Academic English development programs for admission
If you meet UBC's general and degree-specific admission requirements, but not the English Language Admission Requirement, there are three programs available to you, all of which will boost your English proficiency and lead to an undergraduate degree program at UBC.
More on English language competency:
Vantage One program at UBC Vantage College
UBC’s Vantage One programs are specially designed for academically outstanding, international students who do not yet meet the English language admission requirement for direct entry into a UBC faculty. In these 11-month programs, award-winning UBC faculty members add English language instruction to your first-year degree courses to prepare you for success in your bachelor’s degree. Upon successful completion of your Vantage One program, you will progress into second year at UBC for the following degree programs on UBC’s Okanagan campus or UBC’s Vancouver campus:
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering)
- Bachelor of Science
How to apply to a Vantage One program
- Choose your UBC Vantage One program.
- Meet the Vantage One admission requirements.
- Apply online and pay the fee.
- Submit your required documents.
- Stay in touch.
Learn more about applying to the Vantage One programs.
Please note: If you have not applied for a Vantage One Program directly, and do not meet our English Language Admission Standard based on your English language test score, UBC’s admissions professionals will determine if you are a candidate for a Vantage One program.
Conditional Admission Program at UBC’s Vancouver campus
The Conditional Admission Program offers English-language preparation to academically outstanding students who do not yet meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard. Completion of the Conditional Admission Program improves your English proficiency and leads to an undergraduate degree program on UBC’s Vancouver campus for bachelor degree programs in all faculties.
If you are admitted through the Conditional Admission Program, you will be accepted into your undergraduate degree on the condition that you successfully complete the UBC Extended Learning English for Academic Purposes program before beginning your first year of studies at UBC. You have two options:
- An 8-week accelerated session scheduled to start in July and finish in September.
- A 16-week session scheduled to start in January, May, or August
Admission to the Conditional Admission Program
- Apply to a UBC degree program on your campus of choice.
- Based on your English language test score and academic record, UBC’s admissions professionals will determine if you are a candidate for conditional admission.
Once you have been accepted to the Conditional Admission Program, you will be required to register for English for Academic Purposes.
English Foundation Program at UBC’s Okanagan campus
The English Foundation Program offers English language preparation for students who meet all of UBC’s admission requirements, except the English Language Admission Requirement. Completion of the English Foundation Program leads to an undergraduate degree program on UBC’s Okanagan campus for the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Applied Science
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Health and Exercise Sciences
- Bachelor of Management
- Bachelor of Science
The English Foundation Program coursework combines intensive English language training and academic courses while engaging you in campus life, providing a balanced mix of academics, activities, and experiential and cultural learning. There are two sections of the program – EAP 103 and EAP 104 – offered in September and January, each including 20 hours per week for 12 weeks.
Upon successful completion of the program, you will be granted regular admission and will be eligible for full academic programming.
Admission to the English Foundation Program
If you apply to UBC’s Okanagan campus and meet all of UBC’s admission requirements and the minimum English Foundation Program entry scores, yet are not fully admissible to UBC, you will be automatically evaluated for the EFP.