UBC admissions blog

If you’ve received an offer of admission to UBC, congratulations! Getting into UBC is no easy feat, so all of your hard work paid off. The next step is to formally accept your offer and pay your acceptance deposit before the deadline to confirm your spot.

How do you accept your offer?

To accept your offer:

1. Log in the Student Service Centre.
2. Click Admissions followed by Accept or Decline My Offer.
3. Select Yes, I accept this offer.
4. Pay your acceptance deposit ($500 if you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or $1,000 if you’re an international student). This deposit will be credited to your first term’s tuition.

Why do some students have different deadlines?

The deadline for you to accept your offer will depend on when your offer was made, to which degree you’ve been admitted, and which campus you will attend. Please refer to your letter of admission or your Student Service Centre account for your specific deadline.

Where do you find your deadline to accept?

You can find the deadline to accept your offer in two places:

• Your letter of admission (see page 2)
• Your Student Service Centre account (click Admissions followed by Accept or Decline My Offer)

Be sure to accept your offer on or before the stipulated deadline. Spaces at UBC are in high demand, and if you miss the deadline, your offer is likely to be withdrawn and made to another student.

If you’re an international student or Canadian living abroad and you have been admitted to UBC for 2023 you’re invited to the UBC Chat-a-thon!

What is the UBC Chat-a-thon?

The UBC Chat-a-thon is a two-week long virtual event where you will have the chance to connect with other students, faculties, and UBC advisors about programs and general UBC questions through a text-based live chat. Each session will include a Dean’s, Associate Dean’s, or director’s kick-off, a prize giveaway, and an opportunity to chat with advisors and specific faculties.

Why should you go to the UBC Chat-a-thon?

Over the course of the events, you’ll get the insider perspective as you hear directly from your advisors and start building your community early by connecting with your new classmates.

Dates and schedules

From April 17 until April 29, we’ll be running live chat sessions. Check out the schedule and sign up to ensure you don’t miss out on asking your questions and meeting your first friends.

On-demand website

We’ll also be uploading on-demand videos every week to stream at your convenience. Keep checking back regularly for new content and to climb the leaderboard to win exciting prizes.

If you register for the on-demand website, you’ll be able to:

• View curated recordings of presentations from the UBC Chat-a-thon
• Watch UBC student experience videos
• Earn points by engaging with our website with the possibility of winning prizes

How to register

Visit UBC’s events page and select the UBC Chat-a-thon sessions that work best for you. You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you want!

Remember: if you register with your UBC applicant email, you’ll be in the running to win prizes!

This blog post will be updated as new information becomes available. Check back regularly. 

Last updated: August 25, 2022 

We know that waiting for your study permit can be very stressful. We understand that you’re excited to start classes in September. However, it’s important to wait until you have all of your documents ready before coming to Canada. 

Here are some steps you can take if your study permit does not arrive on time.

Study permit processing times right now

For a number of reasons (post-COVID challenges, recent world events), the Canadian government is taking longer than usual to process study permits. 

UBC is aware of the situation and has reached out to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to encourage faster study-permit processing times. 

Unfortunately, there is no way to get your study permit process rushed. And UBC is not able to influence processing times or contact IRCC on your behalf. We know how frustrating this must be for you.

Wait for your “Letter of Introduction”

It’s important to wait until you have all your documents before coming to UBC. Do not travel to Canada before you receive your “Letter of Introduction” (study permit approval letter) from IRCC. The “Letter of Introduction” is what you’ll present to the officer at the airport or border in Canada to get your study permit.

If your study permit isn’t processed before classes start on September 6 

Most courses at UBC are designed for in-person attendance, and you need to attend from the first day of classes if possible. However, UBC is determined to support you if your study permit isn’t processed in time. The options available to you will depend on your specific program. Options might include your professors finding ways to help you keep up with the course materials if you’ll be arriving late, like class recordings and other support. In some programs, deferrals may be an option to consider. Your program’s advising office is the best place to support you in what options may be available to you.

