Exempt Status

The purpose of Exempt Status is to provide an expedited review process for institutions that have demonstrated: 

• A history of successfully offering quality degree programs at a given level for at least ten years in British Columbia; 
• An established organizational capacity for degree-granting (including faculty) sufficient to ensure that quality degree level education; and 
• The establishment of rigorous, ongoing program and institutional quality assessment processes, both internal and external. 

Institutions with proven track records (10 years’ history in British Columbia of enrolling students in programs at a particular degree level) and appropriate governance mechanisms in place may apply for “Exempt Status” at a specific degree level. For example, if an institution meets the 10-year prerequisite period for baccalaureate degrees and satisfies other criteria for Exempt Status, the institution could apply for Exempt Status in respect of new baccalaureate degrees. 

Institutions with Exempt Status would still require Ministerial consent / approval for each new degree. However, once the institution achieves Exempt Status, the quality assessment process would be expedited so that new degree proposals, up to the degree level of exemption specified, would be forwarded directly to the Minister for review and consent / approval. As such, Exempt Status represents an exceptional condition. For these reasons, Degree Quality Assessment Board (DQAB) applies the highest standards and expectations of quality in its review of applications for Exempt Status.