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Programs spotlight: Education

By Crissy Campbell on May 23, 2023

Programs spotlight: Education

Do you believe education should put students and the quality of their learning first? Do you enjoy sharing knowledge with others and helping people find and develop their innate talent? Consider one of UBC’s seven Bachelor of Education degrees for an internationally recognized learning experience that will launch your career as an educator in Canada and beyond.

Explore your program options

Elementary, Middle, or Secondary School

Gain hands-on experience teaching elementary, middle, or secondary school curricula in one of UBC’s education programs. Choose between Teaching Children and Teaching Adolescents at UBC Okanagan, or Elementary and Middle Years and Secondary at UBC Vancouver. Students in all programs will complete school-based practicums and engage in collaborative learning with instructors, classmates, practising educators, and community partners, and have the opportunity to participate in place-based learning opportunities.

West Kootenay Teacher Education Program

If you believe rural and small school settings present exciting educational opportunities for teachers, the West Kootenay Teacher Education Program (WKTEP) could be for you. Based in the WKTEP Learning Centre in Nelson, BC, and in the surrounding communities, this 11-month post-degree program offers an opportunity to develop the professional qualities and practices necessary to teach in today’s complex learning environments. With a strong focus on community, collaboration, and innovation, you’ll graduate prepared to teach in an elementary, middle, or secondary school setting.

Indigenous Teacher Education Program

Build upon your Indigenous identity and cultural heritage while learning how to be an effective educator in public, band, and independent schools in BC. In the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP), you’ll develop the skills and academic knowledge expected of beginning educators and complete a specialization in Indigenous Education. As a student at UBC Vancouver, you’ll have access to the Xwi7xwa Library, a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship.

International Baccalaureate

Join a community of students focused on international education in Canada’s first IB-recognized teacher education program. You’ll learn key concepts and transdisciplinary themes through enriching, hands-on learning opportunities that promote discovery, exploration, and thinking about real-world issues. You’ll graduate with a strong foundation in the educational practices and underpinnings of IB, and will be eligible for the Level 1 IB Educator credential.

 

See a full list of education programs at UBC

 

 

Programs spotlight: History, law, and politics

By Crissy Campbell on April 19, 2023

Programs spotlight: History, law, and politics

Deepen your knowledge of the past and build on your understanding of current events by studying one of UBC’s history, law, and politics programs. The topics within these fields are wide-ranging – Indigenous studies, religion, international relations, anthropology – and can lead to a number of diverse career paths, including social work, journalism, government work, education, and more.

 

Explore your program options

International Relations

In the International Relations program at UBC Okanagan, you’ll develop a solid background in related areas of political science, history, sociology, anthropology, economics, and modern languages. The program stresses critical thinking, and will equip you with the skills necessary to assess the contours and dynamics of international politics and events – from conflicts in Afghanistan and the Congo, to the rise of women as political actors.

 

The student scoop

Danilo, Honours Political Science

Meet Danilo, an Honours Political Science alum who chose UBC because it’s the most international university in North America.

Political Science

In the Political Science program at UBC Vancouver, you’ll study the nature, causes, and consequences of collective decisions and actions taken by groups of people embedded in cultures and institutions that structure power and authority. Topics include the nature of power, the causes of conflict, the tensions of Canadian federalism, security in the post-Cold War international system, globalization, critiques of liberal democracy, feminist analysis, democratization, the rise of Asia, and much more.

 

The student scoop

Dela Hini, Political Science

Meet Dela, a Sociology and Political Science student who found her calling by getting involved with student leadership.

Indigenous Studies

In the Indigenous Studies program at UBC Okanagan, you can build the foundational skills needed to pursue a career in government, Aboriginal Peoples organizations, Indigenous leadership roles, or resource management. Your studies will include Indigenous perspectives and governance, the justice system, land claims, traditional ecological knowledge, and the protection of heritage in the Okanagan, Canada, US, and world communities.

 

The student scoop

Duncan McCue, UBC Law

Meet Duncan, a UBC Law alum who became an award-winning reporter for the CBC.

Law

The Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC Vancouver is one of Canada’s leading law schools, and has a strong global reputation. Innovative researchers, inspiring teachers, and outstanding graduates have established a national presence and international reach. You’ll receive a first-rate legal education that balances traditional areas of practice with emerging fields of specialization.

 

See a full list of history, law, and politics programs at UBC

 

 

Programs spotlight: Engineering and technology

By Crissy Campbell on March 23, 2023

Programs spotlight: Engineering and technology

Are you looking for a future-proof profession? Pursuing an education in a STEM field is a surefire way to equip yourself with the skills and knowledge to secure a bright career path. UBC’s engineering and technology programs will challenge you intellectually, connect you with a community of dedicated scientists and engineers, and open a world of opportunities.

