Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is British Columbia’s fourth largest university with 23,000 students. Founded in 1970, it has a rich history of growth and transformation, as it evolved from a community college into a comprehensive, dual mode, dual sector university. TRU offers trades, technical, and career education, along with baccalaureate and masters level degrees programs; both on campus and at a distance. Most recently TRU received authorization to open Canada’s first new Law School in more than 30 years. TRU is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).

Open Learning at TRU

The Open Learning Division of Thompson Rivers University (TRU-OL) was created in 2005 when the university assumed responsibility for all courses and programs of the former British Columbia Open University/ Open College (BCOU). Founded in 1978 as the Open Learning Institute, BCOU brought to TRU almost 30 years of experience in the field of open and distance education. 

Today, TRU-OL is one of Canada’s leading open, distance and online education providers; offering over 400 courses and 57 programs to 13,500 students annually. Building upon its rich legacy, it now provides open and distance education to students locally, nationally and internationally. The benefits of TRU-OL's student-centric delivery models include:

• Flexible course delivery through online and/or print formats
• Continuous enrolment: register anywhere, anytime and complete studies at a pace and place that suits the student's lifestyle
• Minimal admission requirements
• Ability to transfer credits from other recognized institutions
• Ability to gain credits for knowledge gained through previous work and life experience
  
  

Prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR)

Prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) is a hallmark of TRU-OL. Through PLAR, credit is awarded for knowledge achieved through work and life experience. As an international expert in this field, TRU-OL is the home of the Prior Learning International Research Centre (PLIRC).

TRU-OL also has numerous partnerships with high schools, colleges, universities, corporations, professional associations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.