“UPEI is part of the AIPP settlement incentive program for international students.”

Founded in 1804, the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is one of the oldest public universities in Canada. It is also the only university located in the province of Prince Edward Island (commonly known as PEI) – a province that was once the wealthiest in Canadian history.

Key Advantages:

1. Scholarships up to 12,000 CAD
2. UPEI consistently ranks in the Top 10 Best Primarily Undergraduate Universities in Canada
3. One of the universities with the lowest tuition fees in Canada.
4. A prestigious and long-established public university currently part of the AIPP settlement incentive program
5. One of the few universities in Canada offering majors in Game Design and Game Programming

About Prince Edward Island (PEI)

• Prince Edward Island (PEI) is located in Eastern Canada and was once home to the world’s longest bridge connecting to the mainland, only a 2-hour flight from Toronto.
• PEI is the birthplace of the Canadian Confederation. Although it is a small province, its historical significance has allowed it to remain an independent province in Canada.
• PEI was once the wealthiest region in Canadian history, known for its grand historic architecture. This land boasts many famous tourist attractions and is one of the paradise destinations in the Canadian Maritime region. Of the 100 most beautiful golf courses in Canada, 10 are located in PEI. The island’s picturesque landscapes, with its long stretches of red sand beaches, captivate visitors. The famous novel “Anne of Green Gables” introduced the world to PEI’s stunning scenery, attracting a large number of tourists each year to visit the locations mentioned in the novel.
• During the vibrant summer days, PEI can host over 150 performances. It is also known for its large lobster production, earning it the nickname “Lobster Island.”

Weather in Prince Edward Island (PEI)

• The weather in PEI is cool during the summer, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C.
• Thanks to the warm ocean currents, PEI’s winters are milder compared to other inland provinces in Canada. In winter, daytime temperatures range from 2°C to -5°C.

Economic Development in Prince Edward Island (PEI)

• In 2018, PEI’s GDP grew by 2.6%, ranking first among Canada’s 10 provinces.
• In 2019, PEI’s GDP grew by 3.2%, also leading Canada, significantly higher than Canada’s average growth rate of 1.9%.
• PEI is the only province in Canada that has experienced continuous GDP growth every year since 2007. PEI’s economy tends to develop strongly and sustainably.
• Previously, PEI’s economy was primarily driven by tourism and fisheries. However, the provincial government later intensified efforts to attract investment from high-tech companies to rapidly develop sectors such as Information Technology, Biotechnology, Aerospace, and Energy.
• The economic momentum in recent years has led to strong growth in almost all industries in PEI, creating numerous job opportunities across the province.
• According to a survey by the Canadian Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of early 2020, despite the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, PEI’s unemployment rate in April 2020 was 10.8%, the lowest among Canada’s provinces.
• Rapid economic growth, ample job opportunities, a stable AIPP settlement program, mild weather, and numerous famous attractions contribute to PEI having the highest population growth rate in Canada.

About the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)

• Founded in 1804, the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is one of the oldest public universities in Canada. The university is located just 3km from the city center, only a 10-minute walk from the campus to the largest shopping center in the city.
• With over 200 years of establishment and development, UPEI boasts impressive facilities, state-of-the-art classrooms, and cutting-edge research labs, providing all the necessary resources for students’ academic and living needs. Additionally, the university offers free indoor sports facilities for students, including a swimming pool, gym, ice hockey rink, and basketball courts.
• UPEI consistently ranks in the TOP 10 Best Primarily Undergraduate Universities in Canada. UPEI degrees are recognized worldwide.
• The university offers many paid co-op internship programs, giving international students the opportunity to work immediately after graduation.
• The university’s curriculum is highly diverse, with hundreds of majors available. Some notable majors include:
   Computer Science (with a specialization in Video Game)
   Biotechnology
   Biology / Environmental Biology
   Nutritional Foods
   Psychology
   Medical Assistant
   Marketing
   Accounting
   Finance / International Finance
   Tourism and Hospitality
   Economics
   Sociology

UPEI Scholarship Policy for International Students:

• Entrance Scholarship: From 1,000 to 3,000 CAD
• Requirements:
   GPA of 9.0 or higher
   Achievements in extracurricular activities, leadership, and community contributions
   Letters of recommendation from teachers
   Proficiency in English
• Scholarships for the second year onward at UPEI
   GPA 80.00–84.99 – $500 CAD
   GPA 85.00–89.99 – $1,000 CAD
   GPA 90.00–94.99 – $2,000 CAD
   GPA 95.00–100 – $3,000 CAD

Low Tuition and Costs

UPEI is one of the universities with the lowest tuition fees in Canada today.
 Tuition: only about 15,000 CAD per year
 Living expenses: only about 10,000 CAD per year
So the total cost for one year of study is only about 430 million VND.

