Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is a university located in Kamloops, a fast-growing city in British Columbia, Canada. Many programs offer work and study placements, and there are options for all levels of English proficiency. The school is home to over 3,500 international students.

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is a university located in Kamloops, a fast-growing city in British Columbia, Canada. Many programs offer work and study placements and there are options for all levels of English proficiency. The school is home to over 3,500 international students.

Important Notes

Designated Learning Institution (DLI) - graduates are eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
There are options for a variety of ELP levels. ESL programs and other pathways are available for students without satisfactory ELP scores, and conditional acceptance is available.

Program Areas

TRU has many areas of study, with many bachelor’s degree programs. The school specializes in business, arts, education, and sciences. There are also graduate degrees in a few areas like business, nursing, and a Juris Doctor (lawyer) program. Trades programs and other undergrad programs are also available.

Entry Requirements

Students have to have ELP for direct entry, but there are options through ESL programs. ELP can be proven through:

An ELP test, such as TOEFL and IELTS — to achieve direct entry, minimum scores are:
TOEFL IBT: 88 with no section under 20
IELTS: 6.5 with no section under 6
TRU English Placement Test

It is recommended that students take a proficiency test to have more freedom to take different classes, but it’s not mandatory. ELP test scores must be sent directly to TRU.

Getting There

Application deadlines: Deadlines are usually just over four months before the start of the semester (for example, the deadline for September intake is May 1st)
It is possible to receive acceptance after the deadline if there is space available. While students should always apply as early as possible, it is worth it to still try if it is after the deadline.
Intakes: September, January, May
Application fee: $100
Processing time: 10-15 days for complete applications. Competitive programs may take longer
Payment terms: Payment is due 30 days after the application deadline. Payment is per semester; it will be written in the acceptance letter

Living There

Nestled in the heart of British Columbia, Kamloops is a vibrant university city celebrated for its warm climate, welcoming community, and affordable lifestyle. With over 2,000 hours of sunshine each year, the city offers the perfect blend of academic excellence and outdoor adventure. Kamloops provides international students with a safe, inclusive, and budget-friendly environment, delivering world-class education at a more accessible cost compared to larger cities like Vancouver or Toronto. Surrounded by breathtaking nature, Kamloops is truly a paradise for outdoor lovers — where you can ski, hike, kayak, and explore stunning parks and crystal-clear lakes all year round.

Tuition, Costs, and Financial Aid

Tuition is $9,177 CAD per semester, not including fees, for undergrads with some exceptions. Fees per semester will be somewhere around $1,200 per semester, not including housing.

Undergraduate degrees: tuition comes to around $20,800 per year (for two semesters)
Graduate degrees: tuition (without fees) usually comes to $8,000-$12,000 per semester.

For housing, expect to pay a placement fee ($100 for residence and $150 for homestay program). There is also a $420 security deposit for the homestay program.

Homestay: $7,000/two semesters
Residence: $5,310-$7950/two semesters

Some scholarships available for international students are:

International athletic scholarship
TRU Law international student award (JD program)
International Social Media Ambassador Awards
Diversity Scholarships
Academic Excellence
Exceptional Student Award

Scholarship: $1,000 - $4,000/Year Address: Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada Ranking:

#Member of Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

#Member of the Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia

Strong majors:

Supply Chain Management
Communication and Media
Tourism
Health and Human Services: Pre-Med/ Pre-Pharmacy/Pre-Dental
Visual and Performing Arts: Performing Arts

Key facts:

A not-for-profit university
20,000+ students enrolled including 3,000+ international from over 90 countries
140 + programs on campus with 9 faculties and schools
1 million 250 acre campus square feet of learning space and 40 acres of green space
1,000+ residential spaces for students
12 on-campus places to eat
95+ student clubs
2,000+ employees: faculty, support staff and administration
Experiential learning: Co-op (Abroad) - Work study - Apprenticeship - Study abroad - Internship - Undergraduate research - Service learning - Field School - Professional practicums - Volunteer opportunities - Many more