If you already have a certificate, degree or diploma, or if you’ve got Red Seal endorsement in a trade, you’ve got options at VIU. You may be able to use your previous credentials as block credits toward a new program.
What is block transfer?
Block transfer recognizes the value of post-secondary education that may not be transferable to a VIU credential on a course-by-course basis. A block transfer is a group of credits that transfer together. The number of credits you may receive in a block transfer is based on the type of credential you have:
- If you have a one-year certificate, including a trades foundation certificate (eight months of study or more), you are entitled to 15 credits of block transfer credit.
- If you have a two-year diploma, you are entitled to 30 credits of block transfer credit.
- If you have an undergraduate degree you are entitled to 60 credits of block transfer credit.
- If you have a Red Seal certification in a trade, you are entitled to 60 credits of block transfer credit.
Block transfers can be used toward:
- bachelor’s degrees
- diplomas
- certificates
While you may receive a number of credits through a block transfer, you still need to meet your specific program requirements. Block transfer credits are unassigned credits, so they can be used only for lower-level elective requirements. We recommend you work with a Degree Advisor to create an education plan.
How to qualify for block transfer
You qualify for block transfer if all of these apply to you:
- the credential you completed is from an accredited post-secondary institution
- the program is at least eight months of study or more
Other block transfer credit rules
- You cannot get partial credit from an incomplete credential under VIU’s block transfer policy.
- You cannot use block transfer credits to meet any of the minimum 42 upper-level credits required for an undergraduate degree.
Red Seal block transfer
Your Red Seal endorsement gets you a block of 60 credits toward an academic program. With Red Seal, you can gain admission into the Graduate Certificate in Business as well as diploma and degree programs.