University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia ยท 19,406 undergraduates
Counsellors: add notes to this page for a student
Is it hard to get into UVic?
What UVic asks of an applicant from a high school in Ontario. Its own province's students apply with their own courses and, often, a different tuition rate.
Programs listed
54
54 publish an average or minimum
Lowest published average
75%
Music (BMus), the school's own figure
Highest published average
92%
Kinesiology, the school's own figure
Back for second year
Not published
Share of first-year students who return
| Field | School says | First-year tuition | Graduates working | Co-op |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer science | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% | $7,240 | 86.1% | Yes |
| Engineering | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% | $7,240 | 96% | Yes |
| Business and commerce | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% | $6,544 | 92.5% | Yes |
| Health sciences and kinesiology | Estimated admission average: minimum 92% | $6,544 | 88.9% | Yes |
| Life sciences | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% | $6,544 | 87.1% | Yes |
| Math and physical sciences | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% | $6,544 | Not published | Yes |
| Social sciences | Estimated admission average: minimum 82% | $6,544 | 90.8% | Yes |
| Arts and humanities | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% | $6,544 | 100% | Yes |
| Education (teaching) | Estimated admission average: minimum 90% | $6,544 | 96.3% | No |
| Fine and performing arts | Estimated admission average: minimum 75% | $6,544 | Not published | Yes |
Graduates working: graduates of 2023.
What are the easiest programs to get into at UVic?
The programs with the lowest bar in the school's own figures: its published minimum or range. A low bar is not an easy program; competitive programs can take students well above it.
Lowest bar
- 1Music (BMus)The school says estimated admission average: minimum 75% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 2TheatreThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 75% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 3Visual ArtsThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 75% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 4Applied LinguisticsThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 5Art History and Visual StudiesThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 6Child and Youth CareThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 7Computer ScienceThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 8Computer Science and Health Information ScienceThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
Highest bar
- 1KinesiologyThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 92% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 2Teacher Education: Elementary CurriculumThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 90% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 3AstronomyThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 4BiologyThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 5ChemistryThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 6CommerceThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 7Earth SciencesThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
- 8Engineering: Year 1 entryThe school says estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses)
What average do you need for each UVic program?
54 first-year programs you can apply to straight from Grade 12, grouped by field. Open one for its required courses, extra steps, cost and the same program elsewhere.
Computer scienceevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 4 work terms | $7,240 |
| Computer Science and Health Information ScienceVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, required, 4 work terms | $6,544 |
Engineeringevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering and Computer Science LaunchPadVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 82% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | School doesn't say | $7,240 |
| Engineering: Year 1 entryVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, required, 4 work terms | $7,240 |
Business and commerceevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| CommerceVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, required, 1 work term | $6,544 |
Health sciences and kinesiologyevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Information ScienceVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, required, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| KinesiologyVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 92% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Recreation and Health EducationVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 84% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, required, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
Life sciencesevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| BiologyVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
| Molecular Life SciencesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
Math and physical sciencesevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| AstronomyVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
| ChemistryVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
| Earth SciencesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
| MathematicsVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
| PhysicsVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
| Science (Undecided)Victoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
| StatisticsVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 85% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
Arts and humanitiesevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied LinguisticsVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | School doesn't say | $6,544 |
| EnglishVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| French and Francophone StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Gender StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Germanic StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Greek and Latin Language and LiteratureVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Greek and Roman StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Hispanic StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| HistoryVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Humanities (Undecided)Victoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Indigenous StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Latin American StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| LinguisticsVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Media StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Medieval StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Pacific and Asian StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| PhilosophyVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Religion, Culture and SocietyVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Slavic StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
Education (teaching)every university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education: Elementary CurriculumVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 90% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | No | $6,544 |
Fine and performing artsevery university, ranked
| Program | School says | Co-op | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art History and Visual StudiesVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Music (BA)Victoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Music (BMus)Victoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 75% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Music and Computer ScienceVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
| TheatreVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 75% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Visual ArtsVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 75% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
| Visual Arts and Computer ScienceVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional | $6,544 |
| WritingVictoria | Estimated admission average: minimum 80% (based on the required grade 12 courses) | Yes, optional, 3 work terms | $6,544 |
How much does UVic cost?
First year, at this year's prices, for a student from Ontario. Each program's page adds up its own total.
Tuition, first year
$6,544 to $7,240
Depends on the program
Fees on top of tuition
$974 to $1,858
Compulsory student fees
Residence and meals
$14,574
First year, shared room, usual meal plan
Rent after first year
$1,061 a month
Half a two-bedroom in Victoria, CMHC Rental Market Survey, October 2025
Tuition over the years
First-year arts tuition for a student from the school's own province, as the school published it each year.
What is it like at UVic?
The same whatever program you pick.
