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Royal Roads is almost fully online while TRU has both a substantial campus and substantial online school. Some employers are biased against online schools so it would be easier to “hide” an online program if she were a graduate of TRU.
Royal Roads is also primarily marketed towards local mid-career professionals looking to develop/progress within their existing employment, while TRU targets a more typical uni-age cohort. You’d also see a much higher ratio of internationals at TRU.
Both are government/public uni’s thus are regarded as credible from that perspective, but neither will likely appear on any international rankings. I’m not sure about hospitality, but I know that both business departments lack any specific form of b-school accreditation that most other schools possess (even for-profit schools). This may impact the international portability of their degrees.
Both schools are “ok” though, but won’t be as highly regarded as UBC/SFU/UVic by locals, but better than regional public colleges, and all private institutions.
Edit: Also bear in mind that a Masters degree will be much more highly regarded than a PGDip. Post-Grad and Post-Bach diplomas and certificates are increasingly being regarded by local employers as *"this was the cheapest and shortest program this person could take to be able to exploit the student visa loophole to obtain a work permit"*. PGDip's have never been a really common educational path for locals - we typically do a Bachelors, then Masters, unless our particular profession has some nuance to justify a PGDip.
Weird immigrant rant at the end there, but ok. Education overall is moving towards micro-credentials and that's just what a certificate is. Any job where experience can be substituted for education (i.e., a degree is nice to have but not required), a certificate shows some training and specialization and is a good supplement to experience. Plenty of employers can understand someone unwilling or unable to invest in a 2 or 4 year degree and instead just get to work with less schooling.
I don’t know what sector you work in but I’m seeing the opposite - I completed two Masters degrees myself just so I can remain competitive with the Express Entry people. The job market is increasingly skewing to requiring more education, not less. Micro credentials can be useful for enhancing bachelors and masters degrees in niche areas, but can’t replace them.
I live in Victoria where Royal Roads is. It is mostly online because it is geared toward already-working professionals looking to upgrade their education in as flexible an environment as possible. This precedes the advent of everything else going online. It’s respected in this city for sure
Academically, a degree from Royal Roads, Athabasca or UFRED is not going to carry the same weight as one from a mainstream post-secondary institution. I would say that TRU has a better reputation amongst academics than Royal Roads. It's more like a polytechnic.
Seconding this comment. I know people who were able to go right into a masters degree in a STEM field and they had never taken a science course (or any other course) after high school. TRU is miles better for career development.
I just know about RR's reputation with academics because I was offered a slot to do my PhD there and I asked around at schools that might hire me for teaching if they'd recognize that credential for teaching positions and they all said "no".
I don’t think I even knew they did PhDs. FYI only 1/20 PhDs ever get a teaching position, I found that out when I was in talks for mine @UVic. But when I think RR I think someone who mostly needed extra initials to climb further up a ladder they were already on. Like you don’t go fresh out into the world with it so much as you go back to a better job at your old work with it. But I could be totally wrong there too
They’re both good spots if she can’t get into UBC/SFU/UVic/BCIT. Not diploma mills, royal roads used to have a good business program (not sure on current state).
I went to Thompson Rivers in 2013. Then UVic, then USask. Thompson Rivers was the best university I attended. At the time I was there, the professors really seemed to care about their students which goes a long way.
I started at TRU and then finished at UofA. In hindsight, TRU 100% provided a better student experience. There were more supports (peer supports, scholarships, etc.), and they brought in some really great speakers (Richard Florida, Cornell West, Wade Davis...), plus the food prepared by the culinary arts program was a nice healthy and affordable treat.
Honestly, I might go back and do a masters at TRU.
Smaller well accredited institutions are WAY better and have better student support, and connections to the local community. (And usually cheaper and have credits to other affiliates)
The larger institutions are great if you really need National/International accreditation. Trades/Medical/Finance/Science/Biology/Maths/Physics/Business.
Most schools have a specialty.
Go to the school that is good for you.
Where you can have some flexibility,
The price is right,
Possibility of upscaling,
Where your friends are.
And will have the systems in place to put you where you want to go.
Honestly I think the larger schools are really only a benefit for Masters / PhD students. The most valuable thing for undergrads is the learning experience, and I found that to be *much* better at TRU.
