Transfer students in Canada

If you are a well-qualified student attending a post-secondary institution in Canada, we welcome your application to transfer to UBC. Find your requirements, and read more about the documents and GPAs that UBC requires.

College students in BC and Yukon

Courses successfully completed at recognized colleges in British Columbia and Yukon are granted transfer credit in accordance with agreed-upon equivalents published in the BC Transfer Guide. Those interested in earning a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science are encouraged to consider an Associate Degree

Canadian university students (including BC)

University-level courses successfully completed at Canadian universities will be assessed on a course-by-course basis at the time of evaluation. While UBC does not publish pre-approved transfer credit for institutions outside BC, you can use the UBC transfer credit search tool to see how previously evaluated courses from many institutions transfer to UBC (for universities in BC, use the BC Transfer Guide). If a course has not yet been approved, you may be asked to submit a copy of the course outline for further consideration.

Canadian colleges, institutes of technology, and colleges of applied arts and technology

UBC will consider your application if you have successfully completed an academically appropriate diploma program and achieved competitive standing from an institute of technology or a college of applied arts and technology. Admission is determined on an individual basis and courses are generally not transferable.

Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) pre-university program (DCS/DEC)

If you are an applicant from a CEGEP, you must satisfy general admission requirements and degree-specific requirements, depending on whether you are applying after one year of CEGEP, or after two years.

If you are applying after two years of CEGEP, you must have:

  • Completed a two-year academic diploma program
  • Two courses in either English (603) or French (601)

Courses in Preparatory English or English as a Second Language are not acceptable for admission to UBC. You must also meet degree-specific requirements for students from other post-secondary institutions.

Transfer credit for up to one full year of study may be applied toward a UBC degree for students who have completed a Diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) program.

Calculation of UBC admission averages

It is best to complete, or be in the process of completing, the equivalent of 30 UBC credits before applying.

The minimum academic standing to qualify for admission to UBC is an admission average of C (60%, where 50% is a passing grade), or a 2.0 on a 4.0 point scale, typically on the most recent 30 credits attempted. Meeting this minimum entrance requirement does not guarantee admission, as entry into many degree programs is competitive and some require specific prerequisites.

UBC may review your entire record to ensure that your courses align with the requirements and expectations of your intended UBC degree program. Consistent academic performance and perseverance, progressive course sequencing with increasing rigour, and comparability with studies at UBC are among the factors that help demonstrate your suitability and readiness.

For more information, you can refer to the Admissions sections of the UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver Academic Calendars.

Documents required for college/university transfer

Once you’ve applied, UBC will send additional information by email regarding the documents we require to complete your application. Required documents will commonly include (but are not limited to):

  • A grade summary or copy of your transcripts of your current post-secondary institution that shows all courses attempted and in progress.
  • A grade summary or copy of your transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions you’ve attended.
  • Final high school transcripts.

Please note: As part of our health and safety response to reduce the spread of COVID-19, UBC’s document mailroom will only be open for limited hours in the week. UBC encourages the submission of transcripts and documents electronically wherever possible. Please visit our guide on how to submit your documents for more information.

Admission consideration

The number of applicants to UBC exceeds the number of spaces available. Admission criteria are carefully designed to ensure fairness and equity in this competitive and comparative selection process. UBC may assess post-secondary applicants on a combination of factors, including your grade point average (GPA), any required prerequisite courses, and a review of your overall academic history. We may also require you to submit a personal profile, supplemental application, portfolio, or audition.

Ready to complete your application?

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