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English-language pathways at UBC

By Crissy Campbell on November 27, 2023

English-language pathways at UBC

If you’ve achieved outstanding academic results but haven’t met UBC’s English language requirements, UBC offers a number of programs to help.

There are multiple pathways available if you are accepted to study here but require additional support to improve your English.

 

Conditional Admission Program

The Conditional Admission Program (CAP) offers English-language preparation before you are admitted to your undergraduate degree at UBC Vancouver.

If you are selected for CAP, you will be accepted into your chosen degree program on the condition you successfully complete the UBC Faculty of Education English Language Institute English for Academic Purposes Program (EAP). The course provides full-time English-language training through either:

  • An 8-week accelerated session scheduled to start in July and finish at the end of August (only open to CAP students)
  • A 16-week session scheduled to start in January, May, or August/September (open to both CAP and other students)

Once you have successfully completed the EAP, you can transition into your degree program.

The application deadline for CAP is January 15, 2024 for studies beginning in September of 2024.

 

Vantage One

UBC’s Vantage One programs are designed for international students who do not yet meet the English language requirement to enter directly into a UBC faculty. Vantage One courses last 11 months, and add English-language instruction to your first-year degree courses. You can choose from Engineering or Science, and you’ll be taught by award-winning UBC faculty members.

The Science Vantage One program takes place at UBC Vancouver and upon successful completion of the program you’ll progress into your second year of your Bachelor of Science degree at the Vancouver campus.

The Engineering program involves studying at both campuses, with the first 2 terms of the program taught at UBC Vancouver and Term 3 taught at the UBC Okanagan Campus. When you successfully complete your Vantage One Engineering program, you can continue your Bachelor of Applied Science degree at either UBC Vancouver or UBC Okanagan campuses.

The application deadline for Vantage One is January 15, 2024 for studies beginning in September of 2024.

 

English Foundation Program

The English Foundation Program (EFP) is offered at UBC Okanagan. An innovative accredited program, it provides university admission to students who meet all of the academic requirements for a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Science, Applied Science, Management, Fine Arts, Media Studies, and Health and Exercise Sciences, but who do not meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standards.

The EFP combines intensive English language training and academic courses while engaging students in campus life. Its goal is to provide a balanced mix of academics, activities, experiential, and cultural learning on UBC’s Okanagan campus.

UBC applicants are automatically evaluated for the EFP if they meet the university’s admission requirements and have applied to study at UBC Okanagan. The application deadline for the EFP is January 15, 2024 for studies beginning in September of 2024.

 

 

Get a head start at university with the UBC Future Global Leaders online program

By Crissy Campbell on November 23, 2023

Get a head start at university with the UBC Future Global Leaders online program

Are you looking to challenge yourself academically, or boost yourself towards your academic goals? The UBC Future Global Leaders Winter Online program is designed for you. For ten weeks, learn online from UBC professors and affiliated instructors as you delve deeper into your academic interests, and discover what learning is like at the first-year level at a top-tier university. It’s a great way to figure out what your passions are while you’re still in high school, and prepare yourself for success at university and beyond.

 

What can you study?

This January, you can choose from four engaging academic courses, all taught by UBC instructors. Every academic course features 10 live virtual classes, designed to give you a taste of a university subject without the stress of exams.

  • Introduction to Business Foundations: Study the importance of core business functions, including finance, accounting, marketing and human resource management. If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in business, this course is the perfect fit.
  • Introduction to Engineering: If you’re fascinated by engineering, architecture or applied science, this course is for you. Find out about the engineering profession, and the disciplines of chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering.
  • Introduction to Psychology: Learn about the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. This program is excellent if you’re thinking of majoring in psychology or if you’re interested in the social sciences, applied sciences, or medicine.
  • Crime and Society: Contemporary Topics: If you’re interested in criminology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, law, enforcement, mental health, forensic psychiatry or public policy, this course is for you. You’ll investigate a range of contemporary topics in crime, including the relationship between public order and violent crime, innovations in drug enforcement, forensic psychiatry, and restorative justice.

