UBC admissions blog

Every UBC student needs to create a Campus-wide Login (CWL) once they’ve accepted their offer of admission. UBC’s CWL gives you access to UBC’s websites for the duration of your studies (including Workday Student, UBC Library, Canvas, and others), enabling you to use the same username and password across all websites.

When do you need to create your UBC CWL?

 

The first time you’ll need a CWL will be to log into Workday Student, UBC’s student information system, to register for your courses. Before then, you can use your EducationPlanner BC (EPBC) username and password to log into:

• The Education Planner BC website (EPBC) to apply to UBC.
• The Applicant Service Centre (ASC) to check your application status, see next steps required to complete your application, upload documents required by UBC, and accept or decline your offer of admission.
• The Housing website (UBC Okanagan | UBC Vancouver) to apply for student housing, check the status of your housing application, and make payments to your residence account.

 

UBC will email you when it’s time to prepare for registration – providing you with your registration date and time. When it’s your time to log into Workday Student to prepare to register for your courses, that’s when you’ll need to create your UBC CWL.

How do you create your UBC CWL?

 

You need an active student number to create a CWL Student Account. This is why you should not create a CWL before you have accepted your offer of admission to UBC.

 

Once you’ve accepted your offer of admission, find out how to create your UBC CWL Student Account by reading the “Student Accounts (CWL Account Upgrader)” section on the UBC CWL website. You’ll use your EPBC username and password to log into the CWL Account Upgrader. Then, simply follow the steps to create your CWL.

 

Do you need a CWL to apply to UBC, check your application status, or apply for housing?

 

No, new undergraduate students do not need a CWL for these websites. Simply use the EPBC username and password that you created to apply to UBC via the EducationPlanner BC website.

 

If you created a CWL before accepting your offer of admission to UBC your CWL might not work. Why?

 

If you created a CWL before accepting your offer of admission, your new UBC CWL will not be properly connected to your application to UBC. You’ll likely find that you aren’t able to log into the Applicant Service Centre with this unconnected UBC CWL.

 

If this happens to you, you can use your EducationPlanner BC username and password to log into the Applicant Service Centre.

But you’ll need to contact UBC so we can connect your UBC CWL with your application. This process can take a week or two.

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.

Last updated: March 22, 2024

International students need a valid study permit to attend UBC. Study permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government department that handles immigration. As an international student, you’ll either need to extend your existing study permit from inside of Canada or apply for a new study permit from outside of Canada.

 

You’ll need to apply for a new study permit or an extension directly with IRCC as soon as you are able. You can’t apply for a study permit until you’ve accepted your offer of admission and paid the deposit. For new study permit applications from outside Canada, you must also receive a Provincial Attestation Letter before you can apply for your study permit. You must have your application approved and receive your letter of introduction from IRCC.

 

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need a medical exam or you may need to provide biometric information in addition to supporting documentation. To get started:

 

For international undergraduate students outside Canada

If you are applying for a new study permit from outside of Canada, you need a Provincial Attestation Letter. To apply for your study permit:

1. Verify your personal information with UBC. Log in to the Applicant Service Centre, click Edit Profile and select Contact Summary to confirm that your name matches the name on your passport and that your home address and birthdate is correct. You can update your address there. To update your name or other personal information, email us at ubc.pal@ubc.ca.
2. Accept your offer of admission and pay your deposit.
3. UBC will send you your Provincial Attestation Letter in about 3 business days. Check your email account that UBC has on record to get your Provincial Attestation Letter.
4. Download your letter of admission from UBC. Log in to the Applicant Service Centre, click Admissions, and select Letter of Admission. You will need both your offer of admission and your Provincial Attestation Letter in your study permit application.
5. Follow the steps to apply. Learn more about how to apply for an initial study permit for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver.

 

For international undergraduate students inside Canada

If you are extending your study permit from inside of Canada before it becomes invalid, you don’t need a Provincial Attestation Letter. You can confirm that you’re exempt from requiring a Provincial Attestation Letter on the IRCC website. To extend your study permit:

1. Accept your offer of admission and pay your deposit.
2. Download your letter of admission from UBC. Log in to the Applicant Service Centre, click Admissions, and select Letter of Admission.
3. Follow the steps to apply. Learn more about how to apply for a study permit extension for UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver.

 

If you are in Canada as a visitor or asylum seeker, contact International Student Advising at UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver for support. 

All of your hard work has paid off, and you’ve been admitted to UBC! The road ahead is filled with crucial tasks to ensure that you’re ready for your first year of university – including planning your finances, registering for courses, and getting mentally prepared for life at UBC.

Take a look at these tips from four UBC students and one UBC advisor on how to make the upcoming months simple and stress-free.

