Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is a public university with four campuses across Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. Through ApplyBoard, international students can apply to bachelor's degrees and one post-baccalaureate diploma, with intakes in fall, spring, and summer.
Why Choose Kwantlen Polytechnic University?
- Four Metro Vancouver Campuses: KPU Surrey, KPU Richmond, KPU Langley, and KPU Tech in Cloverdale give you options across the region, all connected by public transit.
- Polytechnic Breadth: KPU combines university degrees with applied, career-focused programs in business, design, and technology.
- Strong Business Programs: KPU's Bachelor of Business Administration offers majors such as Accounting, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and International Business, all at a shared tuition rate.
- Small Class Sizes: With about 12,000 full-time equivalent students across four campuses, KPU offers a more personal learning environment than many larger universities.
Note: KPU does not currently offer master's degrees. Its most advanced credential for international students is the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma.
Explore Kwantlen Polytechnic University Programs
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Kwantlen Polytechnic University Fees for International Students
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) charges international students tuition per credit. For the 2026–2027 academic year (September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027), the standard undergraduate international tuition rate is CAD $755.77 per credit, plus mandatory university student fees equal to 7% of tuition ($52.90 per credit). This brings the combined rate to approximately $808.67 per credit, before additional fees.
Most full-time international students taking 9–15 credits per term for two terms can expect to pay approximately CAD $16,400–$26,400 per year in tuition and mandatory student fees, including applicable KSA and transit fees. Your actual costs depend on your program, credit load, and other charges. Use KPU's official cost of attendance page and tuition estimator to calculate your estimated costs.
Note: These are 2026-2027 figures (September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027). KPU has not published 2027-28 rates yet. English-language courses (ENGQ and ELST) are billed at a lower rate of $447.55 per credit, including the mandatory fee.
Other Student Fees
In addition to tuition, international students should budget for application fees, deposits, transit, and health insurance.
KPU automatically enrolls new international students in its Guard.me temporary medical insurance plan. Apply for BC MSP as soon as you arrive in British Columbia. A waiting period of approximately three months may apply before coverage begins, so temporary or other appropriate private insurance is important during the transition.
KPU students may also be charged for the KSA extended health and dental plans. Eligible students may opt out of those plans if they have comparable alternative coverage and meet the applicable deadlines. Check the KPU cost of attendance page for the latest estimates and the application fees and deposits page for current payment requirements.
Note: Fees and insurance requirements can change. Confirm the amounts, coverage dates, eligibility rules, and payment deadlines with KPU before making financial arrangements.
International Student Scholarships
KPU offers several entrance awards open to new students, including international applicants.
To keep most entrance awards, you must take at least 12 credits per term and maintain a CGPA of 3.0 or higher. See the KPU awards for new students page for the current list and deadlines.
Programs at Kwantlen Polytechnic University
KPU offers more than 140 programs across business, design, science, arts, and technology at its four campuses. Business Administration is especially popular with international students, with majors available at the Surrey, Richmond, and Langley campuses.
Warning! KPU suspended several programs in 2026, including both Graduate Diplomas in Business Administration, Mechatronics, the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Technical Management and Services, and Cloud Architecture. Of KPU's post-baccalaureate diplomas, only Operations and Supply Chain Management is currently eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Check KPU's current program list before you apply.
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma Program
Operations and Supply Chain Management (Civic Plaza)
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma
Build skills in logistics, procurement, and operations planning for graduates who already hold a bachelor's degree. It is the only KPU post-baccalaureate diploma currently eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Business Administration Programs
Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting (Richmond)
Degree, 4 years
Study financial and managerial accounting, auditing, and taxation, building toward a professional accounting designation.
Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting (Surrey)
Degree, 4 years
The same Accounting major as Richmond, offered at KPU's Surrey campus.
Bachelor of Business Administration – Human Resource Management (Surrey)
Degree, 4 years
Study recruitment, labour relations, and compensation, preparing graduates for HR roles across industries.
Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Management (Surrey)
Degree, 4 years
Learn brand management, market research, and digital marketing strategy, with applied projects throughout the program.
Bachelor of Business Administration – Entrepreneurial Leadership (Richmond)
Degree, 4 years
Practice-driven degree that equips students with core business management, venture-creation, and strategic leadership skills, complemented by optional paid co-op work terms for hands-on industry experience.
Other Bachelor's Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science – Health Science (Surrey)
Degree, 4 years
Study human biology, population health, and health systems, a common foundation for careers or further study in the health sciences.
