Trinity Western University

The History of Trinity Western University 

In 1957, a small group of people had an extraordinary vision to establish a distinctly Christian university in Canada.  

The vision began when the Evangelical Free Churches of America (EFCA) appointed a committee to explore founding a liberal arts college in the Fraser Valley. Christian educator and church leader David Enarson was one of the guiding members of the committee and had a vision for an accredited Christian university. Members of the committee purchased the Seal Kap dairy farm in British Columbia's Fraser Valley and developed plans to build the college. The dream finally took off when Trinity Junior College opened in 1962. 

Since those first days, Trinity Western has held a unique vision for Christian liberal arts and sciences education in Canada. The first president, Dr. Calvin B. Hanson (1962-1974), helped shape the early vision. Two decades later, with 800 students enrolled, the college achieved two important milestones. In 1984, under the leadership of TWU’s second president, Dr. R. Neil Snider (1974-2006), Trinity Western was granted full membership into the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), and in 1985, the British Columbia legislature renamed the Trinity Western College Act the Trinity Western University Act, establishing TWU as a university. 

The next milestones for the University included incorporating ACTS Seminaries and the School of Graduate studies, which offer masters and doctoral programs in theological studies, counselling psychology, and the humanities. 

TWU is now Canada’s premier global Christian university and a leader in liberal arts education offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs. As reported in educational surveys carried out by The Globe and Mail University Report and Maclean’s magazine, TWU has earned national recognition for its overall quality of education. TWU has two Canada Research Chairs: Canada Research Chair in Person-Centred Outcomes and Canada Research Chair in Cardiovascular Adaptation to Exercise. 

Today, in addition to the programs offered at the main Langley, B. C. campus, Trinity Western University provides a wide array of degree and non-degree learning experiences at its satellite campuses and through its various schools and institutes. 

International Admission Requirements

If you're looking for a world-class education in an engaging environment, you've come to the right place. TWU's professors are leaders in their fields and our campus is in one of the best locations in Canada.

TWU is recognized under the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education's Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation for providing quality post-secondary education.

Below you'll find important information about getting into TWU. For more details on programming, please go to our International Student's website or contact our Admissions office.

General Certificate of Education

Students must have standing in five subjects of which at least two must be taken at the Advanced level.

Students may be eligible for three semester hours of credit for each Advanced level course completed to a maximum of 12 semester hours provided that a minimum grade of C is achieved in that course. Departments will determine if credit awarded is general or course specific.

The following equivalents will be considered:

• School Certificate: same as GCE with at least two passes at the principal level of the Higher School Certificate.
• Certificate of matriculation from recognized universities.
• International Baccalaureate with at least two subjects at the higher level.
• Other countries: write or email the Admissions Office for information.

Welcome to TWU CAMPUS SECURITY

Located in the Welcome Centre at the main entrance of our campus, Campus Security is a part of the Security and Parking Services Department. The in-house security staff are available to the whole campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days per year to ensure that the campus is safe and secure and remains a caring community. Our goal is to provide the highest quality of specialized security services to all campus facilities.  

The campus security staff have various educational and career backgrounds—in business, government, and Christian service—and security leadership personnel have a combined experience of over 40 years of law enforcement service.  

We are responsible to act in a manner that exemplifies Jesus Christ in all our contacts, living out the mission of the University and providing servant leadership at all times. We look forward to being at your service, and we welcome any security and parking-related feedback or concerns.