University of British Columbia or UBC, established in 1908 and opened in 1915 is a public university in the Canadian state of British Columbia. This can be called a global center for learning, teaching, and research as it nurtures and inspires over 68,000 students worldwide. It is located in two places, one in Vancouver and the other in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. Vancouver location has their Robson square which is the extension of their campus, Learning Exchange, and their Center for Digital media. Most of the students, i.e 58,000 students study at this location while 11,000 students study at their Okanagan campus. Students from over 140 countries dream of taking admission here. It was ranked among top 100 public universities in the world by global ranking partners and the QS World University ranked it 47 for 2023. Times Higher Education (THE) ranked it 40 in the overall world universities and 13 in the Impact rankings for 2023. US News and World Reports ranked it 35 among the global universities for 2023. UBC has two regional bases in India and Hong Kong for local connections.
UBC Courses and Tuition Fee
Regular Courses
UBC has about 254 undergraduate and 244 postgraduate programs in various fields, such as Business, Education, Science, Health and Medicine, Humanities, and Engineering. They provide clinical education to their Faculty of Medicine students at more than 80 training sites in Columbia.
Courses are delivered in four ways:
- In-person
- Online
- Hybrid
- Multi-access
You can find the standard timetable for all their programmes on their official website based on campus and session. Their courses and tuition fee are given in the table below.
Domestic fees*, International fees**
Undergraduate Programs
| Course | USA, USD$ | Canada, CAD | Mexico, Peso | India, INR | Brazil, Real |
| Applied Science (Year 1) | NA | 7,065.89* | NA | NA | NA |
| Applied Science (Years 2 to 5) | NA | 7,542.45* | NA | NA | NA |
| Applied Science – Engineering | 40451.05** | 54,986.81** | 783310.75** | 3342684.39** | 208978.20** |
| Arts | 31487.66** | 5,729.10*, 42,802.50** | 609740.02** | 2601992.16** | 162671.54** |
| Commerce (Year 1) | 32435.76** | 5,729.10*, 44,091.30** | 628099.53** | 2680339.16** | 167569.65** |
| Commerce (Years 2 to 4) | NA | 8,489.40* | NA | NA | NA |
| Commerce (Sauder School of Business) | 40743.61** | 55,384.50** | 788976.02** | 3366860.22** | 210489.62** |
| Computer Science | 32435.76** | 5,729.10*, 44,091.30** | 628099.53** | 2680339.16** | 167569.65** |
| Dental Hygiene | 35679.34** | 6,302.01*, 48,500.43** | 690909.48** | 2948373.07** | 184326.61** |
| Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urbanism | 31408.43** | 9,232.20*, 42,694.80** | 608205.78** | 2595445.00** | 162262.23** |
| Environmental Design | 31547.25** | 5,729.10*, 42,883.50** | 610893.90** | 2606916.20** | 162979.39** |
| Fine Arts | 31547.25** | 5,729.10*, 42,802.50** | 610893.90** | 2606916.20** | 162979.39** |
| Forestry – Forest Operations | 37841.73** | 6,683.95*, 51,439.85** | 732782.78** | 3127062.35** | 195497.92** |
| Forestry – Forest Science | 36760.53** | 6,492.98*, 49,970.14** | 711846.13** | 3037717.71** | 189912.27** |
| Forestry – Natural Resources Conservation | 33516.96** | 5,920.07*, 45,561.01** | 649036.18** | 2769683.80** | 173155.30** |
| Forestry – Resources Management | 32435.76** | 5,729.10*, 44,091.30** | 628099.53** | 2680339.16** | 167569.65** |
| Forestry – Wood Products Processing | 34598.15** | 6,111.04*, 47,030.72** | 669972.83** | 2859028.44** | 178740.96** |
| International Economics | 38091.07** | 9,166.20*, 51,778.80** | 737611.27** | 3147667.35** | 196786.11** |
| Kinesiology | 32435.76** | 5,729.10*, 44,091.30** | 628099.53** | 2680339.16** | 167569.65** |
| Land & Food Systems | NA | 6,111.04* | NA | NA | NA |
| Media Studies | 31487.66** | 7,624.50*, 42,802.50** | 609740.02** | 2601992.16** | 162671.54** |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 41085.30** | 7,256.86*, 55,848.98** | 795592.74** | 3395096.27** | 212254.89** |
| Midwifery | 37841.73** | 6,683.95*, 51,439.85** | 732782.78** | 3127062.35** | 195497.92** |
| Music | 29806.67** | 6,492.98*, 40,517.46** | 577188.64** | 2463083.07** | 153987.22** |
| Nursing | 31547.25** | 5,729.10*, 42,883.50** | 610893.90** | 2606916.20** | 162979.39** |
