University of British Columbia

UBC offers a range of international experiences from exchanges with one of the over 200 university partners worldwide, to global seminars and summer abroad opportunities.

UBC is changing how we decide who receives an offer of admission to study here. You’ll still need to meet UBC’s general and degree-specific admission requirements for Canadian high schools or international high schools – those haven’t changed. And you should still focus on your achievements beyond academics. What’s changing is how UBC will evaluate your courses and grades. In the past, UBC looked at your grades in a limited number of academic Grade 11 (junior level) and Grade 12 (senior level) courses. Starting in 2019, we’ll consider all Grade 11 (junior level) and Grade 12 (senior level) classes in the admissions decision and look at academic factors beyond grades too.

If you completed university-level course work in high school (IB, AP or A-levels),you may be eligible for credit. Specific credit transfer details are on the website.

First-year English requirements: Students in most undergraduate programs will have to take first-year English courses, which require that students write the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) exam if they don’t meet exemption criteria. There are multiple ways to be exempt from writing the LPI, but if your program requires first-year English, and you do not meet the LPI exemptions, you’ll have to take the LPI test. Speaking English as a first language and writing proficiency tests used for admissions such as TOEFL and IELTS are not LPI exemptions.

The online application for UBC’s Okanagan and Vancouver campuses opens in early September and closes on January 15 for Summer Session (May to August) and Winter Session (September to April). Admissions decisions for most degrees are made in April or early May.

The non-refundable application fee for Canadian citizens and permanent residents is $69.25; for International students who require a study permit the fee is $116.25

Apply online directly from the website

UBC houses more than 11,000 students in 13 residences. Many first-year students will qualify for our First Year Guarantee in Winter Session Residence. Most students in this group are assigned to live in Totem Park, Place Vanier or Orchard Commons. They all have furnished shared and single rooms, vibrant common areas for socializing, and plenty of space for quiet study time.

Provide a breakdown of housing costs or costs for different housing options

If you want to live in UBC residence, you must apply through the UBC Student Housing application. To be guaranteed housing in your first year, you must apply for admission to UBC and also apply to UBC Housing (in the separate application) when you receive an offer of admission, no later than May 1.

Apply online directly from the website

At UBC, international engagement has always been a priority. Today, our students, faculty and staff come from around the world and our international research partnerships and publications help us collaborate on a global scale.

English is the primary language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students are required to demonstrate a minimum level of English before they’re admitted. There are nine ways to meet UBC’s minimum English Language Admission Standard (ELAS) for an undergraduate degree on the Vancouver campus. The deadline to submit documents showing you meet the ELAS is February 15. Details on the nine options are on the admissions website.