The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is an educational institution located in the northern region of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The university was established in 1990. UNBC campus offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of arts, sciences, business, education, and health sciences. The University is among the top 1000 universities in the world as per the rankings given by the QS and THE for 2024.
The University of Northern British Columbia has four campuses in British Columbia, Canada. The main campus is located in Prince George, and the other three campuses are Fort St. John, Terrace, and Quesnel. There are more than 3,500 students in various academic programmes and 17% of these are international students. The English proficiency tests accepted at the university include IELTS, DTE, CELPIP, and others. The application deadlines vary according to the courses but international students can apply for UG programmes by January-February for September intakes of the coming year.
The UNBC has over 20 academic buildings, and the prominent research facilities at UNBC include, the Quesnel River Research Centre, I.K. Barber Enhanced Forestry Lab, the Northern Analytical Laboratory Services, and the UNBC Herbarium. UNBC is also a leading center for research in climate change, forestry, and sustainable development. The university welcomes a vibrant community of students and staff and its location is surrounded by mountains and forests and offers numerous benefits of studying in Canada, from academic support to financial support and amazing career opportunities.
The University of Northern British Columbia offers undergraduate and graduate degree programmes across five faculties. UNBC also offers diploma and certificate programmes. Some of the popular courses are MBA, Nursing, Engineering, and others.
Courses | Duration | International Student | Local Student |
---|---|---|---|
B.Sc.(18 courses) | 4 years | ₹13.80 L - ₹15.22 L/yr | ₹3.61 L/yr |
B.Sc.(Hons)(15 courses) | 4 years | ₹13.80 L - ₹15.22 L/yr | ₹3.61 L/yr |
B.A.(13 courses) | 4 years | ₹15.22 L/yr | ₹3.61 L/yr |
M.A.(10 courses) | 1 year-3 years | ₹3.13 L - ₹3.97 L/yr | ₹2.24 L - ₹2.84 L/yr |
B.Com(7 courses) | 4 years | ₹15.22 L/yr | ₹3.61 L/yr |
The cost of living while studying at the University of Northern British Columbia is estimated to be around $33,000 - $43,000 CAD per year. The living expenses are inclusive of the tuition fee, residence costs, meal plans, and other miscellaneous expenses. The actual cost of living in Canada varies depending on the preferences and lifestyles of the students.
The University of Northern British Columbia Cost of living for international students
Cost Items | Expenses (in Canadian dollars) |
Tuition and fees | $20,139.53 per semester |
Accommodation | $6,380 to $10,720 per year |
Food | $4,000 to $5,500 per year (on-campus) $300-$500 per month |
Other expenses (transportation, books and supplies, personal expenses, and entertainment) | $2,000-$3,000 per year |
Total | $32,520 - $42,940 per year |
University of Northern British Columbia admission criteria are competitive and require international applicants to meet the academic and English proficiency requirements, which may or may not vary as per the selected degree course. The applicants will apply online through the EducationPlannerBC Application Service.
How to Apply?
The applicants must check the admission requirements of the programme they wish to pursue, prior to applying for admission at UNBC. The steps to apply for UG and Graduate Programmes are as follows.
Visit the official website of the university at unbc.ca.
Click on the ‘Admissions’ tab on the university homepage.
Click on the link for ‘Apply to UNBC’.
The official website of the EducationPlannerBC will open.
Create the student account as a new user and fill out the application.
Upload all the required documents (scanned and PDF) and submit the application.
Application Fee: UG and Graduate
The application fee for international applicants is $153.00 CAD. The fee is non-refundable.
Documents required for the UG Programme
Senior Secondary School (class 12th) Certificate, preferably from CBSE or CISCE.
Official Academic Transcripts of the secondary and any post-secondary education (if applicable or available).
Proof of English proficiency as per the university/programme requirements.
A financial statement demonstrating sufficient funds to support studies at UNBC.
Two letters of recommendation/reference from academic or professional references.
Any other document as required by the selected degree programme.
Documents required for the Graduate Programme
A 4-year/3-year Bachelors’ Degree or equivalent from a university/institution recognised by Northern British Columbia University.
Official university transcripts including all the educational courses with their respective grades, number of hours, and the name of the sending institution.
Proof of English language proficiency.
A copy of the Passport document.
Statement of purpose explaining the reason to study at UNBC.
Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.
