Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops, British Columbia
Compare Thompson Rivers University programs, admissions, costs, residence, student support, and career pathways in one source-reviewed guide. Jump to the decision section you need below.
The short answer
- TRU campus degrees need Grade 12 English at 73% or higher, and some programs ask for Math or Science.
- Apply by May 1 for general fall entry, but TRU has not labelled that date for Fall 2027.
- Social Work opens October 1, 2026, with early admission January 15, 2027, and later applications to February 28, 2027 if seats remain.
- Domestic applicants pay $33.56 when admitted, and international applicants pay $100 at application.
- Residence rates for 2026–2027 start at $4,840 for a shared Coyote Den double, and meals are not included.
Reviewed August 16, 2026 · Official university sources · How we review guides
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Overview
Quick Facts
| Location | Kamloops, British Columbia |
|---|---|
| School Type | Research-intensive / broad program university |
| Directory Size | Large university |
| Campus Setting | Regional university city with a defined campus community |
| Ranking Signal | No QS World 2026 position listed in this guide |
| Program Strengths | Business, Law, Nursing, Trades, Science |
Start with campus and program fit. Then check official admissions, residence, and cost details. Do this before you build the final application list.
Admissions Planning
Fall 2027 admissions planning
Thompson Rivers University requirements for Ontario students
TRU does not use one blanket entrance average. Campus degrees start with Grade 12 graduation and English at 73%, then Business, Computing, Science, Natural Resources, Engineering, Nursing, and Tourism add their own Math or Science pattern. Flexible Entry is real for many programs, but it is not a substitute for checking selective admission.
Campus degree English
73% minimum
TRU maps BC English Studies 12 to Ontario ENG4U or ENG4C.
Flexible Entry
24–30 credits
Eligible students can finish missing requirements early in the degree.
Domestic application
$33.56 on admission
TRU says there is no cost to submit; international applicants pay $100 at application.
Mixed Fall 2027 publication status
Program dates are live; the general cycle is not
Social Work opens October 1, 2026 and has January 15 and February 28, 2027 checkpoints. Elementary Education is due January 15, 2027. Nursing publishes 2027 CASPer dates, but its applicant guide says January 30 while the central page says January 31. The general May 1 fall date is still unlabelled, so it remains planning evidence rather than a confirmed Fall 2027 deadline.
Ontario preparation by program
| Program | Published minimum | Ontario preparation | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts | ENG4U or ENG4C at 73%+ | Ontario secondary graduation plus the published English equivalent | Individual majors may add requirements. For several majors, Grade 11 Math or higher is strongly recommended. It is also recommended for Education planning. |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | English 73%+; Math 67%+ | ENG4U or ENG4C plus MHF4U or MDM4U | TRU maps BC Pre-calculus 12 to MHF4U and Foundations of Math 12 to MDM4U. |
| Bachelor of Computing Science | English 73%+; Math C+ | ENG4U or ENG4C plus MHF4U or MDM4U completed within two years | Applicants missing a requirement may be considered through Flexible Entry. |
| Bachelor of Science | English 73%+; first-year prerequisites normally C+ | ENG4U or ENG4C, MHF4U, SCH3U, and SPH3U; intended majors can add Biology or Grade 12 preparation | TRU calls these first-year course prerequisites. TRU advises checking the exact major. Do not treat them as one competitive average. |
| Bachelor of Natural Resource Science | English 73%+; Math and sciences 67%+ | ENG4U or ENG4C, MHF4U, SBI3U, and SCH3U | TRU gives preference to applicants with the equivalents of Anatomy and Physiology 12 and Chemistry 12. |
| Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering | English 73%+; Math and sciences 67%+ | ENG4U or ENG4C, MHF4U, SCH3U, and SPH3U | SPH4U, MCV4U, drafting, and programming preparation are beneficial but not all mandatory. |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Selective admission; each listed course 73%+ | ENG4U or ENG4C, MHF4U or MDM4U, SBI4U-equivalent, SCH3U, and one additional Grade 11 or 12 Science | TRU also requires CASPer. Its equivalency table displays the Ontario Anatomy and Physiology code as ‘SB14U’; applicants should confirm the intended SBI4U mapping. |
| Bachelor of Tourism Management | English 73%+; Math C | ENG4U or ENG4C plus MCR3U, MCF3M, or MDM4U | The degree also requires 500 hours of tourism-related work experience before graduation. |
Application and award checkpoints
| Route | Date | Evidence status |
|---|---|---|
| General Fall 2027 campus admission | May 1 standing deadline | The live page does not label this date Fall 2027; verify when TRU publishes the next cycle. |
| Fall 2027 Bachelor of Social Work opens | October 1, 2026 | Confirmed on the program's live Fall 2027 admissions page. |
| Fall 2027 Bachelor of Social Work early admission | January 15, 2027 | Confirmed; applications continue to February 28 if seats remain. |
| Fall 2027 Bachelor of Education Elementary | January 15, 2027 | Confirmed in the September 2027 advising guide. |
| Fall 2027 Bachelor of Science in Nursing | January 30 or January 31, 2027 | Official sources conflict. The 2027 applicant guide says January 30. The central deadline page says January 31. |
| Fall 2027 Nursing CASPer | October 6, 2026–January 17, 2027 | Seven dates are published specifically for the 2027 intake. |
| Entrance scholarships | March 1 standing deadline | The award page publishes a recurring date but does not yet label it for Fall 2027. |
| Fall 2027 residence | Not published | Current housing pages cover the 2026–2027 academic year only. |
English direct-entry benchmarks
Ontario Grade 12 English
ENG4U or ENG4C at 73%+
Program-specific requirements can be higher.
