KPU expands course offerings that have zero textbook costs
The university estimates that students who opt for the ZTC degree program could save $5,000 over four years by exclusively using open-access course texts and library course reserves.
Degree options just got a little bit cheaper for students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Last fall, the B.C. university introduced a four-year bachelor’s program as part of its suite of Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) credentials and courses.
Students pursuing a BA in general studies will now have the option of choosing courses with reading lists made up entirely of free online texts, or texts widely available through library course reserves. Students in the program must complete 120 credits, or roughly 40 courses. The university estimates that students in the program who opt for all ZTC courses will save $5,000 over four years.
Read also: Publishers, universities struggle to provide timely access to accessible textbooks
KPU has long supported open-education resources as part of its mandate as an open-access university. The institution first adopted open textbooks in 2012, and now offers some 700 courses with open textbooks and other free course material. The BA joins six other ZTC credentials offered at KPU – two associate degrees, a diploma, two certificates and an adult graduation diploma. In a press release, KPU says that since 2017, students enrolled in ZTC courses and programs have saved over $3.1 million.
Rajiv Jhangiani, associate vice-provost of open education, says the university is working on bringing more degree programs under the ZTC umbrella.
Featured Jobs
- Veterinary Medicine - Lecturer, Term (Large Animal Internal Medicine)University of Saskatchewan
- Vice President, Finance & AdministrationOCAD University
- Occupational Therapy - Assistant or Associate ProfessorDalhousie University
- Engineering - Assistant Teaching Professor (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering)Ontario Tech University
- Medicine - Assistant Professor, Grant Tenure Track (Urologic Sciences, Kidney Cancer)The University of British Columbia
More from News
-
Why has the Atlantic region been hit hardest by IRCC’s student visa cuts?
Reduced international student intake threatens local economies, workforce pipelines and long-term growth in less populous regions.
-
Maple: from soil to syrup
Discover the ecology behind Canada’s sweetest treat in this documentary short, featuring Université Laval Professor Guillaume Moreau.
-
Art schools grapple with AI
Creative arts among the first and hardest-hit by powerful new tech.
-
Montreal students, professors, protest Quebec’s Bill 9
Demonstrators to rally against law that restricts the wearing of religious symbols and forbids prayer rooms in higher education institutions.
More from Campus news
-
Strike over, but strife remains at Laurentian
Faculty ratify new collective agreement, but say the deal still puts them behind other Ontario universities.
-
Faculty strike at Laurentian
Negotiations fail, picket lines rise at northern Ontario university.
-
Quebec universities weather an unprecedented storm
The province’s institutes of higher learning are navigating immigration restrictions, language policies, budget cuts and challenges to academic freedom.
-
Reflecting the cultural temperature
A look back at some of Spring’s convocation speeches at Canadian universities.
More from Articles
-
Spring fiscal update boosts colleges, trades training
Universities also ‘want to be a big part’ of educating the new Canadian workforce, says UC president.
-
NL increases funding for post-secondary, confirms tuition freeze
Memorial University still faces “hard decisions” for upcoming operating budget.
-
Report ranks Canada fifth in the world for higher education
Research quality, academic integrity and global standing contribute to top-5 result.
-
Universities Canada, CAUBO warn federal action is needed as Canada’s universities face worsening financial outlook
A coordinated immigration policy, tax relief and fiscal crisis safeguards are recommended to sustain sector.
Post a comment
University Affairs moderates all comments according to the following guidelines. If approved, comments generally appear within one business day. We may republish particularly insightful remarks in our print edition or elsewhere.