The University of British Columbia, Vancouver
British Columbia, Canada | Estd in 1908 | Government University
THE Rank : 41 | QS Rank : 34
About The University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university, located in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The University of British Columbia acceptance rate is approximately 53% which shows that the university is moderately selective, and the admission process is competitive for students. The minimum GPA requirements at the University of British Columbia is 3.3 on a 4.0 point scale, however, 3.7 is the most preferable GPA.
Latest updates at the University of British Columbia
Application for admission to the winter and summer semesters at the University of British Columbia will be open from early October 2024.
All applicants seeking admission to the University of British Columbia for winter and summer sessions can apply by filling out the application form before January 15, 2024, 11:59 PM (PST).
For Canada Intakes, international students are required to submit an award application by November 15, 2024 (11:59 p.m. PST) to be considered for the UBC International Scholars Program awards for 2025.
The university was established in 1908 and is among the top public universities in the world. The university is accredited by AACSB. The University of British Columbia is ranked 35 under "Best Global Universities" and 2nd under "Best Global Universities in Canada" according to US News in 2024. The University of British Columbia QS ranking is 34th in the category of "World University Rankings" for the year 2024.
The University of British Columbia admission is based on excellent academic performance and a strong application. International students seeking admission to the University of British Columbia are required to provide a proof of English Proficiency requirement by demonstrating a valid score in IELTS, PTE or TOEFL exam. The University of British Columbia application fee for Indian students is CAD 125.25 (Rs. 7,606) for undergraduate courses and CAD 168.25 (Rs. 10,218) for graduate programmes.
The University of British Columbia fees for Indian students ranges from Rs. 28.26 L - Rs. 30.15 L per year for undergraduate programmes. The cost of tuition at the university for the 12-month full-time master’s programme is around Rs. 38,69,461. The University of British Columbia popular courses for Indian students include International economics, Journalism, Media studies, Nursing, Engineering, and many more.
The University of British Columbia is home to several world-renowned research centres and institutes, and consistently ranks as one of the world’s top research universities across various fields. It is also one of the top universities in Canada for its education and research.
UBC’s Vancouver campus has more than 58,000 students, including international students from over 140 countries. Its main campuses are located in Vancouver and the Okanagan. the University of British Columbia campus area in acres is 993-acres (402-hectare).
The University of British Columbia notable alumni
The university alumni comprise 8 Nobel laureates and 3 Canadian prime ministers, and its varsity athletes have won 65 Olympic medals. A few of the Nobel laureates and notable alumni of the University of British Columbia are mentioned in the table below:
Notable alumni at the University of British Columbia
Name | Profession |
Bertram Brockhouse | Nobel laureate (Physics, 1994) |
Justin Trudeau | Prime Minister of Canada |
Bjarni Tryggvason | Astronaut | Canadian Space Agency |
Kim Campbell | Former Prime Minister of Canada |
Robert Mundell | Nobel laureate (Economics, 1999) |
Har Gobind Khorana | Nobel laureate (Medicine, 1968) |
Belinda Wong | President | Starbucks China |
Also Read: Work while studying in Canada.
The University of British Columbia Highlights
- Domestic: 41960
- International: 16808
The University of British Columbia Ranking and Stats
The University of British Columbia QS Rankings for 2024 is 34th in the world university rankings, and 38th in the graduate employability ranking. The University of British Columbia world ranking is 41 in the Times Higher Education 2024 rankings. The university is ahead of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which have ranked 42nd and 43rd in THE World University Rankings, 2024, respectively. The University of British Columbia worldwide ranking is 5th in the Best Global Universities Rankings and 2nd in National Universities in the U.S. News and World Report.
