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Our dedicated admissions and financial advisors will help you through the application process by writing about admission requirements, financial matters, the application, events and visits, and everything in between.
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Special admissions consideration for applicants with disabilities

By Crissy Campbell on December 19, 2024

Special admissions consideration for applicants with disabilities

UBC seeks to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. Special consideration for admissions is a process where additional information is reviewed related to an applicant’s disability or ongoing medical condition when the condition may have affected their academic performance adversely. A disability alone does not qualify you for special admission consideration.

 

Who can apply?

Applicants to UBC have very strong academic records. You must meet both general admission requirements as well as degree specific requirements. Many applicants with disabilities meet UBC’s admission requirements and are admitted directly to their degree of choice. However, if an unsupported or recently diagnosed disability has impacted your ability to meet the admission requirements of your degree of choice, you can apply for special consideration for admission.

 

Are you eligible?

The presence of a disability alone does not qualify you for special admission consideration. Special consideration may be granted if, for example, your academic performance has been affected because:

  • You have been recently diagnosed with a disability.
  • Your disability was not accommodated completely or appropriately during your recent studies.

If you have received appropriate accommodations for your disability throughout your studies, you may not be eligible for UBC’s special consideration for admission.

 

How to apply for special consideration

Review the criteria for special admission consideration as well as the application form and instructions. If you are eligible, please submit your request as soon as possible. The special admission consideration application form and instructions are available on our website. It is recommended that you complete the form no later than the application deadline for your degree so that your request is approved promptly.

Remember: You are under no obligation to disclose your disability in your application to UBC unless you believe your disability will impact your ability to meet the academic standards of your degree of study.

International applicants: Submit your supporting documents

By Crissy Campbell on December 17, 2024

International applicants: Submit your supporting documents

Transcript and/or grade information

As part of UBC’s admission process, you’re required to submit documents that support your application, such as your transcript and/or grade information. Take a look at your email or check the Applicant Service Centre to find out what documents you need to send to us, and what format it must be received in. If you’re an international applicant, the deadline to submit your supporting documents is March 15, 2025.

Learn how to submit your supporting documents.

 

If you are delayed in receiving your documents

UBC will be as flexible as possible to ensure that your application is not disadvantaged by disruptions due to circumstances beyond your control. If you have been affected by such interruptions, please contact us and provide us your required documents as soon as you are able.

 

English language competency

All prospective students are required to demonstrate a minimum level of English before they’re admitted. Check the status of your application on the Applicant Service Centre to see whether you need to submit evidence of your English language proficiency. The deadline for meeting the English language requirements and submitting the related documents is February 15, 2025.

Find out how to meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard.

 

 

Canadian students: Document submission deadlines and tips

By Crissy Campbell on December 17, 2024

Canadian students: Document submission deadlines and tips

As the final part of your UBC application, you’ll need to upload your documents for evaluation. Mark these important dates and deadlines in your calendar, and read on to find tips about document formatting and ordering transcripts based on your province.

 

BC and Yukon

January 31

  • Deadline to provide UBC with your BC Personal Education Number (PEN).
  • Deadline to order a transcript for UBC through the Student Transcripts website.

When ordering your transcript, be sure to select “Send my transcript now and allow this Post-Secondary Institution to request transcript updates,” and choose the default date (one year from the date of your order) so that UBC can receive your interim and final grades continuously. This will allow UBC to receive your transcripts electronically from the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care.

 

February 15

  • Deadline to meet UBC’s English Language Admissions Standard, if you have completed less than four consecutive years of study within Canada.
  • If you entered the school system after Grade 9 and have applied to a UBC Vancouver program: Deadline for your counsellor or principal to submit a request for you to be waived UBC’s language 11 requirement.
    • Please instruct your counsellor to submit this request — and be sure to give them plenty of advance notice before the February 15 deadline. To apply for exemption from the language 11 requirements, UBC needs a written statement from your principal or counsellor indicating your date of entry and grade of entry into the Canadian school system and your UBC reference number. Statements must be emailed to language11.waiver@ubc.ca.
  • If you are completing your IB diploma in Canada: Deadline for IB coordinators to submit your anticipated score results to UBC. This information is sent electronically and directly from your school to UBC.

