Indigenous admissions

As an Indigenous student, it is important for you to self-identify in your UBC application in order to be considered for Indigenous-specific awards and admissions policies, and to receive information about culturally unique programs and services for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.

Most Indigenous students are admitted based on a comprehensive review of their academic average and personal profile, within the curriculum they are studying. However, UBC offers a number of pathways to a post-secondary degree. 

UBC Aboriginal Admission Policy

All applicants to UBC, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, are required to meet the university’s general admission and degree-specific requirements. As with all applicants, we will review your academic history (and depending on your degree and year level, we may also review your personal profile), to make an admission decision. Most Indigenous students are admitted based on meeting the requirements set out by their degree of choice.

If you are not initially admitted, we will take a second look at your application using the Aboriginal Admission Policy.

Okanagan’s Aboriginal Admission Policy

Vancouver’s Aboriginal Admission Policy

Note about the policy name: At UBC, we use the term “Indigenous” to refer inclusively to status and non-status First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples of Canada, in accordance with the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). The term “Aboriginal” was used in the names of some UBC policies or programs, and many of these are in the process of being updated to “Indigenous.”

Pathway programs

Okanagan

Aboriginal Access Studies

Aboriginal Access Studies is an entrance program for UBC Okanagan that prepares and transitions Indigenous learners into degree programs at UBC. The program combines both academic and non-academic activities to form a rich, full-time schedule in a supportive university setting.

If you do not meet UBC’s general admission requirements, you can also start your studies at another college or university, and transfer to UBC later to complete your degree. Plan carefully to ensure the courses you take are recognized by UBC and applied to your degree-specific requirements. The BC Transfer Guide is a great resource for this.

Note about the policy name: At UBC, we use the term “Indigenous” to refer inclusively to status and non-status First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples of Canada, in accordance with the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). The term “Aboriginal” was used in the names of some UBC policies or programs, and many of these are in the process of being updated to “Indigenous.”

Vancouver

UBC-Langara Indigenous Transfer Partnership

If you do not meet UBC’s general admission requirements, consider starting your studies at another college or university and transferring to UBC to complete your degree. If you plan carefully, the courses you take will be recognized by UBC and will be applied to your degree-specific requirements. The BC Transfer Guide is a great resource that shows you how your college courses will be recognized by UBC.

The UBC-Langara Indigenous Transfer Partnership at UBC Vancouver, in particular, provides the academic and personal preparation required for Indigenous students to successfully transition from Langara College to UBC’s Vancouver campus. If you complete the Partnership’s requirements, you will be guaranteed admission to a participating UBC degree and may be eligible to receive scholarships and awards.

Application fee and housing

An application fee is required to submit your application. If financial difficulty keeps you from submitting your application, please email our Indigenous recruitment team to discuss your options.

Newly admitted Indigenous students are given priority assignment in UBC’s single-student and year-round housing. If you are interested in living on campus, apply for housing when you complete UBC’s online application. You may also apply directly to Student Housing and Community Services before May 1.

Connect with an advisor

If you are thinking about applying to UBC, we would be pleased to meet you in person or by telephone to discuss your options and how to plan for the application process. Already started an application? We’re here to answer your questions about the application, documents required, or the admission process. We’re here to help. Please contact the UBC Indigenous recruiters.

Get more information: indigenous.recruitment@ubc.ca
Book a campus tour: indigenous.tours@ubc.ca