The University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia overview
The University of British Columbia began in 1906 as McGill University College of British Columbia, and it separated from McGill University in 1915. It is the oldest university in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Founded in 1915, UBC moved to its permanent campus in Vancouver in 1925. Over the years, student numbers, teaching staff, and campus buildings have all grown a great deal. The university has grown academically as well, and it holds a prominent place among international universities, with a strong emphasis on research.
UBC is well known for its standing in the world university rankings. Its commitment to sustainability is widely recognized, and its campus counts among the most environmentally friendly in North America. The university has a long record of producing notable people. Three Canadian prime ministers came from its ranks, and 65 Olympic medalist athletes developed their talents here. Its alumni and faculty have earned eight Nobel Prizes. You will find the main campus in Point Grey, a peninsula 10 kilometers from downtown Vancouver.
UBC also has a second campus, UBC Okanagan, in the city of Kelowna in the interior of British Columbia.
About The University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia began in 1906 as McGill University College of British Columbia, and it separated from McGill University in 1915. It is the oldest university in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Founded in 1915, UBC moved to its permanent campus in Vancouver in 1925. Over the years, student numbers, teaching staff, and campus buildings have all grown a great deal. The university has grown academically as well, and it holds a prominent place among international universities, with a strong emphasis on research.
UBC is well known for its standing in the world university rankings. Its commitment to sustainability is widely recognized, and its campus counts among the most environmentally friendly in North America. The university has a long record of producing notable people. Three Canadian prime ministers came from its ranks, and 65 Olympic medalist athletes developed their talents here. Its alumni and faculty have earned eight Nobel Prizes. You will find the main campus in Point Grey, a peninsula 10 kilometers from downtown Vancouver.
UBC also has a second campus, UBC Okanagan, in the city of Kelowna in the interior of British Columbia.
The University of British Columbia faculties and programs
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Music Education
MBA
Bioinformatics
Indigenous Studies
Sustainability
Combined Majors in Statistics
Astronomy
Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology
Public Health
The University of British Columbia scholarships and financial aid
UBC supports exceptional students from around the world. Each year it provides over $30 million in awards, scholarships, and other financial assistance for international undergraduate students. Once you receive an offer of admission to UBC, you are considered for these merit-based awards automatically. UBC looks at your academic achievements and your extracurricular involvement when it reviews your application. You can find detailed information about the scholarship programs at the links below.
The University of British Columbia Exam Requirements
Submitting at least one of the exams below with the required score is a prerequisite for application. The score threshold may vary by program.
How to get into The University of British Columbia
Admission Requirements For International Students
Undergraduate
British-Patterned Education
- You must demonstrate English-language competency before admission.
- You need standing in at least six academic subject areas (GCSE, AS Levels, A Levels), including English. At least three of these must be academic A Levels, or six must be AS Levels. A subject cannot count at both A Level and GCSE.
- A Level and AS Level courses that are not academic enough in content cannot be used.
- Applied Business
- Applied Information and Communication Technology (Applied ICT)
- Applied Performing Arts
- Applied Science
- Critical Thinking
- Dance
- Divinity
- Electronics
- Food Studies
- General Paper
- General Studies
- Global Perspectives and Research
- Health and Social Care
- Home Economics
- Information Technology
- Leisure Studies
- Media Communication and Production
- Moving Image Arts
- Music Technology
- Performance Studies
- Performing Arts
- Project Work
- Thinking Skills
- Travel and Tourism
- A minimum grade of C in English Literature or English Language at the GCSE, AS, or A Level.
French Baccalaureate
- You must demonstrate English-language competency before admission.
- You need to complete the baccalauréat général or the baccalauréat général (option internationale).
- The baccalauréat technologique may be considered for admission case by case. The baccalauréat professionnel is not a basis of admission to UBC.
- Math Informatique does not meet the math requirement for admission to certain programs. These are UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, and the Vancouver School of Economics.
