The University of British Columbia is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. UBC embraces innovation and transforms ideas into action. Since 1915, UBC has been opening doors of opportunity for people with the curiosity, drive and vision to shape a better world.


At UBC’s Vancouver campus, you can get a top-tier education while living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Nestled next to the Pacific Ocean, the campus provides endless opportunities to experience a cosmopolitan city, breathtaking natural wonders, entertaining excursions, and an environment of academic excellence. The UBC library system includes 22 branches and divisions both on and off campus. There are also hundreds of spaces throughout the campus designed to support student learning.

Many programs at UBC are unique to the Vancouver campus. With its state-of-the-art facilities and modern teaching methods, UBC Vancouver helps you combine your learning with co-op placements, undergraduate research, and work positions. Find out which of our 150+ programs are right for you.

Students entering the Faculty of Arts directly from secondary school may choose to apply for Arts One, an academically demanding 18 credit program that focuses on English, history, and philosophy or the Coordinated Arts program where first year students pursue an enriched, cross disciplinary introduction to the humanities and the social sciences.

Science One is an immersive, 27 credit program that spans two terms in which Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/Calculus, and Physics are presented in a unified, integrated format. There are 75 students and 8 instructors in Science One—a better student to teacher ratio than your high school. All your classes are in one classroom, which means you won't be scrambling to make it to your next class. Instead, you can get a hot chocolate. Like to study in a group? We have a dedicated study space for that. Like to study alone quietly? We have a dedicated study space for that. No matter what, you’ll never be battling for a study spot in the library or studying in a cafeteria.

UBC is the intellectual home of some of the world's leading scholars, artists, writers, and scientists including Dr. Carl Weiman, Nobel laureate, and Dr. William E. Rees, inventor of ecological footprint analysis. A number of industry related research centres and organizations are located on-campus including Tri-University Meson Facility (TRIUMF), one of the world's largest national accelerator facilities for research in subatomic physics. UBC is also home to the Museum of Anthropology, Canada's largest teaching museum.

On-campus University residences provide spaces for over 25,000 students in single, shared, and family housing units. UBC offers priority placement in residence to first year students coming directly from high school. Students must apply for housing by May 1 and accept UBC’s offer of admission by June 1 to receive priority placement. See www.housing.ubc.ca.

The University is located near a largely residential area that offers many opportunities for off-campus housing. The majority of students who live in rental accommodation off-campus commute to the University, which is well served by a reliable public transportation system.

UBC's First Year Coordinator works with faculty, staff, and student groups across campus to coordinate services and activities that contribute to the success of all first year students at UBC. The University offers a range of programs designed to help new students make the transition to UBC including orientation and transition.

Co-operative education programs are offered in the faculties of Arts, Science, Applied Science (Engineering), Commerce, Forestry, and Land & Food Systems. These competitive programs allow students to combine academics with full-time, relevant, paid work experience. For comprehensive preparation towards a career, UBC Career Services offers graduated programs and services, that can begin as soon as First year.

UBC's athletics and sport services administer one of Canada's most successful inter-university athletic programs. UBC has won over 100 national championships. UBC's intramural sports and recreation program is the largest in Canada offering students an opportunity to participate in everything from martial arts to marathons with popular annual traditions such as Day of the Longboat and Storm the Wall. Facilities include the Winter Sports Centre, the War Memorial Gymnasium, Aquatic Centre, Tennis Centre, and the Student Recreation Centre.

UBC's Alma Mater Society maintains over 250 student run clubs, which cater to a wide variety of academic and social interests, including ethnic and cultural clubs, student resource groups, athletic clubs, political clubs, academic/departmental clubs, recreational/special interest clubs, and religious clubs.

UBC Library offers students free direct access to the Internet. Most on-campus residences have access to the high speed Internet. Campuses have one of the largest wireless computer networks in North America, which means a seamless connection to the Internet, instant e-mail, and round the clock access to the UBC network.

Among many outstanding facilities at UBC are include the Asian Centre, Botanical Gardens, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, Beaty Museum of Biodiversity, the Nitobe Gardens, the Museum of Anthropology, the Geological Museum, the Belkin Art Gallery, the Old Auditorium Opera stage, and more.

Students with Disabilities: The University supports students with special needs through the Access & Diversity centre, which offers services such as interpreting, captioning, note taking, reading, peer tutoring, book retrieval, equipment provision, and mobility assistance for students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. Aboriginal Students: UBC is dedicated to supporting Aboriginal student academic success and leadership. The University has a Canadian Aboriginal applicant process to facilitate the participation of Canadian Aboriginal students in undergraduate studies. UBC has a number of awards, programs, and services to support Aboriginal students including a dedicated Aboriginal Recruiter and Advisor, in faculty advisors, and the First Nations House of Learning.

Research Institutes:
Biomedical Research Centre, The
Biotechnology Laboratory
Brain and Spinal Cord Research Centre
Bramfield Marine Station
Cancer Biology Research Centre, The
Centre for Advanced Technology in Microelectronics
Centre for Advanced Wood Processing
Centre for Applied Conservation Biology
Centre for Applied Ethics
Centre for Biodiversity Research
Centre for Chinese Research
Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
Centre for Human Settlements
Centre for India and South Asia Research
Centre for Integrated Computer Systems Research
Centre for International Business Studies
Centre for Japanese Research
Centre for Korean Research
Centre for Labour and Management Studies
Centre for Management Development
Centre for Metallurgical Process Engineering
Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, The
Centre for Research in Women's Studies and Gender Relations
Centre for Research on Economics and Social Policy
Centre for Southeast Asia Research
Centre for the Study of Curriculum and Instruction
Centre for Transportation Studies
Clinical Trials Consortium, The
Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Research Centre
Fisheries Centre
Forest Sciences Centre
Genetics Graduate Program
Green College
Health Care Evaluation Initiative, The
Institute for Child and Family Health Research, The
Institute for Hearing Accessibility Research
Institute for Resources and Environment
Institute of Applied Mathematics
Institute of Asian Research
Institute of Health Promotion Research
Institute of International Relations
Life Skills Motivation Centre
Liu Centre for International Studies
Media and Graphics Interdisciplinary Centre (MAGIC)
Peter Walls Institute for Advanced Studies
Pulp and Paper Centre
Respiratory Disease Centre, The
Sustainable Development Research Institute
TRIUMF - TRI-University Meson Facility
Vancouver Vascular Biology Research Centre, The
Westwater Research Centre

UBC students will live in one of the world's most culturally diverse cities and study at a university dedicated to educating global citizens. Students come from all across Canada and 150 countries. International points of view and cross cultural learning are encouraged in disciplines as varied as international business, global resource systems, and international relations. UBC is committed to internationalization and has forged numerous international linkages for research and scholarly endeavours. Through International Student Services and International House, the University provides a full range of reception, advising, and social and cultural services to more than 2,300 international students. Established student exchange programs with 175 partner universities in 40 countries enable UBC students to obtain transfer credit for two terms of course work taken at one of UBC's partner universities. Exchanges with other Canadian universities are also available.

Prospective students are invited to participate in one of our guided campus tours, available on most days except Sundays. For details and to register for a campus tour and info session, or for a Virtual Campus Tour visit you.ubc.ca.