Bachelor’s options in Canada

Chapter 3 of 9 Last published 25 October 2026 Facts verified 25 October 2026

A Canadian bachelor’s usually takes four years. Through MultiPath you can start one directly, or begin with a foundation programme or a Year One at a pathway college and continue at the university when you meet the progression grades.

Three ways to start a bachelor’s

  • Direct entry

    You start year 1 of the degree at the university. You need the university’s secondary-school requirements, the subject prerequisites for your programme and the English score.

  • Year One pathway

    You study first-year university courses at a pathway college, with smaller classes and more support, then continue into year 2 of the degree when you reach the progression grades. The credits count towards the degree.

  • Foundation

    One to three terms of academic preparation and English for students who do not yet meet first-year entry. Passing it leads to a Year One programme or to year 1 of the degree.

Bachelor’s routes available through MultiPath

The overview below is built from the institution profiles. Fees are for the year stated; open a profile for entry requirements, progression grades, deadlines and scholarships.

British Columbia 5 institutions

University of Victoria

Victoria, British Columbia · Direct bachelor’s and master’s admission, pathway and English, through Kaplan International Pathways

Bachelor’s degree

Direct-entry bachelor’s degree

Tuition
About CAD 37,575 a year for most programmes, CAD 41,900 for Business and CAD 46,000 for Engineering and Computer Science (2026/27, about 15 units). For May 2027 entry Kaplan quotes CAD 39,078 (most programmes), CAD 47,826 (Computer Science) and CAD 49,661 (Engineering)
Duration
4 years
English
IELTS Academic 6.5 (no component below 6.0); Duolingo 120; TOEFL, PTE and CAEL also accepted. Conditional admission with IELTS 6.0 or by taking UVic’s University Admission Preparation
Intakes
September (apply by 31 January 2027); January (most faculties, apply by 30 September); May (apply by 31 March; Engineering by 31 December)
Year One pathway

UVic University Pathway Program

Tuition
CAD 46,426 including health and dental cover, a 12-month bus pass and gym; homestay CAD 15,795 extra (UVic English Language Centre)
Duration
1 year (7 September 2027 – 25 August 2028)
English
IELTS Academic 5.5 (no section below 5.0)
Intakes
September

See the full University of Victoria profile

Simon Fraser University

Burnaby (Metro Vancouver), British Columbia · University pathway through Fraser International College (Navitas)

Foundation

FIC Pathway: Foundation Entry

Tuition
CAD 28,967 for the programme (2026/27); CAD 30,126 (2027/28)
Duration
2 terms, then Year One Entry (3 terms)
English
IELTS Academic 6.0 (Reading and Writing 6.0); 5.5 with an integrated English term; 5.0 with a Cornerstone term (extra fee)
Intakes
January, May, September
Year One pathway

FIC Pathway: Year One Entry

Tuition
CAD 39,162 for 30 credits (2026/27); CAD 40,729 (2027/28). An Academic Literacy course (CAD 1,958) is added unless you are exempt
Duration
3 terms (4 with a Cornerstone term), then about three years at SFU
English
IELTS Academic 6.0 (Reading and Writing 6.0, others 5.5); lower scores with an integrated or Cornerstone term
Intakes
January, May, September

See the full Simon Fraser University profile

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Surrey, Richmond and Langley (Metro Vancouver), British Columbia · Direct application

Bachelor’s degree

Bachelor’s degrees

Tuition
CAD 808.67 per credit including university fees (1 September 2026 – 31 August 2027); a full-time year of 18–30 credits is about CAD 16,400–26,400
Duration
4 years (120 credits or more)
English
IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band); Duolingo 110; TOEFL, PTE 61 and CAEL also accepted. Below this, the KPU English Pathway
Intakes
January, May and September (by programme)

See the full Kwantlen Polytechnic University profile

University Canada West

Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia · Private university · Direct application

Bachelor’s degree

Bachelor of Commerce and BA in Business Communication

Tuition
CAD 93,440 for the degree at 2027 rates (40 courses at CAD 2,336)
Duration
4 years (40 courses)
English
IELTS Academic 6.5 (Writing 6.0); Duolingo 110; PTE 61
Intakes
Four terms a year: Winter (January), Spring (April), Summer and Fall

See the full University Canada West profile

The University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus

Okanagan campus, Kelowna. MultiPath applies to this campus and the programmes below; UBC’s Vancouver campus is not included.

Bachelor’s degree

Undergraduate degrees

Tuition
Per credit for students starting from 2026; a 30-credit year is about CAD 51,500 (Arts), 53,100 (Science), 53,700 (Engineering) and 66,700 (Commerce), 2026/27 rates; 2027/28 rates are not yet published
Duration
4 years (dual degree 4.5 years)
English
IELTS Academic 6.5 (no part below 6.0); Duolingo 125; TOEFL, PTE 65 and CAEL also accepted. Below this, conditional admission through the English Foundation Program (from IELTS 5.0)
Intakes
September 2027 (some programmes also May)

See the full The University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus profile

Alberta 2 institutions

University of Alberta

North Campus, Edmonton (Augustana-track students continue at the Augustana Campus in Camrose from year 2)

