CA · Bachelor's
Vancouver Island University
BBA in Hospitality Management
Vancouver Island University
Course Overview
Vancouver Island University (VIU) sits in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island — a 90-minute ferry from Vancouver — and runs one of Canada's most affordable hospitality bachelor degrees. The BBA in Hospitality Management is a 4-year programme with two mandatory paid co-op terms (each 4 months) at properties like the Fairmont, Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Tofino Resort, and Whistler ski resorts. The Vancouver Island ecosystem is uniquely tourism-driven (whale watching, ski resorts, wine tourism, indigenous cultural tourism) so live industry exposure is built into the curriculum.
Sri Lankan applicants choose VIU because the tuition is among the lowest at any accredited Canadian university (~CAD 21,000/yr vs CAD 40,000+ at UBC or McGill), Nanaimo is a small, safe city with very low cost of living, and the BBA is fully eligible for the Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years. Many graduates use the work permit to convert to Canadian PR via the Express Entry or BC PNP pathway.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Cambridge / Edexcel A Levels: 3 passes including English at C grade.
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 passes (any stream) — Grade 12 / O/L English at credit level.
- check_circle Direct Year 2 entry available with completed 1 year of post-secondary studies in a relevant field (Hospitality / Business / Tourism).
- check_circle Online application via the VIU International Apply portal.
- check_circle Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from British Columbia required for study permit (VIU issues these to admitted students).
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.0 Overall (no band below 5.5).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 79 Overall.
- check_circle Duolingo English Test: 105.
- check_circle VIU offers a packaged ESL English for Academic Purposes pathway if your IELTS is 0.5-1.0 below requirement.
- check_circle Waived if your school qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English (most Sri Lankan applicants from Edexcel/Cambridge International streams qualify).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (CAD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | CAD 21,000 | Rs. 4,935,000 |
| On-campus / Homestay Accommodation (per year) | CAD 11,000 | Rs. 2,585,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Nanaimo — food, transport) | CAD 7,500 | Rs. 1,762,500 |
| Health Insurance (BC MSP + iMED) | CAD 1,000 | Rs. 235,000 |
| Study Permit, Biometrics & Setup | CAD 1,500 | Rs. 352,500 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | CAD 42,000 | Rs. 9,870,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) — up to 3 years of open work permit on graduation. Hospitality management is on multiple BC PNP and Express Entry CRS-friendly occupation lists. Top hirers: Fairmont, Four Seasons, Marriott, Hilton, Accor, IHG, Tofino Resort & Spa, Whistler Blackcomb. Graduate hotel-supervisor / front-office manager salaries: CAD 50,000-58,000 in BC.
Related Programs
BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management
Edinburgh Napier University
Bachelor of Business Administration in International Hospitality Management
Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management
Bachelor of Business (Hotel Management)
Torrens University Australia (Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School)
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