PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
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Explore Canada
The Canadian Studies Diploma 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.
This unique, interdisciplinary program offers you a way to satisfy your academic, professional, or personal interest in subjects relating to Canada. You will complete required core courses in Canadian culture and issues, and choose electives from a range of other courses related to Canada.
Who Should Take the Program?
This diploma 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 diploma is a credit program, which means that course credits can be transferred towards an undergraduate degree. The diploma is suited to students who may wish to pursue further academic study at university.
The Canadian Studies certificate program is offered in cooperation with the Faculties of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and the Division of Continuing Studies at the University of Victoria.
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. 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 diploma/certificate requirements.
Students applying to the Canadian Studies diploma program must meet admission requirements for the University of Victoria.
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.
The Canadian Studies program is designed to:
The diploma requires a minimum of 12 courses equivalent to 18 credit units (about 470 hours of course work). You are required to complete three core courses (CS101, CS102, and CS200) in Canadian Studies (4.5 units) and choose the remainder of your courses in subjects related to Canada offered by the Faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts at UVic.
With the permission of the Canadian Studies Program Steering Committee, you may transfer up to 4.5 units of appropriate credit courses completed at UVic or other accredited universities towards your diploma, as long as you have not previously used these credits towards a degree.