Transfer Credit

If you have previous education or training, you may be eligible for credit toward your TRU program. Credit can be awarded in several ways at TRU.

• If you are a TRU student who wishes to study abroad for a semester or more during your TRU program, contact Study Abroad for more information
• If you are applying to TRU under a partnership agreement, refer to the appropriate TRU department for domestic or international agreements
• If you have other types of learning/training (E.g., work experience, vocational training, etc) that is not academic, you may be eligible for PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) credit. See PLAR for more information.
• If you have attended a recognized post-secondary institution, you may be awarded transfer credit at TRU

What is transfer credit and why request it?

If you have completed courses at another recognized post-secondary institution, you may be eligible to transfer those academic courses, for credit, to TRU; thus, avoiding duplication of course work and extra expense for your education.

Courses that are significantly simliar to TRU courses will receive a direct equivalent. When an exact TRU equivalent does not exist, unspecified transfer credit in the same or related subject area may be granted instead.

Courses successfully completed at institutions in the BC Transfer System will be granted transfer credit in accordance with equivalencies published in the BC Transfer Guide. Courses not listed in the Guide and courses completed at recognized institutions outside of the BC Transfer System will be assessed on a course-by-course basis.

Generally, all academic courses completed at a recognized institution will normally receive some type of transfer credit at TRU. At the program level, TRU faculty or the program advisor will determine how and which of these courses will apply to your TRU program.

Official transcripts from all prior post-secondary institutions you have attended must be sent to TRU Admissions directly by the issuing institution. Transcripts with courses in progress will be accepted but incomplete courses will not be added to your TRU student record until a final transcript is received. Please remember to order another copy when final grades are available so that your TRU record can be updated. For transcripts in a language other than English or French, please provide a translation by a certified translator in addition to the original transcript.

How are transfer credits awarded?

Applicant has accepted an offer of admission from TRU or is an active TRU student and the TRU Admissions office (Campus, Open Learning, or International) has received all official transcripts directly from all previous post-secondary institutions.

Once you are enrolled in a TRU program and your official transcripts are on file, the admissions office reviews your previous education and either automatically processes potential transfer credits or will contact you to advise further steps to apply for transfer credits. Have your course outlines from your study period available as you may be asked to submit these.

Transfer credit will only be processed when students are admitted in a TRU program and all required documentation is on file.

What is required to receive a transfer credit assessment?

Once you apply to a TRU program and your official documents are received, your previous post-secondary education will be assessed for transfer credit.

If the courses you have taken have not been evaluated previously by TRU, you may be asked to provide detailed course outlines from your study period. Course outlines in a language other than English or French require translations by certified translators in addition to the original outlines.

Once your transfer credits have been processed, it is your responsibility to review them carefully in myTRU and follow up with your program advisor if you have any questions.

A course outline from your study period should contain all of the points listed below. If key information is missing, you may be requested to find adequate outlines or provide a direct confirmation from the institution that the information provided is true and accurate.

• Institution logo and name, the division/faculty/school, the year
• Course code and title
• Number of weeks duration and hours per week, including lab hours, if applicable
• Credit value
• Pre- and co-requisites, if applicable
• Detailed description of the course content and the course objectives
• A list of the topics covered in the course (may include a detailed list of assigned readings)
• Assessment method and assignments
• Textbooks and course materials

Outlines from when you took the courses are acceptable, even if you have made notes on them.

What is the deadline to expect completion of a transfer credit assessment?

Your transfer credit request will be evaluated as quickly as possible in the sequence received. However, a number of factors can cause delays. You can help by submitting all required documentation (official transcript, detailed course outlines, etc) right away, so that you and your program advisor will be able to make informed decisions regarding course selection and program planning. Plan to apply for transfer credit well in advance of when you are registering or planning to take courses.

Other forms of transfer credit

If you are a new TRU applicant with International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP) or Graduate Certificate of Education (GCE) A-Level courses, see IB for more information.

If you are a current TRU student wishing to take a course elsewhere, you will need to consult with your program advisor and obtain a letter of permission (LOP) to ensure that the course will be recognized for transfer credit at TRU and fulfills your program plan.

Still have questions?

Transfer Credit FAQs

If you still have questions, and you are not a TRU student yet, please contact Future Students.

If you are currently a TRU student, please contact your academic advisor.