The University of British Columbia (UBC), one of the top 20 universities in the world, is a premier hub for teaching, learning, and research excellence. UBC has become one of the most sought-after colleges for both undergraduate and graduate studies, with its two main campuses situated in Vancouver and Kelowna.
With the slogan “It is Yours,” UBC aspires to provide its students with a progressive environment where they can develop, innovate, and acquire the skills necessary to change society. UCB provides its students with a number of part-time and full-time courses in a variety of subjects. Due to all of this, there is intense competition to join this esteemed organization. To find out the acceptance rate for the University of British Columbia, scroll through this blog.
Acceptance Rate at UBC
For domestic students, the acceptance rate at the University of British Columbia ranges from 57% to 74%, depending on the campus The acceptance rate for international students at UBC is 44% at the Vancouver campus The acceptance rate for international students at the Okanagan campus, meanwhile, is 71%
The University of British Columbia is one of the most esteemed universities in all of Canada. Naturally, it’s also one of those with the most stringent admissions requirements, so only the most talented applicants are admitted.
Here are some additional Canadian colleges and universities that, like UBC, are selective:
International students who want to obtain a degree from the public research university can exhale with relief knowing that the disparity between acceptance rates is not that great, despite the fact that UBC accepts fewer foreign applicants than it accepts domestic applicants.
Choosing the right campus can improve your chances of being accepted to UBC if you plan to apply.
As mentioned earlier, the acceptance rate for international students at UBC%E2%80%99s Vancouver campus is 44% On the other hand, at its Okanagan campus, more than 70% of international applicants get accepted
At the University of British Columbia, you can change campuses. However, students must meet certain requirements. They have to submit the Change of Degree Program/Campus form and pay the non-refundable application fee, for example. Typically, those who transfer from one UBC campus to another may carry up to 60 credits with them.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend UBC
Based on the rate for the academic year 2022–2023, domestic students’ estimated cost of attendance (COA) at the University of British Columbia can range from Can$5,729 to Can$9,232. The COA for international students is estimated to be between Can$40,517 and Can$55,848.
In order to help you determine the cost of attending UBC as an international student, the prominent Canadian school has a first-year cost calculator on its website.
The aforementioned tool accounts for living expenses, books, supplies, tuition, fees, and even financial aid.
College tuition tends to increase by, on average, 8% per year Fortunately, the annual tuition increase at the University of British Columbia is not very high. Based on the school%E2%80%99s Student Services, in recent years, tuition increases for domestic students have been 2% and anywhere from 2% to 5% for international students
Everyone is aware that international students typically pay higher tuition than domestic students. The same is true at UBC. The good news is that if you fit any of these criteria, you may be charged as a domestic attendee:
- Affiliation with an Indigenous nation of Canada
- across the Canada-US border, identifies as a member of an Indigenous people’s group.
- Possession of an employer-specific, full-time, long-term work permit in Canada
- being the spouse or dependent of an employee in Canada with a full-time, long-term work permit
UBC encourages you to pay your UBC fees in US dollars if you intend to.
With the school’s international funds transfer option, you can do this and lock in an exchange rate for a period of 72 hours. You may transfer money to the University of British Columbia during the allotted time using Western Union Business Solutions.
You can do more than just submit an application and enroll in classes at UBC online. You can pay your UBC fees electronically in a variety of ways while sat in front of a laptop, such as through:
- Online banking
- Credit card online payment
- Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
- International Funds Transfer (IFT)
- Interac Online
University of British Columbia, Point Grey
How Do International Students Apply to the University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia accepts applications from both domestic and international applicants through its own Campus-Wide Login (CWL) system. Applicants from all over the world will be able to submit the required documents for admissions evaluation with a CWL account.
Students from the US and abroad can apply to different American colleges and universities using the Common App and Coalition App, two online applications.
In Canada, both domestic and foreign students typically submit their applications online.
For you to apply to the University of British Columbia, you must register for a CWL account. Both domestic and foreign students visit the UBC website and create their own CWL accounts to start the primary application process. This is their application and a way for them to provide supporting documentation.
When you are admitted to UBC, one of the best things about having a CWL account is that you can use it to access a variety of things. Some of them include the:
- Student Information System (SIS)
- UBC Library
- Learning Management System (LMS) — formerly the WebCT Vista
It is necessary for applicants to create the correct CWL account; simply creating one is not sufficient. There are three accounts available for selection, and they are as follows:
- Standard account. A standard CWL account is used by just about any student or active employee of the University of British Columbia who has a student ID number issued by that institution.
- Guest account. A guest CWL account is used by those who are affiliated with UBC in some way but do not have student IDs issued by the university or are not currently employed there. Some of them are consultants, attendees of conferences held at UBC, and visiting professors from other institutions.
- Basic account. A basic account is used by someone who isn’t qualified for a standard or guest CWL account and lacks access to premium online services like VPN and UBC Wireless.
Application Deadlines for the University of British Columbia
January 15 is the deadline for University of British Columbia applications. Applicants, particularly those who are international students, should be aware that the deadline can change every year. Some scholarships have an earlier deadline for applicants.
Before we continue, let’s be clear that admission to UBC is not given based on who arrives first. Applying as soon as the admissions cycle begins does not, therefore, improve the likelihood of admission.
This allows you just enough time to ensure that the information you provide is accurate and the documents you submit are complete.
There is a benefit to applying as soon as possible to the University of British Columbia, despite the fact that applying very early, close to, or on the deadline won’t affect your chances of receiving an acceptance letter. And it’s none other than the possibility of learning the results of your application sooner.
