Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)
⚠️ Program status: Active
SpaceCat Fit Notes
- CASPer: Status unclear. KPU adopted CASPer in 2021, but the Fall 2026 academic calendar states admission selection is based on “the highest admission GPA of the above required courses” with no mention of CASPer. CASPer may have been removed. Confirm with program. details
- GPA window & upgrading strategy: GPA calculated on ~27 credits of specific prerequisite courses (BIOL 1160, BIOL 1260, ENGL 1100, plus 21 additional undergrad credits). This is a small, resettable window. SpaceCat can take these courses fresh. details
- Experiential / written advantage: None apparent – purely GPA-ranked admission (and possibly CASPer). No essays, interviews, or personal statements mentioned. details
- Out-of-province: Canadian citizens/PRs only. No explicit BC residency restriction. details
- Overall assessment: Moderate fit – The GPA window is small (~27 credits / ~9 courses) and fully resettable by taking the specific prerequisites fresh. Minimum GPA not published but competitive entry applies. If CASPer is still used, SpaceCat’s high score would be a significant asset. If CASPer has been removed, this becomes purely GPA-ranked. The 3-year program (6 semesters) with two intakes per year is efficient. Worth confirming CASPer status.
Quick Facts
- Institution: Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)
- Program name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Degree granted: BSN
- City, Province: Langley, British Columbia
- Program type: Standard (3-year, 6 semesters after prerequisites)
- Duration: 3 years (after prerequisites)
- Delivery format: In-person
- Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
- Language of instruction: English
- Start date(s): September, January (two intakes per year)
- Intake frequency: Twice per year (Fall and Spring)
- Application deadline(s): Check KPU website; applications may close early due to high demand
- Application system: Direct to KPU (www.kpu.ca/apply)
- Program URL: https://www.kpu.ca/health/bsn
- Accredited: Yes – recognized by BCCNM (British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives)
Admission Requirements
GPA
- Minimum GPA: C+ (2.33) in each prerequisite course. Cumulative GPA of 2.67 required for continuance.
- Competitive GPA (if known): Not published. Limited entry program – competitive.
- GPA calculated on: The required prerequisite courses only (approximately 27 credits).
“Admission selection will be based on the highest admission GPA of the above required courses.”
- Number of credits in GPA window: ~27 credits (~9 courses): BIOL 1160 (3cr), BIOL 1260 (3cr), ENGL 1100 (3cr), plus 21 credits of undergrad courses with C+ minimum. Total = ~9 courses. At 5 courses/semester = ~2 semesters = 1 year.
- GPA scale used: 4.33 (BC standard)
- Do post-degree upgrading courses count? Yes – prerequisites can be completed at any recognized institution via BC Transfer Guide.
- Are online/summer/part-time courses included in GPA? Not stated explicitly.
- “Entire record” caveat? No – only the prerequisite courses are used for ranking.
- Can applicants explain/contextualize a low GPA? No – no supplementary application components mentioned.
Prerequisites
Effective Fall 2026:
| Course | Credits | Min Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1160 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I) | 3 | C+ | Or BIOL 1150 (pre-Fall 2026) |
| BIOL 1260 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II) | 3 | C+ | Or BIOL 1250 (pre-Fall 2026) |
| ENGL 1100 | 3 | C+ | |
| 21 credits of undergrad courses (C+ each) | 21 | C+ each | 3 credits must be non-nursing |
Total: ~27 credits of prerequisites
CASPer
Status unclear – confirm with program. KPU adopted CASPer in September 2021, stating:
However, the Fall 2026 academic calendar states only: “Admission selection will be based on the highest admission GPA of the above required courses” with no mention of CASPer. The CASPer page at kpu.ca/health/casper returns “Access denied.” CASPer may have been removed from the BSN program for Fall 2026. This must be confirmed directly with KPU.
Supplementary Requirements
- Interview: Not required
- Personal statement: Not required
- References: Not required
- Other: Valid CPR BLS/HCP, Standard First Aid, criminal record check, immunizations per BC Practice Education Guidelines
How Applications Are Evaluated
- Admission model: GPA-ranked (on prerequisite courses). Possibly GPA + CASPer if CASPer is still in use.
- Published formula: “Admission selection will be based on the highest admission GPA of the above required courses.”
- Reserved seats: 3 seats for KPU Health Care Assistant graduates; 3 seats for self-declared Indigenous students.
The Key Question: BA Holder with Strong HS Marks
High school marks are not used for admission ranking. SpaceCat’s Dalhousie BA is only relevant insofar as any prior courses transfer as equivalents to the specific prerequisites via the BC Transfer Guide. The GPA is calculated only on the prerequisite courses, so she can take them fresh. Her prior weak GPA does not factor into the admission GPA calculation.
Out-of-Province Considerations
- Residency restrictions or quotas: Canadian citizens and permanent residents only (no international students accepted).
- Out-of-province tuition differential: None expected – BC public institutions generally charge the same domestic tuition.
Cost
- Tuition (total program, approximate): Estimated ~$20,000-$25,000 domestic for 125 credits
Competitiveness
- Cohort size: Not published. Limited entry.
- Two intakes per year: Fall and Spring, providing more opportunities than single-intake programs.
Licensing & Career Path
- Licensing exam: NCLEX-RN
- Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes
Information Not Found
- Whether CASPer is still required for Fall 2026 and beyond (CRITICAL – changes tier assessment)
- Exact cohort size
- Competitive GPA cutoff
- Whether SpaceCat’s Dalhousie courses transfer for any KPU prerequisites
Contact: KPU Faculty of Health – study@kpu.ca / 604-599-2000
Sources
- Official program page: KPU BSN
- Academic calendar: KPU Calendar - BSN
- KPU BSN FAQs: FAQs
- CASPer page (access denied): KPU CASPer