University Canada West

New campus

The biggest news for UCW is the opening of its brand-new Vancouver House Campus.

Opened in October 2020, the campus was designed by world-renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingles. The new building includes 90,000 square feet of classrooms, student lounges and computer labs, which can comfortably accommodate more than 3,400 students.

The campus is located downtown between the West End and Yaletown. It is just steps away from Sunset Beach, English Bay and Vancouver's 28-kilometre seawall - the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path.

Designed with sustainability in mind, UCW Vancouver House has green roofs, triple glazing and innovative energy and resource conservation technologies.

Centre for Teaching Excellence

UCW recently announced the establishment of its Centre for Teaching Excellence. The Centre is designed to inspire excellence and innovation in its curriculum and within all aspects of the teaching experience. The centre will collaborate with faculty, staff, students and partners to improve teaching across the board.

Updated MBA program

UCW has updated its Master of Business Administration program to incorporate relevant digital components. The university collaborates with digital leaders, such as Tableau, Salesforce and IBM Design Thinking as part of the institution's aim to become a tech-business university. These partnerships ensure students are equipped with the skills to solve business problems using technology.

UCW has the quality of its teaching at the very core of its principles, something reflected by the announcement of the new Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE). The CTE will work with faculty to expand their knowledge, skills and expertise through creative, innovative and research-driven teaching and technological approaches.

As well as being well-respected academics, professors at University Canada West also have years of industry experience. They bring their own real-world experience in business into the classroom to equip students with the latest knowledge, trends and skills required to succeed in the modern and global business world.

UCW has been accredited by several bodies which certify the quality of courses and teaching. These include the Education Quality Assurance designation. The MBA and BCom programs both have ACBSP Global Business Accreditation and NCMA National Accreditation from CIM Chartered Managers Canada for its MBA and BCom degree programs.

Additionally, UCW has been recognized by the Canadian Bureau for International Education, an association of educational institutions that are dedicated to internationalizing education programs, student services, campuses, and communities.

Benefiting from the experience of other institutions is also something which is actively encouraged at UCW. The university is a member of the BC Transfer System, giving students access to hundreds of credit transfer arrangements with other institutions.

University Canada West offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs.

There are three undergraduate programs, which includes two bachelor-degree programs and the Associate of Arts program. Each of the courses teaches practical skills and industry-relevant knowledge which will help students launch a successful career.

The courses are:

Bachelor of Commerce

This ACBSP and NCMA-accredited program uses a blend of theory and practical learning to give students a deep understanding of modern business. This can be studied either on-campus or online.

Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication

Also available either on-campus or online, this degree is designed to build a student's core skills in writing and research to develop a solid understanding of business communication.

Associate of Arts

An interdisciplinary set of courses designed to equip students with a strong set of skills including writing, communication, research and team performance. It prepares students for either additional education or to enter straight into the workforce. This can also be studied online or on-campus.

Master of Business Administration

Graduate students can pursue this full MBA program accredited by the ACBSP and NCMA. This course is designed to equip students to become effective leaders both on a national and international level. It can be studied online or on-campus.

Eligible students can also pursue the MBA - ACCA Pathway and fulfil both at the same time.

Students who do not have the qualifications for direct entry into the MBA program have the option of completing a set of three MBA Foundation courses online or on-campus.

Individual course entry requirements can be found on the university's website. As a minimum, applicants will need either appropriate qualifications or the ability to demonstrate relevant experience if they are aged 21 or over.

Applicants who do not have English as a first language will also need to show English proficiency in their application. This can come from a variety of recognized tests, such as:

• IELTS (6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in the writing band)
• PTE Academic (61 overall with minimum of 60 in writing)
• TOEFL iBT (88 overall with minimum of 20 in each component)

UCW is also currently piloting the acceptance of Duolingo (110 overall) as proof of English proficiency requirements and will be accepted until the end of 2021.

Students who have successfully completed academic English preparation courses from a recognized English language school may also meet the proficiency requirements.

Any students without the required proficiency still have several study options. The Language Gallery, a preferred language partner of UCW, is launching a new online English training program called TLG Live. Students who complete this will not need to complete an academic IELTS or TOFL exam for admission. As well as including English-language requirements, it also prepares students for their academic studies at a Canadian college or university.

There is also UCW's University Access Program, which is accredited by Languages Canada and is designed to prepare students for higher-level education in English-speaking institutions. Programs are three, six or nine months in length depending on the entry level. This program can be delivered online or on-campus.

The university offers a wide range of scholarships, many of which are eligible to international students.

Awards are applied directly in the form of a reduction in tuition fees, with the total amount never more than the total cost of fees. Students may be required to meet certain requirements throughout the duration of their studies to continue receiving funding.

Each award has different conditions listed, and students must apply by the entrance award application deadline, which is at least 30 days before the start of the first term.

Those who receive an award, scholarship or grant are expected to act as ambassadors for UCW, which includes participating in outreach and alumni engagement initiatives in their home region.

There are several international student awards which are automatically awarded and do not require a scholarship application. These are:

• Pathway to Knowledge Bursary
• Second Language Excellence Scholarship
• Scholarships for Academic Excellence
• Americas Tuition
• Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Regional Grant
• European Grant
• Middle East Regional Grant
• Southeast Asia (SEA) Regional Grant
• Special Targeted Regional Award Program

Funding that requires an application includes:

MBA Foundation Study Grant

An award value of CAD $5,000, which is taken off tuition fees. Students must complete a scholarship application form when applying to UCW, along with a personal statement which describes how undertaking the MBA and Foundation programs will impact their personal and career goals.

Live Our Vision of Education (L.O.V.E) Canada Undergraduate Scholarship

An award value of CAD $5,000 (in the form of tuition credit) for the first 60 credits (two years) of undergraduate degree. It is available to a limited number of students who submit a completed scholarship application form.

UCW's Career Development Centre (CDC) helps students and alumni find their way professionally.

With dedicated career development specialists, the centre can help students with a variety of services, including:

• Business social networking
• Internship resources
• Interview techniques
• Job fairs
• Networking
• On-campus employer information sessions
• Resumes and cover letter writing
• Personal branding on social media/LinkedIn
• Job search techniques

Several workshops and career fairs are also run throughout the year to help build students' skills and present excellent opportunities to meet key contacts.

Many large multi-national companies have offices within walking distance of UCW's campus, giving students plenty of fantastic networking opportunities. Former students of UCW work for several successful companies, including Amazon, Shell, Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, Jet Airlines, BNP Paribas, Air France and Ferrari.

100 per cent of MBA students secured employment within six months of graduation. 67 per cent had secured a job within a month, 88 per cent within three months. Research has shown that students who attend a Canadian college or university graduate with strong earning potential, both domestically and internationally.

UCW has a strong network of alumni, issues an alumni newsletter four times a year and encourages alumni to keep in touch after graduation. By staying connected, strong opportunities for networking, collaboration and career development are presented.