Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia (UBC) first opened its doors in 1915 and has grown by leaps and bounds since then. It now has more than 70,000 students and nearly 19,000 faculty and staff. It is ranked 40th in the Time Higher Education World University Ranking in 2023 and ranked the second-best university in Canada.
With consistently high rankings, two beautiful campuses, a wide range of academic programs, and a diverse student community, this public university attracts a lot of applicants from not just within the country, but all around the world.
If you want to study here, it’s important to make a strong application that makes you stand out among the many applicants. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the application process. In this article, let’s talk about how to get into the University of British Columbia!
Admissions Process at the University of British Columbia
College admissions can seem complicated and stressful. If you are flustered about the application process, don’t worry, we have you covered. Here are the important details of how to apply to the University of British Columbia!
Step 1. Check if you meet admission requirements
The requirements for undergraduate students depend on whether you attended high school in Canada or abroad, which degree program you are applying to, and which campus you have chosen. Find out which requirements apply to you and make sure you fulfill them by going through their list.
The university also requires all students to show a minimum level of English language proficiency. For both undergraduate and graduate programs, you need to score a minimum of TOEFL IBT 90, IELTS 6.5, or PTE 65. There are nine ways listed in which you can demonstrate that you meet their English Language Admission Standard.
All graduate applicants have to meet the minimum requirements set by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. In addition to this, different graduate programs might have other requirements, such as GRE or other test scores. Check the program websites to know the specific requirements and ensure you meet them.
Step 2. Start the online application
Applications to UBC are managed through the EducationPlannerBC website. You have to first create an EducationPlannerBC account (or if you have already created one, log into the account), and then start your application.
You will be asked to fill in your general and academic details, and referee information and to make your first and second-degree choices. The application also has a personal profile section. Some specific programs may ask you for additional information or documents.
For graduate students, applications are managed through the Campus Wide Login system. Create an account, or log into your existing one, to start your application. You will be asked for general and academic details, referee information, test scores, transcripts, and academic documents, as well as your statement of interest.
Step 3. Write your personal profile/ statement of interest
One of the most important parts of your undergraduate application is the personal profile. This section allows the university to get a glimpse of who you are and decide if you are the right choice for them. You will have to answer questions about your interests, achievements, and experiences. Write original and thoughtful responses that reflect who you are – this is a major part of your assessment.
For graduate applications, your Statement of Interest is a very important part of your application assessment. You can convey your research interests, past experience, and future goals, and why UBC is a good fit. Use this to show your knowledge of the field, your academic and research experience, and your familiarity with the department’s research. It would also be a good idea to get in touch with potential supervisors about your research topic.
Step 4. Pay the application fee and submit the application
Once you have completed the application, you can pay the application fee and submit the application. The fee you pay depends on if you are a Canadian student or an international applicant. For undergraduate students, the fee is CAD 74.25. For international students, the fee is CAD 125.25.
On the other hand, for graduate programs, the application fee is CAD 112.00 for Canadian applicants and CAD 168.25 for international applicants.
Step 5. Follow the deadlines
Getting into the University of British Columbia can be competitive, so it’s crucial to follow deadlines. Keep track of the application deadlines so that you can submit it within time. There are two deadlines, usually around early December and January.
Most scholarships require you to apply in the first round of applications to be considered for the scholarships. (The International Scholars Program requires a separate application to be filled earlier)
Make sure to check the website for the latest deadlines, including specific ones for your program. Once you have submitted the application, keep track of deadlines for document submission.
3 Tips to Get Into the University of British Columbia
If you want to succeed in getting a place in this competitive admission race, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Tip 1. Plan for UBC in advance
Go through the admission requirements in advance to make sure you can meet them. Choosing the right courses in high school will also be helpful in making a strong application.
But remember, academics are not everything. In addition to good scores, demonstrating interests and achievements outside the curriculum will set you apart, and you can share them in your application’s personal profile section.
For graduate programs, applicants can get in touch with potential supervisors to discuss their research topic. This an important phase as you enter the University of British Columbia, so ensure that you’ll prepare your research topic.
Tip 2. Be honest and accurate
Make sure you enter all accurate details – details in your personal profile and academic records must stand up to verification processes. Also, make sure you don’t use any plagiarised material in your application. Even though this might seem like an easy route to take, dishonesty if caught out, will almost certainly result in unsuccessful applications.
Tip 3. Be organized
Leave enough time to write thoughtful responses and proofread everything you write. And most importantly, save everything as you go so you can avoid losing any of your hard work. The university recommends that you write your personal profile outside and then copy and paste them into the relevant section – this way you don’t accidentally lose any work, and you can benefit from a spell-check!
The university also recommends that you save the UBC student number given to you, as it will be required later.
In summary, the University of British Columbia is a great place to study – with a strong academic profile and a diverse student community. As there are more students applying to this top university, make sure you put your best foot forward by starting your application process with enough time. Good luck!
We hope this article about How to Get Into the University of British Columbia: Admission Process and Tipswas helpful and informative. Head on over to our Canada Scholarships Page for more details about studying in Canada – from the different universities to the numerous scholarship opportunities!
