Understanding University Transfer (UT)
University Transfer, referred to around the college as “UT”, means that you are taking courses at North Island College that are equivalent and transferable to courses at other post secondary institutions. You can choose from individual courses, Prep study plans (collections of courses customized for your degree or university of choice), diplomas, and associate degrees.
As a university transfer student, you first need to clearly understand how university transfer works (and doesn’t work). Then, once you have a receiving intuition in mind, you will also be responsible for researching and meeting the unique transfer requirements, grade point average, and deadlines of your chosen university or institution. Fortunately, you’ll also have help with the details. At NIC, Student Advisors are dedicated to helping students every step of the way.
What is a “sending” and “receiving” institution?
Your sending institution is the college where you start taking university transfer courses. Your receiving institution is the university which you plan to eventually attend. For example, you are starting at North Island College (your sending institution) and plan to transfer to the University of Victoria (your receiving institution).
You can start today by browsing online:
Education Planner 
Search programs, fields of study, locations, costs, admission requirements, program lengths, and much more at 28 of BC’s post-secondary institutions.
BC Transfer Guide
Search all your options from North Island College to anywhere else in the province. Find out how transfer credit works, which courses are equivalent, and more.
BCCAT
Find out more information on grades and prerequisites required for admission to BC's post-secondary institutions.
Talking with a Student Advisor
Transferability of individual North Island College courses varies from institution to institution. Student Advisors can help ensure that you have selected the right courses for your receiving institution. They can also help you investigate the transferability of NIC certificate and diploma programs. To meet with a Student Advisor to discuss your educational goals, please contact your local NIC campus to make an in-person or telephone appointment.
Choosing transfer courses
Choosing the right university transfer courses can be tricky. Your decisions not only depend on your academic goals, but also on the unique transfer policies of your receiving institution. That’s why meeting with a Student Advisor is so important. They will help take the confusion out of course selection and ensure that you are on track with your chosen university.
Tip: Browse course descriptions for both 100-level and 200-level university transfer courses. The entry requirements for courses, called prerequisites, may also help guide your choices. For example, if you think you might like to take Abnormal Psychology (PSY 235), the course description will tell you that you must first take two other courses, Introductory Psychology I & II (PSY 130 & 131).
How do I know which courses transfer?
- Ask a Student Advisor. Transferability of individual North Island College courses varies from institution to institution. Student Advisors can help ensure that you have selected the right courses for your receiving institution. They can also help you investigate the transferability of NIC certificate and diploma programs.
- Check the NIC Calendar Browse course descriptions listed in the NIC Calendar. Transferable courses are marked with a “T” symbol, indicating a course that transfers in part or in full to AT LEAST ONE other BC post-secondary institution. Since transfer agreements change frequently, students are advised to always check with a Student Advisor and visit www.bctransferguide.ca for complete information.
- Search online. You can browse transferable courses by checking the “search only transferable courses” checkbox. This search will provide a list of NIC courses that transfer in part or in full to AT LEAST ONE other BC post-secondary institution. Each course description will also provides a BC Transfers? link, which will show you the course transferability to any destination university in BC.
- Check the BC transfer guide. At www.bctransferguide.ca you can look up individual North Island College courses and see how they transfer to specific universities throughout the province.
- All Associate degrees transfer. Anyone who has successfully completed an Associate degree is guaranteed 60 credits at any university in BC even if the individual courses do not transfer directly to that particular institution.
Meeting the requirements
All post secondary institutions have different admission requirements their programs. As a University Transfer student, it is important that you are aware of what is required by your receiving institution. Admission requirements can vary from a certain grade point average (GPA) requirement to volunteer experience. It is up to you to ensure you meet all of the entrance requirements for your program of choice.