uStart

The uStart program is for high-achieving students from the Greater ӣ��Ӱ�� School District (SD61) and Cowichan Valley School District (SD79) who want to take courses at UVic during Grade 12.

Receive elective credit toward your diploma and university credit from UVic.
Get a head start on your post-secondary studies with your tuition paid by SD61 or SD79.

If you're thinking about applying, talk to your high school's career centre as soon as possible in your Grade 11 year. You'll need their assistance to prepare your application.

Admission criteria

To apply for uStart you must:

be enrolled at a secondary school in SD61 or SD79
be at least 16 years of age (except under special circumstances)
be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
be on track to complete the grade 11/12 courses required for admission to a degree program at UVic
have a minimum 85% average in all academic subjects to date
have high academic standing (approximately 90%) in the field of study you plan to pursue at university
demonstrate language proficiency if English is not your primary language.

After you apply, UVic will contact your school's principal to verify your potential for success in uStart and future post-secondary studies

If you're not eligible for uStart, you may be able to apply for Accelerated Entry.

Program fees

uStart tuition is paid by your school district, but you're responsible for student fees and other costs such as textbooks and lab supplies. Your student fees enable you to use services and facilities provided by the UVic Students’ Society (UVSS) and UVic Athletics & Recreation.

Estimated fees

Application fee: $87.75
UVic Students' Society: $37
Athletics & Recreation: $94
U-Pass: $81
- Students who already have valid BC Transit bus passes may opt out of the U-Pass program.

Paying your student fees

Fees are due at the end of the first month for each term in which you are taking classes. You'll be able to check your balance online via your UVic student account.

Application timeline

February 1, 2026: applications open
April 7, 2026: application deadline

Mid-May: applicants are notified by email
May/June: students select courses (with help from your career centre)
End of June: official admission letters are mailed to uStart participants

Required documents

When you submit your application, you must include:

a cover letter introducing yourself and why you want to participate in uStart, as well as your future post-secondary plans
a completed student transition/education plan (request from your career centre)
a Diploma Verification Report, including in-progress grades for all courses to be completed by June of your Grade 11 year (request from your career centre)

How to apply

Submit your application to UVic through the EducationPlannerBC application service.

For "What best describes you?", choose I am interested in uStart.
Upload your required documents.
Pay the application fee.

Choosing courses

Review the list of to find courses of interest. Beginning in May, you can visit the page to find out if and when your preferred courses are offered.

Once you've been accepted to the uStart program, your career centre will help you to determine the courses that fit best with your Grade 12 schedule and workload.
- uStart students are usually limited to one course per term.
Your school will provide your final course selection to UVic in early June, and you'll receive an official admission letter with course confirmation in late June.
- You can request course changes before classes begin, but requests after mid June may result in you being placed on waitlists.