UBC admissions blog

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.

Are you looking to challenge yourself academically, or boost yourself towards your academic goals? The UBC Future Global Leaders Winter Online program is designed for you. For ten weeks, learn online from UBC professors and affiliated instructors as you delve deeper into your academic interests, and discover what learning is like at the first-year level at a top-tier university. It’s a great way to figure out what your passions are while you’re still in high school, and prepare yourself for success at university and beyond.

What can you study?

This January, you can choose from four engaging academic courses, all taught by UBC professors and affiliated instructors. Every academic course features 10 live virtual classes, designed to give you a taste of a university subject without the stress of exams.

• Introduction to Business Foundations: Study the importance of core business functions, including finance, accounting, marketing and human resource management. If you’re interested in pursuing a degree in business, this course is the perfect fit.
• Introduction to Engineering: If you’re fascinated by engineering, architecture or applied science, this course is for you. Find out about the engineering profession, and the disciplines of chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering.
• Introduction to Psychology: Learn about the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. This program is excellent if you’re thinking of majoring in psychology or if you’re interested in the social sciences, applied sciences, or medicine.
• Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Topics: If you’re interested in studying medicine, health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, psychology, or dentistry, this course is for you. Medical anthropology is the study of health, illness, and healing from a cross-cultural perspective and draws on theories in anthropology to create better healthcare. You’ll explore topics such as medical regulation, genetics, cancer, addiction, medical ethics, mental health, and the law.

Who can take part?

To register for a UBC Future Global Leaders Online course, you must be 15 to 18 years old and have completed Grade 10 or equivalent. We suggest that you have a grade point average of 78% or letter grade B or higher, or a minimum IB final grade of 5. You don’t need to submit any transcripts to register.

If you want to register for an academic course and English is not your first language, we recommend an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.0 or equivalent, or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet-based score of 80 or equivalent. You don’t need to provide your scores, and can self-assess your own levels.

Registration is easy!

No application, transcripts, or proof of English is required. Just check your eligibility, and register for the courses you’re interested in!

The academic courses run from January 18 to March 22, 2025, with your 10 live virtual classes scheduled on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT.

UBC President Bursary Program for high school students in British Columbia

The UBC Future Global Leaders program will award a number of bursaries to Grade 11 high school students in BC. It will cover full tuition for one 10-week winter academic course of your choice.

To be considered for a bursary:

• You must have an overall average of 80% or higher, and 80% or higher in Grade 11 English (or equivalent). If you are entering Grade 11, you must have an overall average of 80% or higher, and 80% or higher in Grade 10 English (or equivalent).
• You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• You must live in a lower income household, and your parent(s) or caregiver(s) must not have attended a university or university-college.

We accept bursary applications year-round and evaluate applications as we receive them.

Choosing where you want to go to university is a big decision. We understand that you want to apply to the right school, so our knowledgeable and friendly advisors are here to help you

In addition to the events that we’re offering to all students throughout the fall, Indigenous students are also invited to join our Indigenous sessions tailored to you.

Indigenous events

At our Indigenous events, you will hear about what it’s like to be a UBC student at one of our two beautiful campuses.

There are four different kinds of events on offer from October to December:

Indigenous Campus Tours

Meet an Indigenous student ambassador who will highlight their favourite locations on either of our two campuses, show you Indigenous-specific spaces, and help you navigate programs and resources for Indigenous students. After the tour, an Indigenous Recruiter Advisor will be available to answer your questions.

To register for an Indigenous campus tour, please email indigenous.tours@ubc.ca.

All About UBC for Indigenous Students

Join our Indigenous Recruitment team for a one-hour introduction to UBC. You’ll discover what it’s like to be an Indigenous student at UBC, learn about the admission requirements, and find out how to apply. The Indigenous Recruitment team will also provide details on UBC’s Indigenous communities and spaces, the resources and services available at our two campuses, and the funding and awards that you can access. Your parents or guardians are also welcome to attend!

Indigenous UBC Application Workshop

Find out about UBC’s application process for Indigenous students with this hands-on workshop. Our Indigenous Recruiter advisors will walk you through a demonstration of UBC’s online application, and provide tips on applying for UBC’s Indigenous-specific awards. You’ll also learn about the programs and services for Indigenous students found on both campuses. Your parents or guardians are also welcome to attend!

Indigenous Finances at UBC Workshop

Learn about UBC’s Indigenous-specific awards and deadlines, and get tips for submitting your awards applications. Your parents or guardians are welcome to attend.

How to register for an event

1. Visit our tours and events page
2. Click “create account” or log inusing the buttons in the top right hand corner. When you create an account, make sure you self-identify as Indigenous.
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 or search “Indigenous” to see events specifically for Indigenous students.
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.

Please note: it may take up to 24 hours after creating your account for the system to allow you to register for events. If, after 24 hours, you’re still having issues with registering for events, please reach out to indigenous.recruitment@ubc.ca.

To register for an Indigenous campus tour, please email indigenous.tours@ubc.ca.

We’re looking forward to meeting you!

Choosing where to go to university is a big decision. At UBC, you also have to choose which campus you want to go to. UBC’s Okanagan campus is located in beautiful Kelowna, which is known for its growing tech industry and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, biking, swimming, and skiing. UBC Okanagan is a modern, close-knit community campus and a state-of-the-art centre for research and learning.

We’re hosting a number of information sessions throughout the fall so that you can learn more about UBC’s Okanagan campus and the world-class academic experience available.

UBC advisors and current students will share detailed information about the exceptional learning and living environment available to you in the Okanagan. You will also learn about the application process and have an opportunity to participate in a Q & A.

The follow events are all in-person. Students can register at the links below.

Vancouver: Discover UBC’s Okanagan Campus

When: October 18 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Where: Prince of Wales Secondary School

Kelowna: Discover UBC’s Okanagan Campus

When: October 21 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Where: UBC Okanagan – UNC Ballroom

North Surrey: Discover UBC’s Okanagan Campus

When: October 26 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Where: Princess Margaret Secondary School

South Surrey: Discover UBC’s Okanagan Campus

When: November 2 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Where: Elgin Park Secondary School

Victoria: Discover UBC’s Okanagan Campus

When: November 2 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Where: Oak Bay Secondary School

North Vancouver: Discover UBC’s Okanagan Campus

When: November 8 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Where: Argyle Secondary School

Kelowna: Discover UBC’s Okanagan Campus

When: November 25 from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Where: UBC Okanagan – UNC Ballroom

If you want to learn about the Okanagan campus before the event, you can take a self-guided virtual tour of the campus.

We’re looking forward to meeting you!