International Baccalaureate
- A completed IB Diploma that includes at least three Higher Level courses.
or - IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may count in an admissions average. This applies if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can serve as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL and IB Math Studies do not meet the math requirement for admission to certain programs. These are UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, and the Vancouver School of Economics.
Advanced Placement Students
- All AP courses are eligible for admission consideration. You can combine them with an approved Canadian high school or international high school curriculum to meet the University’s admission requirements.
Graduate
If you are an international student applying to a graduate program at the University of British Columbia, you must meet the admission requirements below.
- Bachelor's Degree Diploma
- High Grade Point Average
- Official transcripts of the courses you took during your college/university education
- Work experience may be required for certain programs
- Certificate in English Proficiency (for students whose first language is not English)
- A certificate in English proficiency from an internationally recognized test such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, CPE.
- A GRE/GMAT exam score may be required, in line with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.
Application Deadlines
* These dates are subject to change. Get in touch with our Dream Uni advisors to learn the up-to-date deadlines and all the details about the The University of British Columbia application process.
Take a closer look at The University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia has two campuses in British Columbia.
The Vancouver campus sits at Point Grey, on the western tip of the Vancouver peninsula. Between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, it offers scenic views and green surroundings. At over 400 hectares (990 acres), it is the larger of the two campuses. You will find a wide variety of facilities here, including well-stocked libraries, modern laboratories, and many arts and athletic facilities. The UBC Museum of Anthropology is known for its exhibits of world arts and cultures, with a special emphasis on First Nations peoples.
On-campus housing comes in many forms, from traditional dormitories to newer apartment-style residences. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs are available across a wide range of subjects. The campus is known for its faculties of science, arts, and medicine, and for the Sauder School of Business.
The Okanagan campus is in Kelowna, 5 hours northeast of Vancouver. It is much smaller than the Vancouver campus, covering about 209 hectares (516 acres). Even at that size, it offers a wide range of facilities, including modern research labs, a library, and athletic facilities. Campus life is active, and the campus places a strong emphasis on building community and promoting sustainability. Student housing on campus includes both dormitory and apartment-style options. The Okanagan campus offers a range of programs.
It is known in particular for its School of Engineering and its Faculty of Health and Social Development. The campus also places a strong focus on interdisciplinary and experiential learning.
UBC offers a wide variety of activities, so you have room to pursue your interests or try something new. Campus life covers everything from athletics to the arts and culture. It is an environment that engages the mind, body, and spirit. The university holds a wide range of events on both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. These events let you take an active part in campus life. There are more than 350 clubs to choose from. You can also meet people who share your interests through intramural sports, lunchtime yoga, or campus-wide events.
The Vancouver campus has plenty to explore, such as the Museum of Anthropology and the Nitobe Memorial Garden. UBC offers resources that help you make friends, build connections, join social activities, and keep up with events on campus. There is also support for commuter students, for chaplains and religious groups, and for equity, diversity, and inclusion. The campus is full of gardens, museums, music, and theaters. A number of attractions are free to visit with a UBC card. Recreation facilities, programs, and intramural sports are available as well.
For students living in residence, UBC offers resources on handling roommate relationships. Dining options on campus include many restaurants and eateries, and you can choose from UBC meal plans. UBC also provides several ways to get around the campus. An accessibility shuttle serves students with disabilities, and there are bike routes and maintenance services if you prefer to cycle.
- Yael Cohen
- Rick Hansen
- Belinda Wong
- Justin Trudeau
- Bjarni Tryggvason
- Bing Thom
The University of British Columbia awards and achievements
- 8 Nobel Laureates
- 74 Rhodes Scholars
- 65 Olympians
The University of British Columbia Frequently Asked Questions
The University of British Columbia Location
Vancouver, Canada
The University of British Columbia Contact
The University of British Columbia
Take a Closer Look
How to Get Into The University of British Columbia
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By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.
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Why The University of British Columbia?
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