Changes to UBC's Admission Processes

UBC’s general admission requirements and the degree-specific prerequisites have not, and will not, change. Canadian students can find this information on the following webpages:

• Vancouver campus
• Okanagan campus

What will change?

Starting in 2019, UBC is changing how theyevaluate applicants for admission. Please use the following guidelines to help your Grade 10 and 11 students plan for and select their courses.

1. Students must still meet UBC's general and degree-specific admission requirements

• Graduation from high school
• The English Language Admission Standard (for students who haven’t completed at least three years of full-time study in Canada)
• The Grade 11 and Grade 12 degree-specific prerequisites

2. Students should still focus on their achievements beyond academics

The Personal Profile continues to be a very important part of UBC’s online application. It helps UBC assess students’ preparedness for university study based on a broad range of experiences and achievements.

3. Students should consider UBC’s holistic approach to assessing secondary school coursework  

Starting in 2019, UBC will no longer calculate admission averages using a specific number of courses within the approved Grade 12 courses list. UBC will take a holistic approach to academic assessments and will consider all Grade 11 and Grade 12 courses when evaluating the competitiveness of a student’s application – and emphasis will be placed on academic courses related to their intended area of study.
UBC’s holistic approach will focus primarily on marks in academic courses, but will also consider breadth, rigour, and relevancy of coursework:

1. To what extent has the student excelled in secondary school, as evidenced by their grades?
2. To what extent has the student challenged themselves in secondary school, as evidenced by the number and academic rigour of courses completed?
3. To what extent has the student taken courses in subjects that are relevant to their intended area of study at UBC?

Your students can demonstrate competitiveness in a number of ways, beyond their grades:

• Challenge themselves: Show UBC breadth and rigour in their course selection, and/or take advanced courses (e.g., AP, IB, Calculus, dual credit, etc.).
• Demonstrate knowledge in their area of study: Take courses related to their intended areas of study (e.g., math and sciences courses if they’re applying to Bachelor of Science).