Who We Are

Applications for Admission to Fall 2024 at TRU open Sunday, October 1st.

Future Student Advisors are available for pre-admission advising appointments; appointments can be held virtually, in person, or by telephone. Request an appointment today!; International students can reach out to welcome@tru.ca

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Located in the heart of Kamloops, British Columbia, Thompson Rivers University offers an abundance of programs, hands-on learning experiences, accessible faculty and a network of services to support student success. TRU’s beautiful main campus is located in a welcoming city in a spectacular setting of river valleys, semi-arid grasslands, lakes and mountain peaks on the traditional territories of the Secwepémc people. Kamloops offers a safe environment, affordability and a wide variety of activities, and is a convenient 3.5-hour drive or 45-minute flight from Vancouver. 

At TRU, you’ll find many paths to learning, a hands-on approach and a supportive, inclusive environment. Go beyond the classroom and learn by doing, from co-op placements with industry leaders, to applied research projects and study abroad. Choose from more than 140 on-campus programs and 60 Open Learning programs in arts, science, health sciences, trades and technology, tourism, business and economics, education and social work, nursing and law. From English language certificates to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, TRU offers great flexibility. 

Over 13,000 students study on campus, including more than 2,100 international students from over 85 countries. Another 13,000 study by distance or online through TRU’s Open Learning division. Students of many backgrounds, in many stages of their educational journey, find their path in a supportive environment at TRU.

General Info General Info


Enrolment Total
25000

Detailed Costs
Campus Locations

Kamloops Campus

805 TRU Way,
Kamloops, BC

Williams Lake Campus

1250 Western Ave,
Williams Lake, BC

Kamloops Campus

805 TRU Way
Kamloops, BC

Williams Lake Campus

1250 Western Ave
Williams Lake, BC


Credentials Available
  • Associate Degree
  • Certificates: 1 Year or Less
  • Diplomas: 2-3 Years
  • Master’s Degree / Graduate Credentials
  • Trades Apprenticeship
  • Upgrading / HS Completion
  • Trades Foundation Certificate
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Continuing Education
  • Post-Degree / Post-Graduate Diplomas

Programs Programs


Info on All Programs
Areas of Study Available
  • Agriculture, Natural Resources and Science
  • Business and Management
  • Communications
  • Computer and Information Systems
  • Construction and Precision Production
  • Education and Library Sciences
  • Engineering and Electronics
  • Health Related
  • Legal and Social Services
  • Visual, Performing and Fine Arts
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities
  • Mechanical and Related
  • Recreation, Tourism, Hospitality and Service
  • Sciences
  • Upgrading Programs

Study Abroad Opportunities

At TRU, Study Abroad refers to all student opportunities in countries other than Canada, including exchanges, field schools, practica and internships. With over 40 countries to consider, students can choose from a wide range of programs and locations to meet their needs through TRU Bilateral Exchange and the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). TRU students within the Co-op program also have the opportunity to consider International Co-op Abroad placements.

Study Abroad Info

Admissions Admissions


Basic Admissions Requirements

TRU programs generally require high school graduation or equivalent. Exceptions to this requirement will be indicated in the program specific admission requirements. Depending on the program, qualified applicants are admitted based on three admission processes: Non-Competitive, Limited, and Competitive.

Open (Non-Competitive) Admission: The number of students admitted into these programs is not limited. Programs have minimum admission requirements, but if you are missing a requirement, upgrading is possible.

Limited Admission: Only a limited number of students will be accepted into these programs each year. Admission decisions are made on a first-qualified basis.

Selective (Competitive) Admission: A select number of students are accepted into these programs each year. Your grades will be considered and you may be asked to submit letters of reference, attend an interview, and/or fill out a questionnaire. These programs have a set application deadline.


IB and AP Credits

TRU recognizes and awards credit to both Canadian and international students who complete enriched secondary school programs, including IB programs – transfer credit granted for higher level courses passed with a grade of 5 or higher – and AP programs – transfer credit granted for approved subjects passed with a grade of 4 or higher.

English Proficiency Requirements

English is the language of instruction at TRU. Applicants are expected to be able to demonstrate language proficiency and TRU will verify that applicants do meet language proficiency requirements prior to admission. Students who don’t meet a program’s English Language requirement may meet and/or obtain the equivalency through additional coursework [University Preparation courses – campus or distance] and/or approved English placement assessments, including the TRU Accuplacer or Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test.


Application Deadline

TRU begins accepting applications for most programs on October 1. Application for trades programs are accepted throughout the year. Limited admission programs do not have a posted deadline, but students are encouraged to complete applications early to ensure seat availability. Applications to Arts, Communications & Digital Journalism, Science, Business, and Computing Science degree programs received prior to May 1 will be guaranteed an admission decision before priority registration dates are assigned. Some selective admission programs have much earlier deadline dates that are listed here.

Application Fee

The current TRU Application Fee for Canadian citizen or permanent resident is $32.27

How to Apply

TRU applications are submitted online through Education Planner BC, and completing the application requires a credit card to pay the application fee. Once you begin an online application, you can save it and return as often as you like prior to your final submission.


Admissions Contact Email
Admissions Contact Phone

Financial Aid Financial Aid


Entrance Scholarships Available
95
Entrance Scholarships Deadline

All scholarship, award, and bursary applications for fall 2024 will be submitted through the myTRU student portal. References will be submitted separately to entrance@tru.ca. All scholarships and awards are applied for through a single general application, and applicants are automatically considered for all possible scholarships and awards. All applications must be received by the deadline (applications received after Mar 1 may only be considered for awards).

Entrance Scholarship Deadline: March 1, 2024

Entrance Awards Deadline: April 1, 2024


Entrance Scholarships Info
Other Scholarship Info
Student Loan Info

Financial Aid Contact Email
Financial Aid Contact Phone

Residence Residence


First Year Residence Spots
First-year students who apply for residence by April 1st are guaranteed a spot.
Residence Options

TRU has five on campus housing options. The 11-storey TRU Residence is home to 570 students and features some of the best views in the city.  The McGill Housing dorm-style residence houses 302 students in four-bedroom quads, and the East Village Residence is an apartment-style residence with over 200 beds available in two-, three- and four-bedroom furnished units. Newly built East Village – Phase 2 offers shared and single bedroom suites.  Additionally, we have our temporary West Gate Residences which offer private suites for students.

Total Average Residence Cost
$5,128 - $9,550
Residence Cost Details

You can find the rates for each residence by clicking “Learn More” on our housing website.


Residence Application Deadline

Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. However, priority housing may be awarded to students who apply to TRU before January 31st and who indicate that they would like on campus housing on their TRU program application.

How to Apply

Before January 31st, 2024 – indicate you’d like housing on your TRU program application. After January 31st apply online directly to each individual residence from the Housing page on the TRU website.


Residence Contact Email

Accessibility Supports & Services Accessibility Supports & Services


Accessibility Supports & Services Info

TRU provides academic accommodations and services to all eligible TRU students, both on campus and Open Learning. We facilitate equal access to educational opportunities by reducing physical, attitudinal and systemic barriers.

More Accessibility Info

Indigenous Student Supports & Services Indigenous Student Supports & Services


Indigenous Student Supports & Services Info

We have an awesome team to support Indigenous students. Plus many excellent resources.

If you’re an Indigenous student looking at coming to TRU, book a meeting with our Qelmucw (Indigenous) Future Student Advisors who can support you on your journey to TRU. They can support program selection, navigating the application process, band funding or external funding supports and more!

More Indigenous Student Info