Institutions commit to new joint pathways and shared programs aiming to cut costs, shorten study times, and better prepare students for changing careers
Royal Roads University (RRU) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) have announced a new partnership to expand access to flexible, affordable, and career-focused education across British Columbia.
The collaboration allows for clear, two-way pathways between the institutions, making it easier for students to build on existing credentials, move between programs, and reskill and upskill throughout their careers.
“Canada is facing the largest workforce reskilling in a generation,” said Philip Steenkamp, President and Vice-Chancellor of Royal Roads University. “This partnership expands access to flexible and affordable education that meets the needs of learners and the economy.”
As part of the partnership, RRU will deliver programs at BCIT’s Burnaby campus, while BCIT will offer programs at RRU’s John Horgan Campus in Langford.
“BCIT has a provincial mandate for workforce development,” said Jeff Zabudsky, President of BCIT. “By partnering with Royal Roads University, we are reducing barriers for learners, strengthening pathways between institutes, and supporting a more resilient workforce in BC.”
Pilot courses mark the first step in the partnership
As a first step in the partnership, BCIT will pilot the delivery of select courses in Interior Design Fundamentals, and User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design at the RRU’s John Horgan Campus in Langford. Registration is now open for courses that begin in September 2026, and learners will receive BCIT course credits upon successful completion.
Beyond the pilot courses, BCIT and RRU are committed to introducing new program pathways for students aligned with evolving labour market needs. These may include micro-credentials and short courses that ladder into certificates, diplomas, and degrees, co-developed programs, expanded pathways, and opportunities for underrepresented learners in the skilled trades to access leadership development after earning a Red Seal. Areas of program alignment that will be explored further include environment and applied sciences, applied and natural sciences, trades and entrepreneurship and health leadership.
Faculty and staff at both institutions will also benefit from expanded professional development opportunities.
The partnership will enable RRU and BCIT to bring more career-focused, timely and accessible education to learners in communities where they live – helping students enter the workforce more quickly and advance their careers over time.
Together, RRU and BCIT are building strong post-secondary pathways that expand opportunities for learners, support workforce needs and strengthen communities across BC.
Learn at the RRU John Horgan Campus in Langford: Explore courses in Interior Design Fundamentals, and User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Design.
About Royal Roads University (RRU)
As Canada’s university for changemakers, Royal Roads delivers a transformative experience to students across the country and around the world. Our graduate, undergraduate and certificate programs uniquely position Royal Roads alumni to lead us through the world’s most complex challenges – climate emergencies, political unrest, rapidly advancing technologies. Through learned resiliency, adaptability and leadership, our alumni take lessons from the classroom and apply them to the real world, transforming industries, economies, and communities.
About British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is one of BC’s largest post-secondary institutes, serving over 40,000 students annually across five campuses. BCIT delivers flexible, industry-focused education, with programs developed in collaboration with employers and taught by experienced professionals. Through applied, hands-on learning, BCIT prepares graduates for job-readiness across sectors including applied and natural sciences, business and media, computing and IT, engineering, health sciences, and trades. Together with industry and government, BCIT is building a future-ready workforce in BC and beyond.