How can I maintain my offer of admission?

How can I maintain my offer of admission?

Your offer of admission to UBC is based on a combination of your academic profile and your personal profile. When we receive your final grades, we’ll still be taking your personal profile into account.

 

Our process and timeline

In May, we’ll review grades for students who received first-round offers and verify that the grade information submitted to UBC was accurate. If we have any concerns with your grades, we’ll reach out to you directly.

Between July and August, we’ll review final grades. If you meet the conditions on your offer of admission, we’ll update your offer to reflect that.

 

What you can do

Many students are looking for a definitive answer to how much their grades can drop before they lose their offer. But we can’t say: “Everyone whose grades decline more than X%, or fall below Y%, will lose their offers.”

Each student’s situation is unique and we review changes in academic standing on a case-by-case basis. We don’t like to withdraw offers, but we must ensure that they’re awarded consistently and fairly, and that you have a solid foundation for success.

Certain grade changes may cause us to look at your application more closely when your final grades are submitted. Our best advice is to keep working hard to present your best final grades so we can confirm your offer of admission to UBC.

 

Will dropping a course affect your offer of admission?

If you are considering dropping a course, please contact our admissions office as this needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

 

Questions?

If you have any questions about maintaining your offer of admission, please contact us.

Submit your UBC housing application by May 1

Submit your UBC housing application by May 1

Living on campus is more than just a practical option for housing – it’s one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the UBC student experience. If you want to live in residence at UBC, you must apply by May 1, 2025.

If you are considering a degree on both campuses, you must complete a separate residence application for each campus. If you complete both applications within 14 days of each other, you will only be charged one application fee.

 

Are you guaranteed a spot?

Your place in residence is guaranteed if:

  • You are a first-year student entering UBC directly from high school or CEGEP.

AND

  • You submit your residence application for eight-month housing (Winter Session, September to April) by the May 1 deadline.

AND

  • You accept UBC’s offer of admission by the date indicated in your offer letter, or June 1 (whichever comes first).

If you have questions about priority access, residence guarantees, or housing beyond first year, visit the UBC Student Housing website.

 

What’s residence like?

No matter which residence you’re assigned to, you’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive environment that’s designed to help you adjust to university life, enjoy your time as a student, and make lifelong friends. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the new All You Care To Eat meal plan on our Okanagan campus, and the excellent first-year Residence All Access Dining Plan on our Vancouver campus.

Here is a residence guide for prospective students who are gender diverse.

 

Move-in day on UBC’s Okanagan campus

Move-in day on UBC’s Vancouver campus

How do you apply?

If you have applied to UBC, you will be able to login to the Student Housing Online Service Centre with your EducationPlannerBC (EPBC credentials). This is the same account that you used to apply to UBC through the EducationPlannerBC website.

Should you apply if you haven’t received an offer of admission yet?

Yes. If you have applied to UBC and want to live in residence this fall, you need to apply by May 1 even if you haven’t received your offer of admission. The $50 application fee is non-refundable even if they are admitted.

 

What if residence isn’t for you?

If you’re not planning to live in residence, you can build your own home away from home at the UBC Collegia on our Okanagan and Vancouver campuses. These welcoming on-campus spaces are great spots to relax between classes, heat up your lunch, and connect with new friends.

We have guides for living off-campus for the Okanagan and Vancouver campuses to support new students and help them in their transition to the Kelowna and Vancouver communities.

 

 

You’ve been admitted to UBC. Now what?

You’ve been admitted to UBC. Now what?

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

Go Global

Go Global

Being a UBC student doesn’t mean that you need to stay in British Columbia. Through Go Global, UBC offers a variety of ways for you to explore the world while earning credits towards your degree.

Whether you want to live in Scotland for a year, spend a summer semester in Costa Rica or complete a global health practicum in Ghana and Zambia, there are plenty of international study options.

Go Global programs give you an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, get a deeper understanding of current international issues and ideas in the real world, and connect meaningfully with people in a host country as a student—not just as a tourist. They also allow you to gain confidence, take courses not offered at UBC, and still pay UBC fees outside of Canada.

The following are the programs that Go Global offers.

 

Exchange

 

With Go Global’s Exchange program, you can travel and study in another country for a term or longer while earning credits towards your degree. For example, you can explore pre-med or pre-law at Scotland’s University of Aberdeen or choose to go to Monash University at one of its campuses in Melbourne, Australia or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Find an Exchange experience. (Okanagan)

Find an Exchange experience. (Vancouver)

 

Summer Abroad 

 

For the Summer Abroad program, you can spend the summer studying in another country—such as France, India or Costa Rica—have fun, and get to know a new culture without interrupting your winter semester course load. You can also add a summer term before you begin your winter Exchange program.

Find a Summer Abroad experience. (Okanagan)

Find a Summer Abroad experience. (Vancouver)

 

Research Abroad

 

As a UBC student, you can get hands-on research experience at a university abroad and build non-credit work experience over the summer.

You can visit Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and conduct research in a laboratory on the shores of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps. Or you can build your own self-directed research experience at the University of Tokyo while taking part in Japanese cultural activities.

Find a Research Abroad program. (Okanagan)

Find a Research Abroad program. (Vancouver)

 

 

Global Seminars

 

Global Seminars offer you the chance to take UBC credit courses taught by UBC faculty members with a group of other students in a location around the world. Global Seminars are customized UBC courses involving engagement with international partners. They run in the summer and are each unique in terms of location, course content, length and cost. Study geographical migration patterns in Spain and Morocco, for example, or learn about sustainable food systems in Italy.

