Get ready for UBC life
UBC is a welcoming community that values diversity and is dedicated to equity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. Whether you’re from Coquitlam or Cartagena, Tokyo or Toronto, dozens of welcome events help you explore campus and make friends.
Choose a campus:
Welcome events
Get excited for what’s sure to be an amazing year by attending one of our upcoming welcome events. This is the perfect time to learn more about UBC and meet some future peers.
Spring
UBC Welcomes You
UBC Welcomes You is a one-hour online event to congratulate those who received a first-round offer of admission to UBC’s Vancouver campus. You’ll celebrate with current students from both campuses, have the chance to win prizes, and hear from some of UBC’s top students including our Loran Scholars.
Spring
Destination UBC
Destination UBC is a full-day informational event on our Vancouver campus where you’ll get your questions answered, connect with the UBC community, and start preparing for life as a UBC student before you arrive in the fall.
Orientations
During your first week on campus, there will be plenty to do and see. Our orientation events are a great chance to connect with classmates and get the lay of the land.
Late August to early September
Jump Start
Jump Start is open to all first-year students coming to UBC from high school. Whether you are an international or domestic student, whether you plan to live on or off campus, Jump Start is for you. Registration opens in the spring and fills up fast!
Early September
Imagine UBC
On the first day of classes, campus is transformed and the entire UBC community comes together to welcome you to your new academic community and celebrate the start of the school year.
Early September
Indigenous Student Orientation
Connect with other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students through the First Nations House of Learning as you get to know your campus and get ready for an exciting school year ahead.
Early September
Faculty orientations
Find your place in your faculty community and meet other first-year faces from your degree at a student-run orientation event hosted by your Undergraduate Society.
Campus tours
A great way to get a feel for UBC before you arrive is to take a campus tour, which are led by current UBC students. They’ll take you to some of their favourite spots to study, work up a sweat, and relax between classes, and show you the best parts of the campus before your first day.
Campus community
Foster a sense of a home away from home. Participate in clubs, join an athletic team, or seek out one of our many on-campus support centres.
Clubs and societies
Are you a budding stand-up comedian or avid environmentalist? Do you want to play Quidditch or try dragon boating? UBC Vancouver has more than 350 clubs and course unions for you to get involved with. Take a look at some of the clubs on offer before arriving on campus.
Sports and recreation
You don’t have to be a star athlete to stay active at UBC Vancouver. Join an intramural team or a recreational league, or take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities and year-round programming at locations like the UBC Aquatic Centre, BirdCoop Fitness Centre, or Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Arena.
Indigenous community
If you’re a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit student, you can visit the First Nations Longhouse to meet other Indigenous students, or access campus services like tutoring, financial advising, or wellness programming. For Indigenous scholarship, you can go to the X̱wi7x̱wa Library, or stop by the xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden, which supports land-based teaching and community engagement.
International community
If you’re an international student, or just interested in exploring other cultures, there are places on campus where you can gather to exchange ideas. Visit the International Student Advising building have your questions about living in Canada answered, or check out the Global Lounge to socialize with other students from overseas.