IELTS Academic
6.5 overall; no band below 6.0
Program-specific requirements can be higher.
TOEFL iBT
88 overall; no section below 20
Program-specific requirements can be higher.
Duolingo English Test
125 overall; no subscore below 115
Program-specific requirements can be higher.
Pearson PTE
58 overall; no communication skill below 55
Program-specific requirements can be higher.
CAEL
70 overall; no subtest below 60
Program-specific requirements can be higher.
Verified admissions claims
Campus degree English minimum
Current campus admission requirements · Published for this period
Undergraduate degree applicants need at least 73% in Grade 12 English or an approved equivalent. Diploma and certificate applicants need 67%. This is unless a program sets another rule.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian
Thompson Rivers University: Campus undergraduate admission requirements and Flexible Entry · Verified August 16, 2026
High-school, transfer, and mature entry categories
Current campus admission requirements · Published for this period
Campus applicants can qualify in one of these ways. They may have recognised high-school graduation. They may have at least 12 transferable post-secondary credits. They may have mature status at age 19 or older with no formal education in the prior two years. Program restrictions apply.
Applies to: All applicants, Transfer, Mature
Thompson Rivers University: Campus undergraduate admission requirements and Flexible Entry · Verified August 16, 2026
Ontario Grade 12 English equivalents
Current Ontario equivalents · Published for this period
TRU's equivalency table maps BC English Studies 12 to Ontario ENG4U or ENG4C. Campus degree routes still require the published 73% English minimum.
Applies to: Ontario high school
Thompson Rivers University: Canadian secondary course equivalents including Ontario · Verified August 16, 2026
Ontario Grade 12 Math equivalents
Current Ontario equivalents · Published for this period
TRU maps Pre-calculus 12 to MHF4U and Foundations of Math 12 to MDM4U; Pre-calculus 11 maps to MCR3U and Foundations of Math 11 to MCF3M.
Applies to: Ontario high school
Thompson Rivers University: Canadian secondary course equivalents including Ontario · Verified August 16, 2026
Ontario science equivalents
Current Ontario equivalents · Published for this period
TRU maps Life Sciences 11 to SBI3U, Chemistry 11 to SCH3U, Chemistry 12 to SCH4U, Physics 11 to SPH3U, and Physics 12 to SPH4U.
Applies to: Ontario high school
Thompson Rivers University: Canadian secondary course equivalents including Ontario · Verified August 16, 2026
Ontario Anatomy and Physiology code needs confirmation
Official-source conflict · Current Ontario equivalents
TRU's equivalency table prints the Ontario Biology 12 equivalent as ‘SB14U’, while Ontario's standard university-preparation Biology code is normally written SBI4U.
Nursing applicants should confirm the intended course code with TRU Admissions. Do not rely on the apparent typographical error.
Applies to: Ontario high school
Thompson Rivers University: Canadian secondary course equivalents including Ontario · Verified August 16, 2026
Flexible Entry can permit upgrading inside a program
Current Flexible Entry policy · Published for this period
Eligible Arts, Business, Science, Computing, Natural Resources, and Tourism applicants can get an offer. They can complete missing requirements, normally within their first 24 to 30 credits.
Applies to: All applicants, Mature
Thompson Rivers University: Campus undergraduate admission requirements and Flexible Entry · Verified August 16, 2026
Exploratory Studies allows up to 24 credits
Current campus pathway · Published for this period
Students can take up to 24 undergraduate credits. They do not need admission to a specific credential. Course prerequisites still apply.
