UBC Conditional Admission Program

If you have a strong record of academic achievement but do not yet meet the UBC English language requirement, you may be eligible for the Conditional Admission Program, which offers English language preparation leading to an undergraduate degree program on UBC’s Vancouver campus for bachelor degree programs in all faculties.

In order to be considered as a conditionally admitted student, you must first apply to the UBC degree program and campus of your choice. As a conditionally admitted UBC student, you are accepted into your undergraduate or graduate program on the condition that you develop your academic English to the required standard through successful completion of the UBC English Language Institute’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program.

Admission to the Conditional Admission Program

Am I eligible?

Students applying for conditional admission to a UBC undergraduate program must have:

  • a strong academic record (apart from English language scores) and should rank in the top 50% of students admitted into the prior year’s undergraduate program.
  • met the minimum competence score for entry to the Conditional Admission Program. You can view the minimum scores you need on the English Language Proficiency Index webpage (refer to the righthand column).

How do I apply?

  1. Apply to your degree program and campus of choice by January 15 for admission in September of the same year.
  2. Based on your English language test score and academic record, UBC’s admissions professionals will determine if you are a candidate for conditional admission or another one of UBC’s Academic English development programs.

Please note that you cannot apply to the Conditional Admission Program through the English Language Institute.

If you require additional time to complete your UBC online application, please contact Undergraduate Admissions in Enrolment Services.

English for Academic Purposes

Once you have been accepted to the Conditional Admission Program, you will be required to register for the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program. To earn the Certificate of English Language, you will need to successfully complete two courses, EAP 600 and EAP 650, to meet the UBC English Language Admission Standard.

EAP Program options

  • Two 8-week sessions are scheduled to begin in January, May, or August/September. One session will cover EAP 600 and the other EAP 650.
  • One 8-week accelerated session is scheduled to begin in July and finish in August/September. This session covers both EAP 600 and EAP 650.

The program provides online and on-campus options. Please refer to the EAP Program pages to find out how your course will be delivered.

EAP Program features

  • training in academic English in a university setting
  • 21 hours of instruction in academic reading, writing, speaking, and listening
  • the confidence of knowing you have been accepted into your program once you pass
  • the ability to apply for a study permit on the basis that you have been conditionally admitted to UBC
  • an English-only policy to help you learn more effectively
  • opportunities to participate in social activities led by UBC students

Completing the Conditional Admission Program

For entry into an undergraduate program beginning in September, you must successfully complete English for Academic Purposes by the end of August.

How do I pass English for Academic Purposes?

Conditionally admitted students must successfully complete both EAP 600 and EAP 650, Academic Speaking & Listening, and Academic Reading & Writing. You must achieve at least 75% in each class to pass.

You may complete these requirements in either the 8-week accelerated program, or over 16 weeks in the regular program. However, you have up to 12 months to meet these requirements.

Ready to complete your application?

Apply now