The University of the Fraser Valley, abbreviated as ”UFV” is one of the public universities in Canada cited at 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.
Previously called ”University of the Fraser College” and the ”Fraser Valley College”, the University got established in 1974 as an expedited action after the need for a vocational training institution in the Fraser Valley community. It attained the status of a ”University College” in 1988 which qualified it to grant degrees in their courses and within this period, its fame reached the crescendo of being regarded as one of the largest University Colleges in Canada.
The Provincial Government granted the University the status of a ”University” on April 21, 2008 after the need for higher education in the Province was realized.
The ”Globe and Mail” Report for Canadian Universities(2010 Edition), graded the University with the ”A Range” as a post-secondary institution within the British Columbia Province in honor of its ease of registration and qualitative education and other later Report by them reflected the University being among the top universities in the country (Canada). The University offers over hundred (100) programs which includes 15 Bachelor degrees, two Master degrees, associate degrees and diploma and has about 700 academic staff.
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HISTORY:
Sometime in 1960, indigenes of the Fraser Valley proposed that a post-secondary institution be cited within the locale but the proposal got discarded in 1966 by the Provincial Government.
With a new Provincial Government in 1972, plans to continue with building the school commenced after the Task Force constituted by the Provincial Government to that effect recommended the building of a Comprehensive Regional College which would give career and vocational programs and the support gotten in respect to the recommendation led to the establishment of the Fraser Valley College on 4th April, 1974 with its official opening on September 1974.
For lack of necessary facilities, the College held classes in public schools, rented spaces and the ”Coqualeetza Education Centre” and with the support of the students and the community, the College was among the Colleges granted ”University-College” status on July 3 and in September 1991, the Administrative Board officially changed the name to ”University College of the Fraser Valley”.
In 1995, the University College of the Fraser Valley commenced granting degrees thereby, relieving it of its partnership to offer degrees through one of the four (4) Provincial Universities:
– Open University
– University of Victoria
– University of British Columbia and
– Simon Fraser University.
The Provincial Government’s action on April 28, 2008 to amend the University Act at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for upgrading the University College of the Fraser Valley to the status of a University got a Royal Assent on 29th May, 2008 and the University began to work with its new name (University of the Fraser Valley) on 1st September, 2008.
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CAMPUSES:
The University has over five (5) campuses and each offers different atmospheres for learning.
1. ABBOTSFORD:
The Abbotsford campus was the pioneer campus of the University of the Fraser Valley opened in 1983 with some infrastructural edifices including ”First Heritage Computer Access Centre”
established in it in the Fall Term of 1996.
The University started trade programs in the campus starting with the carpentry program in 1978; opened the student activity centre and first gymnasium in 2002 and established the pioneer student residence (Baker House) in 2007.
2. CHILLIWACK (YALE ROAD) CAMPUS:
Nicknamed ”Chilliwack North”, it came into being in 1975 and patterned to last only five (5) and had since surpassed this and succeeded in setting up an agricultural technology centre, a health science building and a multipurpose complex/theatre within two decades of its start.
Located at 45190 Caen Avenue, Chilliwack, British Columbia, the campus offers a course including Nursing and Theatre and the Theatre Department is known to produce three plays per year.
3. CHILLIWACK CAMPUS (CANADA EDUCATION PARK):
The University has a dual campus at Chilliwack with the Southern part located at the Canada Education Park (CEP). The campus is home to some faculties of the University including Faculty of Health Sciences and Agriculture Centre of Excellence which opened in May 2012 and September 2012 respectively.
4. MISSION:
The Mission campus of the University opened in 1975 and offers courses bothering on Adult Basic Education and Continuing Education.
Other campuses of the University are at Agassiz, Hope and a proposed campus ”UFV Five Corners” at the Five Corners suburb of the Downtown Chilliwack.
ENROLLMENT:
The count taken in the 2009/2010 academic session showed about 15,446 students were undergoing studies in the University. It enrolls about 17,000 students per year (with about 1,000 International students).
RANKING:
The University is now ranked as the 75th in Canada and the 4641st in the World.
By virtue of the University Act, the University comprises of:
– Board of Governors
– Faculties
– Chancellor
– Convocation
– Senate.