 

Explore your program options

Mechanical Engineering

In the Mechanical Engineering program at UBC Okanagan you’ll investigate practical, hands-on ways of creating and improving physical systems to meet the demand of modern industries – from aircraft and energy systems to biomedical, mechatronics, and manufacturing. The program is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers and will help you master fundamental engineering concepts while learning more about the application of practical design skills.

The student scoop

Hellen L, Civil Engineering

Meet Hellen, a Civil Engineering student who loves UBC Okanagan’s community feel and the closer, mentor-like relationships she is able to have with her instructors.

Wood Products Processing

The Wood Products Processing program at UBC Vancouver begins with foundational courses in math, physics, and chemistry, and transitions into developing your knowledge of wood and material science, and wood processing technologies. You’ll study in the award-winning Forest Sciences Centre and the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing, Canada’s national centre of excellence for wood products. In your senior years, you’ll learn how to analyze and optimize manufacturing operations, finishing up with a major project drawing on your personal interests.

 

 

The student scoop

Andrew K., Mechanical Engineering

Meet Andrew, a Mechanical Engineering alum who is now an engineer at Tesla. While at UBC, Andrew gained real-life experience through student design teams, internships and co-ops.

Data Science

UBC’s Data Science program at the UBC Okanagan is grounded in statistics – to formulate relevant questions and determine the answer based on data – and computer science – to manipulate and visualize data efficiently. You’ll learn more about decision-making supported by data while taking courses in machine learning, network science, data analytics, and much more. Your courses will prepare you for graduate studies, or for careers in e-commerce, finance, government, genomics, entertainment and sports, management, and other areas that increasingly rely on data sets.

 

The student scoop

Jason Samuel Suwito, Data Science

Meet Jason, a Data Science student who has found success within UBC Okanagan’s diverse community.

Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineers use engineering tools like design, modelling, and fabrication, and apply them to science and healthcare issues. They develop new technologies that enable doctors, therapists, biotech companies, and researchers to improve human health. As a Biomedical Engineering student at UBC Vancouver, you’ll take specialized courses to help you build a unique foundation in engineering, biology, math, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, design, and the healthcare system. In your third year, you’ll have the chance to customize your degree based on your interests.

 

See a full list of engineering and technology programs at UBC

 

 

Programs spotlight: Business and economics

By Crissy Campbell on February 24, 2023

Programs spotlight: Business and economics

Maybe you started a lemonade stand as a kid, or you watched the world markets before you could even buy stock. Perhaps you have a shrewd mind for business, or a curiosity for commerce. UBC’s business and economics programs can foster that budding interest and help you hone in on your niche, whether you have leadership ambitions and dreams of the C-suite, or you want to get in the weeds as a business analyst.

UBC’s range of programs and the opportunities for specialization within them can take you where you want to go after graduation.

 

Explore your program options

Management

Are you looking to use your leadership skills to make a difference in the world? In the Bachelor of Management at UBC Okanagan, you’ll learn how to incorporate social, financial, and environmental sustainability into the way organizations are run. You’ll finish the degree with hands-on experience creating real-life management solutions for one of UBC’s partner organizations. After graduating, you’ll be ready to work within your community, launch your own business, or empower organizational change.

 

The student scoop

Baljit Badhan

Discover how the Bachelor of Management program taught three students the skills to achieve their goals, including fighting for marginalized people in India, helping Indigenous communities in Canada, and launching their own business.

 

Manufacturing Engineering

As a manufacturing engineer, you’ll be tasked with turning raw material into new products in the most effective, efficient, and economical way you can. It’s your job to research and develop tools, processes, machines, and equipment, and to combine them all to meet your goals. At UBC, you’ll get the chance to master the entire manufacturing process, from designing concepts and creating mechanical parts all the way through to product delivery. Studying Manufacturing Engineering at UBC Okanagan or UBC Vancouver – or both – you’ll gain the technical skills to set you up for a broad range of jobs in the industry.

 

Commerce

The Bachelor of Commerce at UBC Vancouver will provide you with a solid foundation of business basics and management skills you’ll need to thrive in your chosen career. Sharpen your critical thinking, problem solving, communication, organization, and leadership while you study a diverse range of course offerings that allow you to tailor your degree to your interests and career aspirations. Specialization options include accounting; business technology management; entrepreneurship; finance; general business management; global supply chain and logistics management; marketing; operations and logistics; organizational behaviour and human resources; and real estate.

