Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates available at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC

When starting your search, there are many considerations to be made in addition to prerequisites.  How else is admission determined? What kinds of credentials are offered?  Are there opportunities for hands-on experience? TRU offers a personal, flexible, and practical university experience. Read more…

TRU is a different kind of university, and one important distinction in terms of admission is that TRU uses GPA (grade point average) differently than other schools.  TRU uses GPA as a tool to reward students, rather than as a way to penalize them by keeping them out of university. 

Let me explain.  Whereas some institutions dictate a minimum GPA in order to even be considered for admission, TRU recognizes that students with a range of GPAs can become successful university students.  So how does TRU determine eligibility? 

TRU lists minimum admission requirements specific to each program. Then, students who meet these requirements are eligible to apply to that program.  GPA is then used to reward students – a better GPA will earn you an earlier course registration date.

The bottom line is TRU admission requirements vary depending on the program. And for those students requiring a little more flexibility with regards to post-secondary entrance, TRU even offers high school upgrading opportunities (www.tru.ca/dsd/prep).

Now, as mentioned earlier, when starting your school search you should be looking beyond just admission requirements.

Do you even know about the different types of programs out there? For example, a degree is typically four years and more academic in nature than a two-year career diploma or eight-month certificate.  Be aware not all institutions offer all types of credentials.  Check out www.tru.ca/new_students/programs to read about TRU degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs.

Another thing to think about is what kinds of practical, hands-on experience will be available to you? Key terms here include Co-operative education (www.tru.ca/careereducation/coop), practicums, lab work, field studies, and applied research.  Every TRU program includes a practical component.

What about opportunities for international travel?  Yes, this is for real – you can travel as part of your university degree.  But be sure to look into the where’s, when’s and how’s of such exciting prospects, as each institution may or may not offer exchange programs and if so, may impose limitations on who can go.  TRU’s Study Abroad program (www.truworld.ca/exchange) is quite extensive and is pretty wide open to most degrees student willing to put in the effort to fill out the documentation.

This all being said, it becomes evident that while considering universities, there is a list of items to be researched in order to select the right university for you.  TRU starts accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year on October 1st, 2009.  Visit www.tru.ca to apply.  Have questions or require general information?  Contact the Student Recruitment & Liaison Office at 250.828.5006.