The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) offers a number of scholarships for international students. These scholarships are generally offered as entrance awards and in-course scholarships. International students are not required to apply for entrance scholarships and automatically become eligible based on their academic excellence. The in-course scholarships are awarded to current students on the basis of academic performance and financial needs. Other than UNBC, international students can also avail of various scholarships in Canada offered for University students. Some of the most popular scholarships at UNBC include:
Scholarships for UG Programmes
International Student Scholarship
President's Silver Anniversary Award for Excellence in Leadership
Raven Scholarship
UNBC Leadership Award
UNBC Merit Award
Scholarships for Graduate Programmes
UNBC Graduate Scholarship
UNBC Masters Tuition Scholarship
UNBC Doctoral Tuition Award
Prince George Alzheimer's Society Graduate Scholarship
The eligibility requirements for admission to the University of Northern British Columbia may vary depending on the course preference. The applicants can check their eligibility under the course listings. The minimum eligibility requirements are as follows.
The minimum age of the applicant must be 18 years of age.
A minimum aggregate of 75% in senior secondary school (class 12th) in three academic subjects, one elective subject, and at least 61% of the aggregate score in English (language subject).
A minimum grade of B or first division in bachelor’s in the last 60 credit hours (the last two years approximately).
Must have the required proficiency in English.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Students who have completed their secondary education in a country where English is not the official language must demonstrate English language proficiency to meet the admission requirements at UNBC. The English proficiency tests accepted at UNBC are as follows.
English Proficiency Tests Scores accepted at the University of Northern British Columbia
TOEFL code is 0320Tests / Degree | Undergraduate Studies | Graduate Studies |
90 (internet-based) 230 (computer-based) 570 (paper-based) | 90 (internet-based) | |
6.5 | 7.0 | |
65 | 65 | |
105 | N.A | |
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) | 70 | 70 |
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) | 80 | 85 |
CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) | N.A | CELPIT-A (Academic Reading and Writing): 4H CELL (Listening): 4H CELTOP (Speaking): 4H |
UNBC Geoffrey R. Weller Library offers various services and facilities for its students, staff, and researchers. The library is well-equipped with course reserves, study spaces, research guides, etc.
UNBC has a good number of student-led academic, cultural, social, and service organisations. UNBC Archeology Club, UNBC Arts Club, and UNBC Chess Club are a few examples.
UNBC offers a variety of athletic facilities. The Northern Sports Centre features a swimming pool, fitness centre, and indoor track.
UNBC tuition includes a mandatory fee for a U-Pass, which provides all students with unlimited access to Prince George's Transit (bus services) during each semester.
UNBC Student Career Centre provides services for students in getting part-time and full-time jobs, meeting employers, preparing for interviews, etc. Students can access the UNBC student job board through the myUNBC student portal.
UNBC Access Resource Centre is designed to assist students with disabilities. The Centre is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for students with physical challenges.
International students can contact the University of Northern British Columbia at the given details.
Address: 3333 University WayPrince George British ColumbiaV2N 4Z9
Email: futurestudents@unbc.ca
Phone: 250-960-6306
Fax: 250-960-5280
The University of Northern British Columbia offers on-campus accommodations for its students in Neyoh and Keyoh residences. The residences offer apartment-style 4-bedroom suites with a number of other facilities and amenities such as a kitchen, bathroom, fridge, small appliances, laundry, vending machines on each floor, Wi-Fi access, parking facilities, and others. The residences also include meal plans, the charges of which are not included in the residence fees.
International students can also find hotels and motels located near campus to support their stay. Moreover, there are several other accommodation options in Canada that international students can choose from while studying at the UNBC.
Residence amenities | Rents/Cost |
4 Bedroom Suite | $2732.00 (per bedroom per semester) |
5-Day Meal Plan Fee | $2655.00 (per semester) |
7-Day Meal Plan Fee | $2865.00 (per semester) |
Housing Application Fee (non-refundable) | $26.50 |
The tuition fee of the University of British Columbia for international students is $23,818.20 CAD for the first academic year.
The acceptance rate of the University Of Northern British Columbia is 75%. This shows that it is relatively easier to get admission to UNBC.
As per the QS rankings of 2024, the university is ranked 781-790th and among the top 800 universities in the world.
According to Maclean's Magazine, the UNBC is one of the top universities of its size in Canada.