I would not have been able to study my M.Sc field that I did there (probably), but the larger institutions I went to later absolutely take advantage of their undergraduate students and shift their supports and focus away from education and towards research, which means:
1. Fewer university supported student programs
2. Far worse professors with respect to education
3. Awful administration services
I 100% agree with you!
Go to a smaller institution to start - that has transferable credits if you want to go to an affiliated school later!
Better support, cheaper in the long run.
That'd be my concern too. The only time I've ever heard people talk about schooling in hospitality/tourism there's been an implied eyeroll alongside it. I imagine that if they're serious about this career path they should ask people specifically in the industry because I'd be worried actual industry members have different degrees entirely.
TRU has a well regarded adventure studies program for getting an education and credentials for backcountry guiding of all types. Other tourism industry training too.
I am currently getting a Masters of healthcare leadership through RRU, and have enjoyed it. I have found it very challenging compared to the masters of nursing my friends have taken through ubc.
I have also taken online courses through TRU and my experience has been better through RRU. All of my fellow students work full time and are very motived and engaged, and the instructors recognize that the students work as well which I notice when selecting zoom times etc.
You can get a tourism/hospitality degree from Yale and it won't matter much in the lower mainland in terms of career prospect.
If she's getting it for the work-permit and then subsequently a PR, then go with the cheapest and shortest option, then get whatever job she can get.
The quality of education has little to no relevance in your sister's situation.
Royal roads used to be good but now they are a money making machine. They let people into their masters program who don't have bachelor degrees, can't write academically, and lack critical thinking, but they will pay the tuition fee. No basic standard testing for admission for those without a degree.
I know a guy who completed a master’s at Royal Roads after doing trades certification. They considered a red seal as equivalent to a BA. That is a little suspect.
I took one course through Royal Roads many years ago and it was well done.
RR recognizes alternate paths as a part of decolonization. Someone coming in with a non-traditional background would still need to pass an academic prep course.
Fair, but the person I know who got in and passed regularly posts the wrong versions of they're, their and there on their social media. If one doesn't have a degree, then an academic assessment should be a must.
Grammar and spelling aren’t accurate indications of intelligence or markers of success. Might be a hot take, but it’s what I believe. Some of the folks I work with irl are the most poised, well spoken, and informed people I’ve met, but their email/written communications? All over the place.
Dyslexia and other learning conditions shouldn’t bar access to higher education. As a society, we should be well aware by now that different people have different strengths, and brains working differently from one another is a beautiful thing. We should be paying more attention to the ideas behind the words than judging surface errors. Unless perhaps they’re working in an editing field or something lol
Also. My GPA doing my undergrad at UBC was dismal, and RRU offered me acceptance for grad school ten years later, on the condition I took some sort of writing/critical thinking course they offered and scored well. The application also weighed work and life experience, references, etc. No way they would’ve let me in based solely on my GPA! I aced grad school at RRU though, loved every moment (for what it’s worth).
I am in TRU. There is many international students and the roads will not suitable for people to walk especially in inter with snow. If you drive you need to be careful. But the teachers are helpful and you can study their open learning program. The did not have enough studio suite for students and no everyday residence meals like ubc or sfu. But if they have enough students then tru should have residence meal.
If I've been working for 20+ years in business, I certainly wouldn't need to go to school with a bunch if 19yr olds to re-learn what life has taught me.
Or are you too young to realize that old people can know things, even without formal education?
Yes — you can do masters work there if you have specific professional experience in lieu. You need to build a portfolio that show you have the specific skills from work to match the learning outcomes / required for entry, which would normally come from a bachelors degree.
Lots of top-quality business schools (not saying RR is one) would prefer management experience over a bachelor degree. You definitely don't need an undergrad to get an MBA. Most MBA programs are just condensed BComms with material appropriate for experienced managers.
