University Canada West is a privately-owned university located in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 2005 by David F. Strong, the former president of the University of Victoria. University Canada West was acquired in 2008 by the Eminata Group and later sold to Global University Systems in 2014, who are the current owners. Located in the heart of Vancouver, the university provides a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in business and management. University Canada West was established by David Strong, the former president of the University of Victoria, along with a group of investors. The goal was to serve students from British Columbia who were unable to attend public universities in the province, as well as tap into the Asian Pacific market. The aim was to eventually have 3000 students enrolled. The establishment of the university was a significant milestone in British Columbia, as it became the first for-profit institution to be granted the designation “university.” This achievement was made possible by the province’s recently enacted Degree Authorization Act, which sparked some controversy. University Canada West was established in 2004 and began operating in 2005 at the former Blanshard Elementary School in Victoria, British Columbia. The university initially provided undergraduate degrees in commerce, communications, geography, tourism, and economics, along with a master’s degree in business. Unfortunately, the geography, tourism, and economics programs were later discontinued. University Canada West acquired Victoria College of Art in 2006 as part of its strategic plan to enhance its program offerings. Nevertheless, following the acquisition, there was a significant decline in enrollment at the art college, plummeting from 150 students to a mere 12. The university later decided to retract its request to the British Columbia Degree Quality Assessment Board for approval of the new degree. University Canada West expanded its reach by establishing a second campus in Vancouver in 2008. In 2021, University Canada West achieved a prestigious 5-star QS Stars rating. This recognition places the institution among the top universities in British Columbia and the third in Canada. It is a testament to their commitment to excellence and dedication to providing a high-quality education. Only seven institutions in the United States and Canada have been awarded a prestigious 5-star rating. In 2023, seven institutions in the United States and Canada took part in the QS Stars rating. University Canada West does not appear on the list of QS World University Rankings, as it falls outside the top 1,500. The university has received accreditation from the British Columbia Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, as well as the Education Quality Assurance (EQA) accreditation under the 2003 Degree Authorization Act. In addition, the university is a proud member of the British Columbia Council on Admission & Transfer. In 2017, the university’s bachelors and post-graduate business degrees were accredited by the prestigious Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). In 2019, UCW expanded its program offerings to include a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication, and an MBA. You have the option to pursue these degrees either through full-time on-campus study or part-time online study. Additionally, it provides an Associate of Arts degree.