Applies to: All applicants, Mature
Thompson Rivers University: Campus undergraduate admission requirements and Flexible Entry · Verified August 16, 2026
Undergraduate application fees
Current application · Published for this period
Canadian citizens and permanent residents pay $33.56 when admitted. There is no charge to submit. International applicants pay a non-refundable $100 fee when applying. Law uses separate fees.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Undergraduate application fees and standing deadlines · Verified August 16, 2026
General fall deadline remains standing evidence
2027 pending · Standing deadlines
The central page says most programs open October 1. It lists May 1 for fall, September 1 for winter, and January 1 for summer. But it does not label the next Fall 2027 general cycle.
Do not present May 1 as a confirmed Fall 2027 date until TRU labels that cycle.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Undergraduate application fees and standing deadlines · Verified August 16, 2026
Fall 2027 Social Work dates
Fall 2027 · Published for this period
Applications open October 1, 2026. Early admission closes January 15, 2027. Later applications are accepted to February 28, 2027 if seats remain.
Applies to: All applicants, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Social Work Fall 2027 admissions · Verified August 16, 2026
Fall 2027 Elementary Education deadline
Fall 2027 · Published for this period
The September 2027 Bachelor of Education Elementary advising guide publishes January 15, 2027 as the application deadline.
Applies to: All applicants, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: September 2027 Bachelor of Education Elementary advising guide · Verified August 16, 2026
Fall 2027 Nursing deadline conflicts
Official-source conflict · Fall 2027
The September 2027 high-school applicant guide publishes January 30, 2027. The central undergraduate deadline page publishes January 31 for Nursing.
Use the earlier date operationally and confirm with Nursing Admissions.
Applies to: Ontario high school, Other Canadian, International
Thompson Rivers University: September 2027 BScN high-school applicant guide · Verified August 16, 2026
2027 Nursing CASPer dates are published
Fall 2027 · Published for this period
For the 2027 intake, TRU lists October 6, November 5, November 17, November 29, and December 8, 2026. It also lists January 7 and January 17, 2027.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Science in Nursing requirements and 2027 CASPer dates · Verified August 16, 2026
International direct-entry English scores
Current international requirements · Published for this period
Published undergraduate direct-entry benchmarks include IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0. They also include TOEFL iBT 88 with no section below 20. They also include Duolingo 125 with no subscore below 115. They also include PTE 58 with no communication skill below 55.
Applies to: International
Thompson Rivers University: International English-proficiency requirements · Verified August 16, 2026
Programs and Pathways
Programs and pathways
A dual-sector university with separate campus and online routes
TRU spans Arts and Science, professional degrees, Engineering, Natural Resources, Adventure Studies, Tourism, trades, and career programs. Its defining planning advantage is flexibility. But that flexibility comes with a boundary. Open Learning is a separate delivery and fee system. It is not simply the Kamloops degree online.
Software Engineering
CEAB accredited
The 153-credit degree includes a capstone and two mandatory paid work terms.
Tourism Management
500 work hours
The graduation requirement is separate from optional co-op.
Adventure Guide
Staged competitive entry
Students begin with the certificate before the second-year diploma.
Dual-sector university
TRU combines academic degrees in one public university. It also combines career and technical programs. It also combines trades, graduate study, and Open Learning.
Plan for: Check if a program is taught in Kamloops, Williams Lake, or through Open Learning. The admission, fee, and housing rules are not the same for each one.
Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering
A CEAB-accredited engineering degree with project-based learning, a year-long capstone, and two mandatory paid work terms.
Plan for: First-year entry needs English at 73% and Pre-calculus, Chemistry, and Physics at 67%; the degree is 153 credits.
Bachelor of Natural Resource Science
A four-year Kamloops degree combining science, resource management, field trips, and optional co-op.
Plan for: Prepare Math, Biology, Chemistry, and English; TRU lists field learning in forests, lakes, ranches, mines, and research stations.
Adventure Guide Certificate and Diploma
Applicants enter the two-semester certificate first, then may continue to the second-year diploma.
Plan for: Admission is competitive. It assesses skill development, experience, and program fit. It also looks at attendance at a required information session.
Bachelor of Tourism Management
This is a 120-credit degree. It has laddering pathways from related diplomas. It also requires at least 500 hours of tourism-related work experience.
Plan for: You can add co-op. But the 500-hour graduation requirement is separate from the optional co-op designation.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A selective four-year Kamloops degree preparing graduates for the NCLEX and registration with BCCNM.