- Who gets a room
- First-year students who graduate from high school in 2027, come straight from high school, apply to UVic by 31 January and apply for residence by 15 February
- Money just for your marks
- No automatic entrance scholarships published
- First-years who rate it good or excellent
- 77% (National Survey of Student Engagement)
- Finish their degree
- Not published
- Ways in without the usual marks
- Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) LaunchPad. A first year for students who want engineering or computer science but are not ready to choose or do not have the math and science courses needed for admission. Foundational courses replace the missing high school math and science; core and first-year courses count toward the degree, and students move into year 2 of engineering or computer science "without having to reapply to UVic". Extra advising, tutoring and a dedicated space. Who: High school or transfer applicants; Ontario applicants need ENG4U (minimum 73%) plus five more 4U/4M courses, estimated admission average minimum 82%. Part-time study is possible.
- Special Access. For students whose previous studies were affected by health, disability, family circumstances or similar challenges. After a standard application is refused, the applicant appeals with a personal letter, a resume and two references; UVic weighs both educational history and non-educational achievements. Who: First-time UVic students who are BC residents, at least 23 years old on the first day of classes, meet all prerequisites for the intended program, and have not attempted a full year of university courses. Ontario residents are not eligible.
- Supplemental Application: Indigenous Students. An optional extra step for Indigenous applicants: after the standard application, they can send a personal statement and two references so UVic can consider their educational history and non-educational achievements. The page does not say it admits applicants below the usual average. Who: First Nations, Metis and Inuit applicants who self-identify, including people from Nations bisected by the Canada/US border and those affected by the Sixties Scoop and their relatives; any province.
- Expanded Qualifications. Graduating Canadian high school students who worry their grades will not be enough can send documents showing sustained community engagement or leadership. A limited number of students are admitted this way each year; academic performance is still the main criterion. Who: Current graduating students at a Canadian high school (any province) applying to Business, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities, Science or Social Sciences, who meet the program's minimum academic requirements.
- Discovery Studies. Take UVic credit courses without being admitted to a degree and without transcripts: up to three units a term and 12 units in total, after which the student must apply for degree studies through the standard process. Who: Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 21 or older who are not current or former UVic students, have not been refused admission, meet the English requirement and send a letter of introduction.
What do UVic graduates earn?
Statistics Canada does not publish pay by university, only by field for each province's graduates. Figures are for British Columbia bachelor's graduates, the class of 2022 two years after and the class of 2019 five years after, in 2024 dollars.
| Field | Two years after (class of 2022) | Five years after (class of 2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer science | $83,800 | $105,400 |
| Engineering | $81,700 | $98,300 |
| Business and commerce | $62,700 | $79,100 |
| Health sciences and kinesiology | $45,600 | $68,400 |
| Life sciences | $48,900 | $73,800 |
| Math and physical sciences | $51,200 | $78,700 |
| Social sciences | $54,200 | $70,200 |
| Arts and humanities | $48,800 | $61,500 |
| Education (teaching) | $70,100 | $77,300 |
| Fine and performing arts | $37,900 | $47,700 |
What careers do UVic programs lead to?
Two careers per field the school teaches, each with its pay, training and what the work is like.
- Software DeveloperBuild apps, websites and systems. No licence required, many roads in.$100kTypical pay1 to 4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Data ScientistTurn piles of data into predictions and decisions. Math, code and a lot of cleaning up.$96kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Civil EngineerRoads, bridges, water and buildings. A four-year degree, then a licence that lets you sign the drawings.$101kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Mechanical EngineerMachines, engines, heating systems and factories. The biggest engineering discipline, with the widest choice of employers.$95kTypical pay4 to 8 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Accountant (CPA)The money behind every business. A degree, a national exam, and a designation that travels.$84kTypical pay6 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- Financial AnalystRead the numbers behind a company or a deal and tell people what they mean. A degree, then years of exams.$90kTypical pay4 to 7 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- PhysiotherapistGet people moving again after injury, surgery and illness. A tough master's to get into, then steady work everywhere.$96kTypical pay6 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- KinesiologistMovement, exercise and rehab science. A popular 4-year degree that opens doors, often to more school.$67kTypical pay4 yearsTo qualifyModerateDemand
- BiologistStudy living things for a government, a university or a consulting firm. The degree is the easy part; the funding is the hard part.$83kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
Compare UVic with other universities
Side by side: programs, averages, costs and outcomes.
Or open University of British Columbia's own page, or the list of every university on Careerhelp.
Where these numbers come from
Checked 2026-10-18. Every figure is from the school's own pages or a government table; nothing is estimated.
- Residence: uvic.ca (opens in a new tab) (uvic.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Who gets a room: uvic.ca (opens in a new tab) (uvic.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Scholarships: uvic.ca (opens in a new tab) (uvic.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Fees: uvic.ca (opens in a new tab) ((UVic tuition fee estimator; its data comes from uvic.ca (opens in a new tab) ; uvic.ca (opens in a new tab) (UVic tuition fee estimator; its data comes from uvic.ca (opens in a new tab) ; uvic.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Satisfaction: uvic.ca (opens in a new tab) (listed on uvic.ca (opens in a new tab))
- Rent: www150.statcan.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Pay by field: www150.statcan.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Humanities (Undecided): uvic.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Social Sciences (Undecided): uvic.ca (opens in a new tab)
- Science (Undecided): uvic.ca (opens in a new tab)
How every figure in this part of the site is sourced, and the check of every link.
Careerhelp is not affiliated with any school. Check the program page before you apply; requirements change every year.
Social sciencesevery university, ranked