University of the Fraser Valley

Campus setting	Contact the university / college
Living cost	Contact the university / college
Student population	Large (More than 10,000)
International students	Contact the university / college
Institution type	Public

About University of the Fraser Valley

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a fully accredited, public university that enrolls approximately 15,000 students per year.

One of Canada's best universities

UFV is recognized nationally for student success, an excellent learning environment, creative integration of programming, and our work with local communities.

UFV is large enough to offer variety, and yet our small class sizes allow students to get to know their instructors and learn in a hands-on environment. We offer more than 100 programs, including two master’s degrees, 15 bachelor’s degrees, majors, minors, and extended minors in more than 30 subject areas, and more than a dozen trades and technology programs. Our admission policies are flexible, and students can learn in a variety of ways: full-time, part-time, in-class, online, as part of a structured program or one tailored completely to their interests.

Many of our programs ladder into one another, allowing students to earn a one-year certificate and/or a two-year diploma on the way to completing a full degree. Others offer a co-operative education option, where students can combine study with professional, paid work experience. Our emphasis on applied research offers many opportunities for student researchers. Our thriving international programming makes for a culturally diverse student community and great opportunities to study abroad. Our continuing studies and academic upgrading offerings make learning a lifelong experience. Many clubs, events, and activities enhance student life on campus and our award-winning Cascades athletics teams are highly competitive.

Campus information

Abbotsford

The Abbotsford campus was UFV's first permanent campus, which opened its doors in 1983. A new building, containing the main institution library, First Heritage Computer Access Centre, and other instructional and support areas, was opened in the fall of 1996. In 1997, a building with classrooms, laboratories and offices was opened, and in 2002, the student activity centre and gymnasium were opened. 2007 brought the opening of UFV's first student residence - Baker House, as well as an expanded gymnasium facility, with the ability to seat 1500 people.

In 1978, trades programs started with a carpentry program. Initially, this program was run from Portage Avenue in Chilliwack. At the time, the land belonged to the Chilliwack School District, and the Ministry of Advanced Education funded the building of the carpentry shop. Originally, this shop was supposed to be handed over to the Chilliwack School District after 5 years, but it took nearly 12 years to secure the funding to build a replacement shop in Abbotsford. In 1991, UCFV moved all trades programs to the Abbotsford campus. In 2007, UFV Trades and Technology programs moved in to newly renovated facilities on the former Chilliwack Canadian Forces Base - future home of the entire Chilliwack campus.

Agassiz

Although Agassiz is not actually a campus of UFV, it has an informational centre, run in cooperation with the Fraser-Cascade School District.

Chilliwack

Originally designed to last 5 years, a temporary campus was constructed in Chilliwack in 1975. This building is still in use today, having gone under a series of renovations over the years. In 1986, an agriculture technology centre was constructed. In 1992, a new health sciences building was opened. In the fall of 1996, a multipurpose complex and theatre was opened. Plans and funds to construct yet another major addition to the Chilliwack campus have since been put on hold, as UFV is in the midst of relocating this campus to the former Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack. This addition would have replaced the library, and added more science labs, classrooms and faculty offices.

The Chilliwack campus typically offers courses on theatre, agriculture, and nursing. For example, the Agriculture Technology Diploma is offered on the Chilliwack campus. Some courses inphilosophy, computer information systems, early childhood development, and business are also offered.

The theatre department, located on the Chilliwack campus, produces three mainstage productions every season with a tradition of producing one Shakespeare and one Canadian play every year. The department is also host to a Directors' Festival featuring shows from universities all over British Columbia. Since 1980, the FVC/UCFV/UFV Theatre Department has put on 90+ productions with over 2,000 performances attended by 190,000+.[20] The current season is Arabian Nights by Mary Zimmerman (November), Dead Man's Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl (January), and As You Like It by William Shakespeare (March).

Construction of the new Chilliwack campus on the former CFB Chilliwack finished in September 2007. Trades and Technology programs were moved to this location that year, with the first Chilliwack campus expected to move in 2009.

UFV Located in the beautiful Fraser Valley just east of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,

Accommodation

University is a life experience that extends far beyond the classroom, lab or workshop. Working with and for UFV students, the Student Life department (located in University House) aims to build a vibrant campus through many student driven initiatives.

Student Life has been successful in reaching our annual goals by orienting over 1,280 students through New Student Orientation, providing leadership training and conferences to over 100 students through our Coast Capital Leadership Institute, recognizing over 50 student volunteers and leaders, organizing and supporting over 120 campus events, introducing and hosting the Co-Curricular Record program and welcoming thousands of students in our student lounge, kitchen, and student meeting space.