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Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Surrey, Canada · Public · Est. 1981

Updated 28 Oct 2026

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Established

1981

Type

Public

Location

Surrey, Canada

Ranking

Not ranked

About the university

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) began as Kwantlen College in 1981, started awarding degrees in 1995 and became a polytechnic university in 2008. It teaches more than 16,000 students a year across five campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley and Cloverdale, south and east of Vancouver.

KPU combines university degrees with applied diplomas, trades and design. Its Melville School of Business offers bachelor's degrees, post-baccalaureate diplomas and graduate diplomas, and its computing department runs a Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology and a Diploma in Computer Information Systems.

Surrey has one of the largest Punjabi and wider Indian communities in Canada, which is a big reason KPU is familiar to Indian families. KPU charges by the credit, so your yearly fee depends on how many courses you take. Check KPU's PGWP-eligible list before choosing a programme: some popular post-baccalaureate and graduate diplomas are not on it.

KPU has no student residence yet (one is planned for KPU Surrey around 2030), so almost all students rent rooms or stay in homestays in Surrey, Richmond or nearby.

Founded
1981 as Kwantlen College; degree-granting from 1995; renamed Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2008
Type
Public polytechnic university in British Columbia
Students
Over 16,000 a year (about 12,000 full-time equivalent)
Campuses
Five in Metro Vancouver: Surrey, Surrey Civic Plaza, Richmond, Langley and KPU Tech (Cloverdale)
Intakes
Fall (September), Spring (January) and Summer (May), depending on the programme
International tuition (2026-27)
CAD 755.77 per credit; KPU estimates CAD 16,400–26,400 a year full-time

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 9 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (CAD)Approx. in rupees
    Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Operations and Supply Chain Management24 months full-time (33 credits), optional co-op for Fall entrantsC$12,470≈ ₹8.4 lakh
    Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology4 years (120 credits), optional co-opC$22,673≈ ₹15.2 lakh
    Diploma in Computer Information Systems2 years (60 credits), optional co-opC$22,673≈ ₹15.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting4 years (120 credits), optional co-opC$22,673≈ ₹15.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management4-year BBAC$22,673≈ ₹15.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management4-year BBAC$22,673≈ ₹15.2 lakh
    Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Leadership4-year BBAC$22,673≈ ₹15.2 lakh
    Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting2 years (51 credits; 61 with co-op)C$19,272≈ ₹12.9 lakh

    Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

    Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Kwantlen Polytechnic University with similar universities in Canada.

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    Scholarships

    • New students starting in Spring or Fall

      KPU Major Entrance Scholarships

      Value: 6 President's Scholarships of CAD 30,000; 18 Merit Scholarships of CAD 7,500

      Eligibility: Accepted first-time applicants, chosen mainly on academic achievement plus a personal statement and community involvement. Renewal needs a 3.0 CGPA and 12 credits a term. KPU's page does not say whether international students qualify, so ask awards@kpu.ca.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)
    • New students (Fall intake)

      Donor-funded entrance awards

      Value: Over 50 awards of CAD 1,000–5,000

      Eligibility: Criteria differ by award; check each award's terms for international eligibility.

      Official page (opens in a new tab)

    Admission requirements

    Undergraduate

    • Secondary school completion equivalent to BC Grade 12 (Class 12 from CBSE, CISCE or a state board), plus KPU's undergraduate English requirement.
    • Some programmes set a maths level: the BTech in IT and the Computer Information Systems diploma need Mathematics level E1 on KPU's Mathematics Alternatives Table.
    • Apply online (application fee CAD 120). Limited-intake programmes close early; Fall applications open on 1 October.
    • A CAD 5,000 non-refundable confirmation deposit, counted towards tuition, secures your place.

    Postgraduate

    • Post-baccalaureate diplomas need a recognised undergraduate degree; HR Management asks for a GPA equivalent of 2.33, and the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration asks for 2.67.
    • KPU's PGWP-eligible list (updated January 2026) includes the Operations and Supply Chain Management post-baccalaureate diploma but not the Accounting or HR post-baccalaureate diplomas or the graduate diplomas in business administration.
    • Graduate diploma applicants submit an 800–1,000 word statement of intent and two professional references.