Who can take part?

To register for a UBC Future Global Leaders Online course, you must be 15 to 18 years old and have completed Grade 10 or equivalent. We suggest that you have a grade point average of 78% or letter grade B or higher, or a minimum IB final grade of 5. You don’t need to submit any transcripts to register.

If you want to register for an academic course and English is not your first language, we recommend an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.0 or equivalent, or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet-based score of 80 or equivalent. You don’t need to provide your scores, and can self-assess your own levels.

 

Registration is easy!

No application, transcripts, or proof of English is required. Just check your eligibility, and register for the courses you’re interested in!

The academic courses run from January 27 to April 13, 2024, with your 10 live virtual classes scheduled on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm PT.

 

UBC President Bursary Program for high school students in British Columbia

The UBC Future Global Leaders program will award a number of bursaries to Grade 11 high school students in BC. It will cover full tuition for one 10-week winter academic course of your choice.

To be considered for a bursary:

  • You must have an overall average of 80% or higher, and 80% or higher in Grade 11 English (or equivalent). If you are entering Grade 11, you must have an overall average of 80% or higher, and 80% or higher in Grade 10 English (or equivalent).
  • You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • You must live in a lower income household, and your parent(s) or caregiver(s) must not have attended a university or university-college.

We accept bursary applications year-round and evaluate applications as we receive them.

 

University application and skills courses

If you’re in grade 11 or 12 and thinking ahead to university, you can learn skills and strategies today to get into your top-choice university, and succeed once you’re there.

  • Writing Effective University Applications shows you how to create convincing and memorable university applications. There are no live classes, so you can go entirely at your own pace. Ask your instructor a question at any time and get a response in 24-48 hours, and get personalized feedback on all of your written assignments. Register and start anytime!
  • Academic Skills for University Success helps you sharpen your skills before you start university so you can improve your performance, reduce stress and accomplish more. Find out how to make the most of your study time, take notes effectively, and develop good habits. Do this course at your own pace, and get instructor feedback on assignments.
  • Student Well-Being, Mental Health and Resiliency is a course designed to help high school students understand and develop their mental health and emotional awareness as they make the move to university life. You can complete this course at your own pace and there is no assessment. This course is offered at a subsidized price to increase accessibility.

Register and start anytime for these university application and skills courses.

International students: Join us online to learn about UBC

By Crissy Campbell on November 22, 2023

International students: Join us online to learn about UBC

Are you an international student or a Canadian student living abroad, interested in learning more about UBC, but don’t know where to start? Come and join us at one of our interactive online sessions!

Our events will give you the chance to ask questions and soak up crucial information about the application process in a relaxed way, all from the safety and comfort of your own home. After each 30-minute presentation, students can get answers to their questions during our 60-minute live chat. You will have a chance to chat with both advisors and current students.

 

UBC Online Presentation: Ask Us Anything!

Wednesday, November 29 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am PST

Wednesday, November 29 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm PST

Learn about what our students are involved with and what to expect when you come to UBC! Chat live with advisors and students who will answer your questions about how to become a UBC student and what it is like to live and study here.

 

UBC Online Presentation: Last Minute Advice for Your Application

Friday, January 12 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am PST

Friday, January 12 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm PST

Join our exclusive UBC Online Presentation: Last Minute Advice for Your Application to get helpful tips and answers to your questions before your application is due on January 15. At this online event, watch a live presentation led by UBC Advisors. Afterwards, we’re dedicating 60 minutes to a live chat, so you can ask all your application-related questions. Note: Registration for this event will open on January 5.

 

How to register

Registration opens one week before each event.

  1. Visit our tours and events page
  2. Click create account or log in using the buttons in the top right-hand corner.
  3. Based on your profile, we’ll show you a list of all the events available to you – just click the category you’d like to browse.
  4. To register, simply click the event card and follow the instructions to reserve your spot.