 

The student scoop

Andrej G, Commerce Student

Meet Andrej, a student from Slovakia who chose UBC’s Commerce program, with a specialization in Finance, for its emphasis on teamwork and critical thinking and its strong career development support.

Food and Resource Economics

As climate change continues to threaten species and cultures, a booming industry has emerged around foodstuffs and natural resources. In the Bachelor of Science in Food and Resource Economics at UBC Vancouver, you’ll learn what the limitations and solutions are for optimizing the global food supply, and find out how best to deal with the world’s diminishing natural resources. In addition to gaining deep subject knowledge, you’ll discover how to work with large data sets and develop your critical thinking and analytical skills. During your studies, you’ll be able to take a number of business management electives, allowing you to finish the program ready to work in the food, agricultural, and natural resource sectors.

 

See a full list of business and economics programs at UBC

 

 

Should you join the Land One study option in first year?

By Crissy Campbell on February 23, 2023

Should you join the Land One study option in first year?

Transitioning from high school to university can seem daunting at first. To make the move as easy as possible, UBC offers a selection of first-year study options designed to help you build a community and take the stress out of registering for classes.

If you have been accepted into the Forestry or Land and Food Systems faculties, you are eligible to apply for the Land One study option.

 

What is Land One?

Land One includes a selection of core courses in Biology, Economics, Math, and English, as well as an integrative seminar. You’ll take all of these key classes with the 50 to 60 students who are admitted to the study option. You will also take part in a seminar, where you’ll enjoy hands-on experiences, build relationships with your instructors, and learn how to solve the problems that are negatively impacting our land.

 

Why should you choose a first-year study option?

If you’re looking to make new friends from your first day, Land One could be the right path for you. You’ll benefit from smaller class sizes in select courses and your seminar group, a dedicated study space, and low student-to-instructor ratios.

 

 

Is Land One right for you?

To take part in Land One, you’ll need to take all of the classes required for the program, which will provide you with 16 credits that can be applied to meet your program requirements. On top of that, you’ll have time to choose additional courses in your first year that help you meet additional requirements and build your own educational path.

Land One’s seminar course covers a range of issues related to land use, climate change, food security, and sustainability. Much of your time will be spent discussing and addressing how to solve these problems, and you’ll also take part in some hands-on activities. You’ll also visit the UBC Farm to learn more about sustainable food systems, and enjoy a two-day field trip to UBC’s Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, where you’ll experience the coastal old-growth rainforest first-hand.

If you’re in Forestry, Land One is particularly useful if you plan to major in Forest Resources Management or if you’re taking your Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Conservation.

If you’re in Land and Food Systems, you’re eligible for enrolment in Land One if you’re taking a Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology, or a Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health. Land One will prepare you for all majors across those two programs.

 

How to apply

Applications to Land One open in the spring, and the deadline is May 15, 2023. Once you have been accepted onto your Forestry or Land and Food Systems degree program, you will need to submit an online application through Land One’s website. As part of the process, you’ll be asked to write a letter of intent (500 words maximum) explaining why you want to join the Land One cohort. Land One is limited by size, so apply early!

Enrolment in the study option may require additional high school courses not required for admission, so it’s important to check the requirements online.

 

 

Explore your university interests with the UBC Future Global Leaders program

By Crissy Campbell on February 15, 2023

Explore your university interests with the UBC Future Global Leaders program

If you’re a high school student aged 15 to 18, get a head start on your academic goals with the UBC Future Global Leaders program. Explore your academic interests with a top-tier university, try a popular subject without the stress of exams, and make lifelong friends. This pre-university program is a great way to work out what your passions are while you’re still in high school, and prepare yourself for success at university and beyond.

This year, you can enjoy the full university experience by attending Future Global Leaders at the beautiful UBC Vancouver campus, or study from anywhere in the world in the comfort of your own home with online courses.

 

Study on campus

At our UBC Future Global Leaders On-Campus program, you can choose between living the full university experience by staying in a UBC student residence, or commuting daily to UBC Vancouver. Either way, you’ll spend an unforgettable summer discovering your passions and challenging yourself, making new friends, and exploring UBC’s stunning campus. When you finish your program, you’ll receive a letter of completion.

Discover your interests and passions

Choose from over 20 university level courses in:

  • Business and Economics
  • Engineering, Technology, and Emerging Technologies
  • Health and Life Sciences
  • History, Law, and Politics
  • Media and Fine Arts
  • People, Culture, and Society

Each two-week program includes morning classes, afternoon workshops, and fun social activities. You can also consider taking two courses in another session and stay at UBC for four or six weeks.