Plan for: All published high-school prerequisites are at least 73%. The 2027 intake adds CASPer to academic review.
Flexible Entry and Exploratory Studies
Eligible campus programs can admit students who finish missing requirements. They must do this within their first 24 to 30 credits. Exploratory Studies lets students take up to 24 credits without program admission.
Plan for: Flexible Entry is program-specific and should not be assumed for selective programs such as Nursing.
Open Learning
TRU offers separate online and distance credentials and courses, including continuous-registration and paced formats.
Plan for: You can take many courses without program admission. But a TRU credential needs a program application. It can also have program-specific requirements.
Keep Open Learning distinct
Most Open Learning courses do not need program admission. But a TRU credential needs an application. Self-paced courses can use continuous registration. Paced courses have set dates. Open Learning tuition, non-resident charges, international availability, and residency rules need a separate check.
Official program sources
Campus and university context
Verified program claims
Bachelor of Arts experiential breadth
Current program · Published for this period
The Kamloops BA combines majors and minors with options. These options include undergraduate research, co-op, field schools, and study abroad. Its base requirement is Grade 12 or mature status. It also needs English at 73%.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Mature
Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Arts requirements, majors, and experiential options · Verified August 16, 2026
Business requires Grade 12 Math
Current program · Published for this period
The BBA requires English at 73%. It also requires Foundations of Math 12 or Pre-calculus 12 at C+. The program offers hands-on study. Eligible students can add co-op.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Business Administration requirements · Verified August 16, 2026
Computing uses a two-plus-two structure
Current program · Published for this period
The four-year Bachelor of Computing Science begins with two years of general and foundation study. Then it has two years of concentrated computing study. Math at C+ and English at 73% are required.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Computing Science requirements and structure · Verified August 16, 2026
Science offers a wide major inventory
Current program · Published for this period
TRU lists majors in Biology, Chemistry, and Chemical Biology. It also lists Computing Science, Data Science, and Ecology and Environmental Biology. The list also has Mathematics, Physics, and interdisciplinary combinations.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Science majors and first-year preparation · Verified August 16, 2026
Natural Resource Science integrates fieldwork
Current program · Published for this period
The four-year degree in Kamloops includes field learning in vegetation, lakes, soil, forests, and wildlife. You might also visit parks, ranches, hatcheries, mines, and research stations.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Natural Resource Science requirements and field learning · Verified August 16, 2026
CEAB-accredited Software Engineering
Current program · Published for this period
TRU's Software Engineering degree is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. It includes project-based learning, a one-year capstone, and two mandatory paid work terms.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: Software Engineering accreditation, requirements, and mandatory work terms · Verified August 16, 2026
Tourism requires 500 hours of related work
Current program · Published for this period
Bachelor of Tourism Management students must complete 120 credits. They must also complete at least 500 hours of tourism-related work experience. Related diplomas can ladder as many as 60 credits, depending on the route.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Tourism Management requirements and work experience · Verified August 16, 2026
Adventure Guide uses a staged competitive route
Current program · Published for this period
Applicants first enter the two-semester Adventure Guide Certificate. After that, they can apply to the second-year diploma. Selection looks at skill development, experience, fit, and a required information session.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Mature
Thompson Rivers University: Adventure Guide competitive application and program sequence · Verified August 16, 2026
Open Learning credentials form a separate program catalogue
Current Open Learning catalogue · Published for this period
TRU lists online and distance credentials across Arts, Business, Technology, Health, Education, Science, and Tourism. Program admission and residency requirements vary by credential.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer, Mature
Thompson Rivers University: Open Learning program directory · Verified August 16, 2026
Residence and Campus Fit
2026–2027 residence evidence
North Tower, East Village, and Coyote Den
TRU publishes six current academic-year room prices across three communities. The least expensive listed option is a shared Coyote Den double. Meals are not bundled into the published housing rates, and the current pages do not establish a first-year guarantee for 2026–2027 or Fall 2027.
Lowest listed room
$4,840
Coyote Den shared double, September 2026 through April 2027.
Application fee
$100
Non-refundable; acceptance then triggers deposit and insurance charges.