University of British Columbia Subject-wise Rankings
Subjects / Courses | US News World Ranking, 2023 |
Social Sciences and Public Health | 13 |
Environment/Ecology | 14 |
Psychiatry/Psychology | 24 |
Clinical Medicine | 34 |
Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 40 |
Neuroscience and Behavior | 42 |
Education and Educational Research | 46 |
Arts and Humanities | 47 |
Mathematics | 51 |
Engineering | 68 |
Parametric Score and Ranking 2024
| Domain | Year | Score | Rank | Rank Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2024 | 78 | 41 | NA |
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The University of British Columbia Courses
The University of British Columbia offers 256 undergraduate and 253 postgraduate programmes. The university also offers professional and English pathway programmes. Some of the popular and internationally recognised courses offered at the University of British Columbia include International economics, Journalism, Media studies, Nursing, Engineering, and many more.
The University of British Columbia Fees for Indian Students
The University of British Columbia fees for international students are calculated on the basis of various factors which include course of study, study loads, and the residency status of an individual. Tuition fees for Indian students at the University of British Columbia ranges from Rs. 28.26 L - Rs. 30.15 L per year for undergraduate programmes. The cost of tuition at the university for the 12-month full-time master’s programme is around Rs. 38,69,461.
Note: International students can pay their fees in three installments in the first week of January, May, and September. However, students are required to complete 120 credits to be awarded a full-time degree from the University of British Columbia.
Accreditations
The University of British Columbia Fees
| Courses | Duration | International Student | Local Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A.(48 courses) | 2 years | ₹6.60 L - ₹19.64 L/yr | ₹4.00 L - ₹10.12 L/yr |
| M.Sc.(41 courses) | 2 years | ₹6.50 L - ₹32.95 L/yr | ₹3.93 L - ₹28.01 L/yr |
| B.A.(35 courses) | 4 years | ₹32.22 L - ₹34.47 L/yr | ₹8.05 L - ₹8.12 L/yr |
| B.Sc.(35 courses) | 4 years-5 years | ₹33.60 L - ₹41.85 L/yr | ₹8.11 L - ₹8.97 L/yr |
| M.Ed.(25 courses) | 1 year-2 years | ₹6.60 L - ₹20.59 L/yr | ₹4.00 L - ₹10.31 L/yr |
The University of British Columbia Cost Of Living
The students can check their actual cost of attendance for their respective courses at official website of the University of British Columbia. The cost of living cover the cost of their expenses and tuition fees. A detailed table for the University of British Columbia is mentioned below.
University of British Columbia cost of living for international students
Expense list | Expenses per month |
On-campus residence | CAD 3,600 - CAD 6,300 |
Off-campus housing | CAD 1,200 - CAD 2,500 |
Food | CAD 300 - CAD 500 |
Utilities (heat, hydro, internet) | CAD 100 - CAD 200 |
Transportation | CAD 100 - CAD 200 |
Other expenses (clothing, entertainment, personal care) | CAD 200 - CAD 500 |
Is it expensive to study at the University of British Columbia?
The University of British Columbia is located in Vancouver, Canada. The cost of living in Canada is quite expensive than that of India. The students can expect to spend between CAD 2,097 and CAD 2,212 per month on living expenses, excluding tuition fees which is equivalent to Rs. 1,31,373 to Rs. 1,38,565 per month for Indian students. The cost of living in Canada can vary depending on several factors, including lifestyle choices, the type of accommodation, and the selected programme of study.
The University of British Columbia Admission and Application
The University of British Columbia’s acceptance rate is approximately 53% (unofficial sources) which means that the university has competitive admission requirements and moderate selectivity depending on the programme and campus of choice. All applicants are required to check the admission requirements of the selected course of study before application. A detailed application process for both undergraduate and graduate programmes is mentioned below:
How to apply to the University of British Columbia?
To apply to the University of British Columbia, the applicant must follow the given steps.
Undergraduate Admissions
Visit the official website of the University of British Columbia.
Go to the Admissions tab and click on the link for Undergraduate Admissions.
Click on the link ‘Apply to UBC’.
Fill out the application with all the required information.
Applicants are required to write their profile as a part of the application.
Pay the application fee and submit it.
Note the UBC number for future reference.
The UBC will send the email with the subject line “Your UBC Application – Next Steps”, where all the required documents must be submitted.
The documents must be uploaded electronically via email at final.grades@ubc.