Try a digital media bootcamp at UBC’s sister site
You can also study virtual reality, 3D asset creation, or game design in bootcamps at the Centre for Digital Media (CDM), a state-of-the-art school in Vancouver co-owned by UBC. CDM is a 45-minute public bus ride from the campus. If you’re staying in a UBC residence, you’ll commute with other students with the help of a student monitor.

See all UBC Future Global Leaders On-Campus courses and dates

 

Study online

Future Global Leaders blog

Taught by UBC professors and instructors, these three-week online courses are a great way to explore popular subjects before you apply to university, all from the comfort of your home. You’ll enjoy small virtual classes with a maximum of 35 students, chat with your instructor, and hang out with other students in the Virtual Lounge hosted by online student ambassadors.

Each course runs from Monday to Friday, with two hours of live online classes a day (Vancouver/Pacific Time). You’ll enjoy a classroom experience and interactive exercises and activities without the stress of exams. Throughout the three weeks, you’ll get to know your classmates and instructor in small breakout rooms, and when you finish your course, you’ll receive a letter of completion.

Discover your courses

  • Introduction to Business Foundations
  • Introduction to Engineering
  • Introduction to Python for Machine Learning
  • Introduction to Philosophy
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Business and Social Impact
  • Introduction to Data Analysis and Visualization
  • Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Topics
  • The Origins of International Criminal Law

You can also get ready to apply to university with our eight-week university preparation courses, Writing Effective University Applications and Academic Skills for University Success. These courses are self-paced, and you can log in anytime. As part of the course, you’ll get personalized feedback from the instructor on your university application assignments.

See all UBC Future Global Leaders online courses and dates 

 

Dates and deadlines

On-campus course dates:

Session 1: July 3−14, 2023

Session 2: July 17 − July 28, 2023

Session 3: (Emerging Technologies): July 31 – August 11, 2023

 

On-campus registration deadlines:

Residence option registration deadline: June 2, 2023

Commuter option registration deadline: June 16, 2023

 

Online course dates:

Session 1: July 3−21, 2023: Monday to Friday, 10am – 12pm PST

Session 2: July 24 −August 11, 2023: Monday to Friday, 5pm – 7pm PST

 

Online course registration deadline:

Register up until the day before the course starts, as long as space is available.

 

How to register

Registration is now open for online and on-campus. No application, transcripts, or proof of English is required.

  1. Select the course(s) you’re interested in in your preferred session.
  2. For on-campus courses, choose between Canadian student and international student, residence option and commuter option, and scheduled payment if you want to pay the deposit now and the balance later. You will not have these options for online courses.
  3. Click add to cart.
  4. Click complete registration and make your payment.

Registration is first-come-first-served. We recommend registering early as some of the courses fill up very quickly.

 

Who can take part?

To register for a UBC Future Global Leaders 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.

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.

 

UBC President Bursary Program for high school students in British Columbia

The UBC Future Global Leaders program awards bursaries to Grade 11 high school students (or those who have just completed Grade 10) in BC, who have financial need. Each bursary covers full tuition for one on-campus or online course of your choice.

To be considered for the 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, live in a lower income household, and your parent(s) or caregiver(s) must not have attended a university or university-college.

 

See what the UBC Future Global Leaders program is like

Which Arts first-year study option is right for you?

By Crissy Campbell on February 7, 2023

Which Arts first-year study option is right for you?

After you’ve been admitted to the Bachelor of Arts degree, you’ll have to decide which courses to take when registration opens in June. That might seem like a long way off, but it’s worth thinking in advance about how you might like to structure your timetable.

There are two ways to shape your first year in the Faculty of Arts. The first, the Custom Timetable, lets you pick the classes you’re most interested in and build your own schedule. The second lets you join a predesigned course schedule for your first year, where you’ll take nearly all of your classes with the same people.

For Arts students, there are two of these predesigned options to choose from: Arts One and the Coordinated Arts Program (CAP).

 

What are Arts One and CAP?

Arts One and CAP allow students to study together in small classes (between 20 and 100 students). Each brings courses and ideas together across different disciplines – for example literature, history, psychology, economics, and philosophy – by focusing on a shared topic or theme.

To complete either study option, you’ll need to take all of the courses in the standard timetable, which are collectively worth 18 credits. You can also take up to two additional courses of your choice each semester.

 

Why should you choose Arts One or CAP?

Arts One and CAP ease the transition from high school to university by offering standard timetables, coordinated assignment schedules, access to an exclusive study space, dedicated academic advisors, and support from your fellow students and faculty.

