Are you at least seven years beyond high school and looking to add to your college diploma or use your past university credits toward a degree?
UPEI’s Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) degree program is designed for mature and adult learners to enhance your career opportunities and help you reach your educational goals. You can enrol part-time or full-time in courses in our faculties of Arts, Business, or Science.
BIS Student Information Sessions
Join an upcoming information session about the Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree program at UPEI! Sessions include general information and guidance on completing your application, and attendees will receive a promo code to have their application fee waived ($50 CAD value).
Visit our Future Students page for session dates and times.
Adult learners bring valuable life-long experiences to their workplaces and communities, and the Bachelor of Integrated Studies program recognizes these experiences to meet the unique needs of adult learners, offering learner supports, and broad choices of courses to meet employment requirements and personal interests.
"The BIS program provides an excellent opportunity for students who have work and life experience."
Meet UPEI Bachelor of Integrated Studies student Raeanne Kinch, and learn more about how she's successfully balancing her busy home and work demands while earning her degree.
Need more information about Integrated Studies?
The Bachelor of Integrated Studies is a 30-course, 90 credit hour degree. Degree requirements include:
- 8 courses in subject area of “concentration”
- 11 courses at the senior (3000 and 4000) level (65%+ in 7 of 11 courses)
- Not more than 12 courses at the introductory (1000) level
- University/BIS 1930: Creating a Career and Learning Portfolio
- Electives chosen from Arts, Business, or Science
- One of: UPEI 1010/ENG 1010, 1020, or 1030
- IKE 1040 - Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island (new for students beginning or returning after re-application in Fall 2022)
- One Writing Intensive course
Students may choose from a broad range of elective courses, according to their area of concentration. Academic advising is available to help all students with course selection.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Learners considering the BIS degree program may choose to demonstrate how their learning from sources other than formal study (employment, professional, volunteer and community involvement) equates to academic skills and competencies. Students in the program can learn to create a career and learning portfolio during their coursework (University/BIS 1930) and upon full completion of the portfolio may receive up to 12 credit hours (four courses at the 1000 level) to use toward the BIS degree.
Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for more information.
The Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree program is designed to be an accessible program for mature and adult learners. High school graduation is not absolutely required; however, each applicant must meet criteria for admission through the Registrar’s Office, including:
- be out of secondary school for at least seven (7) years
- have Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status
Applicants submit official records/transcripts of any post-secondary education and high school records may be requested from applicants whose latest formal education was at that level. Each applicant is assessed for any possible transfer credit by the Registrar’s Office after admission is granted.
Tuition (Faculties of Arts, Business, and Science)
$6,570 per year, based on 30 credit hours ($657 per 3 credit course).
For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student, visit our Tuition and Fees page.
Scotiabank Scholarship Series
The Scotiabank Scholarship Series grants $1,000 annually to five students entering the Bachelor of Integrated Studies Program (BIS) at UPEI.
Read more about the Scotiabank Scholarship Series
UPEI Scholarships and Awards
There are two specific awards for mature students:
And millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students in all faculties and programs.
Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.
Celebrating Student Achievement
Including Guaranteed Entrance Scholarships and Academic Excellence Awards, these awards recognize the academic achievements of all students who meet the eligibility criteria while studying towards their first undergraduate degree.