 

Mid-March – end of April

  • As all grade information will be sent to UBC from the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care on a continuous and ongoing basis, you do not need to submit any paper transcripts.
  • After your application is reviewed, you will receive an admissions decision from UBC (unless you have already heard from UBC with a first round offer of admission) by email, or you can check your applicant status in the Applicant Service Centre from mid-March to the end of April.

 

Ontario

January 31

  • Deadline to provide UBC with your Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) reference number.

 

February 15

  • Deadline to meet UBC’s English Language Admissions Standard.
  • If you are completing your IB diploma in Canada: Deadline for IB coordinators to submit your anticipated score results to UBC. This information is sent electronically and directly from your school to UBC.

 

Mid-March – end of April

  • As all grade information will be sent to UBC through OUAC on a continuous and ongoing basis, you do not need to submit any paper transcripts.
  • After your application is reviewed, you will receive an admissions decision from UBC (unless you have already heard from UBC with a first round offer of admission) by email, or you can check your applicant status in the Applicant Service Centre from mid-March to the end of April.

 

Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Maritimes

February 15

 

March 1 – March 15

  • Upload a copy of your transcript/report card or Detailed Academic Report (see instructions below).

Please note: If you are completing your IB diploma in Canada, the deadline for IB coordinators to submit your anticipated score results to UBC is February 15. This information is sent electronically and directly from your school to UBC.

 

Which documents do you upload?

If you attend a linear school

If you attend a linear school (where you are taking year-long courses from September to June), you will need to upload:

  • a transcript/report card including final grades for Grade 11 courses and in-progress (interim) grades for all Grade 12 courses you are currently taking.

If your transcript does not contain any item listed above, you will need to wait until you have this information before you upload your documents.

If you attend a school with a different format

If you attend a school where your courses are taken sequentially (for example September to January, and February to June), you will need to upload:

  • a transcript/report card including final grades for your Grade 11 courses and final grades for any completed Grade 12 courses. If you are studying in Alberta, please upload only your Detailed Academic Report (DAR).
  • a list of in-progress courses as a separate document. This does not have to be an official document – it can be a list that you’ve typed up yourself or written by hand, as long as it is legible.

If your transcript does not contain any item listed above, you will need to wait until you have this information before you upload your documents.

If your school has a modified timeline in which your courses are completed (for example, your school may offer courses via quarter, quadmester, or quintet systems), you should still complete the steps above.

 

Document format and size

  • Your documents must be uploaded in PDF, TIFF, or JPEG format, and must not exceed 2 MB.
  • Multiple pages need to be collapsed into a single document. For example: If your transcript exceeds one page, you need to collapse the pages into a single PDF, TIFF, or JPEG and upload it through the Applicant Service Centre.

Please do not mail in a paper copy of your transcripts/report card. Doing so can slow down the review of your application.

 

Mid-March – end of April

  • After your application is reviewed, you will receive an admissions decision from UBC (unless you have already heard from UBC with a first round offer of admission) by email, or you can check your applicant status in the Applicant Service Centre from mid-March to the end of April.

 

If you have any questions, please contact us.

 

 

Why we love UBC’s Okanagan campus

By Crissy Campbell on December 13, 2024

Why we love UBC’s Okanagan campus

With UBC’s application deadline coming up next month – January 15, at 11:59 pm (PST) – you’re probably excited to select the university experience that will be the best fit for you. Know your options before you apply, and make sure you check out UBC’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC.

UBC is consistently ranked among the top 40 research universities in the world, and UBC in the Okanagan is a great place to be challenged, to thrive, and to develop into a global citizen. For 10,610 undergraduate students from 110 countries, the campus provides an unparalleled mix of academics, community, and recreation.