| Pharmaceutical Sciences | 32435.76** | 5,729.10*, 44,091.30** | 628099.53** | 2680339.16** | 167569.65** |
| Science | 32435.76** | 5,729.10*, 44,091.30** | 628099.53** | 2680339.16** | 167569.65** |
| Social Work | 32435.76** | 5,729.10*, 42,802.50** | 628099.53** | 2680339.16** | 167569.65** |
| Urban Forestry | 32435.76** | 5,729.10*, 44,091.30** | 628099.53** | 2680339.16** | 167569.65** |
| Dentistry (DMD) | 56220.64** | 19,603.35*, 76,423.08** | 1088679.64** | 4645809.35** | 290447.06** |
| Post-baccalaureate Programs | |||||
| Education (11 month) – BEd teacher education | 41322.49** | 12,759.00*, 56,171.40** | 800185.75** | 3414696.39** | 213480.25** |
| Education – NITEP | NA | 5,729.10* | NA | NA | NA |
| Education: Diploma Program | 20661.25** | 6,379.50*, 28,085.70** | 400092.87** | 1707348.20** | 106740.12** |
| Entry to Practice Doctor of Pharmacy | NA | 19,156.20* | NA | NA | NA |
| Law | 29154.81** | 13,412.16*, 39,631.36** | 564565.76** | 2409216.47** | 150619.58** |
| Medicine (MD) | NA | $19,603.35* | NA | NA | NA |
Registering Timeline
Summer and Winter session registrations begin and follow according to a timeline for most of the courses except for a few courses. These courses are:
- Bachelor of Education (BEd Elementary)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd Middle Years)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd Secondary)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Doctor of Dental medicine (DMD)
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
| Year Group | Winter Session – September to April | Summer Session – May to August |
| First Year | June 21 to 23 | March 2 |
| Second Year | July 5 to 7 | March 1 |
| Third Year | June 28 to 30 | February 28 |
| Fourth year, Fifth Year and Diploma Programmes | June 14 to 16 | February 27 |
| Visiting Students | July 12 | March 7 |
| Unclassified and Access Studies Students | July 14 | March 14 |
| Graduate Students | June 7 | February 13 |
Deadlines
Winter Session Term 2 – January 2023
| Date | Deadlines and Information |
| 8th January | Housing residences open for 2nd term at 12:00 pm |
| 9th January | Winter session 2nd term begins |
| 11th January | Deadline to pay tuition fees |
| 15th January | Deadline to apply for a change of campus or a change of program |
| 20th January | Deadline to apply for U-Pass exemption |
| 23rd January | Last date to change the auditing status for coursesLast date to elect Credit/D/Fail grading for most eligible courses of the termLast date to drop courses without a W standing |
| 1st February | Last date to apply for Winter Session residence for upper-year students |
| 28th February | Deadline to apply for May graduation |
| 3rd March | Last date to drop courses with a W standing |
| 17th April to 28th April | Final exams period |
| 29th April | Winter Session residences close by 12:00 pm |
| Summer Session | |
| May | Residences openStart of Summer Session Term 1Pay tuition fees Drop Term 1 courses without a WElect Credit/D/Fail grading for eligible coursesMay graduation starts |
| June | Apply for the UBC Bursary Program for Summer BursaryFinal exams |
| July | Start of Summer Session Term 2Pay tuition fees Drop the session term 2 courses without a WElect Credit/D/Fail grading for eligible courses Drop most Term 2 courses with a WRecommended deadline for Winter Bursary students to apply for student loans, and for the US students to submit their US loan request application form |
| August | Final exams |
If you’re an undergraduate student and have doubts, you can reach out to Enrolment Services Advisor and to find your advisor, you need to log into Student Service Center (SSC) and click on “UBC Contacts”, that appears under “Personal Info”. Remaining students like graduate students and postgraduate students may call on 604 822 9836 or fill their online form.
How To Register?
You can register into the course by following the steps given as below. However, Find the detailed procedure on their official website.
- Once you know the timeline and registration dates, you can begin your registration procedure.
- Registration deposit is applicable for most certificates and diplomas. However, it has been removed from most UG degree programs for continuing students. It is applicable if you are new to UBC which is non-refundable.
