Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) – University of Prince Edward Island
SpaceCat Fit Notes
- CASPer: Required. 30% of overall admission score. Major asset for SpaceCat. details
- GPA window & upgrading strategy: University applicants can substitute degree-level courses for Grade 12 requirements (60% minimum in university courses vs. 65% for Grade 12). University courses receive a +15% addition for ranking purposes. Academic score is 70% of admission; CASPer is 30%. No “most recent X credits” window – ranking based on average of Bio, Chem, English, Math (HS or university equivalent). details
- Experiential / written advantage: None beyond CASPer. details
- Out-of-province: “Priority will be given to applicants who are residents of PEI.” Limited seats for OOP. ~70 seats total. details
- Overall assessment: Moderate fit – THE KEY QUESTION: UPEI has a unique mechanism where university applicants can use degree-level courses in place of Grade 12 requirements AND receive a 15% bonus to each university course grade for ranking. This means SpaceCat could take 4-5 university-level courses (English, Math, Chemistry, Biology, one elective) at 60%+ each, and the +15% bonus would boost her ranking scores significantly. CASPer is 30% of the total admission score, adding further offset. HOWEVER: PEI residency priority limits OOP seats, and it is unclear how many seats are available for non-PEI applicants from the ~70 total. The +15% university course bonus is a distinctive advantage that makes UPEI more accessible than programs that evaluate HS and university applicants in separate pools. The lower threshold (60% vs 65%) for university courses is also favourable.
“University applicants receive a 15% addition to each relevant university course grade for ranking.”
Quick Facts
- Institution: University of Prince Edward Island
- Program name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)
- Degree granted: BScN
- City, Province: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
- Program type: Standard (4-year)
- Duration: 4 years
- Delivery format: In-person
- Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only
- Language of instruction: English
- Start date(s): Fall (September)
- Intake frequency: Annual
- Application deadline(s): February 15. First-round offers by April; second round May; third round July.
- Application system: Direct to UPEI
- Program URL: https://www.upei.ca/programs/nursing
- Accredited: Yes – CASN accredited
Admission Requirements
GPA
- Minimum GPA: 65% in each of five Grade 12 academic courses (HS applicants); 60% in each university-level equivalent course (university applicants); 70% overall average in core courses
- Competitive GPA (if known): Not published
- GPA calculated on: Average of Biology, Chemistry, English, and Math (Grade 12 or university equivalent)
- Number of credits in GPA window: 4-5 courses (the core subjects)
- GPA scale used: Percentage
- University applicant bonus: “+15% addition to each relevant university course grade for ranking”
- Do post-degree upgrading courses count? Yes (implied) – university applicants “can also complete the course requirements by taking degree level courses”
- “Entire record” caveat? Not stated
Prerequisites
| Course | HS Min Grade | University Min Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| English (Grade 12 academic or university equiv.) | 65% | 60% (+15% for ranking) | |
| Mathematics (Grade 12 academic or university equiv.) | 65% | 60% (+15% for ranking) | |
| Chemistry (Grade 12 academic or university equiv.) | 65% | 60% (+15% for ranking) | |
| Biology (Grade 12 academic or university equiv.) | 65% | 60% (+15% for ranking) | |
| One additional Grade 12 academic course | 65% | 60% |
CASPer
Required. 30% of overall admission score.
- Only one attempt per admission cycle
- Results valid for one cycle only
Formula: 70% academic + 30% CASPer
For SpaceCat: CASPer at 30% is a significant offset. Combined with the +15% university course bonus, SpaceCat could achieve a strong overall admission score.
Supplementary Requirements
- Interview: Not required
- References: “Not required nor accepted”
- Other: CPR (BLS Level), First Aid, immunization records, vulnerable sector check (due by August 15 after acceptance)
How Applications Are Evaluated
- Admission model: Formulaic (70% academic + 30% CASPer)
- Published formula: Academic average (70%) + CASPer (30%)
- Ranking: “Eligible first year candidates are ranked on their average in Biology, Chemistry, English and Math.”
- Three rounds of offers: April, May, July
Mature Student Pathway
Mature applicants (21+) must have 65% in each of Grade 12 academic English, Math, Chemistry, and Biology, OR 60% at university level. Same ranking formula applies.
For SpaceCat: Mature pathway uses the same requirements. The university-level option (60% threshold) is available regardless of age/mature status.
The Key Question: BA Holder with Strong HS Marks
SpaceCat has two options at UPEI: 1. Use existing Grade 12 marks (if 65%+ in Bio, Chem, English, Math) – ranked at face value 2. Take university-level equivalents (60% minimum) – each gets a +15% bonus for ranking
Option 2 is potentially very powerful: if SpaceCat takes university-level Bio, Chem, English, and Math at, say, 80% each, the +15% bonus would make her ranking scores 95% in each subject. This would place her very competitively.
If her original Grade 12 marks are already strong (say 85%+), she could just use those without the +15% bonus. But if her HS marks are in the 75-85% range, taking fresh university courses would give her higher effective marks for ranking.
Out-of-Province Considerations
- Residency restrictions or quotas: “Priority will be given to applicants who are residents of PEI.” ~70 seats annually, with PEI residents prioritized.
“Priority will be given to applicants who are residents of PEI”
- Out-of-province tuition differential: UPEI domestic tuition ~$7,630/year ($3,815/semester). No explicit in-province vs OOP differential found for domestic Canadian students, but should be confirmed.
Cost
- Tuition (total program, approximate): ~$30,500 domestic over 4 years (~$7,630/year)
- Additional fees: Clinical requirements (CPR, immunizations, etc.)
Competitiveness
- Cohort size: ~70 seats annually
- PEI priority: Limits seats available to OOP applicants
- Three rounds of offers: Suggests some flexibility in filling the cohort
Licensing & Career Path
- Licensing exam: NCLEX-RN
- Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes
Reputation & Notes
- UPEI is a smaller university with a well-regarded nursing program
- The +15% university course bonus is unique and very favourable for applicants upgrading
- Charlottetown is a small city; clinical placements in PEI healthcare system
- Non-refundable tuition deposit required after accepting offer
Information Not Found
- Exact number of OOP seats (vs. PEI resident seats)
- Competitive admission average
- Whether OOP tuition is different from PEI resident tuition
- Whether the +15% bonus applies to ALL university courses or only those taken as prerequisite equivalents
- Whether Dalhousie BA courses in English can serve as the English prerequisite
Contact: UPEI Faculty of Nursing – nursing@upei.ca; UPEI Admissions – admissions@upei.ca
Sources
- Official program page: UPEI BScN
- Academic calendar (2025-2026): UPEI BScN Calendar
- Faculty of Nursing: UPEI Nursing
- Tuition and Fees: UPEI Fees