As soon as you’ve been admitted to UBC, you can begin thinking about the courses you’ll take in first year. If you familiarize yourself with how to read course descriptions now, you’ll have a head start when it’s time to build your course timetable. Registration for courses at UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver begins in June. UBC will email you with your assigned registration date and time two weeks before you’re eligible to register.

Review your degree requirements

It’s important to be aware of your degree requirements. These are the courses you must complete to graduate with your chosen degree. Step seven of the Next steps for admitted students guide lists the basic requirements for each degree, but some degrees may require additional courses.

For a full list of your degree requirements, check out the Academic Calendar and your faculty website:

• List of faculties and schools at UBC Okanagan
• List of faculties and schools at UBC Vancouver

If you have questions, you can contact Academic Advising at UBC Okanagan or an academic advisor for your faculty at UBC Vancouver.

Pay close attention to any English requirements

Most undergraduate degrees at UBC also have an English, communication, or writing requirement that applies to all students, regardless of first language or citizenship.

Most UBC faculties on either campus will require you to take three or six credits of first-year English, and you should check your faculty requirements before you register to be sure that you are taking the right ones for your program.

• Learn more about first-year English requirements at UBC Okanagan
• Learn more about first-year English courses at UBC Vancouver

Start exploring your options

Most students are able to fit in a few courses beyond their degree requirements – and there’s a wide range to choose from. Taking courses outside your faculty is highly encouraged at UBC, so don’t be shy about choosing electives that take you beyond your degree and help you pursue other interests. Start exploring the Academic Calendar and see what you find!

Now that you’ve accepted your offer, you may be thinking about planning your courses for September 2024. Course registration starts in June and takes place over several weeks. But there’s no action for you to take just yet. You will receive an email from UBC with your assigned registration date and time two weeks before you’re eligible to register.

In the meantime, you can prepare for your UBC studies by:

• Applying for a study permit (if you need one);
• Planning your finances;
• Finding a place to live during your studies (including applying for on-campus housing);
• Exploring your academic options;
• Taking a self-guided virtual tour of your campus.

When and where will you plan your course schedule?

UBC’s course schedule for September 2024 is not available yet but when it is available, you’ll access it in UBC’s new student information system called Workday Student. Workday Student is replacing a system called the Student Service Centre (SSC). You’ll do your course planning and you’ll register for your courses online in Workday Student.

UBC will email you in late May 2024 to let you know when you’ll have access to Workday Student. When you gain access to Workday Student, you’ll also be provided with step-by-step instructions that are designed to help you register for your courses – from logging in and viewing your course schedule to creating a saved course schedule, resolving course conflicts, and preparing for registration day.

When will you register for courses?

Two weeks before you’re eligible to register for courses, you will receive an email from UBC with your assigned registration date and time (and a link to Workday Student). It’s very important that you register on that specific date at that specific time – regardless of where you are in the world – for the best chance of securing your first choice of courses.

Will you need to access the Student Service Centre?

If you’ve accepted an offer of admission to UBC for the 2024/25 academic year starting in September 2024 or later, you are not required to access the Student Service Centre (SSC). In fact, you will receive an error if you try to log into the SSC. This error is expected behaviour because UBC is currently transitioning to the new student information system, Workday Student.

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