International students
UVic rates as one of the world's best schools according to Times Higher Education's (THE) world university rankings. Learn more about our rankings.
Over 1600 international students from 100 different countries choose UVic each year. With many undergraduate programs, graduate programs, diverse athletic, social and cultural opportunities. Learn more in our international viewbook.
Real-life learning
UVic stands out for its approach to learning, tying it directly to real-life work through one of the largest co-operative education programs in Canada.
Support for international students
You'll feel right at home in the Marnie Swanson International Commons. It's a place where international students can access academic help, information, resources, programming, services and events to support their success at UVic. Read an article about the opening and watch a performance by international students.
About our location in Victoria
The university is located a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria, BC and within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean. Victoria is British Columbia's beautiful capital city at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. One of the best places to live, Victoria is home to a mix of arts, food, shopping and sports—a city of both cultural entertainment and natural spaces. Learn more about Victoria.
Undergraduate
fees- English
Language
Centre
Travel
schedule- International
student
services
Retaining
an agent
More support
and advising
Average costs for international undergraduate students
Based on two terms of study, five courses per term. Current as of September 2012.
| Expense | International citizens |
Canadian citizens and permanent residents |
| Tuition | $16,045 | $4,958 |
|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $144 | $144 |
| Books and supplies | $1,500 (up to) | $1,500 (up to) |
| Room and board | $7,500 (average) | $7,500 (average) |
| Bus pass | $162 | $162 |
| Health and dental plan * | $288 | $288 |
| Athletics and recreation | $155 | $155 |
| TOTAL * | $25,794 | $14,707 |
Come to UVic to develop English for life. The English Language Centre (ELC) has been offering high quality ESL programs since 1970. They welcome over 2500 students each year and are an important part of UVic.
The ELC also offers the Homestay program, where international students are placed with host families. Homestay is available for all of the ELC's 12-week programs, and monthly English programs from September to May.
Fall 2012 - International travel schedule:
| Dates | Location/event | Recruiter(s) |
| Sep 10 – 14 | Washington | Angela |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 26 – Oct 14 | Mexico | Karina |
| Sep 28 – 29 | Brazil | ELC |
| Oct 1 – 2 | Washington | Sue |
| Oct 4 – 7 | Denver | Angela |
| Oct 5 – 6 | Southern California | Sue |
| Oct 8 – 17 | Southern California | Angela |
| Oct 8 – 30 | China | Qi |
| Oct 15 – 25 | Bangladesh and India | Carolyn |
| Oct 21 – 31 | Brazil | Sue, ELC |
| Oct 26 – 27 | Portland | Angela |
| Oct 31 – Nov 3 | Seattle | Angela |
| Nov 1 – 4 | Hong Kong | Qi |
| Nov 4 – 6 | South Korea | ELC |
| Nov 5 – 26 | China | Qi |
| Nov 7 – 15 | Japan | ELC |
| Nov 12 – 14 | Kazakhstan | ELC |
| Nov 15 – 17 | Ukraine | ELC |
| Nov 17 – 23 | Germany | Sue |
| Dec 3 – 4 | Miami | ELC |
UVic has a strong commitment to its international student community. We have a wide variety of services to make our international students' experience as positive as possible.
The International and Exchange Student Services Office strives to make each international student's stay at UVic as rewarding as possible. They provide pre-arrival support, orientation on arrival and ongoing assistance after students have arrived for their studies at UVic.
Get advice
Once you're on campus, visit the International and Exchange Student Services Office to connect with a Buddy (a returning UVic student) who will show you around the campus and Victoria, or to meet with an international student adviser. Advisers can answer your questions about things like health insurance and Canadian immigration regulations, and can provide advice on academic resources available to you.
International commons
Drop by the Marnie Swanson International Commons for study space, conversational cafes, workshops, an intercultural learning group and more.
Connect with other studentsYou'll find many opportunities to connect with other students on campus. Student clubs like the Association of International and Canadian Students (AICS) and the International Friendship Group hold events year-round and all students are welcome to participate.
Applicants to the University of Victoria are not required to hire an agent or commercial representative to assist with the application process.
If you wish to verify an agent's relationship please contact uvip@uvic.ca.
Additional support links and programs
- International and Exchange Student Services
- Office of International Affairs (OIA)
- OIA Handbook for Students
- OIA Handbook for International Visitors
- International Student Resource Guide
- Marnie Swanson International Commons
Need more help deciding?
Contact an adviser: