Universities and programs
How to Choose the Right University
A practical way to evaluate universities against your goals, rather than a list of famous names.
8 min read
Read guideUniversity in Canada
University of British Columbia
A public university with a large Vancouver campus and a smaller campus in the Okanagan. The two sites share the UBC name and differ in scale, setting and some of the programmes they offer.
Vancouver · Canada · Public
At a glance
A short orientation — not a ranking, and not a substitute for the course pages you will eventually read.
- Location
- Vancouver, Canada
- Institution type
- Public
- Founded
- 1908
- Campuses
- Vancouver and Okanagan (Kelowna)
- Study levels
- Undergraduate and postgraduate
Understanding the University of British Columbia
UBC is a public university. Most international students picture the Vancouver Point Grey campus first: a large site at the edge of the city, with its own housing, services and daily geography. The Okanagan campus in Kelowna is smaller and should be chosen on purpose if that is where your programme sits.
Engineering, arts and health are the study areas we currently connect to UBC. We feature a BASc in Mechanical Engineering. Those are entry points, not a claim about every faculty.
Because the Vancouver campus is somewhat separate from downtown, student life can feel more contained than at a downtown university — while the city remains close enough to use.
Why consider the University of British Columbia?
UBC is a university to weigh if a large public campus on the west coast of Canada matches your subject and the kind of week you want — not because a coastal setting is a substitute for reading the course.
Two campuses with different scales
Vancouver is a large research campus. Okanagan is smaller. Programmes are not all offered in both places. Confirm the campus before you imagine the view from your residence.
Engineering, arts and health in our listing
Those areas are how we currently tag UBC. Mechanical engineering appears as a featured undergraduate example. Faculty pages remain the place to see specialisations, co-op options and year structure.
A campus with a clear edge
The Vancouver campus has a distinct site, which can make the first year simpler to navigate than a fully urban scatter of buildings. It can also mean a bus or bike into the rest of the city when you want it.
Need-aware undergraduate awards
UBC International Scholars is listed here. It typically considers academic strength and financial need, with nomination and application steps. It is not an automatic offer.
Explore what you can study
A curated preview from what we currently list for University of British Columbia — not every course the university teaches, and not a ranking of faculties.
Study levels listed here: Undergraduate
Academic areas
Featured programmes
Undergraduate · Engineering
What could student life look like?
On the Vancouver campus, much of the week can happen on site: residences, libraries, recreation and classes. Downtown Vancouver is a trip rather than the default street outside the lecture hall.
Campus as a first neighbourhood
First-year housing, if you get it, often sits on campus. That can ease arrival. Later years may mix campus and city housing — plan for that shift.
Clubs and a large student population
A large campus usually supports many student activities. Whether that feels lively or overwhelming depends on how you use it, not on a brochure list of clubs.
International students
UBC enrols students from many countries. Advising and orientation exist; the useful work is still matching housing, winter weather and academic load to your own habits.
Vancouver and studying in Canada
Vancouver sits on Canada’s west coast. Climate, housing and travel from Asia-Pacific are part of the destination picture. For study permits and Canada-wide cost context, use the Canada page.
Understanding the cost of studying here
International tuition is published by UBC by programme and year. Engineering, arts and health will not share one number. Living costs in Vancouver are a separate, and often significant, line.
Check the fee table for your programme
UBC lists tuition for international students by degree. Use the current calendar year. Do not copy a figure from a different faculty.
Housing is a large part of the year
On-campus residence and off-campus rent follow different prices and timelines. Vancouver housing is competitive. We do not display unofficial averages.
A conversation about funding can help you compare UBC with other Canadian options without treating any one webpage number as universal.
Scholarships and funding
UBC International Scholars is a university scheme in our listing, typically for undergraduates, with academic and need-related criteria. Other Canadian awards may apply. Eligibility is set by UBC or the funder.
- View details
UBC International Scholars
University of British Columbia · Need-based award
Application requirements
UBC admits by programme and campus. Personal profile materials are part of many undergraduate applications, alongside grades.
Academic record
You will need a curriculum the university recognises, with any required subjects for your degree. Competitive programmes can ask for more than the minimum published floor.
English language
If you do not meet UBC’s English language pathways through prior study, an accepted test is usually required. Scores are published by the university and can change.
Supplementary materials
Undergraduate applicants often complete a personal profile. Some programmes add extra steps. Graduate applications follow the relevant graduate programme.
Treat this as a prompt to read the official checklist for your year of entry.
Questions students ask about UBC
Short answers for orientation. Official university pages remain the source of truth for your year of entry.
Primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with a second campus in Kelowna (Okanagan). Confirm which campus teaches your programme.
UBC teaches across many faculties. We currently highlight engineering, arts and health, and feature a BASc in Mechanical Engineering. The official calendar is the complete list.
They vary by programme, campus and your previous education. Many undergraduate applications include a personal profile as well as grades. English language rules are published by UBC.
UBC International Scholars is one university route in our listing. Other awards exist. Funding is competitive and never guaranteed on this page.
Undergraduate applications typically go through EducationPlannerBC, with UBC-specific materials. Graduate applications go to the relevant graduate programme. Application Support can help you plan the sequence.
Yes. International students study at both campuses. Study permit, insurance and housing steps still need to be handled for your own arrival.
Guides that may help next
Practical reading while you decide whether UBC — and this destination — may fit.
Scholarships and funding
Understanding the Cost of Studying Abroad
Tuition is only part of the picture. Use this guide to think through living costs, funding and planning.
6 min read
Read guide
Applications
What to Prepare Before Applying
Documents, tests, timelines and the practical things to gather before you apply.
5 min read
Read guide
Explore related universities
Other institutions we currently list in the same destination or overlapping study areas — a comparison set, not a ranking.
Considering University of British Columbia?
Fit depends on the programme, your background, budget and where you want to live — not on a famous name alone. A conversation can help you see whether this university, or another, may be the right next step.