Why Choose North Island College?

• NIC transfer benefits at VIU. If you are planning to transfer from NIC to Vancouver Island University after your first or second year of study, you may be eligible for priority registration or direct admission into the Education program.
• Freedom to follow your interests. Transfer plans offer direction and flexibility, allowing you to concentrate your studies for a specific degree or explore your interests and keep your options open.
• In good company. Graduates tell us that NIC classes feel like interactive work groups, where everyone has a chance to contribute their opinions and ideas, and you get to know instructors and classmates well.
• Same degree, save $10,000. NIC transfer students will spend approx $10,000 less for their first year of studies (tuition, fees, books, transport, housing and food) compared to students attending an urban university.

What is a transfer plan?

A transfer plan is a sample list of University Studies courses that can be further customized for transfer to a specific program or university of choice. Our Student Advisors can develop a transfer plan with you from NIC to just about anywhere.

The Education transfer plan is designed to meet the general first-year course requirements of degree programs province-wide. Our Student Advisors will work with you to personalize this plan to meet your personal interests, goals, and university of choice.

Transfer plans offer a great deal of flexibility. Students can choose their preferred courses, making it possible to concentrate studies in one specific area or explore a variety of subjects to meet the requirements of their receiving institution.

Course subjects may include: anthropology, biology, business, chemistry, criminology, economics, English, equity and social justice, fine arts, First Nations studies, French, geography, history, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, sociology, space science and astronomy, Spanish, or women’s studies.

To qualify as a transfer student, many universities require a minimum of 8 courses (24 credits) and a specific grade point average. The Bachelor of Education transfer plan usually outlines 30 course credits, which may be taken on a full- or part-time basis.

Options are also available for completing a second year of university transfer coursework at NIC. Thanks to a unique transfer agreement between NIC and Vancouver Island University (VIU), NIC students who have completed an Associate of Arts degree (or 60 credits of university transfer coursework) may be eligible for direct admission into third year of the Bachelor of Education program at VIU. Ask your Student Advisors for details. 

Admission Requirements

1. Complete and submit the NIC Application for Admission form, writing University Studies as the program name.
2. There are no formal admission requirements for the University Studies program. However, courses will have specific entry requirements, called prerequisites, which are listed under each course description.
3. Recommended courses include: English 12 with a C or better and Math 12 (Principles 11, Applications 12, Foundations 11, or Pre-Calculus 12) with a C or better.

To Be Successful

• Your first and most important step as a university transfer student is to call, email, or visit a Student Advisor at your nearest NIC campus or centre. Student Advisors have extensive knowledge of programs, funding options, career paths, and post-secondary transfer agreements, and will help you get started on the right track.
• Each university has its own unique transfer requirements and deadlines that must be met. Familiarize yourself with the university transfer process and how transfer credit works.
• Transfer and degree requirements may change frequently and without notice. Always review your study plan with a Student Advisor to make sure you’re registered in the best courses to reach your goals.
• Use the BC Transfer Guide online to confirm the transferability of your chosen courses.
• To qualify as a transfer student, many universities require 8 courses (24 credits) as well as a specific grade point average.
• NIC also offers high school-equivalent Upgrading options if you need help meeting prerequisites for entry into individual courses.