Early February typically marks the release of the first round of UBC enrollment offers, which continues through the end of the month. Others might be informed of the admissions outcomes in the late April 15 to 30 period.
International students at UBC are eligible to apply for the International Scholars Program.
To put it simply, it provides prestigious need- and merit-based financial aid awards totaling about 50 each year. The International Scholars Program consists of the following awards:
- Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award
- International Impact Award
- Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
- Vantage One Excellence Award
You must apply to UBC earlier than other international students if you want to be considered for the International Scholars Program; the deadline is December 1. Make sure to check with UBC because the deadline can change from year to year to avoid missing out on opportunities.
GPA You Need to Get Into the University of British Columbia
International applicants to the University of British Columbia are required to have a minimum high school grade of B. That’s equivalent to a GPA of 3. 3 on a 4. 0 GPA scale. Due to its reputation as a selective institution, UBC admits first-year students with an average GPA of 3. 7.
The high school grades applicants from outside Canada must have in order for UBC to consider their application can change from year to year, according to UBC.
Additionally, the minimum grade needed varies depending on the degree.
Applicants with an average high school grade of B, for example, were the only ones taken into consideration by UBC admissions officers in the past for international students from the US. The candidates with the best chances of being accepted had a combination of mostly A and B grades.
American students are encouraged to enroll in at least six academic and extracurricular senior high school year courses, though it is not required.
As of this writing, UBC is a test-optional institution, like many colleges and universities in the US.
The admissions process will not disadvantage applicants who want to keep their standardized test results private or who didn’t take the SAT or ACT. However, keep in mind that the esteemed institution could always change its rules regarding the submission of test results, so make sure to speak with the admissions office in advance.
It’s also crucial to keep in mind that, depending on the degree offered by UBC that you are interested in enrolling in, there may be additional minimal requirements in addition to the GPA.
For instance, you must submit a portfolio and letters of recommendation if you are interested in the music program. You will also have to audition. Additionally, if you are interested in the UBC engineering program, you must have completed precalculus as well as two full years of chemistry or AP chemistry.
University of British Columbia, Anthropology Museum
Documents Required When Applying to UBC
International students are not required to submit many documents to the University of British Columbia. The transcript and evidence of meeting the English Language Admission Standard (ELAS) or an ELAS waiver request and supporting documentation are some of the most crucial requirements for high school students from the US.
We previously discussed setting up a CWL account in order to submit an application to UBC.
You will receive an email from the Canadian university after submitting your application through its unique CWL system with instructions on which documents to submit and how to upload them.
At UBC, the language used for instruction is English. Any high school student interested in attending the University of British Columbia must submit documentation proving they have met the English Language Admission Standard (ELAS), regardless of where they are on the planet. The deadline for submission is February 15.
If you feel that you have the fluency of a native English speaker, you may instead submit an ELAS waiver request along with a letter briefly outlining your case for the requirement’s exemption.
When possible, according to UBC, it is preferable to submit transcripts and other supporting documents online. If you’re interested in sending documents to UBC through a third-party service provider, like Scoir and Parchment, you should speak with your high school counselor.
However, the paperwork that international high school students must submit can differ.
Candidates from outside of Canada can specify which campus they want to attend by visiting the Undergraduate Programs and Admissions page of UBC’s website. Afterward, they have to indicate their location. The degree program of choice can also determine which entrance requirements international applicants must fulfill.
Does the University of British Columbia Give Credit for AP Exams?
The University of British Columbia awards credit for AP exams, like many other universities in the US and around the world. According to the school, passing an approved AP exam with a grade of 4 or higher is equivalent to receiving one college credit. AP courses can be used to satisfy admission requirements at UBC.
Taking AP classes and earning high AP exam scores is one of the many ways to impress college admissions officers, especially those at some of the most selective institutions in the US.
In general, the application is more impressive the more difficult the AP course and exam were.
Additionally, you can use your high school AP courses to fulfill UBC’s competitive admission requirements. You can rely on those AP courses to increase your chances of receiving an offer to enroll at the selective school when you don’t have some of the prerequisites, like an SAT or ACT score.
The same is true if you have not finished the earlier mentioned encouraged but not required senior high school academic and co-curricular courses.
Cherry blossom at UBC
UBC understands the importance of both AP exam scores and AP courses. And it’s for this reason that it awards college credits to first-year students who excel on their AP exams. The public research university awards one college credit for each AP exam with a score of 4 or higher.
Sadly, UBC does not accept the following as transfer credits:
- AP capstone diploma program
- AP seminar and research certificate
- AP seminar and AP research courses
But don’t let this discourage you; the institution claims that it will take these things into consideration when applicants present them. It goes without saying that they might improve one’s chances of enrolling in the elite school.
Just Before You Apply to the University of British Columbia
High rankings serve as proof that the University of British Columbia is among the best higher education institutions in the world, not just in Canada. As a result, only the most deserving and competitive candidates receive an enrollment offer.
Recall everything you’ve read above to determine whether or not your chances of admission are good so that you can start preparing for life as a student at UBC right away.
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How does UBC’s admission process work?
FAQ
Is University of British Columbia difficult to get into?
UBC’s admission process is competitive and comparative. Remember that we will compare your application to all others we have received this year for the same degree. On this page: Admission requirements.
What GPA do you need for UBC?
To be eligible for admission to UBC, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 80% As a result, if you want to enroll in a program at UBC, you must ensure that your academic performance is up to par. Financially and in terms of time commitment, attending university is a significant investment.