Meet University of British Columbia
UBC has two main teaching campuses: Vancouver and Okanagan in Kelowna. Both offer undergraduate and graduate study, but their degrees and campus experiences differ. Its academic range includes arts, sciences, applied sciences and professional subjects. Choosing a campus is an important part of choosing a UBC programme.
Source: Official university background · Campus information.
Understanding University of British Columbia
UBC's Vancouver and Okanagan campuses belong to the same university but offer different degree choices and living environments. Vancouver is in the Lower Mainland, while Okanagan is in Kelowna. The distinction is particularly important when comparing a subject that is offered at both campuses.
University background and academic context reviewed : Overview and Facts | The University of British Columbia · UBC Campuses | The University of British Columbia · About UBC | The University of British Columbia. The comparison questions below are StudyFlyway planning suggestions.
What this means for your shortlist
Read each campus's degree requirements independently. Compare available specialisations, compulsory courses and any later selection into a major. Choosing UBC should include choosing where and what you will study; a general university admission page cannot answer every programme-level question. Housing and travel budgets should follow the selected campus.
- Compare the Vancouver and Okanagan versions of your intended degree.
- Ask whether entry to the degree also secures entry to your preferred major.
Ranking and international community
- QS World University Rankings (2027)
- 45
- International students
- 15,364
Ranking and student total: QS institutional profile. QS institutional profile; underlying census year not specified in the displayed statistics. Figures were checked 2026-10-04; rankings and enrolment totals can change between editions.
Notable alumni
Explore the people who studied at University of British Columbia and the work they went on to do.
Pierre Berton
UBC graduate
Historian, author and broadcaster. University source
Rick Hansen
UBC graduate
Paralympian and disability inclusion advocate. University source
Connections checked 2026-10-04. Former students and predecessor institutions are identified where applicable. These examples illustrate individual careers; they do not predict graduate outcomes.
Key information
- Institution type
- Public university
- Founded
- 1908 (incorporated); teaching began in 1915
- Study levels
- Undergraduate · postgraduate taught · doctoral research
- Teaching language
- English; check programme-specific requirements
- Main campus location
- Vancouver (Point Grey) and Okanagan (Kelowna), British Columbia
Confirm location and language on the official programme listing.
Academic options
Subject areas to explore include:
- Arts and humanities
- Science
- Engineering and applied science
- Business
- Forestry
- Land and food systems
- Education
- Health disciplines
These are broad subject areas, not a complete course list. Check the degree title, study level, campus and teaching language before shortlisting.
International admissions
UBC publishes general, country-specific and degree-specific requirements. Select your curriculum, campus and degree before comparing requirements. Graduate applications have separate departmental and Graduate Studies instructions.
Requirements vary by programme. Pakistani applicants should compare academic prerequisites, qualification recognition, language evidence, required documents and deadlines for their intended intake. Postgraduate taught and research applications may follow different routes; contact the university if your qualification is not clearly covered.
Build your application plan
For a Canadian programme, distinguish the degree, campus and intended major. Ask whether admission is directly to the specialisation or to a broader first-year category. If a work-experience route is offered, investigate selection, scheduling and additional fees separately; do not budget on the assumption that a paid position is guaranteed.
Choose the right study route
- First undergraduate degree: compare your secondary-school qualifications, required subjects and language evidence with the course requirements. If direct entry is unclear, ask admissions about recognised preparation routes before paying for one.
- Taught postgraduate study: check the required degree background and relevant modules. Save your transcript, grading scale and course descriptions so you can explain your preparation accurately.
- Research study: identify a relevant research group, investigate supervisor availability and check whether a proposal is needed. Keep admission, supervision and funding decisions separate.
Keep a course-specific deadline record
Record the application deadline, document deadline, scholarship deadline and offer-response date separately. Include the intake year and the official page where each date appears. If instructions conflict, send admissions the course code and ask which deadline applies to your applicant category.
Check University of British Columbia application instructions · Document checklist · Compare IELTS and PTE preparation
Tuition and scholarships
Use the university’s current fee information for your exact programme, study year and fee status. Include compulsory student charges, housing, insurance, course materials and travel in your budget. Scholarship eligibility, coverage and application dates must be checked separately.
No numerical tuition estimate is published here. Obtain the current fee for your programme and year directly from the university. StudyFlyway is an independent information portal.
Related scholarship guide
Compare the full offer, not just tuition
Build a budget for the complete qualification at University of British Columbia. A first-year tuition figure is not the same as the total course cost, and an advertised scholarship maximum is not a personal funding offer.
| Part of your plan | What to record |
|---|---|
| Academic costs | Programme fee, charging period, compulsory charges, deposit, refund terms and any practical materials or equipment. |
| Living arrangements | Housing contract length, utilities, meals, transport to the teaching campus and costs during vacation periods. |
| Funding | Confirmed award amount, duration, renewal conditions, permitted combinations and whether a separate application is required. |
| Course commitments | Attendance, practical activities, research or placement requirements, and any travel between teaching locations. |
Keep amounts in the university’s billing currency and date your exchange-rate estimate. Treat unconfirmed scholarships and possible employment income as uncertain, then compare the same cost categories across your shortlisted institutions.
Find official programme costs · Investigate university funding · Create a complete study budget
Life on campus
Vancouver’s Point Grey campus and Kelowna’s Okanagan campus have distinct surroundings. Campus tours show residences, study areas, lecture buildings and recreation facilities. Libraries, student clubs, sporting activities and international student advising are available through campus services. Housing options and application processes differ by campus, so use the accommodation information for your chosen location.
Compare accommodation contracts, room facilities, commute and application dates directly with the provider. Availability and support arrangements can change.
A closer look at campus
Genuine photographs of university buildings and grounds. Photographs may predate current facilities; captions identify historical views where relevant.
Images are displayed at responsive sizes; header and directory previews may be cropped by the layout. Each photograph retains its linked reuse licence. University photo credits
Continue comparing universities in Canada
Use the same subject, qualification level and cost checklist for each option. These links are browsing suggestions, not a ranking or a claim that the institutions offer equivalent courses.
- University of Calgary — Calgary
- University of Guelph — Guelph
- University of Manitoba — Winnipeg
Read the Canada study guide · Browse all listed universities in Canada
Official university links
Sources and last checked date
Last checked . Original summaries draw on these official university resources. Programme details, fees and services can change; the official provider has the final information.
- Official university website
- History and university background
- Campus locations
- Courses and study options
- International admissions and applications
- Current entry requirements
- Tuition fees and study costs
- Scholarships and funding
- Accommodation options
Photo descriptions and licences: the Wikimedia Commons source linked beneath each image. This directory is a starting point for research, not a ranking or endorsement.