Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Vancouver is the Canadian campus (established 2007) of Fairleigh Dickinson University, a private, non-profit US university based in New Jersey. That means Nepali students can earn an accredited US degree while studying entirely in downtown Vancouver, BC — without applying for a US visa.

Fresh update: FDU Vancouver is opening a brand-new campus at Oakridge Park in Fall 2026, in one of Vancouver’s most connected neighbourhoods, with direct access to the Canada Line SkyTrain. The new campus includes modern classrooms, computer labs, science labs, and dedicated AI learning spaces.

Undergraduate degrees (120–122 credits, 4 years) include the BA in Individualized Studies (BAIS), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), and BS in Information Technology (BSIT).

Graduate degrees (30–36 credits, 16–28 months) include the Master of Administrative Science (MAS), MS in Applied Computer Science (MSACS), Master of Hospitality Management Studies (MHMS — requires an interview), and Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).

FDU Vancouver runs on a trimester system with three intakes per year, which gives more flexibility for starting your studies than the typical two-intake Canadian calendar.

Interested in tech or business programs? See our guides to studying Computer Science in Canada and an MBA in Canada.

FDU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (a US regional accreditor), and its main rankings are US-based rather than Canadian — so Canadian ranking tables like Maclean’s aren’t a meaningful comparison here. What matters more for Nepali applicants is that this is an accredited US institution operating a fully recognized campus in Canada.

The application fee is US$100 (non-refundable). The process runs: apply → receive a Letter of Offer → accept and pay deposit → receive your Letter of Acceptance and Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) → apply for your study permit. Important caveat: PAL availability is limited under BC’s current international enrolment rules, so build extra lead time into your application timeline.

FDU accepts IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE for English proficiency, with conditional admission available through a partner ESL pathway if you’re below the minimum score — confirm exact score thresholds for your program on FDU’s undergraduate or graduate English proficiency pages. Early admission is available, and deferrals are possible on a case-by-case basis after a study-permit refusal.

Check the full IELTS requirements for a Canada student visa before you book your test (FDU also accepts TOEFL and PTE).

All fees at FDU Vancouver are billed in US dollars — an important detail to factor into your currency planning. Undergraduate tuition runs approximately US$850–900 per credit, and graduate tuition approximately US$950–1,150 per credit depending on program (the MHA is generally priced toward the lower end of that range); confirm your program’s exact current rate on FDU’s official international tuition page, since per-credit rates are updated for each academic year.

Mandatory fees on top of tuition include a one-time orientation fee (undergraduate, ~US$649), a technology fee (~US$256/term), an International Learning Centre fee (~US$260/term, from Winter 2027), a graduation fee (~US$299), and temporary health insurance (~US$190).

Merit scholarships are available for international undergraduate students with automatic consideration on application — confirm current award ranges directly with FDU Vancouver admissions, since aggregator figures for total scholarship value vary widely and shouldn’t be quoted without official confirmation.

FDU Vancouver has no on-campus housing. Instead, a dedicated on-site housing coordinator helps students navigate Metro Vancouver’s rental market. Budget carefully — Vancouver has the highest rents of any Canadian city, so factor this into your overall cost planning well before you arrive.

FDU Vancouver’s downtown location and small classes give it a more intimate feel than a typical large-campus university. Support services include academic advising, career services, and in-house immigration advising — useful for a smaller international student population that gets more individual attention.

Work rights during study follow standard IRCC international student rules. Note that FDU’s model is built around fast-track degree completion (grad programs run 16–28 months) rather than a co-op structure — a different shape from most Canadian university offers, so plan your work-experience strategy accordingly.

FDU Vancouver lets Nepali students earn an accredited US degree without a US visa — in a downtown Vancouver setting, with fast-track graduate programs and a brand-new campus opening Fall 2026. It’s a strong option if your priority is a US credential with Canadian study-permit simplicity.

Goreto Educational Consultancy can help you confirm current tuition, navigate the PAL requirement, and prepare a strong application. Book a free consultation with Goreto to start your FDU Vancouver application.

Comparing other private Vancouver options? See our profiles of University Canada West and Royal Roads University.