Thompson Rivers University (commonly referred to as TRU) is a public teaching and research university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees and vocational training. Its main campus is in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, and its name comes from the two rivers which converge in Kamloops, the North Thompson and South Thompson. The university has a satellite campus in Williams Lake, BC and a distance education division called TRU-Open Learning. It also has several international partnerships through its TRU World division. TRU is Canada’s first platinum-ranked sustainable university, accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Additionally, TRU received the prestigious Alan Blizzard Award in 2019. The university is committed to providing students with the necessary support and resources to thrive in all areas of their lives, while also offering them exceptional opportunities for intellectual development.
Since 1970, TRU has taken pride in providing an excellent education to every student who comes to them — from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, at various stages of the learning journey. The campus serves more than 25,000 students — on their campuses in Kamloops and Williams Lake, and via distance or online courses and programs through Open Learning.
From traditional academics to trades, from certificates to graduate degrees, TRU offers over 140 on-campus programs, including trades apprenticeships, vocational certificates and diplomas, bachelor’s and master’s degrees and law, and 60-plus Open Learning programs. The students apply what they learn in co-op work terms, study abroad, undergraduate research, field schools and practicums, service learning and other opportunities — with guidance and mentorship by our accessible faculty. Research, creation and innovation thrive in their open, flexible learning environment.