UBC’s Okanagan campus
UBC Okanagan
Modern campus in a thriving city
UBC’s Okanagan campus is a state-of-the-art centre for research and learning. Life on the Okanagan campus is shaped by its vibrant host city, Kelowna, which is known for its growing tech industry and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, biking, swimming, and skiing. The campus community continues to evolve, anchored by the warmth of the students, faculty, and staff, and inspired by the landscape.
Academic experience
As one of the top ranked universities in the world, UBC’s Okanagan campus offers a world-class academic experience. Because of its tight-knit academic community, UBC’s Okanagan campus offers the chance for you to get to know your award-winning professors personally, explore innovative interdisciplinary programs, and forge your own path with flexible opportunities for hands-on learning.
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“I like that it is a small campus which offers intimate class sizes, and a community where I can easily interact and network with possible employers and my professors. I have been able to accomplish great work that I never thought was possible based on my professors’ investment in my studies and their commitment to my growth.”
Lark Sparkin | Media Studies -
“After doing quite a bit of research on my own and speaking with high school professors back in my hometown in Brazil, I realized a smaller campus like UBC Okanagan would provide me with the close-knit academic experience I would need to get ahead in my studies.”
Leonardo Caffarello | Physics -
“My program rocks because of the small, connected community of students – many of us are engaged in the same extracurricular programs, like debate and TEDxUBCO, which contributes to an incredibly vibrant class setting. Many of our professors help out with these initiatives, and describe first-hand the improvements they see in students who take part.”
Michael Flood | Politics, Philosophy, and Economics -
“I enjoyed the convenience of the class sizes and the professors’ willingness to give you their time to discuss the courses and directions. The professors were available to students and very supportive. Extended time to discuss course work was paramount – that’s just one of the positives of having a small campus.”
Barb Dawson | Visual Arts
Programs at UBC's Okanagan campus
UBC Okanagan boasts a wide variety of programs, including many that let you study across different subjects. Because the Okanagan campus is still creating new, innovative degrees, its programs are uniquely able to offer an interdisciplinary approach. Fine Arts at UBC Okanagan, for instance, gives students the opportunity to create art in a variety of media and aligns with programs that reflect critically on the cultural production of others, while International Relations draws on diverse disciplines, including political science, history, sociology, economics, and anthropology.
At UBC Okanagan, you have lots of opportunity for flexibility in your studies.
60+
undergraduate programs at UBC Okanagan, including many opportunities to specialize
Explore unique programs
Many programs at UBC are unique to the Okanagan campus. Because of its spectacular location and booming art and tech scenes, the Okanagan valley is often used as a case-study in your classes for your hands-on learning. Find out which one of our 60+ programs are right for you.
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Okanagan
Sustainability
Learn how to critically assess and propose solutions to contemporary sustainability challenges, such as climate change, pollution, and social and economic inequality. You'll gain a diverse set of skills through both foundational knowledge and hands-o...
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Okanagan
Visual Arts (BFA)
Train with the next generation of artists and cultural producers. Learn in cutting-edge facilities designed for traditional and digital-studio arts courses. The Visual Arts program offers a perfect balance of studio work and academic study, immersing...
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Okanagan
Manufacturing Engineering
Important notice: The Manufacturing Engineering program is currently not accepting new students. Contact UBC Okanagan's School of Engineering for questions at soe.advising@ubc.ca.
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Okanagan
Management
Learn how management thinking can help solve today’s organizational, business, and societal challenges. This program will show you how to navigate our rapidly changing world using collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking, as well as teaching yo...
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Okanagan
Freshwater Science
Prepare yourself for a career in inland aquatic ecosystems. As a Freshwater Science student, you'll study water quality, hydrology, water resources, aquatic organisms, and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
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Okanagan
Nursing
Discover an essential understanding of people within the context of health and healing in today’s society while you prepare for a professional licensure as a registered nurse. As a professional nurse, and a graduate of this program, you will be quali...
