Inbound Exchange Student Study Abroad
Reasons to do an exchange at TRU
Thompson Rivers University is a diverse and inclusive institution nestled in the beautiful city of Kamloops, British Columbia. With its stunning natural surroundings and a rich blend of cultures, TRU provides a unique and enriching environment for students from all corners of the globe.
Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to ensuring that your academic experience is exceptional, and we encourage you to explore our wide range of programs and courses tailored to meet your individual goals and interests.
Beyond the classroom, TRU offers a vibrant campus life with numerous clubs, organizations, and recreational activities that provide opportunities to connect with fellow students and immerse yourself in the Canadian culture.
Step 1: Nomination
Students must be nominated by the home university coordinator. All application steps must be completed with requested documents uploaded by midnight of the application deadline date.
Fall Semester
Nomination Deadline: March 15
Application Deadline: April 15
Winter Semester
Nomination Deadline: September 15
Application Deadline: October 4
To officially nominate a student, please send the students’ information through the following Nomination Form.
Next, the TRU Study Abroad Office will confirm the nomination received by email and provide additional information to guide you along with the online application in the platform Horizons.
Step 2: Application
Once a student has been nominated and confirmation has been received, the student can start the online application on Horizons. See Horizons step by step process.
All application steps must be completed within 2 weeks of confirmation:
- Program Information
- Biographical information- student general
- Official transcript
- Language Proficiency test results (if required)
- Learning agreement (including Course Selection)
Consider the following information to apply:
Language Proficiency
All students whose first language is not English must meet the TRU Language Proficiency requirements. If no official evidence is provided, the student will be required to complete an English Language Proficiency (EPT) test on arrival. Students will not be guaranteed OR registered into requested classes until the English Language Proficiency (EPT) test has been completed.
Students may meet this condition by either providing an acceptable English language proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) or by achieving an acceptable score on the TRU English Placement Test (EPT). If students do not provide a test score in advance, they will be tested on arrival and their course placement decisions will be made at that time. Recommended to complete acceptable tests prior to arrival to improve course selection options, however this is not mandatory.
Japanese English Language Proficiency Test — STEP - TRU will consider the STEP First Grade for direct entry into academic programs. We will also consider STEP Pre-First Grade Level as equivalent to TOEFL 500+ for placement purposes.
Course selection
Go to the campus course schedule and find the courses available in Kamloops.
Select a Term to study at TRU:
- Winter 26-- (Jan-Apr),
- Fall 26-- (Sep-Dec).
- DO NOT select any term with OL Division (View Only).
Click the Continue grey button.
Search broadly or narrowly.
Search topic for example: biology, marketing, human resources event management.
Click on the Search grey button.
Selected Term as instructed above.
Students can click on the Title link to open a Class Detail form, which provides specific details for Course Description, Syllabus, Co requisites, and Prerequisites along with credit hours and credit value.
The Study Abroad Office will do a review of all course selections before submitting the documents to the International Admissions office. All recommendations provided back to the student directly regarding course selections are made based on availability and pre-requisite.
IF all required documents are provided and in order, the application will be sent to the International Admissions office for processing.
A letter of acceptance will then be sent to the student with other supporting documents by mail.
Step 3: After Application
Once accepted, TRU International Admissions team will send the student an email detailing: Acceptance Notification, Official Letter of Acceptance, along with a TRU Exchange Accomm Payment Form.
It is time now to move with the following:
International Student Advisor
International Student Advisors (ISA) will contact every incoming Exchange student after the official Acceptance Letter has been processed. Students will receive a “Welcome Letter” from their ISA, providing information regarding arrival, booking accommodation, insurance, orientation, cultural support, and necessary English Placement Test planning.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to send an email to isa@tru.ca. All communications must include your TRU Student ID number.
Fees
Incoming Exchange students do not pay tuition fees nor lab fees. But do pay for mandatory Medical Insurance, UPASS**, and International Activity fees. Approximately mandatory Fees: $144.00. (subject to change without notice).