 

10 reasons why we love UBC Okanagan

  1. At UBC Okanagan, most students get a spot in their preferred major or specialization. There are no space restrictions for popular majors like Computer Science and Psychology, or any Engineering program such as Mechanical or Computer Engineering.
  2. UBC’s Okanagan campus has the unique distinction of being founded in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation. You can study the Nsyilxcn Language Fluency program created to sustain and revitalize language traditions, restore language competence, and protect the knowledge of Indigenous communities.
  3. There is a live video feed of the line-up outside the on-campus Tim Hortons. Give it a quick check before walking to get your coffee to make sure the line-up isn’t too long.
  4. The Okanagan is one of North America’s top grape-growing regions. You can study wine chemistry in a campus that is in the heart of 180+ wineries.
  5. Christine Schreyer, who teaches linguistic anthropology at UBC Okanagan, developed the Kryptonian language for the Superman: Man of Steel
  6. You can take part in the BARK program, which brings cute, friendly dogs to campus to help you de-stress.
  7. There’s a beach volleyball court on campus.
  8. As well as more traditional courses, you could choose to take classes on the popular culture surrounding Harry Potter, vampires, and superheroes.
  9. The Nechako residence offers an all-you-can-eat buffet every day, so you’ll never go hungry.
  10. There’s plenty of modern student housing with no shared bedrooms. After class, you can take in the views by relaxing on the rooftop patio of the Purcell residence.
  11. You can study several majors exclusive to UBC Okanagan, including sustainability, data science, freshwater science, zoology, and health promotion.

 

Explore UBC Okanagan 

Start by checking out the list of programs offered at UBC Okanagan, and read up on what it’s like to live in the Okanagan Valley. Would you rather live in residence or live off campus? Take a look at this video about one student’s move-in day to get a sense of how it might be for you.

The best way to get a feel for the Okanagan campus is to join us for an in person campus tour or a live virtual tour.

Ready to apply? Coming to UBC’s Okanagan campus could be the best decision you’ve ever made. To learn more about Kelowna and the Okanagan campus, email recruitment.ok@ubc.ca, or call 1.888.807.8521.

What are the requirements for post-secondary transfer admission to UBC?

By Crissy Campbell on December 11, 2024

What are the requirements for post-secondary transfer admission to UBC?

If you are currently attending a post-secondary institution and you have successfully completed high school, you may apply to UBC as a transfer student.

 

The deadline to apply as a transfer student depends on the program you wish to transfer into. While the majority of transfer programs have an application deadline of January 15 there are some exceptions:

 

Each transfer student is unique, so you will have your own way of meeting the requirements. But you can start the application process by asking yourself these questions.

 

Five questions to ask yourself before applying as a transfer student to UBC

 

1. Do you meet UBC’s English Language Requirements?

English is the primary language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students are required to demonstrate a minimum level of English before they’re admitted and there are nine ways to meet UBC’s English language admission requirement. The deadline to submit documents showing that you meet the English language requirements is February 15.

 

2. Are you in good academic standing at your current university or college?

The minimum academic standing to be considered 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 calculated on the most recent 30 credits attempted.

Please note that the number of applicants to UBC exceeds the number of spaces available and meeting this minimum entrance requirement does not guarantee admission, as entry into many degree programs is competitive and some require specific prerequisites. UBC assesses post-secondary applicants on a combination of factors, including grade point average (GPA), 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. For more information, review What we look for.

 

3. Have you completed a minimum of 30 transferable university or college credits?

Generally, UBC needs to calculate the total number of transferrable credits completed at the post-secondary level as a part of your admissibility and year placement. Review how UBC calculates your year level based on post-secondary credits completed.

You don’t need to have completed all of these credits when you apply. Your application will be considered on the basis of your interim transcripts, which include final grades for courses completed to December, and any courses in-progress from January to April. You have until the spring to submit your final credits and grades.

 

4. Do you meet the degree program entry requirements?

Students who meet the minimum credit requirements still need to meet the degree-specific requirements to transfer into the program they are applying to.

 

5. What documents do I need to submit? 

To apply as a transfer student, you will need to submit an application form, your transcripts from all your current and previous post-secondary institutions, and your high school transcripts. Some programs may require supplemental materials, such as a personal profile, supplemental application, portfolio, or audition. Check the Applicant Service Centre for details on what documents you need to submit.

 

Looking for more information? Review the admissions requirements for post-secondary transfer students and refer to the BC Transfer Guide to see how courses transfer to UBC.

 

Still have questions? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.

 

Take a virtual tour

By Crissy Campbell on December 9, 2024

Take a virtual tour

Our offices are closed over the holidays, and our last in-person campus tour for 2023 is on December 22.

If you have some down time over the holidays and want to learn more about UBC, you can take advantage of one of our self-guided virtual tours!

From anywhere and at any time, you can access our virtual tours for either the UBC Okanagan or the UBC Vancouver campuses.

