University of the Fraser Valley emblem

University of the Fraser Valley

Abbotsford, Canada • Founded 1974 • World Rank #3923

Updated Sep 2026

Overview

Acronyms: UFV
Founded: 1974
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
World Rank: #3923
Rank in Canada: #61
Colours: Blue and green
Mascot: Sasq 'ets
Around University of the Fraser Valley campus
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Established in 1974, the University of the Fraser Valley is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Abbotsford (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), British Columbia.

This institution also has branch campuses in Chilliwack, Mission, Hope and Agassiz. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of British Columbia, University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a large-sized coeducational Canadian higher education institution.

University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in several areas of study. This 50-year-old Canadian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.

UFV also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

University of the Fraser Valley's street address and primary contact methods. Social channels often differentiate by purpose — admissions on one, alumni on another, events on a third.

Address: 33844 King Road
Postal Code: V2S 7M8
Phone: +1 (604) 854 4544
Fax: +1 (604) 855 7153
Social Media:

Academic Details

Academic statistics for University of the Fraser Valley — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.

Academic Year: Three semesters: Fall (September-December), Winter (January-April) and Summer (May-August); the Summer semester runs as two sessions, May-June and July-August, sharing the same application deadlines.
Recognition: Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of British Columbia
Admission Requirements: UFV publishes one general academic standard, a two-level English standard, and separate entrance requirements for every programme; the courses, grades and documents that actually decide your file are in that programme's Academic Calendar entry, so read it alongside the general rules below. Meeting the minimums never guarantees a seat, because many UFV programmes are limited or competitive entry. GENERAL ACADEMIC ENTRY (applies to both applicant types). You must satisfy ONE of these: B.C. secondary school graduation or an accepted equivalent; or nine UFV or transferable post-secondary credits carrying at least a 2.00 GPA (a C average) across everything attempted; or be 19 or older by the day your first class starts; or, for preparatory-level programmes only, be 17 or older and a year or more out of high school when the semester begins. Applicants under 19 who have not graduated may ask for special admission. Anyone needing high-school-level upgrading can enter Adult Basic Education instead (17 or 18 and out of public school for a year, or a high school graduate, or 19+ before classes start). ENGLISH: TWO LEVELS, AND THE CREDENTIAL DECIDES WHICH ONE. UFV sets an Entry-level standard that opens some certificate, trades and preparatory programmes, and a higher Degree/diploma-level standard required for bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, post-baccalaureate programmes and graduate programmes. Each Calendar programme entry names the level it wants. Test results count for two years from the test date, and three years of full-time schooling in English in a country on UFV's recognised list can be presented instead of a test. Entry-level is met by any one of: English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (English 12, English Literature 12, AP English or IB English A also accepted); TOEFL iBT 80 with no section under 19, or paper-based 550 with TWE 4.0; IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band under 5.5; PTE Academic 56 with 52 in writing; CAEL 60; CanTEST 4.0 across listening, reading and writing; Duolingo English Test 100 to 109; Cambridge CAE at grade C or FCE at grade A; MELAB 80; LPI essay 24 (level 4); EIKEN Pre-1; CLBPT 8 overall with nothing under 7; UFV's own CPT at 41; Accuplacer Reading 80 together with WritePlacer 6 on the 8-point scale; or EAP 074 at C+ / EAP 084. Degree/diploma level is met by any one of: English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 at C+ or better (English 12, English Literature 12, AP English or IB English A also accepted); TOEFL iBT 88 with no section under 20, or paper-based 570 with TWE 4.5; IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band under 6.0; PTE Academic 61 with 60 in writing; CAEL 70; CanTEST 4.5 in listening and reading with 4.0 in writing; Duolingo English Test 110 or above; Cambridge CPE at grade C or CAE at grade A; MELAB 85; LPI essay 30 (level 5); EIKEN grade 1; CLBPT 9 overall with nothing under 8; UFV's CPT at 48; or EAP 084 at C+. If you fall short, UFV routes you through Adult Basic Education, English Language Studies or the University Foundation certificate. DOMESTIC APPLICANTS are Canadian citizens and permanent residents; UFV also admits some refugee claimants granted protected person or convention refugee status, and diplomatic or consular staff and their dependants, on domestic terms. You apply once through the province's central system, EducationPlannerBC, at apply.educationplannerbc.ca/apply/complete-application/ufv, and follow the file afterwards at applicant.ufv.ca. Application fees for 2026-27 are CAD 55.95 for a new or returning applicant, CAD 84.46 for a new domestic master's applicant, and CAD 24.87 for a current UFV student changing programme; Upgrading and University Preparation programmes charge no fee. Transcripts have to reach UFV straight from the issuing institution. Grade 12 students may apply from 1 October of their graduating year, and final grades with proof of graduation are due by 3 August. A domestic applicant schooled in English normally meets the language rule with English 12 and sits no test at all. INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS also apply through EducationPlannerBC, but the process is run by UFV International (international.ufv.ca). Academic entry is upper-secondary study equivalent to Canadian Grade 12 - UFV gives Form Six, five O-levels with at least two A-levels, and the GCE as worked examples, and publishes a full country-by-country equivalency list. Fees for 2026-27 are CAD 150 for an undergraduate application and CAD 250 for a master's application. A proficiency score must accompany the application or UFV will not process it. Clearing the degree/diploma bar (IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band under 6.0, TOEFL iBT 88 with no section under 20, PTE 61 with 60 in writing, Duolingo 110, Cambridge CPE at C or CAE at A, EIKEN grade 1, ILAC 3.3 PW, or English 12 at C+) opens the undergraduate and graduate programmes directly. A lower score that still reaches the Qualifying Studies bar (IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band under 5.5, TOEFL iBT 80 with no section under 19, PTE 56 with 52 in writing, Duolingo 100, Cambridge CAE at C or FCE at A, EIKEN Pre-1, or English 12 at C-) admits you to Qualifying Studies, where a C+ can then open degree and diploma study and you may carry up to three first-year academic courses alongside it; below that, English Language Studies is the entry point. IELTS Indicator results are not accepted. Note also that not every UFV programme takes international students - UFV's 'Programs open for application' list marks each one yes or no, and a few accept international applicants for the Fall intake only. Applicants to the English Second Language programme need high school (or Form Five) completed and must be at least 18.
Total Students: 16,364
Student Enrollment: 10
Academic Staff Range: 700-799
Campus Setting: Suburban
Memberships & Networks
Universities Canada (UC) Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) Canadian University Press (CUP)