Meet the students

An Goto | Bali, Indonesia

Chemistry (Honours), Mathematics (Minor)

“I chose UBC because I thought that the learning environment offered at the Okanagan campus exactly met the criteria that I had for an ideal university.”

 

Abdullah Khair | Amman, Jordan

Chemical Engineering

“The student-centred environment at the university stood out to me and made me realize that there are endless ways to grow and discover myself on this campus.”

 

Thao Atkinson | Métis, Midway, Canada

Commerce

“I loved the values UBC had and the high level of support UBC has for Indigenous students. I felt it was important for me to be in a community where I could exceed academically, but also have a sense of community.”

 

Moozhan Ahmadzadegan | Lake Country, Canada

Visual Arts (Major), Art History (Minor)

“UBC is one of the best universities in the world, plus, I was born and raised in the Okanagan. It seemed only natural that I attend university in the place I call home.”

 

Claudia | UBC advisor

As a UBC staff member dedicated to helping students, Claudia has many useful tips for you: “As a UBC advisor, I wear many hats. I specialize in financial advising, but I can also answer questions about undergraduate admissions, fees, tuition, registration, financial support, exams, graduation, transcripts, and so much more. If you have a question I can’t answer, I likely know the person or department who can.”

 

 

Accepting your offer

“My Peer Mentor helped with the transition into university by letting me know about events and other opportunities for students on campus.” – Moozhan

“My UBC advisor was extremely helpful to me, and especially at the beginning of my university career as I was still figuring out the very little details about being a student at UBC. This included things like how to pay my tuition, registering for courses, and transferring over some of my high school credits.” – Abdullah

 

 

Applying for a study permit

“UBC’s International Student Guide is your go-to online resource for information on immigration, health insurance, taxes, and more. There’s even a study permit tutorial.” – Claudia, UBC Advisor

 

 

Planning your finances

“My UBC advisor helped me make sure how I knew how to handle money and how to budget for the year. He’s awesome!” – Thao

“Look for external awards and opportunities through banks, companies, and Internet-based databases like Scholarships Canada and yconic.” – Claudia, UBC Advisor

 

 

Finding a place to live

“If you live in residence, you have to vacate your room at the end of each academic year. Keep your belongings as compact as possible for smooth moving.” – An

“My residence room must-haves are a comfy pillow, snacks, and an alarm clock.” – Thao

“I always kept some late-night study snacks as you don’t really get access to a kitchen or hot food past a certain hour in university residence.” – Abdullah

 

 

Exploring your academic options

“The best part of being a Chemistry major is about the opportunity to be able to meet with professors who not only shaped me towards being a well-rounded chemist, but also a more independent individual.” – An

“When I picked my program, I was intrigued by the programs that the Sauder School of Business offered. This included co-op opportunities, global exchanges, and the various clubs offered by UBC.” – Thao

“I picked Engineering as I was interested in different sciences and mathematics. The best part about my degree at UBC is that they provide a general engineering program during first year and then you get to choose which specialty you’d like to be enrolled in.” – Abdullah

“My Visual Arts Course Union offers different opportunities to plan or volunteer at. It really creates a community within a program and is a great way to make connections and gain valuable experiences. It’s also a great chance to be involved and learn new things outside the classroom.” – Moozhan

 

 

Registering for courses

“Throughout my journey at UBC, I planned my courses by referencing the degree requirements for my Chemistry and Mathematics degrees, which were located in UBC’s Academic Calendar.” – An

“I had to register for some extra electives, and found that the Degree Navigator tool in the Student Services Centre was extremely useful in laying out what courses satisfy the elective requirements I had.” – Abdullah

“There is a lot to choose from, and it can be a challenge to narrow down your interests. Most of my courses were required, so that helped. My advice for first-timers: pick something you think will sustain your interest over the semester.” – Moozhan

“If your faculty does not have a standard timetable, reach out to older students who can help you with the process! UBC’s welcome events were a great way to meet upper year students who love to support and help incoming students.” – Thao

 

 

Getting ready for life at UBC!

“UBC offers a variety of support, courses and clubs that will undoubtedly pique your interest. If you’re thinking about coming to UBC, go to the orientations they provide, ask other students your questions, and research the things that you value!” – Thao

“Make sure university is what you want – it’s a commitment and can be a really great experience. UBC is an exceptional university and having the opportunity to attend a place of inclusion and acceptance is definitely a good incentive.” – Moozhan

“Finding community may seem a little overwhelming. However, with time and as you settle in, you will slowly find yourself immersed in many smaller groups at UBC. Whether that’s through your faculty, classes, or clubs, the smaller communities will make UBC feel like a bigger home to you.” – Abdullah