The applicants will be informed about their admission status within 4–6 weeks from the date of application after the completion of document verification.
Postgraduate Admissions
Visit the official website of the University of British Columbia.
Go to the Admissions tab and click on Graduate Admissions.
Click on the link to apply for the Vancouver campus under ‘Ready to Apply’.
Now, on the new page, click on the link to create a new CWL.
Create an account for CWL and the login will be sent via email.
Use the credentials to log in, fill out the application form, and pay the application fee.
The supporting documents will be uploaded to the link sent via email.
The University of British Columbia Application Fee: All international candidates seeking admission to the university are required to pay an application fee of CAD 125.25 (Rs. 7,606) for undergraduate courses and CAD 168.25 (Rs. 10,218) for graduate programmes. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid in Canadian currency.
The University of British Columbia Application Deadline: All overseas students planning to take admission to the university can apply from October 2024 to January 15, 2025 by 11:59 PM (PST) for admission to winter and summer sessions at the university.
The University of British Columbia: Documents Required
The application process at the University of British Columbia requires the following documents to be submitted along with a completed application form:
Higher Secondary School (class 12th) Certificate.
Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institution.
Academic Transcripts of schools and colleges.
Master’s or M. Phil degree for Ph.D. programmes.
GMAT scores or GRE scores, if required.
Letter of recommendation or references.
Certificate of English Language Proficiency Test scores. (such as PTE, IELTS, Duolingo English Test)
Any additional document as per the requirements of the chosen course of study.
The University of British Columbia Scholarship
The University of British Columbia offers scholarships to recognize the academic achievement of international students from around the world. The university provides more than CAD 30 million annually to awards, scholarships, and other forms of financial support for international students. The details about the application process, eligibility, and deadlines of these scholarships can be viewed under the Financial planning section of the university homepage.
Scholarships in Canada are usually offered based on academic achievement and involvement in extracurricular activities. Some of the scholarships awarded to international students at the University of British Columbia are mentioned below.
The University of British Columbia Scholarships for international students
International Major Entrance Scholarship | President's Scholarships |
Outstanding International Student Award | Killam Doctoral Scholarships |
Premier Undergraduate and Westbrook Scholarship (UG) | President's Academic Excellence Initiative Ph.D. Award |
International Student Awards (UG) | Vanier Scholarship |
Graduate Student Awards (PG) | International Tuition Award |
The University of British Columbia Eligibility
The eligibility requirements of the University of British Columbia vary according to the Programmes offered at the University. The basic minimum eligibility required to gain admission at UBC is given below.
For Undergraduate Admissions
The minimum age of the applicant must be 18 years.
Must have completed Higher Secondary School (class 12th) as a minimum requirement for admission to UG courses.
Must have a GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 point scale, 3.7 is the most preferable GPA, equivalent to 80% of the minimum aggregate score.
English language proficiency as per the University requirements.
For Postgraduate Admissions
A 4-year bachelor’s degree is required for most courses, however, a 3-year bachelor’s degree will be accepted, only if,
A first-division degree is granted by an NAAC-accredited ‘A’ grade institution.
A degree is granted by an Institution of National Importance, such as the Indian Institute of Technology.
A minimum aggregate of 65% (first division) or a GPA of 8.0 on a 10-point scale is required for admission to postgraduate and research programmes.
English language proficiency as per the University requirements.
University of British Columbia English Language Requirements
International applicants who belong to a non-English-speaking country must meet the English language requirement. Candidates who have completed/are completing four or more consecutive years of full-time education in the English language in a country other than Canada where English is the principal language can get an exemption from the English proficiency requirements.
To meet the entry requirements, students must have a valid score in any of these tests: TOEFL (iBT), IELTS, Duolingo English Test, CAEL, CAE/CPE, PTE Academic, and MELAB. Also, applicants who do not meet these requirements may get themselves enrolled in English pathway programmes at UBC. A detailed table of required scores are mentioned in the table below.
University of British Columbia English Language Requirement
The University of British Columbia Campus Facilities
Wifi
The ResNet facility of UBC connects residences to the internet and campus network. ResNet is delivered through either a hardwired port or a wireless connection.