Year One pathway

Year One Foundation Program

Tuition
Per year, guaranteed for the whole degree. September 2027 (2027/28 rates): Arts and ALES CAD 41,390 · Science CAD 41,980 · Business CAD 49,106 · Engineering CAD 52,699 · Augustana CAD 37,882.
January and May 2027 (2026/27 rates): Arts and ALES CAD 39,233 · Science CAD 39,792 · Business CAD 46,547 · Augustana CAD 35,908
Duration
About 12 months, then three years of the degree
English
IELTS Academic 6.0 (5.5 in each skill) or equivalent; below that, English for Academic Purposes first
Intakes
January, May and September 2027 (applications are rolling while there is time for the study permit)

See the full University of Alberta profile

University of Lethbridge

Calgary campus, Alberta · University pathway through ULethbridge International College Calgary (Navitas)

Foundation

Foundation and Extended Foundation

Tuition
Foundation CAD 21,090; Extended Foundation CAD 31,635 (2026/27). 2027/28: CAD 21,934 and CAD 32,901
Duration
2 terms (Extended Foundation: longer)
English
IELTS Academic 5.5
Intakes
January, May, September
Year One pathway

International Year One: Business Administration

Tuition
CAD 24,193 for 30 credits (2026/27); CAD 25,161 (2027/28)
Duration
3 terms
English
IELTS Academic 5.5
Intakes
January, May, September

See the full University of Lethbridge profile

Manitoba 1 institution

University of Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba · University pathway through the International College of Manitoba (Navitas)

Foundation

Foundation (University Transfer Program Stage I)

Tuition
CAD 21,620 for the programme (2026/27); CAD 22,485 (2027/28)
Duration
2 terms (3 with mixed English entry)
English
IELTS Academic 5.5 (no band below 5.0); 5.0 with mixed entry
Intakes
January, May, September
Year One pathway

International Year One (University Transfer Program Stage II)

Tuition
CAD 23,385 for 30 credit hours (2026/27); CAD 24,321 (2027/28). Extended International Year One: CAD 34,195 (2026/27)
Duration
3 terms (Extended International Year One: 4 terms)
English
IELTS Academic 5.5 (no band below 5.0)
Intakes
January, May, September

See the full University of Manitoba profile

Ontario 4 institutions

Western University

London, Ontario · Through Western International College (Navitas): professional master’s, master’s pathways and International Year One

Year One pathway

International Year One

Tuition
CAD 47,493 for the programme (Science, Social Science, Music); CAD 60,105 for Management and Organizational Studies (January and May 2027 intakes)
Duration
3 terms (4 with English Boost)
English
IELTS Academic 6.5 (6.0 in each band); 5.5 with English Boost
Intakes
January, May, September

See the full Western University profile

Wilfrid Laurier University

Waterloo, Ontario · University pathway through Wilfrid Laurier International College (Navitas)

Foundation

Foundation (University Transfer Program Stage I)

Tuition
CAD 26,927 for the programme (2026/27); CAD 28,005 (2027/28)
Duration
2 terms
Intakes
January, May, September
Year One pathway

International Year One (University Transfer Program Stage II)

Tuition
CAD 34,603 for 10 courses (2026/27); CAD 35,988 (2027/28)
Duration
3 terms
English
IELTS Academic 5.5 (no band below 5.0) with the ILC101 English course; 5.0 with integrated entry
Intakes
January, May, September (BBA: May and September)

See the full Wilfrid Laurier University profile

Toronto Metropolitan University

Downtown Toronto, Ontario · University pathway through Toronto Metropolitan University International College (Navitas)

Foundation

Foundation (University Transfer Program Stage I)

Tuition
CAD 28,397 for the programme (2026/27); CAD 29,533 (2027/28)
Duration
2 terms
Intakes
January, May, September
Year One pathway

International Year One (University Transfer Program Stage II)

Tuition
CAD 36,468 for 10 credits (2026/27); CAD 37,927 (2027/28)
Duration
3 terms
English
IELTS Academic 5.5 (no band below 5.0) with the ILC101 English course; 5.0 with integrated entry
Intakes
January, May, September (Creative Industries progresses in September only)

See the full Toronto Metropolitan University profile

University of Niagara Falls Canada

Niagara Falls, Ontario · Private university · Direct application

Bachelor’s degree

Honours Bachelor of Business Administration

Tuition
CAD 80,040 for the degree before the NextGen Leaders award of CAD 12,040
Duration
4 years (120 credits)
English
IELTS Academic 6.5 (Writing 6.0)
Intakes
January, September/October

See the full University of Niagara Falls Canada profile

What a bachelor’s means for your permit and work

  • Attestation letter: most bachelor’s, Year One and foundation students need a provincial attestation letter (PAL), which the institution requests after you accept your offer and pay the deposit.
  • Moving from a pathway college to the university: if the college and the university have different designated learning institution numbers, you need a new study permit before you start at the university. Several pathway colleges now issue the letter of acceptance under the university’s number, so one permit covers both stages.
  • Work during studies: up to 24 hours a week off campus during term once you study full time in an eligible programme; foundation or English-only study does not allow off-campus work.
  • Work after graduation: bachelor’s graduates have no field-of-study condition for the post-graduation work permit; after a programme of two years or more it can last up to three years, with a language test at CLB 7.

Free consultation

Not sure which route fits you?

A MultiPath counsellor compares Canadian universities, routes and scholarships for your profile, free of charge. Offices in Bucharest, Astana and Tashkent, or online from anywhere.