Support for Ukraine

Brandon University stands with Ukraine

Brandon University is a caring and compassionate institution, and we extend special supports to those facing difficult circumstances, including persons displaced due to the war in Ukraine.

These supports are available to holders of the Canada-Ukraine (CUAET) emergency travel visa.

BU is committed to providing the best possible educational experience for everyone, and to ensuring that you have the supports you need to succeed here. We are opening our hearts, our arms, and our doors to students who have fled the war in Ukraine.

Alternate Admission Pathway

Brandon University recognizes that displaced persons often lack the means and the documentation to successfully apply to Brandon University. We have created an alternate pathway if you are unable to access normally required documentation. We welcome those who are qualified to become BU students, and will support you with what you need to succeed.

1. Before you apply

Self-check: Do you meet the minimum requirements for admission to Brandon University?

  • English proficiency
  • Completed secondary school (high school) or some post-secondary:
    • Have completed accredited post-secondary courses elsewhere (You will need a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA)
    • Have completed secondary school but never attended post-secondary. You will need the credential required for students to enter university in your home country

Please note: If you have attended any post-secondary institution, you cannot be evaluated for admission on high school alone. Please declare all post-secondary in your application. More details: https://www.brandonu.ca/future-students/apply/transfer/transfer-guide/

Before you apply, contact the BU Admissions Office at Admissions@BrandonU.ca for guidance and to request your coupon code for an application fee waiver.

2. Application process

Create an account and begin your application online at https://webapp.brandonu.ca/pls/admission/

You can use the coupon code requested above to have your application fee waived.

Once we have your application, we will still send you a document request by email asking for official documents (including official transcripts and proof of English proficiency where applicable). Please do send those items as requested in our document request email. 

More information about the application process is available online here: https://www.brandonu.ca/future-students/apply/

3. Application supporting documents

Wherever possible, you must submit official documentation as requested by the Admissions Office. You will also need to provide an official translation if these documents are not in English. Official documents required may include:

  • Atestat (Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education) from Ukraine
  • Transcripts from other post-secondary institutions you have attended

We know it may be impossible to provide official documents. In circumstances where you are unable to provide official documentation, due to legitimate extenuating circumstances, the Admissions Office may ask you to provide the following:

  • unofficial copies of all educational transcripts/documentation that you have (if they are not in English, we will need you to provide an official translation);
  • a copy of the student ID you were issued at your university;
  • a copy of your passport;
  • a letter outlining your situation in full and including, at minimum, the following:
    • name, location, and date of birth;
    • reasons why you cannot use our regular process of admission;
    • description of attempts you made to obtain documents;
    • name and dates of the institution/program you attended;
    • name of any academic credentials granted and the date granted;
    • titles, grades, course hours (credits), or other information normally included on a transcript;
    • other information required (e.g., statement of professional standing, particularly when a specific academic credential is required to enter the profession in the issuing country).
  • letters of reference from any available third parties, not including family members, who can corroborate your claims and/or provide additional information about your qualifications.

4. English proficiency

Since the primary language of instruction at Brandon University is English, you must meet our English Language Proficiency Requirement. This can be done by supplying official results from one of our normally accepted English proficiency assessments (https://www.brandonu.ca/future-students/apply/international/english-proficiency-requirements/) or one of the following online language assessments:

  • CAEL online – minimum score of 60
  • IELTS Indicator Online English Language Test – minimum overall score of 7.0
  • TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
    • Undergraduate programs – minimum overall score of 80 with minimum score of 20 in each testing section
    • Graduate programs – minimum overall score of 86 with minimum score of 20 in each testing section
  • Duolingo – minimum score of 115

We will also accept proof of achievement of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 8 on ESL training taken through Westman Immigrant Services (WIS).

If you do not meet English language requirements, English education is available in Brandon:

  • ESL – Westman Immigration Servces (WIS)
    Courses are free. English as a Second Language (ESL) programming is for any level of English knowledge, including no previous English. Students will be required to achieve the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 8 before starting classes at Brandon University.

5. Application Assessment/Admission

Once all requested items have been received, your file will be reviewed for decision.  Brandon University will assess all applications on an individual basis, and may request additional information from you as needed. Our decision will be emailed to the email address you used to apply and an official Offer of Admission will be issued to eligible applicants.

Once admitted, you will also need to provide a copy of the TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) you obtained through CUAET and your Study Permit to the Office of International Activities to access financial assistance.

Financial Assistance

a. Fee waivers

Brandon University knows that you may be facing financial hardships. For students applying under this Alternate Admission Pathway, BU offers the following fee waivers:

  • Application fee — we will assess your application for free. Please contact us to request a coupon code.
  • International tuition differential — you will be assessed the same tuition rates as a Canadian citizen
  • Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) fee – if you have attended a post-secondary institution but do not have access to official transcripts and course outlines that would allow for transfer credit assessment, you may undertake the assessment process for possible PLAR credit free of charge.

These fee waivers are renewable each year, based on your ongoing status as a holder of the Canada-Ukraine (CUAET) emergency travel visa.

b. Emergency assistance fund

Brandon University has established a significant fund to support emergency assistance for holders of the Canada-Ukraine (CUAET) emergency travel visa.

This fund can be used to cover the following Brandon University expenses:

  • Tuition and associated fees
  • Fees for English-language instruction at BU (EAP)
  • Textbook purchasing
  • BU Residence
  • BU Food plan
  • Needed educational supplies

These funds are available once you have applied and been accepted to Brandon University, after you have met with an advisor, and once you have registered for at least three courses (9 credit hours) per term in the coming academic year.

Apply for the Ukrainian Student Refugee Support Fund

Applications are due by Aug. 1 each year for Fall Term, and Dec. 1 each year for Winter Term.

Brandon University also offers other emergency loans and grants for students in need: https://www.brandonu.ca/student-services/student-emergency-funding-loans/

c. Funding and Supports

For immigration-related information, please contact our Office of International Activities at International@BrandonU.ca.

Many of these emergency supports have been made possible thanks to the generosity of donors. If you can help support Brandon University’s efforts on behalf of Ukraine, it’s easy to contribute at https://www.brandonu.ca/give/. Every dollar helps.