Opportunities to Work While Studying

• In Canada, all international students are allowed to work part-time off-campus for 20 hours per week.
• If students work on-campus, there is no limit to the number of working hours.
• During the summer, students are also allowed to work unlimited hours.
• Additionally, depending on the major, many schools offer paid co-op internships as part of the official curriculum.
• Furthermore, all international students who graduate from a college or university in Canada are allowed to stay in Canada for an additional 3 years after graduation to find a job and apply for permanent residency.

The AIPP Settlement Program

• Since 2017, UPEI has been part of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP), which aims to rapidly increase the population of the four Atlantic provinces, including:
   Prince Edward Island
   Nova Scotia
   New Brunswick
   Newfoundland and Labrador
• By 2021, the Canadian government aims to welcome more than 7,000 immigrants to the four provinces mentioned above through the AIPP to increase the population and develop a skilled workforce in the region.
• By 2023, the Canadian government aims to accept an additional 1.2 MILLION IMMIGRANTS to help stabilize the Canadian economy.
• Basic requirements to qualify for settlement after graduation under the AIPP:
  1) Graduate from a college or university in one of the four public provinces mentioned above
  2) Have a job offer of type C or higher
  3) IELTS score of 4.5 or higher
  4) No work experience is required.

Opportunities in Computer Science

• Since 2003, the PEI government has implemented a policy to encourage investment in high-tech science by offering tax reductions and employment subsidies. Each year, the PEI government subsidizes high-tech science employers from $5,000 to $10,000 for each employee hired. This policy has attracted many Video Game companies and IT service companies to PEI.
• CGI, one of the top 5 independent IT companies globally, has established a service center in PEI in recent years and plans to continue hiring a large workforce. CGI is a large corporation listed on both the New York and Toronto stock exchanges. CGI has set up a hotline for computer product services in PEI, providing customer support for computer products worldwide.
• CGI’s technical service jobs fall under the B category of Canada’s immigration job list, making it possible to apply for permanent residency.
• Computer Science students, especially those with work experience, will have a significant advantage in both employment and settlement opportunities.
• Students can choose from two types of paid internships:
  a) Summer internships, which offer flexibility in timing, allowing students to graduate in 4 years
  b) Formal co-op internships. To qualify for the co-op program, students must have a GPA of at least 75% in their first and second years. This program includes paid internships for 4 months each year, extending the study period to 5 years. As a result, the degree awarded upon graduation will include the “Co-op Education” designation.

Advantages of the Computer Science – Video Games Major at UPEI
Currently, there are two IT sectors in PEI that companies are in high demand for:

• Video Games: This field requires programming skills without a high requirement for English proficiency, making work experience very important.
• IT Services: This field requires good English proficiency combined with computer technical knowledge to provide customer support.
• Among the IT-related sectors, Video Games is a unique and rapidly growing field, with a global growth rate of 7.2% per year. Canada is the third-largest country in the world for Video Game employment, following Japan and the United States. In 2017, this industry contributed 3.7 billion dollars to the Canadian economy.
  *** In Canada, there are 4 universities offering majors in Game Design and Game Programming, but UPEI is the ONLY UNIVERSITY IN CANADA WITH A SPECIALIZATION IN VIDEO GAME PROGRAMMING.
  High school graduates, current college/university students, and graduates can all apply to study at UPEI.
   High school graduates: can enroll in a 4-year undergraduate program, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science – specializing in Video Games
   Current college or university students: can transfer credits for up to 2 years.
   Bachelor’s graduates in Computer Science: can apply for graduate studies, specializing in Video Games at UPEI. The program lasts 12 months, including 8 months of study and 4 months of paid internship.