All students are automatically OPTED-IN to the Medical Insurance Plan with Guard.me prior to arrival at TRU, regardless. Students must Opt-Out to cancel the policy. The cost is approximately C$60.00/month (these fees are subject to change without notice). Follow this link for more information: https://www.tru.ca/truworld/new-students/medical-insurance.html
This policy provides temporary health and medical insurance for all international and exchange students, providing health and emergency insurance coverage for the duration of the study period at TRU.
Course-specific fees such as Criminal Record Check, required course material and equipment such as face masks, administration of vaccinations, and field school trip costs which must be paid by the student in addition to the mandatory fees.
If there are any outstanding fees showing on a student account at the end of the semester, NO official transcript WILL be issued. Only when all fees are paid, will a transcript be released.
** The TRUSU UPASS (City Transit bus service) is an unlimited transit pass for the City of Kamloops. The UPASS also provides a 50% discount to a monthly membership to the Tournament Capital Centre and free access to the Canada Games Aquatic Centre. To learn more about the U-Pass for transit services please visit TRUSU Services webpage.
Accommodation
Below is information for students who are coming to TRU through the ISEP and Bilateral Programs. If you are unsure which program, you are with, ask your coordinator at your home Institution.
Students will receive an email from an ISA approximately 1 -2 months before arrival to assist with selecting, finding and/or booking accommodation.
IMPORTANT ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION
Accommodations are booked on a first-come-first service basis. Meaning, if a student is wishing assistance and living in one of several options, it is recommended to not delay and book immediately. Space is limited.
For all accommodation choices, security deposits may be non-refundable if a student cancels their accommodation. Fees are subject to change without notice.
All housing options are updated regularly and can be found at this link.
University to University Bilateral Program
- Only for Bilateral students, not ISEP students.
- Rates can change without notice.
- Can request assistance wiht accommodation by paying a placement fee of $150.00.
- $100 Application fee is non-refundable.
- An International Student Advisor will support the student.
- All accommodation fees are to be paid in advance, prior to arrival to confirmation and holding.
- Four choices to chose from as indicated on the Fee Form with the Letter of Acceptance:
- Homestay - accommodation and meal
- North Tower - accommodation only
- McGill Residence - accommodation only
- East Village - accommodation only
- Each acoommodation choice will have different rules, applicaiton fees and damage deposits, along with payment methods.
- Speak with an ISA (Alesya Sharay) to clarify any questions or concerns, along with special requirements.
Availability is limited. book quickly.
International Student Exchange ProgramISEP Program
- Only for ISEP students, not Bilateral Program students.
- All ISEP students will receive an ISEP Benefit Stipend on arrival to TRU during the International Orientation for the amount equivalent to 4 months of hte Homestay fee.
- Rates can change without notice - All accommodation fees are to be paid in advance, prior to arrival, as per the specific instructions.
- There is no fee to ISEP students for accommodation assitance.
- 1t choice of accommodation - Homestay Program
- All ISEP students, can opt-out, if they wish to not live with a homestay host family.
- To opt-out, this must be communicated to an International Student Advisor (ISA).
- There are two choices student can select from for on-campus housing:
- North Tower - accommodation only
- McGill Residence - accommodation only
- Each accommodation choice will have different rules, application fees and damage deposits, along with payment methods.
- Speak with an ISA to clarify any questions or concerns, along with special requirements.
Availability is limited. book quickly.
Meals
TRU does not have an on-campus meal plan/program in place.
The Homestay Program is the only accommodation option which provides accommodation and a meal plan.
Step 4: Pre-travel Checklist
Inbound Exchange Medical Insurance is Mandatory for TRU Exchange Students. TRU requires every international student at TRU to have medical insurance protection. Students will be enrolled automatically into medical insurance program for the duration of exchange. The provider for TRU is Guard.me. Fees will be automatically charged for medical insurance if the student does not complete the online Opt-Out information the International Student Advisors communicate. This information is readily available and communicated to each student prior to arrival.
Find out what else you need Before You Leave Home