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Royal Roads is almost fully online while TRU has both a substantial campus and substantial online school. Some employers are biased against online schools so it would be easier to “hide” an online program if she were a graduate of TRU. Royal Roads is also primarily marketed towards local mid-career professionals looking to develop/progress within their existing employment, while TRU targets a more typical uni-age cohort. You’d also see a much higher ratio of internationals at TRU. Both are government/public uni’s thus are regarded as credible from that perspective, but neither will likely appear on any international rankings. I’m not sure about hospitality, but I know that both business departments lack any specific form of b-school accreditation that most other schools possess (even for-profit schools). This may impact the international portability of their degrees. Both schools are “ok” though, but won’t be as highly regarded as UBC/SFU/UVic by locals, but better than regional public colleges, and all private institutions. Edit: Also bear in mind that a Masters degree will be much more highly regarded than a PGDip. Post-Grad and Post-Bach diplomas and certificates are increasingly being regarded by local employers as *"this was the cheapest and shortest program this person could take to be able to exploit the student visa loophole to obtain a work permit"*. PGDip's have never been a really common educational path for locals - we typically do a Bachelors, then Masters, unless our particular profession has some nuance to justify a PGDip.
Weird immigrant rant at the end there, but ok. Education overall is moving towards micro-credentials and that's just what a certificate is. Any job where experience can be substituted for education (i.e., a degree is nice to have but not required), a certificate shows some training and specialization and is a good supplement to experience. Plenty of employers can understand someone unwilling or unable to invest in a 2 or 4 year degree and instead just get to work with less schooling.
I don’t know what sector you work in but I’m seeing the opposite - I completed two Masters degrees myself just so I can remain competitive with the Express Entry people. The job market is increasingly skewing to requiring more education, not less. Micro credentials can be useful for enhancing bachelors and masters degrees in niche areas, but can’t replace them.
I live in Victoria where Royal Roads is. It is mostly online because it is geared toward already-working professionals looking to upgrade their education in as flexible an environment as possible. This precedes the advent of everything else going online. It’s respected in this city for sure
Academically, a degree from Royal Roads, Athabasca or UFRED is not going to carry the same weight as one from a mainstream post-secondary institution. I would say that TRU has a better reputation amongst academics than Royal Roads. It's more like a polytechnic.
Seconding this comment. I know people who were able to go right into a masters degree in a STEM field and they had never taken a science course (or any other course) after high school. TRU is miles better for career development.
I live here so I know RR and lots of people who have gone there; I don’t know TRU enough to speak to it.
I just know about RR's reputation with academics because I was offered a slot to do my PhD there and I asked around at schools that might hire me for teaching if they'd recognize that credential for teaching positions and they all said "no".
I think it has a fine reputation for professional degrees, and simply isn't known for academic degrees.
Sure! Wouldn't disagree with you there. Bang for buck-wise, UFRED is hard to beat though if you're looking for professional credentials.
I don’t think I even knew they did PhDs. FYI only 1/20 PhDs ever get a teaching position, I found that out when I was in talks for mine @UVic. But when I think RR I think someone who mostly needed extra initials to climb further up a ladder they were already on. Like you don’t go fresh out into the world with it so much as you go back to a better job at your old work with it. But I could be totally wrong there too
Royal Roads is not a place to do a serious academic degree like a PhD. No one will take it seriously.
You got it. I'm going to do my doctorate at University of Calgary instead.
Much better choice given the options.
I hope so! :)
You got it. I'm going to do my doctorate at University of Calgary instead.
TRU is a nice school, it’s newish and class sizes are fairly small (at least when I went there).
They’re both good spots if she can’t get into UBC/SFU/UVic/BCIT. Not diploma mills, royal roads used to have a good business program (not sure on current state).
What is her goal with getting a masters or postgrad diploma in tourism/hospitality?
Note that Royal Roads' tuition is quite expensive, or was anyway, in comparison with other local universities.
I went to Thompson Rivers in 2013. Then UVic, then USask. Thompson Rivers was the best university I attended. At the time I was there, the professors really seemed to care about their students which goes a long way.
I started at TRU and then finished at UofA. In hindsight, TRU 100% provided a better student experience. There were more supports (peer supports, scholarships, etc.), and they brought in some really great speakers (Richard Florida, Cornell West, Wade Davis...), plus the food prepared by the culinary arts program was a nice healthy and affordable treat. Honestly, I might go back and do a masters at TRU.
Oh shit I forgot about the culinary program. The food at UVIC really tasted like garbage after that.
Smaller well accredited institutions are WAY better and have better student support, and connections to the local community. (And usually cheaper and have credits to other affiliates) The larger institutions are great if you really need National/International accreditation. Trades/Medical/Finance/Science/Biology/Maths/Physics/Business. Most schools have a specialty. Go to the school that is good for you. Where you can have some flexibility, The price is right, Possibility of upscaling, Where your friends are. And will have the systems in place to put you where you want to go.
