The Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Burnaby, Canada, stands out for its 22-month full-time diploma that equips graduates for ultrasound imaging careers. Prospective applicants must complete the English Casper test. BCIT requires a BCIT Student ID for test submission. This guide details eligibility, selection factors including Casper, curriculum structure, campus facilities, preparation strategies, and logistics.
- Program
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Credential
- Diploma
- Location
- Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Casper
- Required · CSP-10211
- Next deadline
- January 5, 2027 (Application and supporting-document deadline)
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- 32-40 students accepted
- Length
- General Sonography Option: 22 months full-time; General and Cardiac Sonography Option: 27 months full-time.
Casper Requirement for British Columbia Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography
British Columbia Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Canada Casper 2 · CSP-10211
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- BCIT ID number
- Other Acuity assessments
- Snapshot (not required)
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
British Columbia Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- EducationPlannerBC online application
- Applications open
- October 1, 2026
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Application and supporting-document deadline | January 5, 2027upcoming |
Choose a preferred sonography option; second and third choices may also be indicated. Submit final prerequisite grades, transcripts and supporting documents with the application.
British Columbia Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography Admissions Statistics
Period: BCIT's published admissions figures; 2022 admission proportion identified separately
- Seats / class size: 32-40 students accepted
- Applicants: 140-280 complete applications
- Interviewed: Historically, 80-100 invited to the second selection stage
- 2022 admission proportion: 1 in 5 applicants admitted
Eligibility Requirements for British Columbia Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Residency
Applicants must be residents of British Columbia.
- Citizenship
International students cannot apply to this program.
- Language proficiency
BCIT Category 1 English proficiency: English Studies 12 (73%) or an accepted equivalent. BCIT also accepts specified English-language assessments, including qualifying IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT and other tests.
Admission pathways
- Indigenous admissions: Eligible Indigenous applicants may self-identify on the application; dedicated seats are reserved, and applicants must meet entrance requirements.
Strategic applicants verify all prerequisites early via the BCIT website to avoid delays.
Other requirements
- Application forms: Upload the Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire and Casper Confirmation Form.
- Conditions of full acceptance: Complete MRAD 0150 Medical Terminology for Imaging with 80%, CPR Level C certification, a criminal record check and an immunization review.
- Clinical placement: N95 respirator fit testing is required before the first clinical placement.
Selection Factors British Columbia Institute of Technology Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English language proficiency | Category 1: English Studies 12 (73%) or equivalent |
| Math | 73% in one accepted course or equivalent Pre-Calculus 12; accepted BC/Yukon course; MATH 0001; MATH 0120 Math 12 Competency Test; or 3.0 credits of eligible 100-level-or-higher post-secondary math. |
| Biology | 73% in one accepted course or equivalent Anatomy and Physiology 12; accepted BC/Yukon course; BHSC 0110, BHSC 0100 or BHSC 0012; or 3.0 credits of post-secondary human biology. |
| Physics | 73% in one accepted course or equivalent Physics 11 preferred; PHYS 0309, PHYS 0110, Physics 12 or 3.0 credits of post-secondary physics. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
BCIT considers academic transcripts and strong, consistent grades. The questionnaire requests cumulative post-secondary GPA upon graduation, or current cumulative GPA if still studying.
Each academic prerequisite requires a final grade of at least 73%; a strong GPA is preferred, but meeting minimums does not guarantee shortlisting.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
Relevant paid or volunteer work with the public is preferred, particularly fast-paced customer or patient-facing work and hands-on care. Describe duties and time commitments in the mandatory questionnaire; BCIT does not specify a minimum number of hours.
Supplementary application
Submit the Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire and Casper Confirmation Form with the online application. The questionnaire asks about your interest in sonography, relevant work or volunteering, and academic history.
How applicants are ranked
BCIT reviews complete applications and questionnaires for strong academics, post-secondary study, interest in sonography, relevant experience and required Casper results. Shortlisted applicants complete a virtual meeting and visual-spatial test. Offers are based on ranked selection scores; meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Interview Format at British Columbia Institute of Technology
Format: Interview
Shortlisted applicants are contacted to book a virtual meeting and visual-spatial test.
- Who is invited
- Shortlisted applicants
- When
- After the application deadline; dates are provided to shortlisted applicants.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at British Columbia Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Program length
- General Sonography Option: 22 months full-time; General and Cardiac Sonography Option: 27 months full-time.
- Structure
Campus lectures and labs followed by clinical placements in BC hospitals and clinics; clinical duration depends on the option.
- Campuses
- Burnaby
Focuses on ultrasound physics, anatomy, pathology, and imaging techniques. Students progress from foundational scans (abdomen, obstetrics) to advanced vascular and musculoskeletal protocols. BCIT emphasizes hands-on competency, with assessments mirroring certification exams from Sonography Canada. Graduates enter as entry-level sonographers, prepared for registry. Post-graduation, BCIT offers microcredential programs for registered sonographers to specialize further.
Campus and facilities
Campus training is in Burnaby. Clinical placements may be elsewhere in British Columbia, including outside the Lower Mainland; students arrange their own transportation.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe acceptance rates around 5% annually. Current students highlight the program's structure for building scanning proficiency rapidly. Students describe a focused, collaborative environment suited to healthcare career-switchers and recent graduates. The program culture stresses resilience and teamwork, essential for shift work in sonography. Students recommend requesting a Spend a Day to gauge program fit firsthand. Students advise straightforward presentations in any supplementary materials.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your British Columbia Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography Application
- Confirm prerequisites early, including at least 73% in required math courses.
- Register for Casper well ahead of the score distribution deadline and practise 50 or more scenarios, including timed typed responses.
- Document 50-100 hours of healthcare exposure quantitatively, focusing on patient-facing roles.
- Email the program coordinator to arrange a Spend a Day shadowing opportunity.
- Practise with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank to simulate timed conditions.
More About British Columbia Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Student life
BCIT's subreddit and student panels offer insights; attendees hear directly from peers on balancing clinical demands. Events foster connections, with advice centering on proactive networking for job placement.
Frequently Asked Questions About British Columbia Institute of Technology Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Is Casper required for BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography?
Yes. Book Canada Casper 2 (CSP-10211) and provide your BCIT ID number. BCIT has not published a last-acceptable test date for the upcoming intake.
What GPA do I need for BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography?
BCIT prefers strong, consistent academic performance but publishes no competitive GPA cutoff. Each required English, math, biology and physics prerequisite needs a final grade of at least 73%.
How competitive is BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography admissions?
BCIT reports 140-280 complete applications, 32-40 students accepted and historically 80-100 invited to the second selection stage. Its stated 1-in-5 admission proportion refers to an earlier cohort.
What is the interview format for BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography?
Shortlisted applicants are contacted after the application deadline to book a virtual meeting and visual-spatial test.
How long is the BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography program?
The general-only diploma lasts 22 months full-time; the combined general and cardiac option lasts 27 months.
Can international students apply to BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography?
No. Applicants must be BC residents, and BCIT does not accept international applications to this program.
What experience helps for BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography admissions?
BCIT prefers relevant paid or volunteer experience with the public, especially patient-facing or hands-on care; it specifies no minimum hours.
Does BCIT offer shadowing for Diagnostic Medical Sonography applicants?
BCIT lists no Spend a Day requirement. Applicants can use its program information session to learn about the program.
Sources
- BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography (General Sonography Option)
- BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography (General and Cardiac Sonography Option)
- BCIT Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs
- BCIT Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire
- BCIT Applicant Confirmation of Casper Test Registration
- BCIT English Language Proficiency
Last updated: September 26, 2026