Thompson Rivers University provides quality education and strives for excellence while ensuring its students get the support they need to succeed. The university welcomes all people and cultures and promotes intercultural understanding.
Table of Contents
Overview
About this university
TRU offers more than 140 on-campus programs and more than 60 Open Learning programs in areas such as arts, business, computer science, education, environment, law, nursing, sciences, social work, tourism and trades and technology. Its average class size is 31 students.
A vibrant community of more than 14,000 students on campus are working towards graduate and undergraduate degrees, diplomas, apprenticeships, professional certificates, continuing studies, and English as a Second Language. In addition, the university has more than 3,300 international students from over 100 countries. Wherever students are from, TRU helps them follow their passion.
Students enjoy the university’s many academic options, individualized support and practical learning experiences. Learners are guided by expert faculty who foster a creative, innovative and flexible learning environment.
Breathtaking Canadian experience
The Kamloops and Williams Lake campuses are based within the traditional territory of the Secwepemc peoples, in the interior of British Columbia. Kamloops is an area of stunning natural beauty, boasting hiking trails, ski runs, rivers, wildlife and rich heritage. It takes around three and a half hours to get there from Vancouver.
What’s new
TRU sustainability mission
Thompson Rivers University is dedicated to positively impacting the planet, from how it teaches and cares for its people to its environmental footprint.
A big part of this is sustainability, one of TRU’s core values. The university recently signed the Global Climate Letter for Universities and Colleges, further demonstrating its commitment to helping the climate crisis. The letter is a pledge to reach net zero by 2030–2050. TRU’s President, Brett Fairbairn, was proud to sign the letter on behalf of the TRU community.
Some of the actions TRU is taking include:
- Working towards a carbon-neutral and sustainable campus
- Campus tree program, where students can volunteer to help with and learn about planting and preserving trees
- Bike sharing initiative
- Removing single-use items
- Conserving water
New programs of interest at TRU
- Master of Science in Data Science
- Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice
- Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Applied Data Science
Finances
How much will it cost?
| Average tuition fees per year | Living costs |
| CAD$16,880 | CAD$19,560 | CAD$10,251 | CAD$8,900 |
| Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Living costs | To live on campus |
| CAD$18,360 | |||
| Vocational |
Scholarships & funding
TRU offers a wide range of scholarships and funding opportunities, including:
International Athletic Scholarships
Students of outstanding sporting ability who demonstrate athletic excellence by qualifying for one of TRU’s Varsity Teams may be considered for an athletic scholarship.
Engineering Scholarships
International students accepted and enrolled in TRU’s two-year Engineering Transfer program will be considered.
Jorge Campos Award for Mexican Citizens
The scholarship is open only to Mexican citizens currently enrolled in a full-time program of studies in Mexico.
Scholarships for American Students
US citizens admitted to a TRU undergraduate program of two years, or longer are eligible for an automatic scholarship of USD 2,000 per student.
Scholarships for Residents of The Bahamas and Caribbean
Available for students from The Bahamas (or Jamaica if there are no eligible applicants from The Bahamas) entering an undergraduate program in the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism.
International Social Media Ambassador Awards
Several awards are available for international and Canadian students in promoting TRU worldwide as a study destination.
Diversity Scholarships
TRU offers global diversity scholarships to new international students who demonstrate excellent academics from countries that are underrepresented on campus. To be considered, students should meet one of the following: 3.0 GPA or 6.5 IELTS or 88 TOEFL iBT.
Academic Excellence Award
To be considered, students must have a minimum GPA of 86 percent (A) during last year of high school/college/university.
Exceptional Student Award
To be considered, students must have a minimum GPA of 80 percent (A-) during the last year of high school/college/university and gain direct entry to academic studies (IELTS 6.5+).
Eligibility
Entry requirements
International students must be at least 17 years old to study at TRU.
Each program has different academic requirements, but all students must have completed their secondary school education at a minimum.
English language requirements
There are English requirements for applicants from countries where English may not be the first official language.
- IELTS 7.0, no bands below 6.5 for MBA, Master of Nursing, Master of Environmental Economics and Management, Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management and Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice.
- IELTS 6.5, no bands below 6.0 for all other programs
Academic requirements for specific programs can vary.
For academic programs, non-native English speakers must demonstrate a sufficient level of English language ability. They can do this by providing an accepted English language test score by taking the TRU English Placement Test (EPT).
Department and Faculty
Teaching quality
TRU maintains a high standard of quality assurance and holds an Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation through the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training (AEST). Standards for maintaining this trademark are outlined on AEST’s website under Education Quality Assurance. TRU must meet or exceed these qualifications, set out by the Ministry.
Academic support and services
At Thompson Rivers University, students enjoy an average academic class size of 31. In addition, more than 2,000 employees work at TRU, including over 400 full-time faculty members. All of this ensures students are well supported by expert professionals throughout their studies.
Academic services available to students include academic advising. Advisors work directly with students to help them form a strategic plan for their education. Other benefits include a language learning center, writing center, math help center and assessment center.
Accreditation
TRU is accredited by, approved by and a member of several bodies, such as:
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training
- Universities Canada
- Research Universities’ Council of BC
Department structure
Programs on offer at TRU open the doors to many exciting possibilities. Popular programs include business, economics, computing, education, fine art, health science, journalism, law, environmental science, tourism and technology.
Learners can choose from over 200 programs on-campus and online. Program levels available cover:
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Master’s degrees
- Graduate certificates
- Certificates and diplomas
- Post-Baccalaureate diplomas
- English as a second language qualifications
- University preparation
- Distance education
The university’s academic faculties include:
- Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism
- Faculty of Arts
- Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics
- Faculty of Education and Social Work
- Faculty of Law
- School of Nursing
- Open Learning
- Faculty of Student Development
- Faculty of Science
- School of Trades and Technology
Campus and Facilities
Facilities
The TRU Campus
Set on 250 acres with stunning views of the North and South Thompson Rivers, the university’s Kamloops campus, in the heart of the community, offers plenty of opportunities to live, work, play and learn.
Quick numbers:
• 100,0000 square feet of learning space
• 40 acres of green space
• 7 varsity wolfpack teams
• 12 on-campus places to eat
• 9 faculties and schools
• Buses arrive on campus every 15 minutes
• 3,000 international students from 100+ countries
• 200+ lakes nearby
• 80+ student clubs
Sports at TRU
TRU is right next to the city of Kamloops’ top-notch athletic facilities in the Tournament Capital Centre sports complex, where there’s an Olympic-length swimming pool, indoor and outdoor tracks, and numerous recreation spaces. Access to the aquatic centre is included in TRU’s student fees.
TRU’s WolfPack has nine teams: seven of them compete in USPORTS/Canada West, the highest level of university sports in Canada. For the second straight year, cheer “Team Black” won a berth to the 2021 ESPN International Cheerleading Championships.
Housing
TRU offers three great housing units for its students from all over the world.
North Tower residence offers the best views in the city. In comparison, McGill residence is ideal for students seeking an active, close-knit, communal experience. The newly renovated McGill residence has amenities that include laundry, a games room, kitchens, and study rooms.
East Village has the independence of off-campus living with the convenience of on-campus life. This location is ideal for students looking for a more independent, mature community with student-friendly amenities.
International students also have the option to live with a Canadian family. All homestay families are managed by TRU World staff, which is a great way to experience Canadian culture and practice English. More than 450 carefully selected Canadian homestay families are in this program.
