Quick links Student fees Student enrolment Programs and degrees Student facilities and services University research International education Web site: www.ufv.ca

University of the Fraser Valley

33844 King Road
Abbotsford, British Columbia V2S 7M8
Telephone: 604-504-7441
Toll-free (Canada): 1-888-504-7441
Email: info@ufv.ca

Profile

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is the major adult educational resource for the communities of the Fraser Valley in southwestern British Columbia. It is a multi-campus institution with main campuses in Abbotsford and Chilliwack; smaller centres in Mission, Hope and Agassiz; and a presence in Chandigarh, India. In fall 2007, UFV began the relocation of its Chilliwack campus to an 80-acre site in that city’s Canada Education Park. The first facility to open was a two-acre, state-of-the-art Trades and Technology Centre.

The Fraser Valley region enjoys a moderate year-round climate and outstanding scenic beauty, an hour inland from the city of Vancouver. It is also one of the fastest-growing areas in Canada. The dramatic development of Fraser Valley communities in the past two decades is reflected in the evolution of UFV, as it strives to meet the changing social, educational and training needs of the area. UFV has played an integral part in many aspects of the region’s development.

UFV now offers more than 80 degree, diploma and certificate programs and options in academic and applied areas, trades training, ESL and continuing education. UFV also offers a master of arts degree in criminal justice, a one-year teacher education program and unique transition programs for Aboriginal students. UFV prides itself on its commitment to “laddering,” which allows students to build certificate and diploma programs into degree-level studies. It has a highly successful cooperative education option in several areas and a thriving international education department.

UFV’s dedicated, skilled professors and instructors provide a supportive atmosphere for learning and succeeding, helped by smaller class sizes than traditional universities. UFV has also placed a priority in the past few years to increasing prospects for work-study and financial aid for students.

In addition to a new student residence building (opened in September 2007 on the Abbotsford campus), many clubs, events and activities enhance student life on campus. Also, UFV offers a solid athletics program with both intramural and league competition. The UFV Cascades athletics teams have won provincial and national medals in the college division. In 2006, UFV’s basketball and soccer teams began competing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport league.

History
Year of foundation: 1974
Former names of the institution: Fraser Valley College; University College of the Fraser Valley.

Student fees

Canadian student fees  2009 - 2010 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $3,640
Graduate ** tuition fees: $6,332 - $9,255

International student fees  2009 - 2010 *
Undergraduate tuition fees: $10,800
Graduate ** tuition fees: $10,800 - $16,200

* Source: Statistics Canada. Fees for general programs in arts and humanities.
** Fees for programs in social and behavioural sciences.

Note: In addition to tuition fees, universities generally charge fees for goods and services supplied to students. This includes areas such as student associations, sports and health. These additional fees vary widely per university and per student and can run from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Check with the university for details.

Student enrolment

2009 rounded preliminary fall enrolment *
Full-time (undergraduates): 5,340
Full-time (graduates): 50
Part-time (undergraduates): 2,260

* Source: University of the Fraser Valley

Programs and degrees

Note: The program information is compiled by AUCC staff in cooperation with staff at member institutions. The programs are classified according to the Classification of Instructional Programs 2000. To search for the programs offered by this institution, please consult the Directory of Canadian Universities’ programs database online at http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/search/index_e.html.

Student facilities and services

Personal support services
Personal and career counselling, career resource centre, career centre (co-op placements, work-study programs, paid and volunteer work placements etc.), financial aid and awards, Aboriginal access, disability services, student life, human rights and conflict resolution office, walksafe program, international student centre, residence life programming, intramurals.

Academic support services
Academic support services, bookstore, educational advising, instructional media services, supported learning groups, computer labs, math centre, prior learning assessment and recognition, S’olh Shxwlei (Aboriginal resource centre), student union society, writing centre, student leadership program.

First-year student programs
Academic advising, campus tours, advising sessions, academic writing, library sessions, program information sessions, annual open house, orientation (student and parent), six-week check-in.

Housing
UFV has a 204-bed residence called Baker House that opened in September 2007 consisting of shared two-bedroom suites (www.ufv.ca/residence). A residence space costs $6,020 for the September-April period (two semesters), including meal plan. Limited underground parking is available. UFV has an off-campus housing website (http://ufc.och101.com).

Student assistance
Undergraduate: In UFV's 2008-2009 academic year, more than 432 students received scholarships and awards totalling more than $491,990 and 725 students received bursaries totalling more than $502,428. Bursaries range in value from approximately $100 to $1,000. UFV offers four renewable Presidents Entrance Scholarships at $4,000 each, renewable for up to three additional years to a maximum of $16,000.

University research

UFV offers its students as many opportunities as possible to engage, together with their professors and fellow students, in scientific and scholarly enquiries and to actively participate in the process of discovery. Research allows students and faculty to learn together, wrestle with the questions of their time and expand their own knowledge. UFV is dedicated to finding creative ways to integrate research and teaching and to place research and scholarly activities at the heart of the learning experience of our students, our faculty and our community.

UFV produces research that directly engages local partners and responds to local challenges in a timely manner. Its faculty are engaged in fundamental research in arts and in science; the environment, community dynamics and sustainable development; health, well-being and community services; cultural, Aboriginal and Indo-Canadian studies; crime prevention and criminal justice; and teaching and learning.  

Contact
Mr. Yvon Dandurand
Associate Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies
Website: www.ufv.ca/research

International education

UFV has embraced the new global context by greatly expanding and enriching its internationalization activities. The internationalization committee, in addition to the expansion of the UFV international department, has better equipped UFV to serve its growing international student body. UFV now provides more support services, programs, activities and events. It also promotes student and faculty exchanges, field schools, international development projects and cooperative work experiences.

Approximately 600 students from 40 countries attend UFV annually, drawn here by recruitment activities, a strong emphasis on retention and implementation of popular new programs such as International Student Leaders and Volunteer to Work. UFV has 30 agreements with postsecondary institutions in seven countries. International students have many opportunities for paid employment experience on campus at UFV through an extensive work-study program and cooperative education placements. New off-campus work permit policies have also opened up many opportunities off campus. Students find valuable learning positions in areas related to their studies, including arts, science, business and computer information systems.

Canadian UFV students can choose a study-abroad experience in China, Japan, Italy or England. Business students also have the opportunity to enhance their international educational experience by participating in the Business Administration program at UFV’s campus in Chandigarh, India.

Contact
Mr. John Potts, International Projects Officer
UFV International
Website: www.ufv.ca/international