Jump Start at UBC Vancouver

Make friends

Be ready to hit the ground running on your first day of class. Over the course of the week, you’ll meet other first-year students who are new to UBC just like you.

Meet profs and peers

Spend time with UBC professors and current students before classes start. They’ll introduce you to their research and the academic community, and give you tips to help you successfully transition from high school student to university scholar.

Learn about UBC

Find out about all the UBC services available to you and discover more about the campus community you’ll be joining.

If you’re planning to live in student housing on campus (known as “residence” at UBC) in your first year, Jump Start gives you the opportunity to move in early, get to know campus, and meet new friends in person. You will enjoy scheduled group events with your classmates, as well as sessions and offerings you can take part in at your own pace.

When does it start? Move-in for the 2024 Jump Start residence stream will take place on Tuesday, August 27, and the multi-day program will go until Friday, August 30.

How much does it cost?

• 2024 Jump Start program fee: 75 CAD + tax (non-refundable).
• 2024 fee for meals and housing during Jump Start: $253 CAD + tax. This amount must be paid when you accept your Winter Session housing offer.
• Subsidies will be available for students facing financial hardship 

Learning Communities

You will be assigned to a group based on your faculty and stream, which will be led by an upper-year student leader and a faculty fellow. Together, you’ll participate in the full range of activities during the program. The average size of a Learning Community is 25–35 first-year students.

Student leaders

Your Learning Community will be led by two upper-year students in your faculty. Student leaders will steer group activities and help build connections between you and other new students, offer personal support, refer you to resources, and welcome you into the UBC community.

Faculty fellows

Each Learning Community is matched with a professor from their faculty. They will provide the unique opportunity to learn about the expectations of the university learning environment, the academic classroom setting, and how to interact with faculty members, plus offer a closer look into their discipline.

During Jump Start

We’re excited to offer a number of ways for you to introduce yourself and get to know your new friends throughout Jump Start. You’ll experience a variety of small and large group socials, including trivia nights, photo challenges, games, exercise, sports and dance tutorials, and art activities. There will be lots of ways to meet others!

After Jump Start

The Learning Community group you’re with during Jump Start will continue! Students in your group will live in the same residence area, or be a member of the same Collegium, so you can keep on connecting after Jump Start is done.

Self-directed modules and activities

Make sure you’re introduced to the services and resources that will help you start your year well. During Jump Start, you’ll have access to self-directed activities to help you learn about the unceded Musqueam territory on which UBC Vancouver stands, explore health and wellbeing strategies, understand academic integrity, and more. You can also refer back to this information throughout your first term.