Meal plan
Not included
Budget food separately and compare kitchenette versus full-kitchen layouts.
| Residence | Fit | Academic-year rate |
|---|---|---|
| North Tower two- or four-bedroom suite | Private bedroom in a shared suite; no meal plan | $10,035 |
| North Tower one-bedroom suite | Limited private unit | $10,810 |
| East Village four-bedroom suite | Private bedroom, full kitchen, and shared living | $7,120 |
| East Village two/three-bedroom apartment | Per-bedroom rate; priority to upper-year students and families | $10,060 |
| Coyote Den single suite | Private suite with kitchenette | $10,810 |
| Coyote Den shared double | Two students share a room and washroom | $4,840 |
Stale guarantee warning
Do not carry March 31, 2025 forward
TRU’s Priority Housing page still says a housing guarantee depended on steps completed by March 31, 2025. Current 2026–2027 residence and acceptance pages omit a current guarantee deadline. Treat the old page as stale evidence and seek a cycle-specific written answer.
Official residence sources
Verified residence claims
Three current student-housing options
2026–2027 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
TRU's current housing page lists North Tower, East Village, and Coyote Den | Sk̓elepéllcw for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Current residence inventory and 2026–2027 application notice · Verified August 16, 2026
North Tower academic-year rates
2026–2027 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
Two- and four-bedroom suites cost $10,035 for September 5, 2026 to April 29, 2027; a one-bedroom suite costs $10,810.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: North Tower rooms and 2026–2027 rates · Verified August 16, 2026
East Village academic-year rates
2026–2027 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
A four-bedroom suite costs $7,120. Two- and three-bedroom apartment rooms cost $10,060 per bedroom. Upper-year students and families have priority for apartments.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer, Mature
Thompson Rivers University: East Village rooms and 2026–2027 rates · Verified August 16, 2026
Coyote Den academic-year rates
2026–2027 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
A one-bedroom suite costs $10,810 and a shared double room costs $4,840 for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Coyote Den rooms and 2026–2027 rates · Verified August 16, 2026
Application, deposit, insurance, and activity charges
2026–2027 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The current residence pages require a $100 application fee. This fee is non-refundable. After acceptance, a $250 security deposit is due. An $85 property and liability insurance charge is also due. Academic-year rates include a $60 residence-life activity fee.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: North Tower rooms and 2026–2027 rates · Verified August 16, 2026
Published residence rates exclude meals
2026–2027 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
North Tower and East Village descriptions say no meals are included. Instead, units provide kitchenette or full-kitchen facilities. These facilities vary by unit.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: 2026–2027 international tuition and guarantee model · Verified August 16, 2026
Housing guarantee evidence is stale
Official-source conflict · Current page versus 2025 guarantee
The priority-housing page says a guarantee depended on completing steps by March 31, 2025. Current 2026–2027 housing pages advertise open applications and acceptance timing. They do not publish a current guarantee deadline.
Do not market a current first-year guarantee until TRU publishes cycle-specific terms.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Priority-housing page carrying a stale March 2025 guarantee · Verified August 16, 2026
Fall 2027 residence rates are unpublished
2027 pending · Fall 2027
TRU has not published a 2027–2028 housing rate table or a Fall 2027 guarantee deadline on the pages reviewed.
Use 2026–2027 rates only as labelled planning evidence and re-check before applying.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Current residence inventory and 2026–2027 application notice · Verified August 16, 2026
Housing uses a separate portal and acceptance step
Current housing process · Published for this period
Applicants register and create an application for academic year, winter, or summer. You only sign the Student Residence Agreement after you receive a room acceptance email.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Current housing application and acceptance process · Verified August 16, 2026
Housing and Location Questions
| Campus Setting | Regional university city with a defined campus community |
|---|---|
| Residence | Check residence guarantee rules and first-year room styles. Check meal plans and deposit deadlines. Also check off-campus housing pressure. |
| City Fit | Students should compare transit, weather, cost of living, safety, and community feel in Kamloops. |
| Commuting | If you live off campus, map your commute time. Map it to classes, labs, placements, and evening activities. Do this before you commit. |
Tuition, Scholarships, and Aid
Tuition and entrance funding
Label the cycle before using any TRU cost
The live domestic table still carries a 2025–2026 label even though the Board approved a 2% increase for 2026–2027. International 2026–2027 rates are live, but the per-credit, per-course, and degree totals do not reconcile exactly. Open Learning is priced separately, and 2027–2028 costs remain unpublished.
Domestic campus undergraduate base
$161.87 per credit
The current tuition page still labels this 2025–2026. 30 credits equal $4,856.10 by arithmetic, before mandatory and course fees.
2026–2027 domestic change
2% increase approved
The Board approved the increase. But TRU's live campus tuition table has not published a replacement program-level rate.
2026–2027 international undergraduate
$875 per credit
TRU also publishes $2,623 per three-credit course. It also publishes $104,952 for a 120-credit bachelor's degree. Those displayed totals do not exactly equal the per-credit multiplication.
