BC Institute of Technology
This information applies to the 2010-2011 Academic Year.
CONTENTS:
General Institute Requirements
Transfer Credit
Maximum Transfer Credit
Advanced Placement
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
For More Information
This section is published for information purposes only. It is not intended to be a complete statement of all procedures, policies, rule and regulations, nor is it to be construed as an irrevocable contract between the student and the Institute.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit BCIT's Web site at bcit.ca
General Institute Requirements
SECONDARY SCHOOL COMPLETION
Applicants must provide official documentary proof of graduation from a Senior Secondary School or equivalent, as prescribed by the Ministry of Education, Province of British Columbia, or a portion thereof of high school grade attainment as prescribed by individual BCIT programs.
AGE RESTRICTION
At time of enrollment, students must be at least 16 years of age. There is no upper age limit.
APPLICANT RESIDENCY PRIORITY
BCIT's mission is to build pathways for career success in the global marketplace through teaching excellence and applied education and research. The following residency priorities will apply:
1. First Priority -- British Columbia residents who are Canadian Citizens or British Columbia residents with Permanent Resident status at the time of application, who have lived in British Columbia for the immediate twelve months prior to enrollment.
2. Second Priority -- Canadian Citizens and those applicants with Permanent Resident status, who live out of province.
3. Third Priority -- Out of Country (International) applicants, Ministerial Permits at time of application. Anyone obtaining Permanent Resident status after submitting an application will have his/her Resident Status changed to first or second priority after official documentation has been received.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Since all BCIT students must possess an acceptable level of English language skill, applicants whose first language is not English and who have not graduated from a B.C. Senior Secondary School will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency. Details of how this requirement can be met can be found at www.bcit.ca.
SELECTION OF CANDIDATES
The Institute is responsible for the final selection of all candidates and therefore reserves the right to accept only those applicants who appear to have the capabilities necessary for success in the program.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit is a means whereby a student may acquire recognition for academic work completed at a recognized Post-Secondary institution (including BCIT). The definitions for various types of credit are clarified on the BCIT website.
All requests for credit must be initiated by the student. Credit exemption forms are available through Student Information and Enrolment Services (SIES) and must be completed and submitted with official transcripts and detailed course outlines. At this time there is no fee.
BCIT accepts student applications for transfer credit for course work completed at other Post-Secondary Institutions. The course work for which the student is requesting transfer credit must be related to the student's program of studies at BCIT.
Since the granting of transfer credit impacts eligibility for financial aid, awards, honours standing and cooperative program placement, all students applying for transfer credit will receive written notification of the potential impact, at the time of application for transfer credit to SIES.
Students who receive transfer credit can still take the course as a refresher, but only as an audit student. No grades will be recorded on the student's academic record.
Application for transfer credit must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than 14 calendar days after the commencement of classes for each level. Late applications will only be accepted if prior written authorization has been received by the Registrar, from the Technology Associate Dean.
Maximum Transfer Credit
Students may be granted academic credit toward a BCIT credential based upon prior successful academic studies at other educational institutions (transfer credit and/or advanced placement) and/or through credit granted based upon life and/or work experience (prior learning assessment and recognition).
In order to satisfy academic residency requirements for a BCIT credential, a student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 50% of the total required program of study at BCIT. For apprenticeship programs, the residency policy will be satisfied by completion of the final term at BCIT.
This limitation may be appealed by individual programs through Education Council.
Advanced Placement (Formerly Direct Entry)
Those persons who have successfully completed academic study at another institute or another BCIT program, can apply for Advanced Placement into a level beyond level one of their program of choice. Currency of past course work and related work experience may be considered in determining suitable placement.
Students receiving Advanced Placement approval may be given full or partial block credit rather than individual course credit. The maximum amount of credit granted will be in accordance with the Academic Residency Requirements.
Applicants interested in Advanced Placement to programs are admitted only if credit is approved and a space has opened up in the program. In most cases, applicants will be required to complete one or more courses before they are eligible for entry into advanced levels. Therefore it is strongly recommended that applications be submitted at least six months prior to the program start date.
Students are required to meet program entry level English language admission requirements specific to their program (please check the BCIT website for information).
For technology programs, applicants may apply for advanced placement into Level 2 (halfway through first year), Level 3 (beginning of second year) or Level 4 (the final semester). There are two methods of Advanced Placement admission:
1. Proof of course-by-course equivalency to first level/year program requirements.
2. Some programs will grant advanced standing to applicants who have already completed a Degree or Diploma from a recognized Post Secondary Institution. In addition, applicants may be required to complete additional key courses, which are necessary to succeed in advanced levels.
Applicants who have had previous trades training may apply for advanced placement in order to shorten their length of study in a trades program.
All decisions to admit an Advanced Placement applicant must be based on appropriate documentation in order to provide thorough assessment. Students will be required to submit all relevant documentation.
Changes to the student's program of study will be approved in advance of the courses being taken and will be in writing to the student, under the Registrar's signature, and maintained in the student's permanent record.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
PLAR is a system whereby students can use knowledge and skills learned outside recognized programs - including volunteer work, hobbies, on-the-job experience, or self study - to gain exemption for particular courses in the program of their choice. It relies on an assessment of the student on a course-by-course basis. Faculty in the particular program area assess the student by a means appropriate for the course being challenged. For full details on PLAR, please visit www.plar.bcit.ca.
For More Information:
Office of the Registrar
BC Institute of Technology
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2
Tel: (604) 434-1610
Web site: www.bcit.ca
June 2010