Faculty of Arts

Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Admissions

Admission requirements

  • Successful completion of a two-year (60-credit) diploma from any Association of Canadian Community Colleges member institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5; or completion of an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5; or completion of 60 university credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
  • Students are required to produce evidence of English language proficiency: a minimum of 73 percent on the combined English 12 and government exam (within the last five years); or Level 4 on the composition section of the Language Proficiency Index (within the last two years); or completion of ENGL 0600; or completion of ESAL 0570 and 0580 with a grade of C+ or better.

Admission decisions

Admission priority will be given to those applicants who present above-average grades, a superior admission statement and who, where necessary, interview well.

Interview

Applicants who meet the minimum requirement for entry into the BIS program may be requested to attend an interview with members of the BIS Steering Committee. Students will be notified well in advance of the date, time and location of the interviews, which will be held on campus in Kamloops. In exceptional circumstances, applicants may be offered the opportunity to be interviewed by telephone.

Admission at first-year university

Students entering university who are interested in the BIS degree should enter TRU in Bachelor of Arts, Science or Business, then apply to the BIS program in their second year. If accepted, they will formally enter the BIS in their third year.

Diploma program graduates or students transferring from another college or university can apply directly for admission to the BIS.

Educational requirements (for first-year admission to Arts at TRU)

  • BC Grade 12 (or equivalent)
  • English 12 (or equivalent) with C+ minimum

Students will also need Math and other prerequisite courses if entering Business or Science.

Other requirements

Students are required to produce evidence of English language proficiency: a minimum of 73 percent on the combined English 12 and government exam (within the last five years); or Level 4 on the composition section of the Language Proficiency Index (within the last two years); or completion of ENGL 060; or completion of EASL 057 and 058 with a grade of C+ or better.

Admission of undergraduate students

Degree students at TRU or elsewhere can apply to the BIS degree during their second year of study, if they will have 48 – 60 credits of study completed prior to admission.

Admission of diploma graduates

Successful completion of a two- or three-year (60-90 credit) diploma from any Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) or AUCC member institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5; or completion of an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Admissions process

Selective — All applications with be reviewed, and credits from other institutions will be evaluated for transfer according to established standards determined by appropriate articulation committees, or the Office of the Registrar. Applicants may be requested to attend an interview with members of the BIS Steering Committee.

Admission deadlines

Please refer to the Admission Deadlines page

Advance credits — AP/IB

TRU recognizes both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses for credit in the first year. For detailed credit information, see BCCAT.

Dual credits

The TRU Start dual credit program allows students in BC high schools to complete one or two university courses (on campus or by distance) in their Grade 12 year. These credits count towards their degree studies at TRU.

Program start dates

Students normally enter the program in September or January if they are taking courses on campus. Some distance courses are also based on September or January start dates, while others offer the ability to start at any time.

Transfers to TRU

Students may transfer up to 60 credits of acceptable study from any other college or university in Canada or the US. (BC students can check course transferability on BCCAT. Evaluation of transfer credit is done on an individual basis, except where formal transfer agreements are in place.

Transfer agreements

Associate Degrees: TRU guarantees 60 credits to all associate degree graduates from BC public post-secondary institutions.

Laddering from a diploma

The BIS is designed to enable all diploma students to ladder credits from their diploma.

Program costs

Please refer to Know Your Costs to calculate tuition and fees.

Fee payment

For details, see the Paying Your Tuition page.