Students of the Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate Program working on a project

Engineering Transfer Diploma

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 has been developed to meet the requirements of the CFYEC and provides a pathway into engineering studies at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Thompson Rivers University (TRU), the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Victoria (UVic), and the University of Alberta (UofA).

Transferring to UVic

The Engineering Transfer Diploma program includes 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.
  • Will be 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 first Fall term (Year 1 - Fall) and one course in the first Spring term (Year 1 – Spring of the Engineering Transfer Diploma, all the courses required for the CFYE 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 provided they also have meet the applicable pathway agreement. 

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

Program Progression and Continuance

To meet the requirements of the CFYEC, students enrolled in VIU’s Engineering Transfer Diploma program are expected to maintain a full course load as described in the program outline.  Students must also:

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all program courses and a minimum GPA of 2.00 per semester. 
  • Successfully complete ENGR 112 in their first term and ENGR 121 in their second term of the Engineering Transfer diploma program.

Students unable to meet these conditions may be required to discontinue from the program.  Students asked to leave the program may:

  • Be required to transfer into another academic program e.g. Bachelor of Science
  • Be allowed to take Engineering Transfer Diploma program courses if space is available.

On an exceptional basis, and with the permission of the program Chair, students may be allowed to reduce their enrolment to four courses per semester.

Upon successfully completing the first full year of the Engineering Transfer Diploma, students will automatically be transferred to the second year of the program. 

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 100 - (Calculus for Engineering and Physical Sciences I) or,

MATH 121 - (Calculus I)

4
PHYS 121 - (Physics for the Physical Sciences I)4
Spring Semester 
ENGL 204 - (Business and Technical Writing)3

MATH 101 - (Calculus for Engineering and Physical Sciences II) or,

MATH 122 - (Calculus II)

4
ENGR 121 - (Engineering Design II)4
MATH 141 - (Matrix Algebra) 3
PHYS 122 - (Physics for the Physical Sciences II)4
Total Credits36

*MATH 101 requires MATH 100 as a pre-requisite.

Note: ENGR 107 should be taken in either Year 1 or Year 2 and prior to enrolling in the optional engineering Co-Op program. 

Year 2Credits
Fall Semester 
CHEM 150 - (Engineering Chemistry)4
MATH 221* - (Calculus III)3
MATH 254 - (Statistics I)3
Complementary Studies and/or Science Electives6
Spring Semester 
ENGE 250** - (Linear Circuits)3
ENGM 141 - (Engineering Mechanics)3
MATH 222 - (Calculus IV)3
Complementary Studies and/or Science Electives***6
Total Credits31

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

** Students intending to transfer to Civil or Software Engineering at the University of Victoria may replace this course with another science elective of equal credit

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

  • See General Admission Requirements for Academic Programs.
  • 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+"
  • 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)
  • Admission based on GPA rankings.

Notes on Admission

  • Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
  • Students seeking to transfer two or more courses into the program are generally ineligible for direct admission.  Please apply to the Bachelor of Science (BSc) instead and consult with the Engineering Advisor for further guidance.

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 $173.12 per credit) 5,712.96
Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.78 per month) 166.24
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.94 per month) 183.52
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $50.08 per month) 400.64
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 $173.12 per credit) 5,539.84
Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.78 per month) 166.24
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.94 per month) 183.52
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $50.08 per month) 400.64
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 $24.38 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 $832.09 per credit) 27,458.97
Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.78 per month) 166.24
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.94 per month) 183.52
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $50.08 per month) 400.64
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 $832.09 per credit) 26,626.88
Student Activity fee (8 months x $20.78 per month) 166.24
Student Services fee (8 months x $22.94 per month) 183.52
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $50.08 per month) 400.64
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 $24.38 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):

The Engineering Transfer Diploma program has one start date each Fall.

Application Fee:
$46.98
Waitlist:
Yes
Admissions Officer:
Name: Jenna Milne
Phone: 250.740.6400
Email: Jenna.Milne@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Brian Dick
Email: EngAdvisor@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
  • All requested documents are due by April 15, 2026.
  • Seats for this program will be offered on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to complete their application as soon as possible.

 

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.

 

Indigenous students can apply for reserved seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.

International

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

The Engineering Transfer Diploma program has one start date each Fall.

Application Fee:
$156.06
Chair Contact:
Name: Brian Dick
Email: EngAdvisor@viu.ca
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Jenna Milne
Phone: 250.740.6400
Email: Jenna.Milne@viu.ca
Document Deadline:

Please note that seats in this program are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make sure to submit all necessary documents when you submit your application online, or by April 15 at the latest.

 

Comments:

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.

 

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

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