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Okanagan
Zoology
Explore the animal kingdom as a biological scientist by studying behaviours, physiology, anatomy, and the entire animal organism. You'll gain practical experience and skills in laboratory and fieldwork, computers, and communication.
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Undergraduate research
Unlike many university campuses, UBC Okanagan offers you the chance to conduct your own research from the earliest years of your degree. Undergraduates like you have completed studies in areas like heart, lung, and vascular health; social justice; forensic psychology; soil ecology; and concussions.
Find out how five UBC Okanagan students studying Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science dreamed of putting their own cloud chamber into space – and created such a high-quality project it drew the attention of the Canadian Space Agency to help launch it.
Take the first step
The first step to becoming a UBC Okanagan student is to create an account. From there, you can register for a campus tour of the Okanagan campus, sign up for an event in your area, attend an online info session, and be the first to receive important UBC updates.
Meet your UBC Okanagan community
UBC’s community goes back over a hundred years, and connects tens of thousands of students and faculty, and hundreds of thousands of alumni. We pride ourselves on being welcoming, inspiring, innovative, and inviting.
At UBC’s Okanagan campus, our diverse community is made up of 10,610 undergraduate students from 110 different countries. Each member of our tight-knit university is a vital part of UBC Okanagan’s mosaic. Find out more about who you might meet on campus.
Dela Hini, Sociology and Political Science
Accra, Ghana and Calgary, Canada
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today if not for the opportunities that UBC Okanagan has given me. There is a very distinct culture of inclusion – it’s so welcoming and rich with opportunities to lead.”
Jenna Gall, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Montmartre, Canada
“I chose UBCO because I wanted to be somewhere where I could enjoy the great outdoors as often as I wanted, but I soon realized that the campus itself has so much to offer.”
Leonardo Caffarello, Physics
São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
“UBC has taught me independence, and the opportunities available to me have always inspired me to reach for new heights and to leave my mark on this planet in a positive way.”
Joses Akampurira, Cvil Engineering
Kabale, Uganda
“In Kelowna, I enjoy the sun at any of the many sandy beaches, play basketball at City Park, and catch movies at Grand 10 Cinema. I am proud to belong to UBC – the institution and the community. UBC is like family.”
Take a self-guided virtual tour
In our self-guided virtual tour, you can walk through key locations at UBC Okanagan and get a feel for what it’s like to live and learn at UBC. You’ll see UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, academic buildings, and more.
30+ museums, galleries, and arts venues
UBC’s Okanagan campus is minutes away from Kelowna’s cultural district and thriving downtown waterfront
300+ trails for hiking or biking
Opportunities to explore nature start right outside your residence
Get involved on campus and beyond
Whether you’re looking to explore new interests or deepen your commitment to existing ones, UBC’s Okanagan campus has many opportunities for you. Try improv comedy, join a choir, play dodgeball, or do them all at once! The people you meet and the activities you experience will shape your time at university and likely the rest of your life.
Clubs
Pursue an existing passion or nurture a new one in one of UBC Okanagan’s hundreds of student-run clubs and course unions. If the club you’re looking for doesn’t exist, find a few friends and start it up.
Sports
Join a recreational intramural team or play your favourite sport competitively, sign up for a fitness or dance class, have a go on the on-campus beach volleyball court, or don the school colours of blue and gold and cheer on UBC Okanagan’s varsity team, the Heat.
Culture
Take a stroll in UBC Okanagan’s art gallery or enjoy concerts all around campus. Learn more about different cultures and nationalities from your fellow students by checking out spaces like the Global Collegium, or if you’re an Indigenous student looking to connect with others, visit Indigenous Programs and Services.
Co-op learning
Extend your classroom learning to the workplace and beyond. No matter what your degree and skill set, co-op helps you get a job with one of UBC Okanagan’s community partners in a broad range of sectors, including public organizations, non-profits, large corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurial startups.
Apply to UBC
At UBC Okanagan, you’ll find a close-knit campus built on an adventurous spirit of discovery.
Want to be part of our exciting community? Apply to UBC now, and choose “Okanagan campus”.