UBC admissions blog

Welcome to UBC! Your hard work has paid off and you can start planning for university life. Now that you’ve been admitted there’s lots to do – everything from accepting your offer to preparing for your first day on campus.

Accept your offer

To accept your offer, you need to log into the Applicant Service Centre, click accept your offer, and pay your acceptance deposit.

Make sure to accept your offer before your deadline to accept. You can find your deadline on page two of your letter of admission or in your Applicant Service Centre account.

Apply for a Study Permit

If you are an international student, you will need to apply for a study permit. Getting a permit can take several months, so be sure to begin the process as soon as you can.

Maintain your grades

Your offer of admission is conditional on your final grades. You must submit your final grades by your deadline. We will review your grades to ensure that you completed the requirements and maintained your academic standing. Grade changes on final grades may cause UBC to re-evaluate your application for admission.

Apply for housing

If you want to live on campus you will need to apply for housing before the May 1 deadline. First-year students who are graduating from high school are guaranteed housing if they apply by the deadline and accept their offer of admission by their offer deadline.

Plan your finances

Use our cost estimator to estimate your costs and start budgeting for your first year at UBC.

Register for your courses

Course registration begins in June. One or two weeks before you’re eligible to register online, you will receive an email with your assigned registration date and time.

You can also explore your academic options, plan your degree and get ready for UBC life by checking out our welcome events.

“UBC has truly allowed me to create my own path. They have countless degree programs and great opportunities [and] UBC offers every club you could think of. Whatever your niche is, you will find a group of like-minded people here.” – Georgiana S., Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources

“There are many opportunities available at UBC to customize your own university experience. Right from first year, I have been involved in clubs on campus, participated in numerous events, held campus positions, and so much more. “Rahman G., Manufacturing Engineering

“UBC has given me countless amounts of opportunities and support throughout my academic journey.”- Richelle A-B., Bachelor of Arts

Medical insurance and health coverage are important topics for all new students – whether you’re coming from another province or territory, or from across the globe. As a UBC student, you must have both basic and extended health insurance coverage. Here’s a quick look at what steps you need to take.

How do I get basic health insurance?

Canadian students

BC students

If you’re a resident of BC and currently covered by MSP, no action is required on your part.

Out-of-province students

If you’re a Canadian student with a health plan in another province or territory, you do not need to switch to BC MSP. You’ll be covered by the health plan in your home province or territory as long as you remain a student. If you choose to switch to MSP, you’ll need to apply.

Students coming from abroad

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada coming to Canada after living abroad, you may already have health coverage in BC or another Canadian province or territory. If you don’t, you’ll need to apply for MSP and make arrangements to join the Global Campus Health Plan or another private temporary insurance plan for the first three-month period before your MSP coverage takes effect.

International students

Canada has a public healthcare system. Everyone living in British Columbia (BC) for longer than six months is required to join MSP, a basic health insurance policy for the BC residents. If you’re an international student, you’ll need to apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in BC.

MSP has a three-month waiting period before your MSP coverage starts. You’ll automatically be enrolled in a private temporary health insurance plan called iMED to cover your three-month MSP waiting period after you register for courses if you are a new to UBC student. Check your Workday Account Activity to confirm you are charged for iMED. Your iMED coverage will begin on August 1, and it will be valid until October 31. If you are a one-term exchange student or Visiting International Research Student, you have different coverage dates.

A couple of tips:

• If you arrive in BC before August 1, purchase advance iMED coverage.
• If you arrive after August 31, submit a date change form so that your iMED dates match your MSP waiting period.
• If you already have MSP, you will be covered by another provincial health plan for the waiting period, you have health insurance through a third party organization who is funding your studies, or you will complete your entire program online from outside Canada, be sure to apply to opt-out of iMED by the deadline.

Visit the health insurance for international students page to learn more about the differences between iMED, MSP and the AMS/GSS Health and Dental plan (Vancouver campus) or SUO Health and Dental Plan (Okanagan Campus). If you have questions about healthcare or coverage in Canada, please contact an International Student Advisor on the Okanagan or Vancouver campus.

How do I get extended health insurance?

Extended health and dental plans are designed to take care of some expenses not covered by basic health insurance plans. As a UBC student, you will be automatically enrolled in the extended health and dental plan offered by the UBC Students’ Union Okanagan (UBCSUO) on the Okanagan campus or the Alma Mater Society/Graduate Student Society (AMS/GSS) on the Vancouver campus when you register for courses. Certain exceptions may apply, so make sure you check your Workday Account Activity to confirm that you’ve been enrolled and charged the appropriate fee.

For details on your coverage, or how to opt out if you already have equivalent coverage, please visit the Studentcare website.

What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

If you’re being treated for a medical condition, consult your healthcare professional to make sure you’re well enough to take on the challenge of university. If you’re well enough to attend UBC, you’ll need to plan for treatment during your studies.

Find out if the treatment you need is available at UBC or nearby, how much it costs, and whether it will be covered under your basic and/or extended health insurance. The Student Health Clinic on the Okanagan campus and Student Health Service on the Vancouver campus offer on-campus medical clinics. If you are an international student you can also connect with International Student Advising on the Okanagan or Vancouver campus for guidance.

What if I have a documented disability?

If you have a documented disability and require disability-related accommodation or academic support, please make an appointment to discuss your eligibility with the Disability Resource Centre on the Okanagan campus or Centre for Accessibility on the Vancouver campus.

As a UBC student, you’ll need to have reading, writing, and speaking skills in English, regardless of your first language or citizenship. To ensure you develop those skills, all UBC undergraduate students are required to earn between three and six credits of writing, communication, or English.

Is this the same thing as the English Language Admission Standard?

No, they’re two different things. The English Language Admission Standard (ELAS) is an admissions requirement that you had to meet before being admitted to UBC. Your Faculty’s first-year writing, communication, or English requirements are something you need to meet now that you’re a UBC student.

What are my first-year writing, communication, or English requirements?

To check how many credits you must complete and which courses will fulfill your degree requirements, please refer to the undergraduate degree requirements for your Faculty at UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver.

What is the first-year English course entry requirement?

UBC Okanagan

To stay enrolled in your first-year English courses, you must meet the first-year English course prerequisites for UBC Okanagan.

UBC Vancouver

First-year English courses for UBC Vancouver do not have any prerequisites.