After you’ve created your account, you can find all of the events you’re registered for any time on the Your account page.

 

Note: We use the Adobe Connect webinar platform for our events. Students will need to launch the Adobe Connect application with a strong internet connection to view the presentation and participate in the live chat. It is better to use a laptop or computer instead of the mobile app.

How to change the degree you applied to

By Crissy Campbell on November 21, 2023

How to change the degree you applied to

Updated: January 23, 2024

 

Have you had a change of heart? If you’ve applied to one degree, but decided you’d rather pursue a different one, here’s what you need to do.

 

How to change your degree

  1. Check the admissions requirements for your new degree choice and make sure you meet the criteria.
  2. Be absolutely sure you want to change your degree, because you may no longer be eligible for certain UBC awards. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and you apply by December 1, 2023 December 15, 2023 (deadline extended), your first-choice degree will be considered for a Presidential Scholars Award if you select that option on the online application. If you are an international student and you apply by January 15, 2024 January 31, 2024 (deadline extended), your first-choice application will be automatically considered for an International Major Entrance Scholarship. For all students, your new first-choice application will not be considered for an award if you make a change after those dates.
  3. After you’ve thought through the above, you can submit the changes of your first-choice and second-choice applications until January 15, 2024 January 31, 2024. Be sure to include your full name and UBC reference number, and we will update your UBC application accordingly. Your application changes will not be updated if your request is made after January 15, 2024 after January 31, 2024.

Please submit your program change request here. You can use the same link to ask any questions you might have about changing your degree.

 

Please note:

And remember, you use the same UBC application to apply for degrees on both UBC campuses. Your first choice and second choice can be on the same campus or on two different campuses. January 15, 2024 January 31, 2024 is the deadline for submitting your application, and the deadline for changing the program you’re applying to.

 

 

Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program

By Crissy Campbell on November 20, 2023

Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program

UBC’s Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program supports Canadian students (citizens, permanent residents and protected persons of Canada) who self-identify as Black, meet UBC’s admission requirements and show an interest in joining and contributing to the UBC community, but who would not be able to attend without significant financial assistance.

 

 

Renewable awards

Through the program, new students can access annual renewable awards of up to $80,000.

Students must be entering directly from high school or transferring from another post-secondary institution and must be applying to a direct entry undergraduate program at UBC.

 

“If I hadn’t received the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars award I definitely wouldn’t be here. Just financially, it would have been really hard, especially attending university outside of [my city]. And that would have been really sad for me because I was really excited to attend UBC and that was what I had my heart set on. So, I’m really, really thankful that I got this award and that I’m able to be here.” – Joan N., Beyond Tomorrow Scholar, UBC Vancouver

 

Programs and supports

UBC Beyond Tomorrow Scholars are more than award recipients. Students participate in a range of programming and services designed to develop their leadership skills.

As a Beyond Tomorrow Scholar, you will experience cross-campus support throughout your time at UBC with dedicated advisors and mentors. There are workshops, retreats, conferences and other opportunities to make meaningful relationships with your cohort, your program, and the wider community.

 

“I have found community at UBC [Okanagan] with the African Caribbean Student Club. I was the only Black graduate in my [high school] class so coming from that it’s been really comforting. I feel safe here.” – Uno N., Beyond Tomorrow Scholar, UBC Okanagan

 

Apply Now

To apply, you must complete the UBC Entrance Award Application and select the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Award. The deadline to apply to the award is December 1 December 15 (deadline extended). You must submit your UBC application by December 1.

As part of your Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Award application, you must include a Student Application form, a Description of Circumstance essay outlining your personal, family, and financial situation, a Parent/Guardian Form to provide information on your family’s finances, if applicable, and contact details for a personal reference who is able to comment on your character, interest in UBC, and financial circumstances.

If you have further questions about the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program or related to admission into UBC, please do not hesitate to contact us at beyond.tomorrow@ubc. We’re looking forward to receiving your application!