The Board of Governors of the University is responsible for managing the properties and revenue of the University and the Senate manages the academic activities of the University. Degrees and Diplomas are given out through the Convocation which comprises of: Administrators, Faculties and Alumni with numbers not exceeding twenty (20). The University is under the leadership of Dr. Gwen Point (Chancellor) and Dr. Mark D. Eveed (President).
The President of the University is also the Chief Executive Officer of the University, member of the: Senate, Board of Governors, Convocation and doubles as the Vice Chancellor of the University.
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FACULTIES:
The University has seven (7) faculties and three schools with the Humanities and Social Sciences faculties being the largest (consisting of sixteen departments). Subsequent most populous faculties includes the Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies, the Faculty of Science with four departments and the Faculty of Health sciences with five departments.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The University offers admission for their programs to both Canadian and International prospective students.
POST-GRADUATE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The Teacher Education Department of the University offers a degree in education (BEd) to students who had completed a four-year degree course. The requirements into the program are:
– 3 Credits in Canadian History
– 4 Credits in Canadian History
– 3 Credits in Canadian geography
– 4 Credits in Canadian geography
– 3 Credits in English/Composition
– 3 Credits in Educational Psychology
– 4 Credits in Introduction to Best Practices in Teaching and Learning
– Completion of a four-year Bachelor degree from one of the
recognized institutions in the country
– 4 Credits in Maths for the Elementary School Teacher (MATHS 105).
Other requirements for the undergraduate program in the University are:
1. English Language Requirement
2. Grade Point Average
3. Reference Letters
4. Program preparation
5. Interview.
UNDERGRADUATE REQUIREMENTS:
The University has different requirements for each course for the Indigenous or Canadian students who wish to seek admission into the University.
For a Diploma in Aboriginal Culture and Language Support, the following are the entrance requirements:
– Completion of the outlines for MATHS 105
– Completion of ENGL 105
– A Diploma from British Columbia (BC) Secondary School, Dogwood or
its equal: Advanced/ABE Provincial
– Willingness of the candidate to undergo a criminal check
– Attainment of the age of 19 by the 31st October of the
first year of admission.
INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The University offers admission to International students on completing the three requirements set apart for them:
1. General Requirements:
International applicants for both undergraduate and graduate programs are expected to have:
– TOEFL: A score of 188 or above
– Cambridge: A Grade ”C” Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
– A Grade ”A” Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) in Cambridge
– A score of 85 in MELAB
– IELTS: A score of 6.5 or above
– A score of 70 in CAEL
– PTE: A score of 61 and 60 in writing
– LFI: A score of 30 equal to Level 5
– CanTEST: A score of 4.5 and a minimum score of 4.0 in writing.
International applicants for Qualifying Studies should have:
– TOEFL: A score of 80 with each section not less than score 79
– A Grade ”A” in First Certificate in English in Cambridge
– A Grade ”C” in Certificate of Advanced English in Cambridge
– PTE: A score of 56 and 52 in writing
– MELAB: A score of 80
– A score of 6.0 in IELTS
– CanTEST: A total score of 4.0 in Writing, Listening and Reading.
3. Program Requirements:
Each program has diverse requirements. International applicants applying for English as a Second Language (ESL) program must have completed High School and be up to eighteen (18) years of age.
ADMISSION PERIODS:
The University operates a trimester academic schedule:
1. Fall Semester: Spanning from September to December
2. Winter Semester: Spanning from January to April
3. Summer Semester: Spanning from May to August.
TUITION:
Tuition fees at the University of the Fraser Valley varies from one course to the other.
The estimated Standard cost of undergoing studies at the University for a year of two Semesters and a Summer break is about $30,800 Canadian Dollars ($30,800 CAD).
The tuition includes:
– Accommodation
– Books and Supplies
– International administration fees
– Tuition and student fees
– Medical Insurance
– Living expenses.
A lucid compilation is given:
1. Undergraduate Studies tuition (2 Semesters): $16,620
2. Student and Ancillary fees: $840
3. Medical and dental premiums: $1,120
4. International administration fee (first two Semesters): $1,440
5. Books and Supplies: $11,280
6. Living expenses (Spending money): $4,000
7. UFV Residence (Accommodation): $5,500.
Extra information about the University is through the following mediums:
Email: info@ufv.ca
Telephone(Toll Free): 1-888-504-7441
Website: www.ufv.ca
Address: 7M8, 33844, Kind Rd., Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M7, Canada.