Orientation

University Canada West combines innovative program formats with traditional academic quality to give you a new choice for your post-secondary education.

UCW is a private university, with degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels authorized by the Province of British Columbia’s Minister of Advanced Education on recommendation of its Degree Quality Assessment Board.

UCW gives you the advantages of attending a small university—access to professors, staff, and lots of academic and personal support—and the benefits of living in one of the most attractive cities in Canada.

Our Mission
University Canada West provides strong business and arts and science undergraduate degree programs that promote students' growth as critical and independent thinkers and skilled graduates, through practical and practiced activities. Our post-graduate programs provide rigorous advanced study and research opportunities to enhance personal and professional development. UCW is committed to regular evaluation and renewal of programs, priorities, and processes in order to keep pace with new knowledge and meet changing needs and opportunities. UCW provides a range of delivery models and significant special resources to assure student success both before and following graduation. We work closely with BC communities and employers to ensure maximum educational enrichment and eventual employment of our students. A shortened version of this mission statement reads as follows:

UCW aims to provide high-quality degree programs, using flexible delivery models and excellent academic resources to support its commitment to student success in fields of study that build on the unique strengths and opportunities of Vancouver Island.

Victoria is our Campus
University Canada West is located in Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia. Victoria is a friendly, medium-sized city of 300,000 people with a compact downtown core. UCW is the first urban university in the city, and has many local amenities within walking distance.

Situated at the southern tip of Vancouver Island Victoria offers something most Canadian cities cannot: an almost snow-free winter. With the mildest climate in Canada, the city is commonly referred to as Canada's "Riviera". The geography of the area brings mild temperatures year-round - but ski slopes are just a few hours away.

Students are attracted to Victoria for its educational opportunities, natural environment and, close-knit community. The city is home to three universities, a public college and dozens of private institutions offering a wide range of educational programs. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, mountains and forests, Victoria provides outstanding outdoor adventure opportunities within minutes of the city.

Victoria is considered to be "just the right size" by people who want to enjoy the benefits of a metropolitan centre but appreciate the neighbourliness of a smaller community. Victoria's cultural offerings include two symphony orchestras, an excellent opera company, live theatre, many art galleries and a diverse nightlife. The island lifestyle is considered one of the most gentle and attractive in North America, and many community and social organizations host events and services for residents and visitors alike.

DEGREES AND ACADEMICS

Academic Goals
The UCW goal, as described in the Mission Statement, is to provide high-quality education in disciplines and fields of high demand. Centered in BC's Capital City, UCW will build on the unique strengths, needs and opportunities of Vancouver Island as a world-class centre for tourism and retirement, its natural environment, and its burgeoning marine and high-technology industries.

We believe that enabling our students to succeed is the most important thing we can do. UCW provides:

Accessible post-secondary education:
· We accept students based on their motivation, and on their achievement of a 65% or higher high school average
· We accept applications and registrations continuously all year.
· We have reasonable fees for prior-learning assessment

An Enhanced learning-environment:
· We provide learning coaches to help ensure your success in every course.
· We have classroom assistants to help with any problems you may encounter
· We have flexible course delivery models to help you learn
· Our classes are organized to in student teams to give you the support you need.

Advanced Program design:
· We offer a curriculum that is relevant to the needs of students and society
· We conduct continuous assessment of your progress, especially of your oral and written communication skills
· Our programs are designed to let you practice and apply the skills you have learned.

Training that is relevant in today’s marketplace:
· You will develop essential skills in critical thinking and analysis
· You will gain skills in oral presentation and writing.
· You’ll develop a set of solid values and ethics
· You will gain the general and specialized knowledge you need to succeed.

How our programs are designed.
Every undergraduate degree consists of 40 courses (120 credits) which you will take over eight quarters (two and a half years_. Each quarter you will take five courses and earn 15 credits. All UCW undergraduate students, no matter which degree program they are aiming for, take the same 15 foundation courses in their first year. The next 20 courses are specific to the degree each student has chosen. Specialty concentrations are available. During their final year, all undergraduate students take 5-capstone courses that are the same, no matter which degree they are studying for.

Academic Programs
Although our approach to university education is new, it is based on the same stringent standards as found in Canada's other universities. Our Authority to grant degrees comes from the British Columbia Minister of Advanced Education. Our academic programs are assessed and monitored by the Minister's Degree Quality Assessment Board to ensure that they meet rigorous standards of quality and excellence.

UCW's Undergraduate Programs

· Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications
· Bachelor of Art in Geography
· Bachelor of Arts in Culture, Heritage and Tourism
· Bachelor of Arts in Economics
· Five concentrations of Bachelor of Commerce Degree:

o Technology Management (approved by Degree Quality Assessment Board)
o Tourism Management
o Strategic Leadership
o International Business
o E-Business

UCW’s Graduate Programs

· Master of Business Administration

WE ARE COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS

At UCW, our primary commitment is to student success. Our programs include a number of innovative elements that have been designed to support students as they learn and help them succeed.

Specialty Learning Teams
Students at UCW work in Learning Teams of 3 to 6 students. These teams are an important and powerful aspect of our learning model because they enhance mutual support, and build leadership and teamwork skills. During the first year, teams are created randomly, to build strong networks between all students. During undergraduate specialization, teams a built based on students’ degree concentration.

Learning Coaches
Each class at UCW has a Learning Coach who works with students and the teaching faculty to ensure each student is mastering the requisite skills and knowledge.

Two kinds of learning coaches support our students. One is a Content Coach who has training in a specific academic discipline and works with learning teams taking a specific course. The second is a Skills Coach, who works with learning teams to develop skills that are important –across –the curriculum at UCW..

Program Assistants
Each course also has a Program Assistant to work with students and teaching faculty to ensure that day-to-day difficulties are dealt with, and that everyone has what they need to learn and teach. Students go to the program assistant with any questions they may have about the course.

Faculty
A founding principle of UCW is to provide opportunities for the talented and highly qualified pool of Canadian professors and industry leaders who retire each year. These people are well respected for their contributions to learning and business, and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to UCW. We also look for the brightest and best first-time faculty members, and take advantage of educators who are on sabbatical from other institutions, and of those who are looking for the chance to be involved in a refreshing, new approach to learning.

We maintain a pool of highly qualified pool of full-time professors. We engage program managers and support faculty to assist these full-time professors on a course-by-course basis, selecting them because of their special expertise, knowledge and skill in particular program areas.

We require our professors to have the same qualifications as those of Canadian public sector universities. At the post-graduate level, our faculty has doctorate or its equivalent agency-accredited professional degree. Undergraduate instructors must have at least a Masters degree or its equivalent.