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How to plan and register for your courses

By Crissy Campbell on April 18, 2024

How to plan and register for your courses

Now that you’ve accepted your offer, you may be thinking about planning your courses for September 2024. Course registration starts in June and takes place over several weeks. But there’s no action for you to take just yet. You will receive an email from UBC with your assigned registration date and time two weeks before you’re eligible to register.

 

In the meantime, you can prepare for your UBC studies by:

 

 

When and where will you plan your course schedule?

UBC’s course schedule for September 2024 is not available yet but when it is available, you’ll access it in UBC’s new student information system called Workday Student. Workday Student is replacing a system called the Student Service Centre (SSC). You’ll do your course planning and you’ll register for your courses online in Workday Student.

 

UBC will email you in late May 2024 to let you know when you’ll have access to Workday Student. When you gain access to Workday Student, you’ll also be provided with step-by-step instructions that are designed to help you register for your courses – from logging in and viewing your course schedule to creating a saved course schedule, resolving course conflicts, and preparing for registration day.

 

When will you register for courses?

Two weeks before you’re eligible to register for courses, you will receive an email from UBC with your assigned registration date and time (and a link to Workday Student). It’s very important that you register on that specific date at that specific time – regardless of where you are in the world – for the best chance of securing your first choice of courses.

 

Will you need to access the Student Service Centre?

If you’ve accepted an offer of admission to UBC for the 2024/25 academic year starting in September 2024 or later, you are not required to access the Student Service Centre (SSC). In fact, you will receive an error if you try to log into the SSC. This error is expected behaviour because UBC is currently transitioning to the new student information system, Workday Student.

How can I maintain my offer of admission?

By Crissy Campbell on April 15, 2024

How can I maintain my offer of admission?

Your offer of admission to UBC is based on a combination of your academic profile and your Personal Profile. When we receive your final grades, we’ll still be taking your personal profile into account.

 

Our process and timeline

In May, we’ll review grades for students who received first-round offers and verify that the grade information submitted to UBC was accurate. If we have any concerns with your grades, we’ll reach out to you directly.

Between July and August, we’ll review final grades. If you meet the conditions on your offer of admission, we’ll update your offer to reflect that.

 

What you can do

Many students are looking for a definitive answer to how much their grades can drop before they lose their offer. But we can’t say: “Everyone whose grades decline more than X%, or fall below Y%, will lose their offers.”

Each student’s situation is unique and we review changes in academic standing on a case-by-case basis. We don’t like to withdraw offers, but we must ensure that they’re awarded consistently and fairly, and that you have a solid foundation for success.

Certain grade changes may cause us to look at your application more closely when your final grades are submitted. Our best advice is to keep working hard to present your best final grades so we can confirm your offer of admission to UBC.

 

Will dropping a course affect your offer of admission?

If you are considering dropping a course, please contact our admissions office as this needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

 

Questions?

If you have any questions about maintaining your offer of admission, please contact us.

Post-secondary transfer applications

By Crissy Campbell on April 9, 2024

Post-secondary transfer applications

Have you applied to study at UBC after you’ve already begun your studies at another post-secondary institution? Every year, the University receives and reviews more than 9,000 post-secondary transfer applications from students in Canada and elsewhere around the world.

 

Your application assessment

We are in the process of evaluating applications. If you applied by December 1, your application will be evaluated on the interim grades that you have already provided. If we ask you for a final transcript, we will evaluate your application based on the available grades from that document. In the event that we require any additional information from you in order to process your application, an advisor will be in touch.

We appreciate your patience as we evaluate applications in the coming months. Application decisions will continue to be made throughout June and July.

 

Offers of admission

Admission decisions are posted in UBC’s Applicant Service Centre. Keep an eye on your Applicant Status for the most up-to-date information.

 

Transfer credit

Any transfer credits that you have been granted will be posted in the Applicant Service Centre under Grades & Records. If you are transferring from a BC institution, you can use the BC Transfer Guide to determine what transfer credit you can receive. Please note that in some cases, your transfer credits may not appear until you’ve accepted your offer and paid your deposit.

If you have a prior degree, transfer credits are not assessed. Please connect with your faculty advising office to determine second-degree requirements. Remember that you can only satisfy up to 50% of your second degree with credits from your first degree, even if your first degree is from UBC.

