Facts at a Glance

Quest University Canada is Canada's first independent, not-for-profit, nonsectarian university of the liberal arts and sciences. Quest offers only one degree, a Bachelors of Arts and Sciences, and focuses entirely on excellence in undergraduate education.

Overview

  • Founded in 2002 by former University of British Columbia president Dr. David Strangway
  • Opened with an 80-student inaugural class on September 3, 2007
  • Current president: Dr. David Helfand

Degree

  • Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (4-year program)

Academics

  • Maximum 20 students in a class
  • Courses scheduled on a "Block Plan" where students take one course at a time for three-and-a-half weeks
  • All small, interactive, seminar classes, in which faculty lead students through discussions and activities
  • 12:1 student to faculty ratio
  • Each student has a faculty advisor

Curriculum

  • 2-year Foundation Program introduces students to fields across the arts and sciences
  • 2-year upper-level Concentration Program allows students to design their own major with faculty input and guidance
  • All students complete a major senior thesis or project
  • Opportunities for field work, study abroad, and internships
  • Curricular emphasis on communication, critical thinking, personal and intellectual development, civic engagement, and employability

Campus & Location

  • Situated on a 60-acre mountain-top campus on the edge of Garibaldi Provincial Park in Squamish, British Columbia.
  • Overlooking the spectacular Tantalus mountain range and Howe Sound, Canada's southern-most fjord
  • Close proximity to both the city of Vancouver (1 hour) and Whistler Ski Resort (45 minutes)
  • Campus includes 3 residence halls, library, academic building, university services building, and recreation centre
  • "Green" buildings are geothermally heated and cooled

Enrollment

  • Current enrollment: 220 undergraduate students
  • Enrollment increasing annually to a full capacity of 800 students
  • 55% from Canada, 25% from United States, 20% from other countries
  • Over 22 countries represented in the student body, including Germany, Uganda, Bhutan, China, and Italy

Scholarships & Financial Aid

  • Generous financial assistance available in the form of scholarships, bursaries, grants, and student employment
  • Scholarships range from $1000/year to full tuition/year for all four years
  • All students (Canadian and international) are eligible to apply for both scholarships and bursaries

Costs 2010-2011

  • Tuition cost: $26,000 CAD per year
  • Room and board ranges from $8400 to $11,300 per year (based on room choice)
  • Many of our current students receive some form of scholarship or financial bursary

Residence Facilities

  • 2- and 3-bedroom condo-style residences each with 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchenette, and balcony
  • Both private and shared bedrooms available
  • 24-hour access to study spaces, common lounge, and laundry facilities
  • Free access to fitness facilities including gym, fitness room, squash courts, and playing field
  • Wireless internet available throughout campus and student residences

Accreditation

  • Accredited by the Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) under the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education, following a rigorous review of policies and programs
  • Affiliate of the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE)
  • Authority to grant degrees from the Sea to Sky University (SSU) Act passed in 2002