Both study options admit a small number of students – around 100 in Arts One, and about 100 per stream in CAP. Because you’ll spend most of your time with your cohort – sometimes in groups as small as four in Arts One, and 25 in CAP – you’ll find it easier to make friends. You’ll also work closely with your professors, helping you to make personal connections with faculty. Taking Arts One or CAP sets you up for a variety of degree pathways, and allows you to satisfy the first-year writing and literature requirements.

 

What’s the difference between Arts One and CAP?

Arts One

Arts One is a single, integrated course that is led by five instructors who work together to create the assignments and a reading list based on the year’s theme. This year, the theme will be “Sources of the Self: the pursuit of self-knowledge and the search for identity”.

You’ll read classical and contemporary texts and discuss their influence on culture and society, including novels, philosophical and political texts, films, drama, graphic memoirs, and more. The professors take turns to give the weekly lectures, and you’ll work closely with one instructor who will lead your twice-weekly seminar discussions (20 students) and once-weekly tutorials, where you and three other students will read and evaluate each other’s essays.

 

CAP

In CAP, you’ll get to choose from one of five streams, each offering a different combination of courses from across the Faculty of Arts. This year, your streams will be People and Planet; Individual and Society; Law and Society; Politics, Philosophy, and Economics; and Media Studies, and allow students and faculty to discuss ideas from various perspectives.

While your CAP courses are separate, faculty work together to connect the concepts and issues you’ll study, and to make sure your deadlines won’t overlap. Like Arts One, CAP classes are smaller than if you choose to create your own Custom Timetable, ranging from 25 students in the writing course to around 100 to 125 students in a lecture. As part of CAP, you’ll also have the chance to participate in an annual student conference, and in its stream-wide academic and social events during the term.

 

How to apply

For Arts One, you’ll sign up on the UBC Student Service Centre (SSC) when registration opens in June by selecting the program course (i.e. ARTS 001A) and one seminar.

For CAP, you’ll also sign up when registration opens in June by selecting the Standard Timetable (STT) for your chosen CAP stream.

Registration for Arts One and CAP is on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

 

Programs spotlight: Math, chemistry, and physics

By Abigail Kun on January 30, 2023

Programs spotlight: Math, chemistry, and physics

Do numbers excite you? Do you want to take your sharp analytical and problem-solving skills to the next level? UBC’s Math, Chemistry, and Physics programs offer you the opportunity to do just that, alongside opening your path to a variety of advanced career options.

Gain hands-on research experience through laboratory courses, and study at some of the top Math and Science departments in Canada, each with outstanding international reputations. Explore the different options that are available at both UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan to find the program that is right for you.

 

Astronomy

The Astronomy program at UBC Vancouver applies the principles of Physics and Mathematics to solve problems in navigation, space flight, and satellite communications, as well as to develop the instrumentation and techniques used to observe and collect astronomical data. This program is available as a major or as a combined honour in Physics and Astronomy, which is strongly suggested for students wishing to pursue graduate studies in astronomy and a career in research.

The student scoop

michelle kunimoto, ubc astronomy, ubc physics

Meet Michelle, an Astronomy student who shares the details of discovering a new planet – and what that discovery means for her future and the search for life on other planets.

 

Engineering Physics

The Engineering Physics program at UBC Vancouver provides a strong foundation of academic courses, project courses, and co-op work experience to help you gain the skills and experience needed to develop new technology and interdisciplinary engineering projects. If you have career aspirations to be an inventor, a research engineer, or a technology entrepreneur, this is a program that you may want to consider for your undergraduate degree.

 

Environmental Chemistry

The Environmental Chemistry program at UBC Okanagan can help you gain the skills required to work in one of the fastest-growing fields in science. You’ll learn about how the environment works, how to analyze environmental contaminants, and how to monitor environmental impacts through a solid education of four key areas of Chemistry: analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical.

 

The student scoop

Meet Jeffrey, a Chemistry student at UBC Okanagan. Read about why his time at UBC has been the best of his life.

 

Integrated Science 

The Integrated Science program at UBC Vancouver is designed for highly motivated students whose interests in science run across disciplinary boundaries. You’ll get to design your own courses that best reflect your interests and help prepare you for professional programs such as medicine, law, or education. As an Integrated Sciences student, you’ll be assigned an IntSci Faculty Mentor to help you design your individual course of study.

 

Mathematical Sciences

The Mathematical Sciences program at UBC Vancouver will provide you with a strong foundation of skills that can help you prepare for work in finance, software, actuarial science, and more. You can choose to focus your studies on mathematics, statistics, computer science or any combination of the three to tailor your degree according to your interests and future career.

 

If you are passionate about developing new technologies or analyzing environmental impacts, one of UBC’s Math, Chemistry, and Physics programs may be right for you.