How to Apply to Psychology at the University of Victoria: Direct Entry to the BA or BSc, and Requirements and Timeline for BC and Chinese High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Victoria (UVic) is in Victoria, BC’s capital, on Vancouver Island. Psychology is offered by the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Social Sciences as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc). Like Ottawa, Calgary, Alberta and SFU, UVic lets both high school and transfer students apply directly to psychology. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on UVic’s official information, for students at Canadian high schools (especially BC and Vancouver students, as well as international students in Canada), students at high schools in China, and transfer students.

1. BA or BSc

• BA: requires any two biology courses in first year and offers more flexibility in electives.
• BSc: requires certain math and science courses, including BIOL 184 and 186 in first year and two additional science courses in both second and third year.
• Four streams: lifespan development, mental health and well-being, mind and brain, and social psychology.
• Other options: combined majors with biology or computer science, or a psychology minor added to another major after one year of full-time study. Co-op is available to everyone, including international students with co-op work permits; UVic says 70% of co-op students graduate with a job offer.
• Honours: original research and a thesis in fourth year, useful for graduate school. Requirements:
  • a GPA of at least 7.0 (A-, on UVic’s 9-point scale) in all psychology courses from the last five years;
  • at least 5.0 (B) in other courses;
  • at least A- (80%) in each required statistics course.
  Apply online from February 11 to March 15 of third year; decisions come in early April.
• Research funding: full-time third- and fourth-year students with a GPA of 7.0+ can apply for the Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Award (CAD $1,500); first- and second-year students can apply for 12-week paid Valerie Kuehne research internships.

2. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• BC and Yukon high school students:
  • Grade 11: approved English 11; Foundations of Mathematics 11 or Pre-Calculus 11; an approved science 11; an approved social studies 11/12;
  • Grade 12: English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12, at least 73%, plus three approved academic Grade 12 courses.
• Estimated admission average: at least 82%, based on required Grade 12 courses. UVic says this is an estimate from recent cycles and may rise with competition. The estimate is also 82% for Alberta, Manitoba and other provinces, and 28 IB points (excluding additional points).
• Expanded qualifications: academics are the main criterion, but a limited number of Canadian high school graduates may be admitted on non-academic qualifications.
• Early admission: high school students who apply and submit grades by early December can be considered on completed courses and may receive an offer within weeks. Otherwise, UVic will ask for updated grades.
• How to apply: through EducationPlannerBC. The fee is CAD $89.50 if all transcripts are from Canada, or CAD $184 if any are from outside Canada. BC-curriculum students (including international schools) should order transcripts through STS right after applying, choosing the default option that allows updates for one year.

3. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• Requirements: senior secondary graduation with grades for Senior Years 1, 2 and 3 and an overall average of at least 80%, plus Huikao or Xuekao results. UVic does not list a Gaokao requirement for Chinese students.
• Estimated admission average: 83% (based on the average of years 10 to 12).
• Grades: upload in-progress transcripts through the UVic application portal.
• After admission: pay the acceptance deposit (credited toward tuition) by the date in your offer email; admission is confirmed once UVic receives official final transcripts.

4. English requirements

• Exemptions:
  • four years of full-time English-language study in Canada at the high school or post-secondary level;
  • or three years of full-time English-language study at a recognized school with at least a B in Grade 11 English;
  • or 86%+ in Grade 12 English in Canada within the last three years; AP English 4 or IB HL English A 4, among others.
• Scores for direct admission (valid for two years):
  • IELTS Academic 6.5 with no component below 6.0, including One Skill Retake results;
  • TOEFL iBT 88 (no section below 20) or 4.5 (no section below 4.0), institution code 0989;
  • Duolingo 120 (no subscore below 110); PTE 65 (no skill below 60); CAEL 70 (no section below 60); Cambridge C1/C2 180 (no skill below 170).
• Conditional admission: Social Sciences offers conditional admission, for example with IELTS 6.0 (no component below 5.5), TOEFL 79 (no section below 17) or 4.0 (no section below 3.5), or Duolingo 110. You register for courses as usual and meet the requirement by the date in your offer. With lower scores, the English Language Centre’s intensive program can lead to preliminary admission, with up to 24 months to meet the requirement and start your degree without reapplying.
• Compared with other schools: accepting IELTS One Skill Retake and offering relatively low thresholds for conditional admission makes UVic friendlier to students who are just short on English.

5. Transfer students

• Direct transfer into psychology is possible. UVic lists the calendar minimums, and actual requirements may be higher:
  • From a university: eight or more university courses (12 UVic units) with at least a C (2.0 on UVic’s 9-point scale) on the most recent 12 units.
  • From a BC college: eight or more university-transfer courses with at least a C; A- (7.0) after one full year of a diploma program; B (5.0) for a completed diploma; certificate programs are not eligible.
• Fewer than 12 units: you must also meet the high school requirements. Averages include repeated and failed courses.
• Transfer scholarships: students transferring directly from a Canadian college or university (with no more than one term between), with at least 12 transferable graded units and a 7.5/9.0 average, are considered; for September entry, final transcripts are due by September 15.

6. Timeline for September 2027 entry

• By early December 2026: apply and submit grades for early admission consideration.
• January 31, 2027: deadline for most degree programs. Some programs stay open afterward; if you can still select it in EducationPlannerBC you can apply, but it may close without warning.
• February 15 to March 15, 2027: Grade 12 students in other Canadian provinces self-report grades for scholarships.
• February 15 to April 30, 2027: online applications for specific-criteria entrance scholarships.
• Other intakes: Social Sciences programs also admit for January (deadline September 30) and summer (deadline March 31).

7. Scholarships

• Automatic entrance scholarships (2027–28, no application, based on admission average):
  • Canadian citizens and permanent residents: 90%+ (or 32 IB), a one-time CAD $1,500 to $5,000;
  • International students: A- or equivalent, a one-time CAD $15,000.
• Conditions: entering first year directly from high school (within two years of graduating, with no post-secondary study) and registering in at least 12 units in the first winter session. International students completing a Canadian high school diploma are assessed like Canadian high school students.
• Tuition: the psychology program page includes a tuition and fee estimator by residency.

Checklist

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Apply to the BA or BSc in Psychology on EducationPlannerBC by January 31, 2027; apply and submit grades by early December for early admission
• BC: English Studies 12 at 73%+ plus three approved Grade 12 academic courses; Grade 11 English, Foundations of Math 11 or Pre-Calculus 11, a science and a social studies course
• Order transcripts through STS right after applying
• A 90%+ average brings an automatic entrance scholarship

Students at high schools in China:

• Senior Years 1–3 transcripts (80%+ overall; estimated admission average 83%) and Huikao or Xuekao results
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component, One Skill Retake accepted), TOEFL 88 or 4.5, or Duolingo 120; slightly lower scores can bring conditional admission
• Apply by January 31; the application fee is CAD $184
• International students with an A- average receive an automatic CAD $15,000 scholarship

Transfer students:

• From a university: at least a C on the most recent 12 units (minimum; actual may be higher); from a BC college: A- after one diploma year or B for a completed diploma
• With fewer than 12 units, you must also meet high school requirements

Sources: University of Victoria, Psychology program and admission requirements; Application deadlines; English language requirements; How to apply; Entrance scholarships; Department of Psychology: BA or BSc major; Department of Psychology: Honours. Information is for September 2027 entry; admission averages are UVic’s estimates from recent cycles. Check UVic for the latest details.