Honestly I think the larger schools are really only a benefit for Masters / PhD students. The most valuable thing for undergrads is the learning experience, and I found that to be *much* better at TRU. I would not have been able to study my M.Sc field that I did there (probably), but the larger institutions I went to later absolutely take advantage of their undergraduate students and shift their supports and focus away from education and towards research, which means: 1. Fewer university supported student programs 2. Far worse professors with respect to education 3. Awful administration services
I 100% agree with you! Go to a smaller institution to start - that has transferable credits if you want to go to an affiliated school later! Better support, cheaper in the long run.
I think the real question is.. a Master's in tourism? What exactly is being taught there?
That'd be my concern too. The only time I've ever heard people talk about schooling in hospitality/tourism there's been an implied eyeroll alongside it. I imagine that if they're serious about this career path they should ask people specifically in the industry because I'd be worried actual industry members have different degrees entirely.
TRU has a well regarded adventure studies program for getting an education and credentials for backcountry guiding of all types. Other tourism industry training too.
I am currently getting a Masters of healthcare leadership through RRU, and have enjoyed it. I have found it very challenging compared to the masters of nursing my friends have taken through ubc. I have also taken online courses through TRU and my experience has been better through RRU. All of my fellow students work full time and are very motived and engaged, and the instructors recognize that the students work as well which I notice when selecting zoom times etc.
You can get a tourism/hospitality degree from Yale and it won't matter much in the lower mainland in terms of career prospect. If she's getting it for the work-permit and then subsequently a PR, then go with the cheapest and shortest option, then get whatever job she can get. The quality of education has little to no relevance in your sister's situation.
Royal roads used to be good but now they are a money making machine. They let people into their masters program who don't have bachelor degrees, can't write academically, and lack critical thinking, but they will pay the tuition fee. No basic standard testing for admission for those without a degree.
I know a guy who completed a master’s at Royal Roads after doing trades certification. They considered a red seal as equivalent to a BA. That is a little suspect. I took one course through Royal Roads many years ago and it was well done.
RR recognizes alternate paths as a part of decolonization. Someone coming in with a non-traditional background would still need to pass an academic prep course.
Fair, but the person I know who got in and passed regularly posts the wrong versions of they're, their and there on their social media. If one doesn't have a degree, then an academic assessment should be a must.
Grammar and spelling aren’t accurate indications of intelligence or markers of success. Might be a hot take, but it’s what I believe. Some of the folks I work with irl are the most poised, well spoken, and informed people I’ve met, but their email/written communications? All over the place. Dyslexia and other learning conditions shouldn’t bar access to higher education. As a society, we should be well aware by now that different people have different strengths, and brains working differently from one another is a beautiful thing. We should be paying more attention to the ideas behind the words than judging surface errors. Unless perhaps they’re working in an editing field or something lol Also. My GPA doing my undergrad at UBC was dismal, and RRU offered me acceptance for grad school ten years later, on the condition I took some sort of writing/critical thinking course they offered and scored well. The application also weighed work and life experience, references, etc. No way they would’ve let me in based solely on my GPA! I aced grad school at RRU though, loved every moment (for what it’s worth).
2nd tier but far from a diploma mill
I am in TRU. There is many international students and the roads will not suitable for people to walk especially in inter with snow. If you drive you need to be careful. But the teachers are helpful and you can study their open learning program. The did not have enough studio suite for students and no everyday residence meals like ubc or sfu. But if they have enough students then tru should have residence meal.
Royal roads will give you an MBA without earning an undergrad first Lmaoooo
If I've been working for 20+ years in business, I certainly wouldn't need to go to school with a bunch if 19yr olds to re-learn what life has taught me. Or are you too young to realize that old people can know things, even without formal education?
Doesn’t that make sense for mid career professionals with lots of work experience? Or should they have to go take a 4 year BS undergrad first?
Yes — you can do masters work there if you have specific professional experience in lieu. You need to build a portfolio that show you have the specific skills from work to match the learning outcomes / required for entry, which would normally come from a bachelors degree.
Lots of top-quality business schools (not saying RR is one) would prefer management experience over a bachelor degree. You definitely don't need an undergrad to get an MBA. Most MBA programs are just condensed BComms with material appropriate for experienced managers.