International Software Engineering
$133,813 total
Published 2026–2027 total for 153 credits; Computer Engineering is listed one dollar higher for the same credit count.
International tuition guarantee
Program duration plus one year
This applies to new international students in eligible on-campus programs. Open Learning, Trades, EAP, and specified graduate programs are excluded.
Open Learning
Course-specific pricing
Open Learning has its own rules for tuition, course-administration, program-plan, technology, and non-BC/Yukon fees. Do not reuse campus rates.
2027–2028 tuition
Pending
No published 2027–2028 campus or new-international schedule was found on August 16, 2026.
International fee arithmetic needs care
TRU publishes $875 per credit, $2,623 per typical three-credit course, and $104,952 for 120 credits. Those figures do not multiply exactly. Preserve the university’s displayed values, but use the assessed student account—not an extrapolation—as the invoice.
Current entrance funding
| Award | Published value | Current criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Alvin & Lydia Grunert Entrance Scholarship | $30,000 over four years | One renewable scholarship in the current competition. |
| TRU Ambassador's Entrance Scholarship | Up to $24,000 | At least six awards, applied over four years of tuition and fees. |
| TRU Leadership Entrance Scholarship | $8,000–$12,000 | At least 15 awards, applied over four years. |
| TRU President's Entrance Scholarship | $4,000–$6,000 | Ten to 15 awards. Based on an admission average of at least 92% in the top four Grade 11 academic courses including English. |
| Undergraduate Entrance Awards | $2,000–$4,000 | At least 40 awards; applicants need at least a 70% Grade 11 average or 3.00 transfer GPA. |
| CIBC Entrance Awards | $4,000 | Ten awards for equity-deserving students entering Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Business Administration. |
| Entrance bursaries | $500–$4,000 | Limited need-based bursaries for eligible campus-based first-credential students studying full-time. |
Official tuition and award sources
Verified financial-aid claims
Latest published domestic campus base rate
2025–2026 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The live campus tuition page shows undergraduate academic tuition at $161.87 per credit for 2025–2026. At 30 credits, the tuition-only total is $4,856.10. This does not include mandatory and course fees.
Applies to: All applicants
Thompson Rivers University: Published campus tuition and mandatory fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
Board approved a 2% domestic increase
2026–2027 · Published for this period
The Board approved a 2% increase to domestic tuition and other fees. It takes effect Fall 2026 for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Applies to: All applicants
Thompson Rivers University: Board approval of 2026–2027 domestic and international fee increases · Verified August 16, 2026
Exact current domestic campus rate is pending
2027 pending · 2026–2027
TRU's live student tuition table still labels the campus rate 2025–2026. It does not publish a replacement exact program-level rate for 2026–2027.
Do not calculate or invent an invoice from the approved percentage. Use the assessed account or a new official schedule.
Applies to: All applicants
Thompson Rivers University: Published campus tuition and mandatory fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
International tuition table does not reconcile exactly
Official-source conflict · 2026–2027
TRU publishes $875 per credit, $2,623 per typical three-credit course, and $104,952 for a 120-credit bachelor's degree. Straight multiplication would not produce the displayed course or degree totals.
Preserve TRU's displayed values and treat the assessed student account as definitive.
Applies to: International
Thompson Rivers University: 2026–2027 international tuition and guarantee model · Verified August 16, 2026
International Engineering totals
2026–2027 · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
TRU lists Software Engineering at $133,813 for 153 credits and Computer Engineering at $133,814 for the same credit count, using the 2026–2027 $875 per-credit table.
Applies to: International
Thompson Rivers University: 2026–2027 international tuition and guarantee model · Verified August 16, 2026
Eligible international tuition is guaranteed
Fall 2025 entrants onward · Published for this period
For new international students in eligible on-campus programs, the starting tuition rate is guaranteed for the intended program duration plus one additional year.
Applies to: International
Thompson Rivers University: 2026–2027 international tuition and guarantee model · Verified August 16, 2026
Open Learning is excluded from the guarantee
Current guarantee model · Published for this period
The international guarantee leaves out Open Learning and Trades. It leaves out English for Academic Purposes too. Specified graduate business and environmental-economics programs are also left out.
