Name Use for Students

BCIT uses multiple systems to support your student experience. While many systems display the preferred name (as entered in Banner), some may still show your legal name. Your legal name may be displayed instead due to legal and regulatory requirements or system limitations. We are continuing to improve consistency across systems and support the use of preferred names wherever possible.

Your preferred (where available) name may appear in:

Class lists and learning systems
Student-facing platforms (e.g., myBCIT, Learning Hub)
General communications
BCIT ID Card

Your legal name (required use) is required for:

Admission and enrolment records
Student loans and awards
Tax formsand receipts
Transcripts and credentials
Residence and legal agreements
Updating your preferred name

You can update your identity at any time through myBCIT, including your preferred name, pronouns, gender, and Indigenous identity. For most students, this is the recommended way to ensure your name is reflected across student systems. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

To apply to a program or register in courses at BCIT, you will have to create a student account. As part of this process, you’ll provide your personal information, including your legal name, with an option to add a preferred name, along with other details needed to support your application, registration, and student record. Your information is stored in BCIT’s Student Information System (Banner).

Your legal name must match your government-issued identification. Your preferred name is self-entered and used in many student-facing systems to support your day-to-day experience. At BCIT, we recognize that names are an important part of identity. While the term “preferred name” is used, for many students this is the name they use every day.

Class lists do not contain pronouns. When accessed correctly class lists should contain only the student’s preferred name. If students are concerned about being referred to by the wrong name or pronoun they may choose to reach out to their program head or instructor to advise of their preferred name and pronouns, or request that the RDI office do so on their behalf. Here’s a sample email that can be used:

Hi [insert instructor’s name],

I’m really excited to take your class this semester! I wanted to let you know that I use the pronouns [insert pronouns]. I have added my pronouns onto myBCIT account, and I was hoping that you would be able to support me in class by correcting students if they misgender me in classes/discussions/etc.

Thank you so much in advance for your help in creating a respectful environment.

[insert your name] [insert your pronouns]

BCIT uses a global template in myCommunication for official letters related to admission and enrolment. This template uses embedded identity information from your student record.

Your preferred name (if provided) is used in the salutation
Your legal name is displayed in the header/address block and clearly identified as your legal name for official purposes

If a preferred name has not been provided, the template will default to your legal name in the salutation.

BCIT allows you to use a preferred name during your studies without changing your legal name. However, it’s important to consider how this may impact you after graduation.

Official documents (e.g., transcripts and credentials) are issued using your legal name and are often used to verify your identity when applying for employment or further education. If you have used a different name during your studies, this may create confusion when your academic records reflect your legal name.

If you would like your official documents to reflect the name you use, you may wish to consider legally changing your name. For more information, please refer to the Government of British Columbia.

If you are a student and have experienced barriers or discrimination related to your gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or name, you can submit an Early Assist referral to connect with resources and supports

Early Assist

Legal name change

If you have legally changed your name (for any reason), you must update your legal name on record with BCIT to ensure your student record and official documents are accurate.

To update your legal name, submit a Change of Name form along with two pieces of government issued ID that reflect the new name to Student Records. IDs must include:

A copy of legal name change document or marriage certificate or divorce certificate or birth certificate (if reverting to maiden name) and
A copy of government-issued picture ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport, or provincial ID)

Requesting support through the Registrar

If you would like your preferred name to appear more consistently across systems, and you have not changed or are in the process of legally changing your name, you may contact the Registrar’s Office to request a manual update intervention in Banner. This will allow your preferred name to display more consistently across systems and class lists.

Please note that requesting a manual update through the Registrar may impact your access to services and should be considered carefully:

A hold will be placed on your account
Registration, enrolment changes, and document requests must be completed through the Registrar while the hold is active
Official documents will still be issued under your legal name

There are a few cases where using a preferred name would be considered inappropriate:

Using a preferred name to avoid a legal obligation via misrepresentation
Using inappropriate language in a preferred name

These situations will result in the denial and/or reversal of the request and can be disciplined through either Academic or Non-Academic Misconduct.

Name Use for Students

Registration, enrolment and student systems

Class lists

Official Communications (via myCommunication)

Impact of preferred name after graduation

Early Assist

Legal name change

Updating a legal name after graduation

Requesting support through the Registrar

Inappropriate use of preferred name