[2023] Ultimate Guide to Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

December 22, 2022   |   5 Min. Read

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is a polytechnic university located in British Columbia, Canada. It serves over 20,000 students across five campuses in the Metro Vancouver area, and offers a variety of undergraduate degrees in over 120 different programs and courses.

KPU surrey campus exterior
Photo source: KPU

Where Is KPU Campus Located?

Kwantlen Richmond is the largest campus located at 8771 Lansdowne Rd, Richmond, and is near Lansdowne mall. If you’re a foodie, walk 5 minutes over to Alexandra Road, which has amazing restaurants such as Cocoru Beer & Chicken, Snowy Village, and The Fish Man.

Kwantlen Surrey campus is located at 12666 72 Ave, Surrey. KPU Surrey is located near King’s Cross Shopping Centre, again, where you can hang out with friends and do some shopping after class.

Kwantlen Civic Plaza – Surrey is KPU’s newest addition, it is located at 13485 Central Ave and lives in the heart of downtown Surrey, beside Surrey Central Station. It is very accessible by transit and is surrounded by local restaurants, coffee shops, and a shopping mall.

KPU Langley is located at 20901 Langley. It is recommended to have a car if you want to study here unless you live in Langley or Surrey. There are frequent buses for local transportation, you can take a short 5-minute bus to the historic town of Fort Langley and also visit cute coffee shops in the downtown Langley area like Twins Coffee.

Kwantlen Tech – Cloverdale is located at 5500 180 St, Surrey, and also quite far from the main city of Vancouver. We definitely recommend visiting the Cloverdale Farm Market for fresh artisan food.

Why Choose KPU? What is KPU Known For?

“I was enrolled in KPU’s business programs and I loved the focus on practical knowledge that I could use in the real world straight away. Most of the 3rd and 4th year courses use the same materials as MBA programs at other universities, and the majority of classes require you to work on case studies of real businesses to solve actual problems. Great professors, small and intimate class sizes, and most importantly a great place for those looking to get their career started.”

A KPU graduate

KPU takes students’ experience and their success very seriously. Students will enjoy small class sizes to have more opportunities to build connections with their instructors and professors. As you move towards graduating, the school will connect you with industry experts and co-op placements to help you get the work experience you need before starting your career.

As a polytechnic university in Vancouver, programs that are related to technology and systems would be a popular choice among students. We have listed some programs below:

  • KPU Computer Information Systems – Diploma 
  • KPU Brewing and Brewery Operations – Diploma
  • KPU Fashion Design and Technology – Bachelor

For more courses and programs, please check their website for more information.

Is KPU Good for International Students?

KPU has an office called KPU International to support international students. You can receive help from the time you first apply to KPU to your graduation. Here is what KPU International offers:

  • Course Planning: Specifically focused on international students, advisors help you plan your courses to ensure you have all you need for graduation.
  • Counseling Services: You can get help from a counselor if you are experiencing stress, anxiety, homesickness, or just need someone to talk to. KPU would like to support students in every way to make sure they have a good academic and non-academic experience.

For more information, check out KPU’s international viewbook.

Is KPU Expensive?

When you start your application to KPU by applying online, you need to pay a $120 application fee. The tuition fees vary depending on how many credits you are taking.

For international students,

Normal tuition and fees: $698.30 per credit / ENGQ and ELST courses – $386.43 per credit

For domestic students,

Normal tuition and fees: $153.46 per credit

Find out more updated KPU’s tuition and fees here.

When do Classes/Terms Start at KPU?

KPU has 3 academic full terms: Spring, Fall, Summer, and here are the start dates of each school term:

  • Spring term – School starts in January
  • Fall term – School starts in September
  • Summer term – School starts in May

When to Apply For KPU?

If you are interested in applying to KPU, be mindful of the deadlines as each term has a different deadline.

  • Spring term – Application opens in February and ends in November
  • Fall term – Application opens in October and ends in July
  • Summer term – Application opens in June and ends in March

Does KPU Have Dorms? Where Do KPU Students Live?

Kwantlen does not offer student housing on its various campuses. KPU’s website recommends GEC Living as a student accommodation option for its students. GEC Pearson and GEC Marine Gateway are the ideal student residences for you to stay in if you study at KPU Richmond, as they are both only a short train ride away.

GEC Student Residences to KPU Richmond Campus:

  • GEC Marine Gateway – the most contemporary designed off-campus student apartment in Vancouver 20 minutes by Sky Train to KPU Richmond campus
  • GEC Pearson – the largest student residence community in Vancouver, 25 Minutes by Sky Train to KPU Richmond campus
  • GEC King Edward – the newest student residence in Vancouver, 25 minutes by Sky Train to KPU Richmond campus

GEC is a popular choice for KPU students seeking accommodation. All GEC’s housing options come with fully furnished units, all-inclusive amenities, an on-site management team, free unlimited Wi-Fi, and a centralized security system.

To sum up, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is a polytechnic university with five campuses in Metro Vancouver. KPU offers a variety of programs with popular choices including Computer Information Systems, Brewing and Brewery Operations, and Fashion Design and Technology. Another highlight of this university is that it provides small class sizes and industry connections for students, with a lot of support for international students as well.

To expand your educational options, we have prepared a list of universities and colleges in Vancouver that may interest you.