For all students enrolled at a post-secondary institution, fees consist of two parts:
1) BMSC fees
2) University tuition
BMSC Fees
The BMSC has supported award-winning educational programs for over 50 years. We believe the success of these programs is rooted in our longstanding reputation for high-quality experiential learning, and in our amazing educators who inspire students to deepen their relationship with the ocean. In order to provide unparalleled learning experiences and inspire transformational change, our education programs expand and improve on a continual basis.
2025 BMSC Summer Course Fees
The following applies to all participants in BMSC summer courses:
| Application Fee |
|
| Per Course Deposit |
NOTE: The University of Victoria calculates credit units differently from our other member universities. A 6 credit unit course is 3 units at UVic, and a 3 credit unit course is 1.5 units at UVic. |
- 2025 course deposits are due by 4:30 pm PST on Monday, March 31.
- Course deposits are not refundable.
- Course deposits are applied towards BMSC fees and are not an additional fee.
BMSC‘s summer fees include accommodations, meals, and the use of BMSC facilities. Undergraduate students enrolled in institutions that are members of the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society and graduate students enrolled in institutions that are members of the Western Deans Agreement are charged ‘Member’ fees as listed below. All other students are charged ‘Non-Member’ fees.
| Course Duration | Member Fee | Non-member Fee |
| Two weeks | CAN$2,320.00 | CAN$2,930.00 |
| Three weeks | CAN$2,895.00 | CAN$3,500.00 |
| Four weeks | CAN$4,680.00 | CAN$5,900.00 |
Students taking BMSC courses who will not be receiving university credit pay an audit fee in addition to the BMSC Fee listed above. 2025 Audit fees are as follows:
- 3 credit unit audit fee: CAN$600.00
- 6 credit unit audit fee: CAN$1,200.00
2025 BMSC Fall Program Fees
The following applies to all participants in the BMSC Fall Program:
| Application Fee |
|
| Program Deposit | CAN$1,500.00 |
- Program deposits are due by 4:30 pm PST on Thursday, May 1.
- Program deposits are not refundable.
- Program deposits are applied towards BMSC fees and are not an additional fee.
BMSC‘s Fall Program fees include accommodations, meals, and the use of BMSC facilities for the duration of the program. Undergraduate students enrolled in institutions that are members of the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society are charged ‘Member’ fees. All other students are charged ‘Non-Member’ fees.
| Member Fee | CAN$14,480.00 |
| Non-Member Fee | CAN$17,800.00 |
To drop a course, students must inform the University Programs Coordinator in writing (e-mail, fax or post), that they will not attend. It is not sufficient to cancel registration at a member university.
Fees can be paid to BMSC by cash, debit, credit card, cheque, money order or travellers cheques. Payment plans and financial supports may be offered on a case-by-case basis.
University Tuition
- Students registered at universities that are members of the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society (WCUMSS) pay tuition to their home institution. The University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, and University of Alberta are all WCUMSS members.
- Students from institutions that are not WCUMSS members must register for BMSC courses through the University of Victoria as a visiting student and pay UVic tuition. UVic’s 2025 tuition is listed here.
- Students who will not be receiving university credit from their BMSC course(s) pay an audit fee in place of tuition. Audit fees are CAN$600.00 per three credit unit course and CAN$1,200.00 per six credit unit course.
Visiting international students should inquire whether your home institution is a partner with one a WCUMSS member universities, as you may be eligible for exchange status.
Graduate Students:
If you are a graduate student at a university covered under the Western Deans Agreement (Athabasca, Brandon University, University of Lethbridge, University of Manitoba, University of Northern British Columbia, University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, Concordia University College of Alberta, Royal Roads University) you may not be required to pay extra tuition for BMSC courses.
Graduate students at member universities who have paid tuition for the summer semester need not pay additional tuition to attend courses at BMSC.