PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM (PDF)
A country as vast, diverse, and ever changing as Canada offers near limitless opportunities for study and reflection. Multicultural and multilingual, with a unique political, economic, and social history, Canada defies easy definitions and continues to fuel debate about its "identity" as a nation.
The Canadian Studies certificate program at the University of Victoria offers you a way to explore Canada from a variety of perspectives - artistic, cultural, historical, geographical, political, or economic - the choice is up to you. The certificate is a non-credit program, designed primarily for people who wish to take courses for personal interest or professional development.
This program will appeal to both Canadian and international applicants who wish to pursue university study on a full or part-time basis.
The Canadian Studies certificate program isoffered in cooperation with the Faculties of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and the Division of Continuing Studies at the University of Victoria.
What Background Do I Need?
Proficiency in English at the university level is required to succeed in the Canadian Studies program. International students who need to advance their level of English may wish to consider an enriched program for language skill development such as the University Admission Preparation and Canadian Studies program, prior to applying for the Canadian Studies diploma or certificate. The Canadian Studies Steering Committee may require students who need to improve their level of English proficiency and/or writing skills to complete courses in English in addition to the certificate requirements.
Students applying to the certificate program will be admitted on the basis of previous academic work or as Special Category students according to University of Victoria regulations.
International students who have not previously studied at a university in Canada, or have not taken the University Admission Preparation Course offered by the English Language Centre, will also be required to complete a non-credit orientation course.
Learning Objectives
The Canadian Studies program is designed to:
The certificate is a non-credit program and requires admission to the Canadian Studies program, but not to the University of Victoria. Students are expected to complete all course assignments and will be graded, just as in courses taken for credit in the diploma option.
Requirements
The certificate requires eight courses equivalent to 12 credit units (about 312 hours of course work). Certificate students are required to complete two core courses in Canadian Studies (CS101 and CS102) and choose the remainder of their courses in subjects related to Canada offered by the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts at UVic.
NOTE: If space is available, students may register in core Canadian Studies courses for non-credit, without having to be enrolled in the certificate program.