VIU and SFU Sign First Year Engineering Transfer Agreement

Options for students wanting to study engineering at Vancouver Island University are expanding. VIU and Simon Fraser University (SFU) have signed a first year engineering transfer agreement allowing students to complete their first year of studies at VIU before transferring to the School of Engineering Science at SFU, or two other BC universities.

In the agreement between VIU and SFU, VIU’s Fundamentals of Engineering Certificate now provides the first year curriculum for the University of British Columbia (UBC - Point Grey campus), the University of Victoria (UVic), and SFU (Burnaby campus). Students enroll in a common curriculum in the fall and spring term, and do not have to choose which institution to attend in second year until after their first term at VIU.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for students who live in the mid-Island region,” said VIU Engineering Coordinator and Professor, Brian Dick. “Students often have little exposure to engineering and its numerous disciplines before they leave for Vancouver or Victoria to start their studies. Taking their first year at VIU allows them to explore the engineering profession, and decide what program, and which institution, is best suited for their interest.”

There are additional advantages for students who begin their engineering studies at VIU.

“Students enjoy smaller class sizes, more interaction with instructors, access to local engineering firms and the APEGBC (Association of Professional Engineers and GeoScientists of BC), and better access to labs and equipment than they may find at larger institutions,” said Dick.

Demand for engineering graduates both locally and internationally is high. Students completing their engineering education can expect relatively high employment rates, and a considerable salary premium compared to those who completed only high school, he added.

Successful completion of the certificate with a minimum required grade point average qualify students for admission into UBC (Point Grey campus), UVic or SFU (Burnaby campus).

For more details on the Fundamentals of Engineering certificate, visit www.viu.ca/engineering.

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MEDIA CONTACT:


Shari Bishop Bowes, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University


P: 250.740.6443 C: 250.618.1535 E: Communications@viu.ca