Library
The University of British Columbia library offers Secured Internet Access, Group and silent study spaces, Technology Spaces, Workshop and presentation Rooms, Technology Support, Pianos, and more.
Club
UBC is home to over 350 AMS (Alma Mater Society) clubs. Each faculty is represented by a student society. Students can connect with clubs and organisations to enhance their skills.
Sports
UBC sports clubs give students an opportunity in a variety of sports including alpine skiing, fencing, sailing, tennis, and synchronised swimming with the Aquatic Centre, Golf Club, Tennis Centre, Hangar Fitness and Wellness Centre.
Parking Facility
UBC Parking provides a paid car parking facility. Most parking lots and parkades are open to students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors.
Transport Facility
UBC offers many transportation options like cycling, carshare, and public transit. Other transportation facilities include Community Bike Clinics, E-Bike Program, and Accessibility Shuttle for students with disabilities.
Physical Challenged Student
The University has a wide variety of services for students with disabilities and physical challenges, including special assistance and Accessibility Shuttle.
Medical/Hospital
UBC Parking provides a paid car parking facility. Most parking lots and parkades are open to students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors.
The University of British Columbia International Office Details
The University of British Columbia has a total of 58,768 students studying at the Vancouver campus, out of which 28.6% are international students from over 100 countries. The university provides career support services, part-time work, pathway programmes, English language support services, health insurance, scholarships, accommodation, and other services to its international students. The university has international student advisors who provide immigration-related support to assist students in their smooth transition and easy arrival in the country.
Is it hard to get into the University of British Columbia?
The University of British Columbia acceptance rate is approximately 53% as per the unofficial sources, as the university does not provide any official information regarding its acceptance rate. This shows that the university has a moderate yet competitive selection process, and requires its applicants to have a strong academic background and extracurricular skills. The international students can contact the University of British Columbia at the given details.
Address: 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
Phone No: 604 822 2211
Email: ubco.global@ubc.ca
The University of British Columbia Gallery
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FAQ's
The University of British Columbia is an expensive institution in terms of tuition fees and living expenses. The international tuition fees of UBC range between 28 L to 30 L per academic year for UG students, and approximately 38 L for PG students. The living expenses can also be expected around 1.5 L per month. Overall, the total cost of attendance can range from 45 L to 50 L per year, however, it may vary depending on the preferences and lifestyle of the students.
UBC is a top-ranked university with a strong reputation for academic excellence and research innovation. It is a highly competitive university with a moderate selectivity rate of around 53%. The university requires a minimum GPA of 3.3 out of a 4-point scale for undergraduate programmes, however, 3.7 is the most preferable. For postgraduate admissions, the university requires a minimum GPA of 8.0 out of 10 (65% or above). The minimum GPA requirements can be higher for some courses.
Yes. The University of British Columbia offers scholarships for international students. The scholarships are offered on a merit basis to attract academically strong students from around the world. International Major Entrance Scholarship and Outstanding International Student Award are some examples of UBC scholarships that are offered to international students. Overseas students can also apply for several other scholarships in Canada, specifically designed for them.
UBC is among the top 50 universities in the world and is also named one of the most international universities by THE Report. The University of British Columbia’s acceptance rate is approximately 53%, implying that it has moderate selectivity but it is still very competitive as it receives large amounts of applications from around the world. Applicants with excellent academic records and research potential have a strong chance of getting into the University of British Columbia.
The University of British Columbia rankings have shown that it is among the top 50 universities in the world. It has been ranked 34th in the QS and 41st in THE world university rankings, in 2024. According to the US News and World Report, 2023, the university is at 2nd place in Canada, and 5th place globally. UBC is one of the leading institutions and receives a good number of international applications.
Yes. The University of British Columbia is one of the most international universities as per the Times Higher Education Report, and accepts students from all around the world, including India. However, Indian applicants must fulfill all the eligibility requirements of the university to get admitted. Indian applicants can apply to the various academic programmes at UBC through its online application portal.