Applies to: International
Thompson Rivers University: 2026–2027 international tuition and guarantee model · Verified August 16, 2026
Open Learning has separate fee categories
Current Open Learning fees · Published for this period
Open Learning publishes tuition for each course. It also publishes program application, transcript assessment, program-plan, technology, course extension, and student-union charges. If you are outside BC or Yukon, you can pay an additional non-resident fee.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer, Mature
Thompson Rivers University: Open Learning fees and out-of-province rules · Verified August 16, 2026
Entrance scholarship application window
Standing award calendar · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
TRU publishes December 1 to March 1 for entrance scholarships. It publishes December 1 to April 1 for entrance awards. It publishes April 1 to May 31 for entrance bursaries.
The page does not yet label these windows for the Fall 2027 entering class.
Applies to: All applicants
Thompson Rivers University: Undergraduate entrance scholarships, awards, and bursaries · Verified August 16, 2026
Named entrance scholarship values
Current entrance competition · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The current competition lists one $30,000 Grunert scholarship. It lists at least six Ambassador scholarships up to $24,000. It lists at least 15 Leadership scholarships from $8,000 to $12,000.
Applies to: All applicants
Thompson Rivers University: Undergraduate entrance scholarships, awards, and bursaries · Verified August 16, 2026
President's Entrance Scholarship
Current entrance competition · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
TRU offers 10 to 15 awards from $4,000 to $6,000. These are based on admission averages of at least 92%. The average uses the top four Grade 11 academic courses, including English.
Applies to: All applicants
Thompson Rivers University: Undergraduate entrance scholarships, awards, and bursaries · Verified August 16, 2026
Entrance awards and bursaries
Current entrance competition · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
TRU lists at least 40 entrance awards from $2,000 to $4,000. It also lists limited entrance bursaries from $500 to $4,000. These are for eligible students with financial need.
Applies to: All applicants, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: Undergraduate entrance scholarships, awards, and bursaries · Verified August 16, 2026
2027–2028 tuition is unpublished
2027 pending · Fall 2027
On the pages reviewed, no complete tuition schedule for 2027–2028 was published. This covers domestic campus and new-international tuition.
Keep all dollar figures explicitly attached to 2025–2026 or 2026–2027 until TRU publishes the next schedule.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Published campus tuition and mandatory fee schedule · Verified August 16, 2026
Cost Planning
| Tuition | Tuition depends on your program, your student status, and the year. Check domestic and international tuition on the official fee schedule. |
|---|---|
| Scholarships | Check automatic entrance awards, competitive major awards, faculty scholarships, and international-student awards. |
| Living Costs | Budget for residence or rent, food, books, and transit. Also budget for health insurance, winter clothing, and emergency funds. |
| Proof of Funds | International students should confirm current study-permit financial requirements and school-specific cost estimates. |
Student Life and Support
Fit Signals
| Community | Large university profile: compare the class feel and access to professors. Compare student clubs and how easy it is to build community. |
|---|---|
| Student Supports | Review academic advising, accessibility services, mental health supports, international student services, and writing centres. |
| Clubs and Leadership | Look for discipline clubs, cultural groups, entrepreneurship programs, varsity/intramural sports, and volunteering. |
| First-Year Transition | Ask how orientation, peer mentorship, residence programming, and advising help students settle in. |
Co-op, Research, and Career Outcomes
Co-op and work-integrated learning
Optional co-op, mandatory Engineering work, and Tourism hours
TRU's work-learning landscape is not one model. Many degrees offer a competitive optional co-op designation. Software Engineering embeds two mandatory paid terms. Tourism requires 500 related work hours. Students should separate these rules before planning graduation or a study-permit timeline.
Degree designation
Three work terms
The usual optional co-op minimum for a four-year degree.
Work-term floor
420 hours
TRU employer guidance defines one term over 12 to 16 weeks.
Placement promise
Not guaranteed
Students apply competitively and can develop an approvable position.
Optional co-op designation
Students in four-year degrees normally complete at least three work terms; two-year diploma students complete at least two.
COOP 1000
The mandatory one-credit Career Management course must be passed before a first work term.
Competitive placement
TRU explicitly says co-op jobs are not guaranteed and many employers are outside Kamloops.
Work-term length
The FAQ publishes four-, eight-, or 12-month terms; the overview also lists a 16-month option, so students should confirm their program sequence.
Minimum work
An employer-facing TRU page defines a work term as at least 420 hours over 12 to 16 weeks.
Software Engineering
The accredited degree includes two mandatory paid work terms. These are distinct from the optional three-term designation model.
Tourism experience
The BTM requires 500 hours of tourism-related work experience even when a student does not complete optional co-op.
Confirm a 16-month sequence
The Co-op FAQ lists four-, eight-, and 12-month terms. The overview also lists 16 months. That is a live first-party discrepancy, so a student planning the longest sequence should confirm program approval with the coordinator before changing an academic plan.
