Admission

  • Admission based on GPA rankings.
  • Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for Year 1 Amount
Tuition (33 credits x $166.40 per credit) 5,491.20
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books 1,500.00
Approximate cost for lab supplies 50.00
Fees for Year 2 Amount
Tuition (32 credits x $166.40 per credit) 5,324.80
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books 1,500.00
Approximate cost for lab supplies 50.00
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.

Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $23.90 per course.

 

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for Year 1 Amount
Tuition (33 credits x $799.77 per credit) 26,392.41
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books 1,500.00
Approximate cost for lab supplies 50.00
Fees for Year 2 Amount
Tuition (32 credits x $799.77 per credit) 25,592.64
Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) 159.76
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) 176.40
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) 220.80
Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) 285.00
Approximate cost for books 1,500.00
Approximate cost for lab supplies 50.00
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.

Science and Technology courses with a compulsory lab have a lab fee of $23.90 per course.

 

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Next Intake(s):

September 2, 2025. The Engineering Transfer Diploma has one program start date each Fall.

Application Fee:
$45.16
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Jenna Milne
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2234
Email: Jenna.Milne@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Brian Dick
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2435
Email: EngAdvisor@viu.ca
Document Deadline:

In order for an application to be considered, a final or interim grade for all four prerequisites must be submitted by April 15, 2025. Students are accepted based on GPA.

Comments:

Students interested in the certificate must apply to the Engineering Transfer Diploma, and speak to the Engineering Program Chair prior to starting classes in September. Upon completion of the first year of the Engineering Transfer Diploma and two additional, required courses (for a total of 40 credits), students will be eligible to exit with the Engineering Transfer Certificate.

 

 

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Coordinator Contact:
Name: Brian Dick
Email: Brian.Dick@viu.ca
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Email: Study@viu.ca
Document Deadline:

Please note that seats in this program are limited and offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please make sure to submit all necessary documents when you submit your application online.

Comments:

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to World VIU at WorldVIU@viu.ca

Students interested in the certificate must apply to the Engineering Transfer Diploma, and speak to the Engineering Program Chair prior to starting classes in September. Upon completion of the first-year of the Engineering Transfer Diploma and two additional, required courses (for a total of 40 credits), students will be eligible to exit with the Engineering Transfer Certificate.

 

 

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.

Visit the Department Website

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.