 

UBC Centennial Scholars Entrance Award

By Crissy Campbell on November 16, 2023

UBC Centennial Scholars Entrance Award

Are you a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person in Canada hoping to attend UBC, but aren’t sure how you’ll finance it? If so, you may want to apply for a Centennial Scholars Entrance Award. These awards assist students who are academically qualified and hope to contribute to the UBC community, but would not be able to attend without substantial financial help.

 

Renewable and one-time awards

The awards can either be a one-time amount, or a sum given annually over four years. The value of the awards can range up to $80,000.

Centennial Scholars Entrance Awards are available to students at both UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver, and are given to incoming high-school students and post-secondary students transferring to direct-entry programs (programs you can enter directly in your first year of study).

 

Apply now for a Centennial Scholars Entrance Award

The application for the award is available online and the deadline to apply is due by December 1 December 15 (deadline extended). You must submit your UBC application by December 1 in order to qualify. The award application includes an overview of your financial situation (including information from your parents, if applicable), an essay-style description of your circumstances, and a reference form with questions for a third party who is willing to speak to your accomplishments, character, and, if possible, your financial need.

Good luck with your applications! We’re looking forward to seeing new faces next year.

 

 

Reminder: the December 1 deadline is near

By Crissy Campbell on November 15, 2023

Reminder: the December 1 deadline is near

Reminder that if you are applying to UBC and want to meet the December 1 deadline for first-round offers of admission and scholarships and awards, the deadline is just over two weeks away.

 

December 1 deadline for first-round offers of admission

If you are a Canadian high school applicant and you wish to be considered for a first-round offer of admission, you must apply by December 1. First-round offers are given to highly competitive high school students who follow a Canadian curriculum and can expect to hear from UBC as early as February, for a September start.

If you are a Canadian post-secondary transfer applicant and you wish to be considered on the basis of interim transcripts (transcripts that include final grades for courses completed to December, and that list any courses in-progress from January to April), you must also apply by December 1.

 

December 1 deadline for scholarships and awards

December 1 is the deadline for Canadian high school students who wish to be considered for the Presidential Scholars Awards and UBC Centennial Scholars Entrance Awards, and it’s the deadline for international students who wish to be considered for the UBC International Scholars Program awards.

Updated Nov 28: the Presidential Scholars Awards and UBC Centennial Scholars Entrance Awards have extended their deadlines to December 15.

Ready to be a UBC student? Apply now.

Early application deadline for post-secondary transfer students

By Crissy Campbell on November 14, 2023

Early application deadline for post-secondary transfer students

There’s more than one way to become a UBC undergraduate. The majority of our students are admitted directly, but UBC also has a number of places available to those who have started their studies at a different post-secondary institution.

If you are a Canadian post-secondary student and you hope to transfer to UBC next year, read on to learn more about the application process.

 

Application deadline and process

UBC has an early application deadline for those transferring from a Canadian post-secondary institution.

First, you’ll need to apply by December 1, 2023, and then submit all your post-secondary transcripts that show all completed courses and all in-progress courses by January 31, 2024. If you complete these two steps, your application will receive an early assessment on these transcripts. If there are specific deadlines associated with your degree of choice, you will be notified once you have submitted your application.

If you attend a new institution that wasn’t included on your application, it’s important to contact us right away.

 

What if you’re placed on the waitlist?

If you are placed on the waitlist based on this early assessment, there is no need to reapply. Your application will remain in our system and you will be notified of a final decision by June.

Remember, applying early doesn’t increase your chances of gaining admission, but it can mean your application will be considered earlier, and you’ll receive an update about your admission status sooner – most likely between February and April.

 

What happens if you miss the December 1 deadline?

If you apply between December 2, 2023 and January 15, 2024, we will notify you about which documents we need in order to complete your application for review, and how we would like you to submit those documents.

 

Learn more about application deadlines for post-secondary students, or contact us to ask your questions. Good luck!