Kamloops is where the North and South Thompson rivers meet, and TRU takes its name from them. The university was created in 2005 from what had been Cariboo College. It has a large international student body, many of them on business, computing and post-baccalaureate programmes, plus a law school and an open learning division.
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Official website: tru.ca
2005, from Cariboo College
Public university in British Columbia
Kamloops, BC interior
CA$20,000 – CA$26,000
International students, undergraduate and graduate
CA$14,000 – CA$18,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on tru.ca before you apply.
Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Business
Postgraduate DiplomaDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, May
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Bachelor of Computing Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
MSc Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Post-baccalaureate diplomas for graduates changing field.
A law school on a regional campus.
Three intakes a year for many programmes.
Business graduates work across the BC interior and Metro Vancouver.
Computing and data science graduates join tech teams in Vancouver and Kelowna.
Eligible graduates can apply for a post-graduation work permit; check programme rules.
Undergrad
Most programmes
Postgrad
Most programmes
Undergrad
Many programmes
Postgrad
Many programmes
Undergrad
Limited
Postgrad
Selected programmes
Kamloops is dry and sunny, with sagebrush hills and hot summers. The campus sits on a hillside above downtown.
Sun Peaks ski resort is under an hour away. Rent is lower than on the coast, and Vancouver is about four hours by road.
Letter of acceptance from Thompson Rivers University
BC provincial attestation letter
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
TRU admits on a rolling basis, but popular programmes fill quickly. Apply six to eight months before your intake.
September, January and, for some programmes, May.
Study permit, applied for through IRCC. You'll upload the acceptance letter from Thompson Rivers University, an attestation letter if your programme needs one, proof you can pay tuition and living costs, and then give biometrics.
The BBA, post-baccalaureate business diplomas, computing science, data science and the MBA draw many international students. Degrees need secondary school and IELTS 6.5; post-bacc diplomas and master's programmes need a bachelor's degree.
TRU offers some entrance awards and scholarships for international students. Amounts are modest, so check the awards page.