Academic Structures

University of the Fraser Valley's teaching architecture in the units below. New faculties (formed in the last decade) signal where the institution is investing for the future.

Unit 7 items
  • College of Arts
  • Faculty of Access and Open Studies
  • Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Faculty of Professional Studies
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Trades
  • School of Graduate Studies

Programs Offered

University of the Fraser Valley's programmes, with filter and level-based grouping. The combination of search and tier view makes shortlisting faster across large catalogues.

169 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada

Bachelor's Degree 44 programmes

Showing 10 of 44.

Master's Degree 2 programmes

Associate's Degree 4 programmes

Certificate 59 programmes

Showing 10 of 59.

Diploma 18 programmes

Showing 10 of 18.

Foundation 11 programmes

Showing 10 of 11.

Micro-credential 14 programmes

Micro-credential in Employment Readiness Micro-credential
Upgrading/upskilling · On-campus · English

UFV's Faculty of Business and Computing publishes one policy for all its microcredentials: the faculty's microcredentials overview page states that microcredentials "are open to anybody and do not require academic admiss...

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Showing 10 of 14.

Postgraduate Certificate 4 programmes

Postgraduate Diploma 7 programmes

Trades - Apprenticeship 6 programmes

How to apply to University of the Fraser Valley

Below is a five-step path through the application process at University of the Fraser Valley, useful for first-time applicants and international students.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    University of the Fraser Valley's catalogue includes 169 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for University of the Fraser Valley's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Submit your completed application through University of the Fraser Valley's official website at www.ufv.ca. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +1 (604) 854 4544. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of the Fraser Valley

Below are the key facts most prospective students ask about University of the Fraser Valley, drawn directly from institutional records.

When was University of the Fraser Valley founded?

University of the Fraser Valley was established in 1974 (approximately 52 years ago).

What city is University of the Fraser Valley in?

University of the Fraser Valley operates from Abbotsford, Canada.

Is University of the Fraser Valley public or private?

It is a public higher-education institution.

How big is University of the Fraser Valley's student body?

University of the Fraser Valley serves approximately 10,000-14,999 students.

What is University of the Fraser Valley's ranking?

It ranks #3923 globally and #61 in Canada.

How many faculties does University of the Fraser Valley have?

University of the Fraser Valley is organised into 7 academic units across its disciplines.

Is University of the Fraser Valley accredited?

The institution holds recognition from Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of British Columbia.

What is University of the Fraser Valley's official website?

The institution's website is www.ufv.ca.

Top-Ranked Universities in Canada

A quick benchmark: here are the top-ranked universities in Canada. Useful for understanding how University of the Fraser Valley compares against the national reference points in higher education, and what alternatives exist if reach institutions are part of your strategy.

Members of Universities Canada (UC)

Membership renewal cycles for Universities Canada (UC) create periodic quality reviews. Recent renewals or admissions to the network signal currency of standards — older memberships may need re-examination.

Faculties at nearby universities

Universities geographically close to University of the Fraser Valley are listed below — useful if commute, campus visits, or regional culture factor into your shortlist. Many students compare nearby options before committing to a final choice.

Where Else to Study Trades

Supervision quality at the Trades programme level is hard to assess externally but affects research output and graduate-school placement. Talk to current students or alumni where possible.

Universities Compared with University of the Fraser Valley

Cross-institutional admissions sharing exists in some networks — peers of University of the Fraser Valley sometimes accept shared application materials or recognise admissions decisions. Worth checking when batching applications.

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