Find key dates and previous global seminars. (Okanagan)

Find key dates and previous global seminars. (Vancouver)

 

 

International Conferences and Special Programs

 

Through partnerships and memberships with international learning organizations, Go Global also offers a range of international programs beyond Exchange, Summer Abroad, Research Abroad, and Global Seminars.

Find an International Conference or Special Program.

 

Find more information and talk to a Go Global Advisor:

 

Go Global UBC Okanagan

goglobal.okanagan@ubc.ca

 

Go Global UBC Vancouver

go.global@ubc.ca

 

Imagine UBC orientation on the Vancouver campus

Imagine UBC orientation on the Vancouver campus

On September 3 join thousands of new-to-UBC students and hundreds of volunteers for Imagine UBC, an orientation event that celebrates the start of the academic year. For most undergraduate students, Imagine UBC replaces the first day of classes.

By late August you’ll receive an email with your personalized Imagine UBC schedule, where students will be invited to attend a variety of events throughout the day.

What to expect: new students

Imagine UBC is an incredible opportunity for first-year and transfer students to:

  • Make new friends
  • Meet student leaders, professors, and the Dean of your faculty
  • Find out about services and resources
  • Learn all the ways to get involved at UBC

Over the course of the day, you’ll connect with other new undergraduate students from your faculty, check out hundreds of booths hosted by current students for UBC’s clubs and organizations, and start to find your place at UBC. New-to-UBC students will receive an email by early September with their personalized Imagine UBC schedule.

What to expect: returning students

Learn more about your department or program, stop by the Main Event to explore hundreds of UBC clubs and resources, and feel the energy that comes with the start of a new academic year! Returning students will receive an email by early September with their personalized UBC schedule.

 

No matter who you are and what you are interested in, there is something for you at Imagine UBC.

– Indra Hayre, Arts student

 

Questions?

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to orientations.info@ubc.ca.

 


Heading to UBC’s Okanagan campus? Check out the details for your Create orientation!

 

 

 

Create orientation on the Okanagan campus

Create orientation on the Okanagan campus

Before you hit the books on your first day at UBC Okanagan, join other new-to-UBC students on campus for Create on September 2! Create is a free, day-long orientation event designed to welcome new students like you to the close-knit UBC community.

 

What to expect

Together with a small group of other UBC students from your degree or faculty, you’ll:

  • Meet your fellow students: Join with your Orientation Leader and a small group of fellow first-year students from your  faculty and take part in social events to have fun and make new friends. 
  • Enjoy an official welcome: Hear from UBC Okanagan leadership in a welcome ceremony, and have a chance to show your UBC Okanagan school spirit! 
  • Join workshops and information sessions: Hear from campus experts about their services and personal experiences to help shape your UBC Okanagan journey.  
  • Tour the campus: Take a guided tour of campus and locate all the essentials. 
  • Explore Showcase: Learn about the offerings of our exhibitors including student associations, on-campus departments and services, and organizations from the surrounding community. 

 

Who can attend

All new first-year UBC Okanagan students are encouraged to attend Create.

 

How to register

Register for Create – the first day of class will be here before you know it. Please register by August 20th to secure your spot!

 


Are you a student at UBC Vancouver? Check out the details for your orientation, Imagine UBC.

 

 

Health insurance at UBC

Health insurance at UBC

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.

 

 

UBC Collegia on the Vancouver campus: A home away from home for commuters

UBC Collegia on the Vancouver campus: A home away from home for commuters

If you’ll be commuting to campus, you’re part of the majority: more than 75% of students on UBC’s Vancouver campus bike, drive, or take transit to campus. As you begin to think about your first year at UBC, you may be wondering where you’ll be able to warm up your lunch, relax between classes, or meet people.

UBC Collegia on the Vancouver campus provide all of this and more. Each space has a kitchen, comfy couches, and friendly advisors who are happy to chat and help you settle into life at UBC. There are also lots of activities designed to connect you with new friends, on-campus services, and peer support.

 

 

What you’ll find in your Collegia

In your first-year Collegia, you can expect:

  • Bright, open space with floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Kitchen facilities with an oven, microwaves, refrigerators, small appliances, dishes, and cutlery
  • Study spaces with desks, lamps, and shelves
  • Comfortable lounge chairs, sofas, and fireplace
  • End-of-trip facilities including showers and lockers
  • Secure Wifi and plenty of outlets to charge your devices
  • A social area with board games, cards, and activities

 

šxʷta:təχʷəm

šxʷta:təχʷəm is a community for Indigenous students of all years, both undergraduate and graduate, to meet one another, connect over their experiences at UBC, and learn from upper-year peer leaders and faculty members.

First-year Indigenous students will have access to both a first-year Collegia community as well as the šxʷta:təχʷəm community.

 

What students are saying

“I always feel welcome when I visit Collegia, which is almost every day. It is an amazing place just to take a break from a hectic school day or to just visit and socialize.”

– Collegia member, first-year Arts, Vancouver campus


“UBC Collegia was a space where I could catch up with friends during the day and study in the evenings. I got a good head start on getting involved, learning about the resources on campus, and getting myself to delve out of my comfort zone. Overall, I definitely feel more equipped to venture off to second year with the start UBC Collegia provided.”

– Collegia member, first-year Science, Vancouver campus

 

How to get involved

If you’re a first-year commuter student on UBC’s Vancouver campus and you’re interested in Collegia, register now to secure your spot.

If you’ve self-identified as an Indigenous student in UBC’s Workday, then you will be automatically granted access to šxʷta:təχʷəm in the fall!