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Step-By-Step Guide to Starting at TRU

  1. Step 1.
    1. Accept Your Placement Offer
    2. Fulfill Any Outstanding Conditions of Your Offer
    3. Look for Accommodation
    4. International Students
    5. Aboriginal Students
    6. Students With Family
    7. Students With a Disability
  2. Step 2.
    1. Develop an Estimated Budget
    2. Find Funding
  3. Step 3.
    1. Enrollment
    2. Fee Payment 
  4. Step 4.
    1. Student ID and Library Card
    2. Textbooks
    3. U-Pass
    4. Daytimer
    5. Parking Passes
    6. Novell Account
  5. Step 5.
    1. Help

Welcome to TRU!  You are going to enjoy your time in the city of Kamloops, and once your studies are finished you will leave TRU as an accomplished individual who is a leader in your field.  Before all of that happens, however, there are some steps which need to be taken.

Step 1.

Accept Your Placement Offer

Once you receive an official letter which states you are accepted (conditionally or unconditionally) into your degree program you are required to complete any outstanding conditions of offer and either sign and submit the accompanying 'Accept or Decline' form to the Admissions Office, or follow the instructions given in the offer letter.  The various degree programs have different acceptance procedures, so be sure to read your letter of offer carefully.  Finally, be sure to follow all of the required steps in accepting your offer as soon as possible to help complete your admissions process.

Fulfill Any Outstanding Conditions of Your Offer

If you are issued a conditional acceptance you need to ensure that all the conditions have been met prior to final admission can be given. 

Look for Accommodation

TRU offers many accommodation options both on and off campus, and the city of Kamloops generally has many apartments and houses available for rent by students.  See the TRU Housing website for further information on the housing options which may be right for you.

International Students

Specific information for arriving international students can be found on the TRU World website.  Their 'Pre-Departure Handbook'  is especially beneficial.

Aboriginal Students

Information and services for aboriginal students can be found on the Aboriginal Services section of the TRU website.

Students With Family

TRU offers students with family a comprehensive daycare option through Cariboo Child Care, an on-campus daycare which oversees children aged 8 weeks to 12 years.  The centre is operated by qualified staff, and as a practicum site for the Thompson Rivers University's early Childhood Education Program, it models and maintains best-practice child-care philosophies and techniques.

Students With a Disability

For more information on TRU's Disability Services please see the website.

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Step 2.

Develop an Estimated Budget

The expected costs for a graduate student at TRU will differ depending on the program of study and a person's individual living situation.  The various program websites will provide information on their specific tuition fees, and further details on budget development and adherence can be obtained through TRU's Financial Aid and Awards Office.

Find Funding

Having appropriate funding for your studies in one of the keys to graduate student success, and for international students it should be obtained prior to your arrival in Canada as it is generally very difficult to obtain once you have left your home country. The Financial Aid and Awards Office can provide information on Canada Student Loans and other loan sources, and the Office of Graduate Education can give you further details on graduate Scholarship, Grants and Awards opportunities for both domestic and international students.  The office also can help with the various application processes.

TRU's Student Employment Centre can supply you with further information on working during your studies,  they provide comprehensive work related guidance and instruction, and they offer students a diverse array of career postings.
International students can obtain further information on working in Canada during and after their study period from TRU World's 'Pre-Departure Handbook' or from the knowledgeable International Student Advisors.

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Step 3.

Enrollment

Once you are admitted, you enroll in the courses you want to take - if required - in accordance with the instructions contained in the "Registration Notice" mailed to you. In some programs, students are pre-enrolled into the appropriate courses for their program of study.  There are a number of ways to register for courses at TRU which are determined by your program of study.  Contact TRU's Registration Office, or your program supervisor for complete information.

Fee Payment

Tuition payments are generally made in three installments per year, that is one payment per semester, though some programs have alternate fee schedules.  Check with your program administrator for complete details.  All fees must be paid prior to your program commencement, and can be paid in a number of ways.   

1. By mail:

TRU Admissions Office
P.O. Box 3010
900 McGill Road
Kamloops, British Columbia
V2C 5N3
CANADA

2. Via the web using TRU Online using either Visa or MasterCard
  
3. In Person at the Campus Cashier located in the Old Main Building (OM1614) who accepts cash, cheque, major credit cards, money orders, and Interact.

4. Phone the Campus Cashier at (250) 371-5646 and pay with Visa or MasterCard.

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Step 4.

Once you arrive at the university there are a number of things which you should do prior to the start of class.

Student ID and Library Card

Your student ID card can be obtained at the Campus Cashier located in the Old Main Building (OM1614), and be sure to bring your fee payment receipt with you to the Cashier. This card, as well as being your library card, serves as your primary piece of identification on campus, and it will prove your eligibility for may different student discounts around the city.

Textbooks

Textbooks can be purchased at the TRU Bookstore at the beginning of the semester.  It is recommended that you take some time and go before classes begin to avoid the start-of-term rush.

U-Pass

TRU participates in an agreement with British Columbia Transit which provides a transit pass to all TRU students.  The cost of the pass is incorporated in TRU's ancillary fees, and it provides unlimited travel on Kamloops transit services for four months, or one semester. Pick up your Universal Bus Pass (U-Pass) at the Student Union Office located in the Campus Activity Centre.

Daytimer

The TRU Student Union provides all students with a no-cost daytimer.  It can be picked up at the Student Union office in the Campus Activity Centre.

Parking Passes

Weekly, monthly, and semester parking passes can be obtained through the TRU Bookstore. 

Novell Account

If you wish to have a TRU e-mail address, to access the internet from off campus, or to access the internet wirelessly from TRU, you will need to acquire a TRU Novell Account.  This can be done through the Information and Technologies office in the Old Main building (OM1326)

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Step 5.

If you require assistance, or if you have any questions, about any of the above steps for new graduate students the first person you should contact is your program supervisor.  This person will be familiar with the above processes, and if she/he cannot answer a question she/he will be able to place you in contact with someone who does. 

The staff from the office of Research, Innovation Transfer, and Graduate Education will also be able to answer any questions you may have.

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