Thompson Rivers University: History, Courses offered, Tuition

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Thompson Rivers is a public teaching and research university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees and vocational training. It is bursting with opportunities for every student. It is found in Kamloops, British Columbia, and offers programs for every need, ranging from business to the arts.

For over 40 years, TRU has provided quality tertiary education to indigenes and foreigners alike. With a history dating back to the 70s, the university has a diverse student population with students from over 80 countries.  According to the 2023 rankings by Forbes, Thompson Rivers University is ranked #77 in Canada and #646 in the world. The university has also been ranked as one of the top 50 universities in Canada for graduate employability in 2023 by the QS Graduate Employability Rankings.

Here are some more information on TRU:

Address: 805 Tru Way, Kamloops, BC V2C 0C8, Canada
Undergraduate tuition and fees: Domestic tuition 5,187.18 CAD, International tuition 14,831.6 CAD (2017 – 18)
Province: British Columbia

Total enrollment:  As of March 31, 2023, Thompson Rivers University has a total student enrollment of 24,954. This includes undergraduate, graduate, and Open Learning students. The majority of students are enrolled in undergraduate programs, with about 19,000 students. Graduate students make up about 4,000 students, and Open Learning students make up about 1,900 students.TRU is a public university located in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. It was founded in 1970 and has a student body from over 100 countries. TRU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as Open Learning course.

Campus: Urban
Founded: 1970
Phone: +1 250-828-5000

Hours: 

President: Brett Fairbairn
Academic staff: About 500 (as of 2022)

HISTORY OF THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) was founded in 1970 as Cariboo College, one institution in a network of two-year community colleges created in British Columbia to improve access to post-secondary education and training. In 1995, Cariboo College was granted university status and renamed Thompson Rivers University.

The name “Thompson Rivers” comes from the two rivers that meet in Kamloops, British Columbia, where the university’s main campus is located. The North Thompson River and the South Thompson River meet to form the Thompson River, which flows through the city.

TRU has two campuses, one in Kamloops and one in Williams Lake. The Kamloops campus is the larger of the two, and it is home to most of the university’s undergraduate and graduate programs. The Williams Lake campus offers a limited number of undergraduate programs, as well as Open Learning courses.

TRU has a student body of over 24,000 students, and it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is also home to a number of research centers and institutes.

Here are some of the key events in the history of Thompson Rivers University:

  • 1970: Cariboo College is founded in Kamloops, British Columbia.
  • 1979: The college opens a campus in Williams Lake, British Columbia.
  • 1995: Cariboo College is granted university status and renamed Thompson Rivers University.
  • 2005: TRU opens the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
  • 2010: TRU opens the Centre for Aboriginal Education and Research.
  • 2015: TRU opens the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability.
  • 2020: TRU celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Thompson Rivers University is a dynamic and growing university that is committed to providing its students with a high-quality education. The university is also committed to serving the community and making a positive difference in the world.

TRU

COURSES OFFERED AT THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY

The full list of courses offered at Thompson Rivers University is available on the university’s website. You can search by program, faculty, or keyword. Here are some of the courses offered at TRU:

Faculty Department Course Name Course Number Credits Prerequisites
Arts and Social Sciences Anthropology Introduction to Anthropology ANT 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences Art History Introduction to Art History ART 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences Canadian Studies Canadian Studies CAN 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences Communication Studies Introduction to Communication Studies COM 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences English Introduction to Literature ENG 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences History Introduction to Canadian History HIS 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences Indigenous Studies Introduction to Indigenous Studies INDI 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences Languages French I FRE 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences Philosophy Introduction to Philosophy PHI 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences Political Science Introduction to Political Science POL 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences Psychology Introduction to Psychology PSY 101 3 None
Arts and Social Sciences Sociology Introduction to Sociology SOC 101 3 None
Business and Economics Accounting Introduction to Accounting ACC 101 3 None
Business and Economics Business Administration Introduction to Business Administration BUS 101 3 None
Business and Economics Economics Introduction to Economics ECO 101 3 None
Business and Economics Finance Introduction to Finance FIN 101 3 None
Business and Economics Human Resources Management Introduction to Human Resources Management HRM 101 3 None
Business and Economics Marketing Introduction to Marketing MKT 101 3 None
Education Early Childhood Education Introduction to Early Childhood Education ECE 101 3 None
Education Elementary Education Introduction to Elementary Education ELT 101 3 None
Education Secondary Education Introduction to Secondary Education SEL 101 3 None
Education Special Education Introduction to Special Education SPE 101 3 None
Health and Human Services Applied Human Nutrition Introduction to Applied Human Nutrition AHN 101 3 None
Health and Human Services Child and Youth Care Introduction to Child and Youth Care CYW 101 3 None
Health and Human Services Community Health Introduction to Community Health CHS 101 3 None
Health and Human Services Nursing Introduction to Nursing NUR 101 3 None
Health and Human Services Social Work Introduction to Social Work SWK 101 3 None
Science and Technology Biological Sciences Introduction to Biological Sciences BIO 101 3 None
Science and Technology Chemistry Introduction to Chemistry CHEM 101 3 None
Science and Technology Computer Science Introduction to Computer Science CSC 101 3 None
Science and Technology Environmental Studies Introduction to Environmental Studies ENV 101 3 None
Science and Technology Mathematics Introduction to Mathematics MATH 101 3 None
Science and Technology Physics Introduction to Physics PHY 101 3 None
Trades and Technology Apprenticeship Programs Electrical Engineering Technology EET Varies Varies
Trades and Technology Apprenticeship Programs Mechanical Engineering Technology MET Varies Varies
Trades and Technology Apprenticeship Programs Professional Driving PD Varies Varies
Open Learning Distance Education Introduction to Distance Education DLE 101 3 None
Open Learning Online Courses Introduction to Online Courses OLC 101 3 None

This is just a small sample of the courses offered at Thompson Rivers University. You can find the full list of courses on the university’s website.

TRU ah! Lemme!

TUITION AND PAYMENTS FOR TRU

Here is a tuition breakdown for Thompson Rivers University:

Domestic Students

  • Undergraduate tuition: $5,542 per year
  • Graduate tuition: $6,242 per year
  • International Student Tuition:
    • Undergraduate campus tuition: $19,604 per year
    • Undergraduate ESAL tuition: $15,104 per year
    • Graduate campus tuition: $22,276 per year
    • Graduate ESAL tuition: $17,776 per year

Fees

  • Student services fee: $160 per year
  • Technology fee: $130 per year
  • Athletic fee: $60 per year
  • Campus recreation fee: $50 per year

Total Cost

The total cost of attendance at Thompson Rivers University will vary depending on the program you are enrolled in, the number of credits you take, and your living expenses. However, as a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay between $10,000 and $15,000 per year for tuition and fees.

Financial Aid

Thompson Rivers University offers a variety of financial aid options to help students pay for their education. These options include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. You can learn more about financial aid at TRU on the university’s website.

Thompson Rivers University is a vibrant and diverse university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is committed to providing its students with a high-quality education in a supportive and inclusive environment. TRU is also committed to serving the community and making a positive difference in the world.

For more information, visit their website.

ALSO READ: Open Universities Australia.

Thanks for reading!

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