    Documents

    • Valid passport
    • Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
    • Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts (post-baccalaureate and graduate diplomas)
    • English test score report
    • Statement of intent and references (graduate diplomas)
    • Provincial Attestation Letter (issued by KPU) for the study permit

    Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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    English language requirements

    English requirements
    Test or routeTypical requirement
    IELTS Academic6.5 overall, no band below 6.0
    TOEFL iBT88, no section below 20
    PTE Academic61
    Duolingo English Test110
    Other routesCAEL 70, LanguageCert 70, or a degree or two-year diploma from an English-medium institution. KPU's calendar does not list a Class 12 English waiver for India.

    Accommodation and living costs

    KPU has no on-campus housing at present; its first residence, at KPU Surrey, is expected around 2030. KPU points students to partner residences (GEC Living), homestay agencies, SpacesShared home-sharing and private rentals, and warns about rental scams.

    Accommodation and living costs
    ItemIn CADApprox. in rupees
    Living costs (KPU estimate)Minimum estimate on KPU's international costs pageC$2,500per month≈ ₹1.7 lakh
    Studio apartment, average rentCMHC 2022 average quoted on KPU's housing pageC$1,378per month≈ ₹92,326
    One-bedroom apartment, average rentCMHC 2022 average quoted on KPU's housing pageC$1,543per month≈ ₹1 lakh
    Temporary medical insurance (guard.me)Until BC provincial health cover startsC$201per semester≈ ₹13,450

    Campus and location

    KPU's main campus is in Surrey (Newton), with a second Surrey site at Civic Plaza in the city centre, a Richmond campus for design, a Langley campus and KPU Tech in Cloverdale for trades.

    • Business and computing courses run mainly at Surrey, Richmond and Langley; check your timetable before choosing where to live.
    • Surrey has a very large Punjabi community, with gurdwaras, temples and Indian groceries.
    • U-Pass BC gives students transit access across Metro Vancouver (CAD 58.96 a month in 2026-27).
    • Vancouver International Airport is close to KPU Richmond.

    Careers and graduate outcomes

    Many KPU degrees and diplomas offer co-op work terms, and the Melville School of Business runs a paid business strategy internship. Co-op is competitive and not guaranteed. Check PGWP eligibility for your exact programme; see our Canada guide for work rules.

    Graduate outcomes
    WhatFigureSource
    Graduates in the labour force96%BC Student Outcomes surveys 2023–2025, quoted on KPU's facts page
    Of those in the labour force, employed92%BC Student Outcomes surveys 2023–2025, quoted on KPU's facts page
    Employed graduates in a related job67%BC Student Outcomes surveys 2023–2025, quoted on KPU's facts page

    Studying in Canada

    Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:

    Other universities in Canada

    Compare all universities in Canada

    FAQs

    How much does KPU cost for an Indian student?

    KPU charges CAD 755.77 per credit in 2026-27, plus about CAD 52.90 per credit in student fees. A full-time year of 30 credits is about CAD 22,700 in tuition. KPU estimates CAD 16,400–26,400 a year in tuition and student fees.

    Which KPU post-graduate programmes are PGWP-eligible?

    KPU publishes its own list. In January 2026 it included the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Operations and Supply Chain Management, but not the Accounting or HR post-baccalaureate diplomas or the graduate diplomas in business administration. Check the latest list and our Canada guide before applying.

    What English score does KPU need?

    IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 88, PTE 61 or Duolingo 110. KPU does not list a Class 12 English waiver for Indian students.

    Does KPU have hostels?

    Not yet. A residence is planned at KPU Surrey for about 2030. Until then students use homestays, partner residences or private rentals.

    When are KPU's intakes?

    Fall (September), Spring (January) and Summer (May). Fall applications open on 1 October and limited-intake programmes can close early.

    Sources

    1. KPU International: costs (opens in a new tab)
    2. KPU Bylaw No. 4: fees from 1 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
    3. KPU: PGWP-eligible programme list (opens in a new tab)
    4. KPU calendar: English proficiency requirements (opens in a new tab)
    5. KPU: Operations and Supply Chain Management (post-baccalaureate) (opens in a new tab)
    6. KPU calendar: Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology (opens in a new tab)
    7. KPU: entrance scholarships (opens in a new tab)
    8. KPU: facts and figures (opens in a new tab)
    9. KPU: housing resources (opens in a new tab)
    10. KPU: international application timelines (opens in a new tab)

    Official website: www.kpu.ca (opens in a new tab)

    Check the latest details

    We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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