Check with your academic advisor directly to find out what your options are:

• Vancouver academic advisor by faculty  
• Okanagan academic advisor

Online courses

If you are unable to attend in person due to a delay in the processing of your study permit, you may be able to start some courses online. This option depends on the courses you are enrolled in and the specific policies developed by your faculty. If you are not sure if online courses are an option for you, check with your academic advisor:

• Vancouver academic advisor by faculty  
• Okanagan academic advisor

Please note: If you start your courses online, this does not guarantee that you will be able to continue your studies if your study permit is then not approved.

Online courses and your PGWP eligibility

The temporary distance learning measures for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) have been extended to August 31, 2023. This means that 50% of your studies can be completed online outside Canada and you’ll still remain eligible for PGWP.
 

Deferring your start date

If you aren’t able to make it here for your September 2022 classes because of study permit processing delays, you may request to defer your start and begin your studies at the start of a future term.  

You’ll need to complete the request form and submit it to UBC as soon as possible, and when you’re able to defer until will depend on your faculty. 

If your deferral request is approved, any payments already made to UBC can also be deferred toward your future tuition fees.

Arriving late for student housing

If you had secured UBC student housing for September 2022 and you need to defer your start date, email UBC Student Housing at information@housing.ubc.ca (Vancouver campus) or information@housing.okanagan.ubc.ca (Okanagan campus) to let them know.  

Your housing deposit may be transferred to a later start date or refunded in full if you choose to cancel your spot in student housing. 

• By September 2 – full refund, with no cancellation fee 
• Between September 3-19 – pro-rated refund based on date you cancel, no cancellation fee 
• After September 20 – you will pay a cancellation fee of 25% of the contract 

More information about student housing cancellations and refunds can be found at: 

• Student residence cancellations and refunds, Okanagan campus 
• Student residence cancellations and refunds, Vancouver campus 

Arriving late for Jump Start 

You can arrive any time during the week of Jump Start (Okanagan campus, Vancouver campus). Group leaders are prepared to support you if you arrive partway through the orientation program. 

If you are not able to participate in Jump Start at all due to study permit processing delays, Jump Start can issue a refund or credit for both the orientation fees and the housing fees for that week. To request a refund: 

• Vancouver students can request a refund here by August 24. 
• Okanagan students can request a refund for orientation fees by emailing jumpstart.ok@ubc.ca and for housing fees by emailing information@housing.okanagan.ubc.ca by August 24. 

If you have questions about arriving late for Jump Start, you can email: 

• Jump Start Vancouver at orientations.jumpstart@ubc.ca  
• Jump Start Okanagan at  jumpstart.ok@ubc.ca  

Course drop/withdrawal dates

If you decide you have to drop or withdraw from your courses, you’ll want to keep these deadlines in mind:

• Okanagan course drop/withdrawal dates 
• Vancouver course drop/withdrawal dates

To find out how you can get a refund of your tuition fees, visit: 

• Okanagan refund schedule 
• Vancouver refund schedule 

More information 

Find out more about what you can do if your study permit isn’t processed in time: 

• Okanagan international student guide 
• Vancouver international student guide

With your fall course schedule taking shape, you’ve no doubt done your fair share of research on your faculty and degree. Come September you’ll be diving into the deep end of university life, so now’s the time to dip your toes in the water and see what students and professors in your faculty are up to.

What to expect

Meet Zeus, an Aussie Collie and the unofficial canine rep for UBC’s Faculty of Forestry. Get familiar with UBC’s clubs and societies like Valie, who hosts a UBC radio show, competes as a synchronized swimmer, and is a member of a German singing group. Study with Amanda, a pioneer in marine conservation, or take part in research that will pave your way to medical school. And that’s just the beginning.

Find your faculty or school

Find your faculty below and spend the summer getting to know your new UBC community on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.

Heading to UBC Okanagan? Find your Okanagan faculty online.