FAQs

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

What are the admission requirements?
Royal Roads University admission requirements fall into two categories; standard admission and flexible assessment. Program specific admission requirements should be reviewed carefully before applying. Admissions, Program-Specific Admission
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Does Royal Roads allow transfers from other colleges and universities?
Royal Roads University has transfer agreements with many post-secondary institutions in Canada and international. Royal Roads reviews the curriculum of the programs at other institutions to ensure that they meet the educational foundation required for a student to be successful in the program. In some instances, additional courses to the diploma must be completed to meet the admission requirements. While transfer agreements make it easy for students to plan their education path, it is not necessary to have a transfer agreement in place to apply to a Royal Roads program.
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Can I apply without a transfer agreement?
Yes, provided you meet the specific admission requirements of the program you are applying to. Program-Specific Admission
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What is flexible assessment?
Applicants who do not meet standard admission requirements may be assessed on the basis of their formal education, informal learning and work/life experience, in accordance with the Flexible Assessment Practices at Royal Roads University.
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What if I can’t provide an academic reference?
Then provide a second work-related or personal/character reference. Each program requires a different combination of letters. If you cannot meet the program specific required combination reference letters then select one of the other options. Program-Specific Admission
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What are the admission requirements for a mature student?
The admission requirements are the same regardless of the age of the applicant. Program-Specific Admission
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Do you require a GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), GRE (General Record Examination)?
Applicants are not required to submit a GMAT or GRE for our Graduate level programs.
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Is a minimum GPA required for admission into a Master’s program?
Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis looking at a combination of academics and work/life experience. Therefore, minimum a GPA is not normally required.
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I haven’t quite finished my diploma program (undergrad, course, etc.), can I still apply?
Yes, we recommend that you apply when you have successfully completed at least ¾ of your program. This gives us a strong indication of how well you are doing in your program, especially in upper year courses.
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My transcripts aren’t relevant to this program, can I still gain entry?
Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the applicant does not meet the standard entry requirements they will be assessed under flexible admission. Flexible Assessment, Program-Specific Admission
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I don’t have a diploma (undergraduate), can I still apply for an undergraduate (graduate) program?
Yes. Students that may not meet standard admission requirements will be assessed under flexible admission. Flexible Assessment, Program-Specific Admission
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Admission Process
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline for most programs is normally 20 business days before the program start date. Check specific program information in case of exceptions.
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13I’m self-employed, who can provide references?
Other referees could include clients, volunteers, professional colleagues, or character references.
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Should I provide an official transcript for professional development or a non-credit program?
All forms of learning are considered a valuable part or your experience. Normally, copies of the transcript, certificate, or diploma are recommended as they add strength to your application.
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Can my employer write a reference letter for me?
Yes, this is one of the preferred sources for a reference.
Visit the Supporting Documents page.
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Do I attach my supporting documents to the online application form?
No. Supporting documents must be submitted separately. At this time, you cannot attach documents to the online application form. Document Submission
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Do you want to receive all of the supporting documents together?
This is not a requirement. Document Submission
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Is there a format for the supporting documents?
Specific document format requirements may be outlined with Program Specific Admissions information. We recommend including your name and applicant number on each page of your documents. Program-Specific Admission
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Is it better to apply earlier or later?
We recommend that applicants start the application process at least four months prior to the start date. Due to limited seating it is better to apply early because applications are processed and seats are filled on a rolling basis.
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Can I hand deliver my documents to Admissions directly?
Yes. Documents can be hand delivered to the Admissions Office located on the 2nd floor of the Mews Conference Centre. Visit the Campus Map page.
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Who should I address my personal statement to?
As there are several stages in the review process, supporting documents should be addressed to Admissions. For guidelines on how to submit supporting documents, please refer to the Document Submission page.
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Who do I send my documents to?
The Admissions office. For guidelines on how to submit supporting documents, please refer to the Document Submission page.
If my first application is denied, can I re-apply at a later date?
Yes. All documents need to be resubmitted as they must be dated within six months of the application date and they must be program specific. The exception is official transcripts (when no new education has been completed) that are kept up to one year after being denied.
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Can I send transcripts electronically?
No. Transcripts cannot be sent electronically. Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in a sealed envelope.
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How do I register for flexible admission?
All applicants begin by filling out the online application form, paying the fee, and submitting the required supporting documents. Applicants who do not meet standard admission requirements are automatically assessed under flexible admission. No specific action is required to be considered for flexible admission. rogram-Specific Admission
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If I submit an application and the program is full, do I have to re-apply?
If the program is full and you are admissible, you will be provided with a waitlist seat or made an offer to the next start date of the program. You do not need to re-apply.
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How many students are accepted into the program?
This varies with each program. Please contact an Enrolment Advisor for program specific information.
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What if I need to change my start date?
Please put your request for a change of start date in an e-mail to Admissions@royalroads.ca.
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Can I transfer any of the courses I already have?
Please refer to the Academic Regulations for specific information on transfer and advance standing.
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How do I apply?
Specific directions for submitting an application can be found on the How to Apply page.
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My transcripts aren’t relevant to this program; do I still need to submit them?
Yes. Applicants are responsible for declaring and arranging for the submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. In limited cases the admissions office, with the approval of a designated adjudicator, may exempt a credential if not directly relevant to the proposed program of study and/or is superseded by a higher credential.
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My transcript has transfer credit from a previous institution, do I need to provide a transcript from my original institution?
Yes. Applicants are responsible for declaring and arranging for the submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Transfer credit may not include all courses, course names or grades taken at the originating institution.
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When will I hear whether I’ve been accepted or not?
Once your application has been deemed complete by Admissions the review process can take up to four weeks. If your application includes international transcripts this process may be extended. Please consider applying at least four months prior to the start of the program to ensure there is ample time for the entire application process.
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Can I apply after the program deadline date has passed?
Yes but your application will be considered for the next start date.
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Can I make changes to my online application?
Once you have hit the submit button it is not possible to make changes to your application. Should you need to change something please send your request to Admissions@royalroads.ca.
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How do I get an academic reference if it’s been years since I’ve been in school?
Not all programs require an academic reference letter. Academic reference letters only apply if the post secondary has been completed within the last five years and you are in regular contact with the professor. As an alternative to an academic reference consider a character, volunteer or additional professional letter can be submitted.
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For an external credential evaluation, is there a specific type of report required?
Yes, you need to arrange for a comprehensive report recommended for educational institutions, not a basic report, to be sent directly to Royal Roads by one of the recommended agencies. This report includes all the information in a Basic Report, but also lists course subjects and converts both grades and credits or units and provides a calculation of the grade point average as well as identifying the language of instruction. Please take into consideration that it normally takes a minimum of seven weeks to complete the report from the date all necessary documents are received by the evaluation agency.
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Can I use the Royal Roads University credential evaluation at another institution?
No. If Royal Roads University does the evaluation it will be specific to our own requirements and a report is not generated.
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Can I use a credential evaluation done by another university or college?
No. An evaluation done by another university or college will be specific to their individual requirements and will not be relevant to Royal Roads.
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Does Royal Roads University still need official transcripts if a full (Comprehensive) credential evaluation report is submitted by a recognized external evaluator?
No. You will need to submit a copy of the original transcripts, but RRU will not need official transcripts, provided we receive an official comprehensive report directly from the evaluation agency.
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I was unable to complete my application last year. Do I need to reapply and pay another application fee?
Applicants may submit a written request to reactivate a cancelled or declined application within one year of the file closure. At such time, the Admissions Office will determine if additional documents and/or fees are required to fully reactivate the application and commence with processing.
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International Student Admission Requirements and Process to Study at Royal Roads University, B.C. Canada
As an international student, do I need a student visa/permit?
Yes. Different countries have different rules, contact your embassy. International Admission
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I’ve been living and working in Canada for 20 years, do I have to provide a TOEFL or IELTS test result?
Yes. One can apply without the TOEFL or IELTS if excellence in English proficiency can be proved in other ways. English Requirements
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Fees and Costs
Does Royal Roads University have grants or scholarships?
Royal Roads University offers a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships. Descriptions and contact information can be found on the Financial Aid & Awards pages.
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Is the tuition quoted for one year or two?
For most programs tuition is quoted for the entire length of the program. Books, special functions, student service fees, student association fees (undergraduate), accommodation, meals, travel are not included in tuition.
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What other costs will there be?
Accommodation, meals, textbooks, travel, student services fee, health insurance for on-campus students, undergraduate student association fee and special function fees if required. Ancillary Fees
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What does the tuition fee include?
Cost of courses only.
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Does the tuition fee quoted include taxes?
There are no taxes on post-secondary education.
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Do I pay HST on tuition?
No. There are no taxes on tuition.
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General FAQs
Is Royal Roads University an accredited university?
Accreditation is not a term that generally applies to universities in Canada. Royal Roads University is authorized to grant degrees as a Canadian public university by the Province of British Columbia through the Royal Roads University Act. We are a member institution of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. Our operations are directed by a Board of Governors whose members are among the top leaders in business, government and public policy.
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What does DL mean on the program schedule?
Distance Learning. Studying online via the Internet.
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On the program schedules, what is meant by blended?
Blended means there is a mix of both online (DL) and on-campus study. Some courses include periods of both and others are either fully on campus or fully online.
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Can the on-campus courses be done online?
No. The on-campus courses cannot be done online. They have specifically been designed for face-to-face delivery and are not available in an online model.
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Is the residency period mandatory?
Yes. The design and focus of programs at Royal Roads University is one in which strong emphasis is placed on the concept of the learning community. Many programs achieve this through the cohort-model of delivery, where all students start and journey through the program as one group.
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Can I work at my own pace?
No. Most Royal Roads University programs are delivered in a cohort model where students begin and complete the program together. The program, although asynchronous, is structured with course start and end dates with hard deadlines for assignments and exams. The flexibility in the program comes when you choose to study or attend online in ones learn site. The learn site can be accessed at any time of day or night.
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Can one work full time and study at the same time?
Yes. Royal Roads University was created to provide working professionals with accessible education. The programs are designed so that one can work and have life balance while earning their degree. The delivery model of most Royal Roads programs is short face-to-face periods of classes (residency periods) combined with distance learning (DL) through a learning platform based in the Internet. One attends the residency periods at Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C., Canada, then goes home to take classes over the Internet.
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I am a previous student who withdrew from a program, do I have to re-apply?
No, students who wish to return to the program may request reinstatement through the Registrar’s Office. Please review the student status information in Academic Regulations.
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FAQs

Admission Requirements

Admission Process

International Student Admission Requirements and Process to Study at Royal Roads University, B.C. Canada

Fees and Costs

General FAQs

Prospective Students

Admissions

Finances

Communities

Learning Resources

About Us

The University

Schools & Centres