Official co-op sources
Verified career claims
Co-op spans academic and technical programs
Current Co-op programs · Published for this period
TRU lists co-op routes in Arts, Business, Computing, and Natural Resource Science. It also lists Science, Tourism, Engineering, and Interdisciplinary Studies. The list includes business post-baccalaureates. It also includes Architectural and Engineering Technology.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: Co-op eligible programs and program-specific requirements · Verified August 16, 2026
COOP 1000 precedes the first work term
Current Co-op process · Published for this period
Students must pass the one-credit Career Management course before they accept a work term. The course covers job search, workplace expectations, and career development.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Co-op mechanics, designation, wages, fees, and placement limits · Verified August 16, 2026
Optional co-op placements are not guaranteed
Current Co-op process · Published for this period
Participation is competitive. Many employers are outside Kamloops. You must secure your own position. You can do this through posted jobs or an approved self-developed opportunity.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Co-op mechanics, designation, wages, fees, and placement limits · Verified August 16, 2026
Work terms required for the co-op designation
Current Co-op process · Published for this period
Students in four-year degrees need at least three work terms. Students in two-year diplomas need at least two. Programs with mandatory co-op follow their credential requirements instead.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: Co-op mechanics, designation, wages, fees, and placement limits · Verified August 16, 2026
Co-op pages publish different maximum term lengths
Official-source conflict · Current Co-op pages
The Co-op FAQ lists four-, eight-, and 12-month work terms, while the overview also lists a 16-month option.
Confirm the permitted sequence with the program coordinator before planning a 16-month placement.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Co-operative Education overview and work-term lengths · Verified August 16, 2026
Work terms carry tuition even when self-developed
Current Co-op process · Published for this period
TRU says regular co-op tuition applies to every registered work term. This includes positions a student finds independently. The tuition must be paid to receive credit.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Co-op mechanics, designation, wages, fees, and placement limits · Verified August 16, 2026
TRU publishes a current co-op wage range
Current Co-op FAQ · Latest published information; newer cycle not yet confirmed
The Co-op FAQ says domestic placements can range from provincial minimum wage to $45 per hour. It gives an average of $22–$28 per hour.
This is program-wide guidance, not a guaranteed wage for any student or employer.
Applies to: All applicants, International
Thompson Rivers University: Co-op mechanics, designation, wages, fees, and placement limits · Verified August 16, 2026
Software Engineering includes two mandatory work terms
Current program · Published for this period
The accredited Software Engineering degree includes two paid work terms in its curriculum. Up to 12 months may count toward professional-licensure experience.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: Software Engineering accreditation, requirements, and mandatory work terms · Verified August 16, 2026
Tourism's 500-hour requirement is separate from co-op
Current program · Published for this period
Every Bachelor of Tourism Management graduate must complete at least 500 hours of tourism-related work experience. Optional co-op can give you a structured route. But it is not the only way to meet that graduation condition.
Applies to: All applicants, International, Transfer
Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Tourism Management requirements and work experience · Verified August 16, 2026
Build a course-to-career plan
Map prerequisites, co-op eligibility, work-permit timing, and the return-to-study requirement before the first work term. Stellar Advisers can help turn the official rules into a term-by-term plan.
Book a planning sessionCareer Planning
| Experiential Learning | Check if your target program offers co-op or internships. Also check for clinical placements, practicums, studios, field schools, or research terms. |
|---|---|
| Career Services | Compare job boards, employer partnerships, resume support, interview preparation, and alumni mentoring. |
| Research Access | For graduate-school or professional-school pathways, look for undergraduate research assistant roles and lab access. |
| Outcome Questions | Ask where graduates work or study next, and whether outcomes differ by program, co-op stream, or campus. |
Thompson Rivers University combines campus access and Flexible Entry. It also has distinctive professional and field-based programs. It offers separate Open Learning routes. It has broad co-op options. Build the plan around the exact delivery format. Also use cycle-labelled costs. Use program-specific admissions evidence.
Thompson Rivers University admissions, costs, residence, Open Learning, and co-op FAQ
Current answers for Ontario and international applicants planning TRU for Fall 2027, with official conflicts and unpublished future costs kept visible.
Official Sources and Next Steps
Stellar keeps this guide structured for comparison. But official university pages remain the source of truth. They are the source for program requirements, tuition, residence, and scholarships. They are also the source for deadlines and policy changes.
Prepared by Stellar Advisers Editorial Team · Reviewed August 16, 2026 · Editorial, corrections, and source methodology
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