Bachelor of Design – Fashion and Technology (Richmond)
Degree, 4 years
Combine fashion design with technical skills in pattern making, textiles, and production, at KPU's Wilson School of Design.
Bachelor of Arts – Criminology (Surrey)
Degree, 4 years
Study the causes of crime, the justice system, and corrections, a common path toward careers in law, policing, or social services.
Bachelor of Science – Psychiatric Nursing (Langley)
Degree, 4 years
Blends theory, mental health promotion, and hands-on clinical practicums to prepare graduates for licensing as Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) in British Columbia.
Note: KPU offers more than 140 programs in total. Intakes and availability change often, and some programs move to a waitlist. Check the ApplyBoard platform for the programs and campuses currently open.
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements vary by program. The general requirements below are a guide. Always confirm the specific requirements for your program before applying.
- Bachelor's degree: KPU's English requirement, plus secondary school graduation or 9 or more completed undergraduate credits. Limited-intake programs, such as Design and Nursing, have extra requirements.
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Operations and Supply Chain Management: KPU's English requirement, plus a completed bachelor's degree.
- Pathway option: Students who do not meet the English requirement can apply through KPU's International Pathway to Undergraduate Studies.
English Language Requirements
Most international applicants must show proof of English language proficiency, and test results must be less than two years old. KPU accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE, Duolingo, CAEL, LanguageCert Academic, and its own English Placement Test (EPT).
Check the English proficiency requirements page for other accepted tests and alternative ways to qualify, such as completing BC English 12 or 3 credits of university-level English.
Check Eligibility and Start Applying
Ready to take the next step? Access your dashboard to review your eligibility and manage your application documents for Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
How to Apply to Kwantlen Polytechnic University Through ApplyBoard
You apply to Kwantlen Polytechnic University through the ApplyBoard platform. The application fee is CAD $120, non-refundable. KPU accepts only one application per intake, so choose your program carefully.
Note: Limited-intake programs, such as Design and Nursing, have earlier deadlines than the final cutoff dates above. Check your program page for the exact date.
Before you apply, prepare the following documents:
- Valid passport (biographical page)
- Official academic transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- English language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo)
- For the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma: your completed bachelor's degree transcript
Submit your application through the ApplyBoard platform. Choose your program, campus, and intake. KPU accepts only one application per intake term, so apply early.
If you meet the requirements, KPU will send your Letter of Acceptance (LOA). Review it carefully, including your deposit deadline.
Pay the CAD $5,000 confirmation deposit to confirm your seat. This amount is applied to your tuition.
Warning! The deposit is non-refundable unless IRCC refuses your study permit or KPU cancels your intake. Keep your refusal letter if you need to request a refund.
KPU issues your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) along with your Letter of Acceptance. You need both to apply for your study permit.
Use your LOA, PAL, and deposit receipt to apply for a Canadian study permit. Submit your refusal letter to KPU promptly if your application is refused, so your deposit can be refunded.
KPU does not yet have on-campus student housing; its first residence, at KPU Surrey, is planned to open in Fall 2030. In the meantime, KPU partners with off-campus providers such as GEC Living and SpacesShared, and lists homestay options for new students. Pay your remaining fees online through myKPU before you register for courses.
Frequently Asked Questions: Kwantlen Polytechnic University
KPU has four campuses in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia: Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and KPU Tech in Cloverdale, plus a smaller Civic Plaza location in Surrey.
New international students pay a non-refundable CAD $5,000 confirmation deposit. Continuing students pay a CAD $2,200 deposit each term. Both are applied to tuition.
Bachelor's degrees are generally eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Of KPU's post-baccalaureate diplomas, only Operations and Supply Chain Management currently has an eligible field-of-study code; others, including Human Resource Management and Technical Management and Services, do not.
Not yet. KPU's first student residence, at the Surrey campus, is planned to open in Fall 2030. Until then, KPU points students to off-campus housing partners and homestay options.
Yes. International students with a valid Canadian study permit are generally permitted to work up to 24 hours per week off campus during term time and full-time during scheduled breaks, subject to their permit conditions.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University offers a practical, business-strong education across four Metro Vancouver campuses. If you are ready to explore programs and apply, your ApplyBoard expert can guide you through every step.
Explore Kwantlen Polytechnic University Programs
Browse all available KPU programs on the ApplyBoard platform and apply today.