If you have questions about your post-secondary transfer application or transfer credits, please contact us.

 

 

Submit your UBC housing application by May 1

By Crissy Campbell on April 4, 2024

Living on campus is more than just a practical option for housing – it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the UBC student experience. If you want to live in residence at UBC, you must apply by May 1, 2024.

If you are considering a degree on both campuses, you must complete a separate residence application for each campus. If you complete both applications within 14 days of each other, you will only be charged one application fee.

 

Are you guaranteed a spot?

Your place in residence is guaranteed if:

  • You are a first-year student entering UBC directly from high school or CEGEP.

AND

  • You submit your residence application for eight-month housing (Winter Session) by the May 1 deadline.

AND

  • You accept UBC’s offer of admission by the date indicated in your offer letter, or June 1 (whichever comes first).

If you have questions about priority access, residence guarantees, or housing beyond first year, visit the UBC Student Housing website.

 

What’s residence like?

No matter which residence you’re assigned to, you’ll be part of a supportive environment that’s designed to help you adjust to university life, enjoy your time as a student, and make lifelong friends. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the new All You Care To Eat meal plan on our Okanagan campus, and the excellent first-year Residence All Access Dining Plan on our Vancouver campus.

 

Move-in day on UBC’s Okanagan campus

Move-in day on UBC’s Vancouver campus

How do you apply?

If you have applied to UBC, you will be able to login to the Online Housing Service Centre with your EducationPlannerBC (EPBC credentials). This is the same account that you used to apply to UBC through the EducationPlannerBC website.

Should you apply if you haven’t received an offer of admission yet?

Yes. If you have applied to UBC and want to live in residence this fall, you need to apply by May 1 even if you haven’t received your offer of admission. The $50 application fee is non-refundable even if they are admitted.

 

What if residence isn’t for you?

If you’re not planning to live in residence, you can build your own home away from home at the UBC Collegia on our Okanagan and Vancouver campuses. These welcoming on-campus spaces are great spots to relax between classes, heat up your lunch, and connect with new friends. UBC Okanagan also has an Off Campus Housing Ambassador to support new–to–campus students and help them in their transition to the Kelowna Community.

Special admissions consideration for applicants with disabilities

By Crissy Campbell on March 19, 2024

Special admissions consideration for applicants with disabilities

UBC seeks to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. Special consideration for admissions is a process where additional information is reviewed related to an applicant’s disability or ongoing medical condition when the condition may have affected their academic performance adversely. A disability alone does not qualify you for special admission consideration.

 

Who can apply?

Applicants to UBC have very strong academic records. You must meet both general admission requirements as well as degree specific requirements. Many applicants with disabilities meet UBC’s admission requirements and are admitted directly to their degree of choice. However, if an unsupported or recently diagnosed disability has impacted your ability to meet the admission requirements of your degree of choice, you can apply for special consideration for admission.

 

Are you eligible?

The presence of a disability alone does not qualify you for special admission consideration. Special consideration may be granted if, for example, your academic performance has been affected because:

  • You have been recently diagnosed with a disability.
  • Your disability was not accommodated completely or appropriately during your recent studies.

If you have received appropriate accommodations for your disability throughout your studies, you may not be eligible for UBC’s special consideration for admission.

 

How to apply for special consideration

Review the criteria for special admission consideration as well as the application form and instructions. If you are eligible, and your program choice is still accepting applications, please submit your request as soon as possible. Special admission consideration and the application form and instructions are available on our website.

Remember: You are under no obligation to disclose your disability in your application to UBC unless you believe your disability will impact your ability to meet the academic standards of your degree of study.

Course selection tips for high school students

By Crissy Campbell on March 8, 2024

Course selection tips for high school students

If you’re hoping to attend UBC in September 2025 or 2026, it’s already time to start planning the rest of your high school courses. Here’s a few tips to help you prepare and choose the Grade 11 and 12 or junior- and senior-level courses you’ll need for admission.

Know your requirements

Choose Grade 12 or senior-level courses that meet:

  • your high school graduation requirements;
  • UBC’s general admission requirements;
  • UBC’s degree-specific requirements.

Your general admission and degree-specific requirements will depend on the UBC campus and degree you choose, and the high school curriculum you’re studying as a Canadian student or an international student.

