Requirements for mature students
You must be outside of full-time education for at least four years
This includes high school and most post-secondary programs. If you have a prior undergraduate degree, you can apply as an unclassified student, or as a transfer student if you wish to complete a second degree. Students with a previous degree are not considered mature applicants.
Full-time study is three or more courses per term/semester, or nine or more transferable credits per term/semester. For example, if you are applying to start in September 2024, your last full-time attendance in school can have been no later than August 2020. Fulfilling this requirement simply permits consideration under the Mature Student category, and does not ensure admissibility.
You can only apply to the following degrees
If you are seeking admission to a degree not listed below, you should enrol at another institution and then transfer to your program of interest.
Okanagan | Vancouver |
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You must satisfy the degree’s entry requirements
As a mature applicant you need to meet the University’s English language requirement and certain faculty- or degree-specific admissions requirements. These vary according to where you attended high school and/or post-secondary. If you do not meet UBC’s English language requirements through standard attendance or test requirements, an admissions advisor may suggest alternatives.
Degree-specific requirements include, but are not limited to, prerequisites, supplemental applications, portfolio, and audition requirements. For most degrees, if you do not have the requirements at the high school level, you can present them at the post-secondary level.
If you are missing degree-specific requirements, you will be expected to complete the prerequisites for admission at another institution by April 30.
The University reserves the right to determine whether or not you are eligible for the mature applicant category. Prior UBC students are subject to faculty regulations and procedures.
Recommendations for mature applicants
Applications will be assessed on a variety of factors that demonstrate preparedness for rigorous university-level studies. Be prepared to provide evidence of relevant accomplishments, intellectual curiosity, advanced literacy, and numeracy (particularly important for science, social science and management-related disciplines).
Secondary and post-secondary academics are also relevant. If you have not had consistently strong achievements in university preparatory and/or transferable studies, consider taking part-time courses that are transferable to the intended degree program. Evidence of recent academic successes could strengthen your application. Ensure UBC Admissions is aware of what courses you are or will be taking, and that final grades are submitted by May 15.
Since the mature applicant category can be very competitive and admission is not routine, we recommend that you also apply to a local university transfer program. You can find out more information on the BC Transfer Guide.