- Check your degree requirements and make sure to fulfill them. This is available in the Academic Calendar.
- Work on your work-lists which are nothing but draft class timetables candidates need to create before registration to plan courses. Login to course schedule tool and create them.
- Register for your desired classes quickly. Keep multiple worklists ready in case courses are full.
- Once registration completes, you may add or drop classes as you wish before course change deadline.
Auditing Courses
Application deadlines are published on their website from time to time. Deadline for changing your audit status for term 1 courses is 19th September, 2022, for term 1 and 2 courses is 26th September, 2022, and for term 2 courses is 23rd January, 2023. Below is the procedure to register in these courses at the University of British Columbia.
- You need to download their Registration or Change of Registration (Add/Drop) Form which is a PDF file or take a physical form directly from faculty advising office or Enrolment Services in Brock Hall.
- While filling the form, make sure to check the “Audit” section in the left-hand column.
- Get it signed by the course instructor.
- Submit it to Enrolment Services.
Non-Degree Studies
If you wish to take a credit based course without pursuing any graduation degree, certificate, or diploma, you may want to join non-degree courses. These are usually chosen out of general interest, academic advancement, or professional upgrading.
There are three types of these courses at Vancouver campus.
In order to register in one of these, you need to check requirements about each of these and choose the one that suits you, apply, and wait for confirmation email and next steps.
| Sessions | Deadlines |
| Winter Session – Term 1 – September | July 15 – For visiting students |
| Winter Session – Term 2 – January | October 15 – Not for visiting students |
| Summer Session – Term 1 or 2 – May | March 15 |
These are the types of courses at Okanagan campus.
- Visiting Students
- Aboriginal Access Studies
- Access Studies
- Concurrent Studies
- Senior Citizens
- Unclassified Studies
To register, login to the Student Service Centre (SSC) and check registration dates which is usually updated two weeks before registrations start. Pay the registration fee, apply for the course and pay your tuition fee.
Centre For Digital Media
CDM is a collaboration between UBC, SFU, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, and BCIT. It provides a few programs like Master of Digital media, Pre-MDM, IDEA-X, and Teen MDM. Here is the application link. Deadline for January to April session is 25th October and for May to August session is 11th March.
- You need a minimum 4 year undergraduate degree from a recognized university with minimum B+ grade or 76% or more in 3rd and 4th year courses.
- Have scored 7.0 in IELTS Academic with minimum 6.5 in each section or minimum 100 in TOEFL and minimum 20 in each section. If you don’t meet English proficiency requirements, you may join Pre-MDM.
Domestic students*, International students**
| Countries & Currencies | 2022 to 2023 Tuition Fee |
| United States, USD | 46654.75** |
| Canada, CAD | 38,438.23*, 63,419.76** |
| Mexico, Peso | 903441.75** |
| India, INR | 3855328.97** |
| Brazil, Real | 241027.75** |
| Additional Fee | CAD 15,000 refundable equipment fee |
Campuses and Accommodation
UBC Vancouver campus is located at the tip of the point Grey Peninsula amidst the forest with sea on one side. More than 400 hectares in size
UBC Vancouver campus accommodates as many as 13,000 students in their 15 residences. Most of the first year students are guaranteed for winter session residence and are assigned to Orchard Commons, Totem Park, or Place Vanier residences. Students need to purchase their meal plan to live here. Rest of their residences are assigned to their upper year and graduation students. Typical cost for a room and meal plan for the first year is around CAD 12,000 to CAD 14,500 a year. However, based on the room type, the fee may range between CAD 10,300 to CAD 15,000 a year.
Scholarships
More than CAD 30 million worth of scholarships, awards, and in other forms are provided to the deserving candidates internationally. More than 350 students have received these scholarships since 2001. International Major Entrance Scholarship, UBC Vantage One Scholarship are a few to name.
Alumni and Achievements
The University of British Columbia can be called as one of the finest in the world and Canada. Its alumni has over 3,75,999 from over 160 countries. This university has produced some notable personalities worldwide.
- 8 Nobel laureates – Bertram Brockhouse CC FRSC FRS (Nobel Laureate in Physics)
- 3 Canadian Prime Ministers – Justin Trudeau PC MP (Canada’s 23rd and current prime minister), John Turner (Canada’s 17th prime minister)
- 65 Olympic Medals – 19 gold
- 74 Rhodes Scholars
- Other popular alumni – Jeff Wall (prominent Canadian artist, and most prominent figure of the Vancouver School)