On these self-guided tours, you can explore the campuses and get a feel for what it’s like to be a student at UBC. You’ll see UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, academic buildings, and more.

 

Take a self-guided virtual tour:

 

If you prefer to join a live virtual campus tour or an in-person campus tour, they are resuming in the new year, starting on January 2.

To view all upcoming Okanagan and Vancouver tours, and to register, visit our Tours and Events page.

International students: Join us online to learn about UBC

By Crissy Campbell on December 6, 2024

International students: Join us online to learn about UBC

Are you an international student or a Canadian student living abroad, interested in learning more about UBC, but don’t know where to start? Come and join us at one of our interactive online sessions!

Our events will give you the chance to ask questions and get vital information about the application process in a relaxed setting, all from the comfort of your own home. After each 30-minute presentation, you can get answers to your questions during our 60-minute live chat. You will have a chance to chat with both advisors and current students to get firsthand insights.

 

UBC live: International student life revealed

Thursday, December 12 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am PST

Thursday, December 12 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm PST

Get the inside scoop on UBC!

Join our interactive panel discussion with current UBC students to hear their stories, tips, and experiences firsthand. Learn about applications, campus life, research, work opportunities, residence living, and more!

Stick around for a live Q&A with UBC advisors and students to get all your burning questions answered.

Register now to submit your questions in advance and secure your spot.

 

UBC live: Last minute advice for your application

Friday, January 10 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am PST

Friday, January 10 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm PST

Don’t miss your chance to join our exclusive event UBC live: Last minute advice for your application! This is your opportunity to gain insider advice and get all your questions answered before the January 15 application deadline.

Here’s what to expect:

Live presentation – UBC Advisors will share essential tips to ensure your application stands out.
60-minute live Q&A – Ask anything and everything about your application during a dedicated chat session.

Mark your calendars! Registration for this event opens on December 27.

 

How to register

  1. Visit our tours and events page
  2. Click create account or log in using the buttons in the top right-hand corner.
  3. Based on your profile, we’ll show you a list of all the events available to you – just click the category you’d like to browse.
  4. To register, simply click the event card and follow the instructions to reserve your spot.

After you’ve created your account, you can find all of the events you’re registered for any time on the Your account page.

 

Note: We use the Adobe Connect webinar platform for our events. Students will need to launch the Adobe Connect application with a strong internet connection to view the presentation and participate in the live chat. It is better to use a laptop or computer instead of the mobile app.

UBC Okanagan International Welcome Award

By Crissy Campbell on December 4, 2024

UBC Okanagan International Welcome Award

Are you an international student interested in applying to UBC Okanagan? UBC is pleased to announce a new award for first-year international students who choose to study at UBC Okanagan, the UBC Okanagan International Welcome Award.

 

The UBC Okanagan International Welcome Award is a one-time award of $5,000 given to all international students who are accepted and enrol into their UBC Okanagan first-choice degree.

 

UBC is one of the most international universities in the world and UBC Okanagan’s undergraduate students come from 110 different countries. The award is designed to welcome international students to the Okanagan campus and help them get the best possible start to their UBC Okanagan experience.

 

Who is eligible for the award?

 

All international first-year students who apply to UBC with a UBC Okanagan degree listed as their first choice will receive this award if they are accepted and enrol into their UBC Okanagan first-choice program.

 

The award is $5,000 and is received as a credit toward tuition fees for your first year of full-time study on the Okanagan campus. 50% of the award will be applied to Term 1 tuition and 50% of the award will be applied to Term 2 tuition.

 

How do you apply for the UBC Okanagan International Welcome Award?

 

Submit your application to UBC and list a UBC Okanagan degree as your first-choice.

 

If you are accepted to UBC on your UBC Okanagan first-choice degree, this award will automatically be applied against your tuition fees.

 

Why choose UBC Okanagan?

 

UBC Okanagan offers a world-class academic experience within a tight-knit academic community. The campus has smaller class sizes which means you get to know your award-winning professors personally and become a part of a supportive community of students, staff and professors.

 

The campus’s location in Kelowna, BC, means access to unmatched experiences. Kelowna is known for its growing tech industry and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, biking, swimming, and skiing.

 

Learn more about UBC Okanagan: