Supporting Documents

Supporting documents cannot be submitted through the online application form. See detailed descriptions below or visit our Document Submission page for instructions.

Documents should only be submitted after applying online. Documents received without an active application will only be held for 30 days and subsequently destroyed. 

Applications are not reviewed until all required items are received. Application documents received by the University become the property of Royal Roads University and will normally not be photocopied for the applicant, returned, or forwarded to third parties.

Due to high volume of calls and e-mail received, Admissions Advisors may not be able to respond to requests confirming receipt of individual documentation.

All applicants are required to submit:

• Completed on-line application form
• Appropriate application fee (non-refundable)
• Official transcripts (from all previous and current higher education institutions attended).

All graduate program applicants, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel Management, and undergraduate program flexible admission applicants are also required to submit*: 

• Two letters of reference dated within six months of application (where feasible, one academic and one professional)
• Detailed resume
• Personal Statement or Statement of Intent

 If applicable:

• Transcript Evaluation fee - only for international transcripts - or recognized credential evaluation report (see below)
• When English is a second language, providing proof of English proficiency by submitting an official English Language Proficiency score report that meets minimum requirements
• Applicants claiming permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, who are applying to attend a program at Royal Roads University, must show proof of resident status by providing a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)

*see program specific admission pages as additional requirements may apply to some programs.

Official Transcripts: Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended. Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the sealed original envelope they were issued in.  If this envelope has previously been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and are unacceptable.

International Transcript Evaluation:  All transcripts and degree/graduation certificates from institutions outside of Canada are subject to a credential evaluation to determine their authenticity and the Canadian equivalency of the credential.

Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies at an institution outside of Canada may choose one of two options: 

1. Provide an official comprehensive (course-by-course) credential evaluation report from a recognized evaluation service along with an unofficial copy of their credentials (transcripts and diploma/degree certificates if applicable); or,
2. Provide official credentials (transcripts and diploma/degree certificates if applicable) along with an additional credential evaluation fee in order to have their credentials evaluated by Royal Roads University.

The time required to conduct a comprehensive review of international credentials varies considerably. Therefore, normal processing timelines may be affected.  Applicants are encouraged to apply at least 6 months in advance of the deadline.

Reference Letters: To be considered valid, letters of reference must be program-specific, dated within six months of application, signed by the author, and include at least one contact number. The author may submit letters of reference in hard copy, by facsimile, or by email (from a valid institutional or corporate email domain only; public domain addresses such as Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, etc. cannot be accepted). Applicants may submit letters of reference in hard copy only. RRU reserves the right to request and/or confirm any information received. 

The type of reference letters preferred varies from one program to another - follow the link for Program Specific Requirements. 

Academic and professional references should be a higher priority than personal. The two letters of reference should consist of two of the following types:

• Academic Reference: To be relevant, the education should have been completed within the past five years or you are still in regular contact with the professor. This letter should attest to your performance in the context of your current or previous studies. The letter can address such areas as academic achievement, study skills, teamwork, leadership potential, human relations, flexibility, communication, and technical skills.
• Professional Reference: This letter should attest to your current or previous performance in your professional life. The letter can address areas such as communication skills, interpersonal and leadership skills, management potential, work ethic, etc.
• Personal Character Reference: Your personal character reference should consist of a letter from someone who has known you for several years outside of the context of your work. Please ask the writer to indicate the length of time and context in which they have known you, and to consider the following attributes in their letter about you: integrity, responsibility, adaptability, concern and respect for others, sense of self-esteem and confidence, communication skills and work ethic.

Personal Statement/Statement of Intent:  This statement ranges anywhere from one to four pages in length depending on which program you apply to – follow the link for program specific requirements.  Typically, the Personal Statement or Statement of Intent indicates the motivation for seeking entrance to the program and should comment upon personal and career goals, expectations in relation to the achievement of goals, and the strengths the applicant feels they can bring to the program.

Applicants who do not meet the requirements for standard admission should expand upon why they think their life and work experience and/or related formal education, courses and/or professional development merit adjudication under the Flexible Admissions policy.

Detailed Resume:  Your detailed resume should include the following:

• Education: List all post secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
• Work Experience: Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
• Voluntary / Unpaid Work Experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service, and a brief description of duties. List positions you have held in this service.
• Information Technology Training and Experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
• Professional Memberships/Affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
• Other relevant information.  

Permanent Resident or Convention Refugee Status:  Applicants claiming permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, who are applying to attend a program at Royal Roads University, must show proof of resident status by providing a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR Card).  Students are required to show the original card upon arrival at Royal Roads University.