When you apply to UBC, you’ll have the chance to pick a first-choice and second-choice degree. Make sure the Grade 12 or senior-level courses you choose meet the requirements for both degrees.

If you haven’t chosen a degree yet, don’t worry! Just make sure that, at minimum, you meet UBC’s general admission requirements. Every UBC degree has specific requirements beyond the general admission requirements, but some degrees have fewer than others.

You can use these worksheets to help you plan your courses.

 

Make sure you meet UBC’s English language requirement

Since English is the primary language of instruction at UBC, you will be required to demonstrate a minimum level of English before you’re admitted. There are nine ways to meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard for an undergraduate degree.

Start thinking about your personal profile

UBC will evaluate your application based on a combination of your academic achievements and personal experiences. The personal profile is your opportunity to tell UBC what you are most proud of, what is most important to you, and what you have learned from your experiences inside and outside the classroom. Start thinking about what you are learning – and want to learn – from those experiences in the coming year.

Do your best

A competitive university like UBC receives more applications than offers it can give out. We wish we could admit all qualified applicants, but we just don’t have the space. UBC has a comprehensive approach to admissions that focuses primarily on your marks in academic courses, but also considers the breadth, rigour, and relevancy of your coursework.

Stay up to date

UBC’s admission requirements can change from year to year. Be sure to refer to the Applying to UBC page for the most up-to-date information.

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Maritimes: UBC document upload deadline is March 15

By Crissy Campbell on March 7, 2024

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Maritimes: UBC document upload deadline is March 15

Have you uploaded your documents to the Applicant Service Centre yet? Document upload will be closing on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, so be sure to get your documents in as soon as you have them.

Check out our tips on uploading your documents.

If you are an International Baccalaureate student in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or the Maritimes, we will receive your anticipated IB results directly from your IB coordinators, so you do not need to upload documents to complete your application.

Have questions? Email us at admissions.inquiry@ubc.ca with the subject line “document upload,” and remember to include your full name and UBC student number so we can assist you.

 

 

How to apply for your study permit

By Crissy Campbell on March 6, 2024

How to apply for your study permit

Last updated: March 22, 2024

International students need a valid study permit to attend UBC. Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government department that handles immigration. As an international student, you’ll either need to extend your existing study permit from inside of Canada or apply for a new study permit from outside of Canada.

 

You’ll need to apply for a new study permit or an extension directly with IRCC as soon as you are able. You can’t apply for a study permit until you’ve accepted your offer of admission and paid the deposit. For new study permit applications from outside Canada, you must also receive a Provincial Attestation Letter before you can apply for your study permit. You must have your application approved and receive your letter of introduction from IRCC.

 

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a medical exam or you may need to provide biometric information in addition to supporting documentation. To get started:

 

For international undergraduate students outside Canada

If you are applying for a new study permit from outside of Canada, you need a Provincial Attestation Letter. To apply for your study permit:

  1. Verify your personal information with UBC. Log in to the Applicant Service Centre, click Edit Profile and select Contact Summary to confirm that your name matches the name on your passport and that your home address is correct. You can update your address there. To update your name, email us at ubc.pal@ubc.ca.
  2. Accept your offer of admission and pay your deposit.
  3. UBC will send you your Provincial Attestation Letter in about 3 business days. Check your email account that UBC has on record to get your Provincial Attestation Letter.
  4. Download your letter of admission from UBC. Log in to the Applicant Service Centre, click Admissions, and select Letter of Admission. You will need both your offer of admission and your Provincial Attestation Letter in your study permit application.
  5. Follow the steps to apply. Learn more about how to apply for an initial study permit for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver.

 

For international undergraduate students inside Canada

If you are extending your study permit from inside of Canada before it becomes invalid, you don’t need a Provincial Attestation Letter. You can confirm that you’re exempt from requiring a Provincial Attestation Letter on the IRCC website. To extend your study permit:

  1. Accept your offer of admission and pay your deposit.
  2. Download your letter of admission from UBC. Log in to the Applicant Service Centre, click Admissions, and select Letter of Admission.
  3. Follow the steps to apply. Learn more about how to apply for a study permit extension for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver.

 

If you are in Canada as a visitor or asylum seeker, contact International Student Advising at UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver for support.