Royal Roads University

Royal Roads University empowers working professionals to expand their personal and professional journeys by providing them high-quality education. Since its founding in 1995, Royal Roads University been dedicated to shaping futures for individuals with the courage to transform themselves and the world.

Royal Roads' academic offerings are organized into two faculties: Faculty of Management and Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences. What sets Royal Roads University apart is that students don't just acquire knowledge, but discover it themselves and in turn enrich every class they attend with their unique experiences and background. Students don't just graduate with a degree, but also gain the confidence and skills to grow in their career. Royal Roads is the perfect fit for students who prioritise innovative thinking, creative problem-solving, navigating change, and addressing today's challenges.

Students from any corner of the globe, at any age of their academic journey or career, will all find programs tailored to their needs and goals. Royal Roads University enables students to balance work while they study by allowing them to choose from fully online or blended programs.

Royal Roads University also provides students with the full campus experience in its stunning surroundings in Victoria, British Columbia. The university's oceanfront setting offers a unique blend of nature and beauty, creating an inspiring environment for learning.

Royal Roads University delivers practical and tailored education that empowers students with the necessary skills for success in a rapidly changing global market.

The university employs a Learning, Teaching, and Research Model (LRTM) which mimics the complex challenges of learning, performance, and leadership found in modern workplaces, teaching transferable skills which are directly applicable in a diversity of professional settings.

One of the fundamental factors in Royal Roads' success in preparing its students for meaningful and impactful careers is the quality and dedication of its teaching faculty. Staff and tutors at the university are committed to the success of their students, not only in terms of their academic achievement but also regarding their personal development and growth.

The university's blended learning model combines online studies with concentrated on-campus residencies which emphasise group learning, where 20 to 50 students work and learn together throughout their program, forming a collaborative community of learners and the foundation of a lasting professional network.

Whether a first-year undergrad or returning to pursue a second or third degree, students bring who they are and the background they have into the classroom. Faculty, staff and students form an inclusive and supportive community.

Entry requirements at Royal Roads University differ based on the specific programs applied to, and full information about what each prospective student must provide during their application can be found on the university website. There are many alternative pathways to entry and the university considers each application based on its individual merits, offering flexible admissions alternatives that take into account students' prior experiences in lieu of traditional academic qualifications.

It is essential for international students holding qualifications from outside Canada to consult the Royal Roads website to determine if their credentials meet the university's entry standards. Additionally, there are country-specific admission criteria for most courses, and since courses are delivered in English, all students are required to meet minimum English language standards.

Language requirements differ on a course-by-course basis and accepted English language assessment systems include IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson and Duolingo.

For students who do not meet the minimum requirements, Royal Roads offers two programs through the Global Learning and Language Centre (GLLC) which are designed to help students improve their English language, academic and critical thinking skills: English for Academic Purposes (EAP); University Academic Preparation (UAP).

The EAP pathway can be studied in either one, two or three semesters, and after completion, students can move into the four-year undergraduate programs with English and academic support, or the UAP program.

Royal Roads University understands that the cost of embarking upon a course of study can be a significant consideration, and works hard to offer a comprehensive and accessible program of financial awards, scholarships and bursaries to help students subsidise the cost of tuition - including many options for international students.

Some of the funding opportunities available at Royal Roads University include:

• loans
• bursaries, scholarships and other awards
• student research scholarships
• other funding
• emergency funding

Awards are granted four times per year, and entrance awards can be applied for before studies begin. For example, the Royal Roads Entrance Award aims to reduce financial barriers to education by rewarding students who have demonstrated achievement in one of Royal Roads' major theme areas: business, communication and culture, education and technology, environment and sustainability, humanitarian studies, leadership studies, and tourism and hospitality. The award is valued between CAD 2,000 and CAD 10,000.

Emergency funding provides extra assistance for any unforeseen critical financial need, and there are also Convocation Awards available. The university encourages all students to visit the Royal Roads website and check their eligibility, where they can find full information about each type of scholarship, bursary, and award. The university's financial services department will also help students to apply for external bursaries and funding schemes.

Programs at RRU are specifically designed to meet the needs of a fast-paced global workplace. The skills that students learn on its courses equip them with real-world skills which set them apart from other applicants.

Students benefit from a blended-learning approach, while the small class sizes and cohort model means that students benefit from ongoing support and networking throughout their careers.

The dedicated career learning and development team help students with all aspects of the work environment. That includes resume writing, job hunting, interview skills and more. International students can also seek guidance for post-graduation work permits if they want to stay in Canada.

A dedicated portal on the RRU website also provides students with a vast array of information regarding careers and finding jobs.

Several of the courses offered by RRU are available to postgraduate students, for those wishing to continue their studies after completing an undergraduate course.

Royal Roads University embraces change and works hard to have a positive impact on the world by finding solutions to many of the challenges which are faced by society. By placing interdisciplinary discovery at the heart of its degree programs, and seeking answers to even the most complex issues, the university creates a culture of trust, encouragement and innovation.

The process is something which the university calls changemaking, and this model encourages the Royal Roads community to reflect on how to do better for the benefit of everyone.

One of the boldest examples of this is the Royal Roads University Climate Action Plan, in which the university seeks to use education, partnerships, collaboration and research to address this ongoing challenge.

Megan Lohmann is a Royal Roads University alum, who has become an example of positive action and environmental stewardship through her work with local communities and grass-roots environmental solutions. She has recently been recognized for her impact being awarded runner-up in the Change Maker category of the 2023 Women of the Year Awards by BC Business. Lohmann has worked extensively with rural and indigenous communities through her project, Accelerate Kootenays, which has fostered collaboration between industry and community to establish the first electric vehicle network in Canada.

Lohmann completed her Master of Science in Environment and Management at Royal Roads University, and states that this is where she learned valuable knowledge and skills, as well as influencing her professional approach within the field.

The Royal Roads departmental structure is organized into two academic faculties, which each contain several schools, as follows:

Faculty of Management

• Business
• Executive Education
• Tourism & Hospitality Management

Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences

• Communication & Culture
• Education & Technology
• Environment & Sustainability
• Humanitarian Studies
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Leadership Studies

Each school offers a selection of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, with multiple points of entry. Individual programs co-ordinate their own course content, tutors, and enrolled students.

There is also a general studies department, where students can take credit-based courses without seeking a credential, as well as a department for Professional and Continuing Studies, which offers non-credit courses for professional and continuing education.

Courses are available to study both on-campus and with a blended learning format, so students can gain a top qualification by studying online and attending a compact on-campus residency.

There are also English and academic preparation courses available for international students, including English for Academic Purposes (EAP), University Academic Preparation (UAP) and Short-term English language program, as well as customizable options.

After completion of the EAP course, students can move into the four-year undergraduate programs with English and academic support, or the UAP program.