Aboriginal students of Canada

UBC has a long history of supporting Indigenous students' academic and personal success. Most Indigenous students are admitted based on their competitive average and Personal Profile. However, UBC offers a number of pathways to a post-secondary degree.

It is important to self-identify as an Aboriginal person of Canada in your UBC application in order to receive information about admissions policies for Indigenous students; Indigenous-specific awards; and culturally unique programs and services for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students.

Indigenous applicants who apply to UBC’s Vancouver campus may be admitted through the standard admission process, the Aboriginal Admission Policy, or the UBC-Langara Indigenous Transfer Partnership.

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Vancouver campus

UBC Aboriginal Admission Policy

All applicants to UBC, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, are required to meet university general admission and degree-specific admission requirements. As with all applicants, we will review your academic history and, depending on your degree and year level, 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. Your application will be sent to your degree of choice and to the First Nations House of Learning, who may consider your history, cultural knowledge, work experience, educational goals, and other achievements in determining your admissibility. They will review your academic history and Personal Profile to ensure that you are ready for university study. They will submit their recommendations back to the Undergraduate Admissions Office, who will notify you of their decision.

To be considered through the Aboriginal Admission Policy, you must be a Canadian Aboriginal applicant and self-identify as an Aboriginal person in the online application to UBC.

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 applied to your degree and program requirements. The BC Transfer Guide is a great resource that shows you how your college courses will be recognized by the University.

The UBC-Langara Indigenous Transfer Partnership, 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.

Self-identifying on your UBC application

When you apply, be sure to self-identify as an Aboriginal person of Canada. UBC will provide you with important information on Indigenous programs, scholarships and bursaries, and student services specifically for Indigenous students.

An application fee is required to submit your application. If financial difficulty keeps you from submitting your application, please contact Chloe Erlendson to discuss your options (contact information below).

UBC provides newly admitted Indigenous students a priority assignment in the University’s single-student and year-round housing. If you are interested in residence living, apply for housing when you complete UBC’s online application.

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:

Chloe Erlendson
Recruiter Advisor, Indigenous Students
604.827.2135
chloe.erlendson@ubc.ca

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

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