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The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s West Coast spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. Its entrepreneurial perspective encourages students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.
As one of the world’s leading universities, the University of British Columbia creates an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.
One hundred years ago, the new University of British Columbia opened its doors with few resources, modest ambitions, and a strong resolve. Our founders welcomed UBC’s first students in 1915 with a promise to “provide a satisfactory education” and to conduct “respectable” research.
What a difference a century makes! UBC’s best — now acknowledged to rank among the best in the world — have proved that we can aim much higher. Working together, our faculty, staff, and students have demonstrated that our pursuit of excellence in learning, teaching, and research is making a lasting and positive difference.
Looking forward, UBC will continue to thrive and make a difference — locally, nationally and globally.
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Faculty of Applied Science
The Faculty of Applied Science oversees administrative procedures for the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, the School of Community and Regional Planning, the School of Nursing, and all engineering activities at the Vancouver campus and the UBC Okanagan School of Engineering.
APSC at a glance
- 5,714 undergradute students
- 1,767 graduate students
- 320 faculty and 365 staff
- 30,000 alumni
- $46 million annual research funding
- $8 million annual industry funding
- 106 spin-off companies
- 1,975 annual co-op work terms in 16 countries
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School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
The School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture contributes significantly to the dialogue, education, research and innovation within the architecture, landscape architecture, and urban designprofessions and plays a positive role at the University of British Columbia and in the wider community. Through its undergraduate,professional and research programs, the School aspires to produce outstanding graduates equipped to provide the necessary design, technical and intellectual leadership that will contribute to a built environment supportive of civil and sustainable patterns of living.
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Faculty of Arts
UBC’s Faculty of Arts is a research-intensive faculty, encompassing a full range of courses in the social sciences, humanities, and creative and performing arts. The Faculty provides compelling opportunities to explore and choose among 2,000 courses taught by more than 750 scholars who are leaders in their fields.
As the university’s largest academic unit, the Faculty educates more than 13,000 students in bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs in 15 departments, five schools, four institutes, the Museum of Anthropology, the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, and many exciting interdisciplinary programs. Truly unique in its scope, the Faculty of Arts is a dynamic and thriving community of outstanding scholars—both faculty and students.
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School of Audiology and Speech Sciences
The School of Audiology and Speech Sciences (SASS) in the Faculty of Medicine at UBC is the only program in British Columbia that educates speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The School offers a Master of Science degree and a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
SASS faculty are internationally renowned for their research. In addition to mentoring and training M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, faculty members are regularly sought after to provide specific expertise. They often introduce cutting-edge techniques used by clinicians and institutions throughout B.C., across Canada, and around the world.
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Sauder School of Business
The Sauder School of Business is one of the world’s leading academic business schools. Located in Vancouver, Canada’s gateway to the Pacific Rim, Sauder provides a global business perspective at a dynamic crossroads of the international marketplace.
Dedicated to rigorous and relevant teaching, our programs generate business leaders who drive change and shape industries and organizations around the world.
Sauder is committed to being an international leader in the creation and application of business knowledge, and to promoting lifelong success for our students and alumni.
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School of Community and Regional Planning
The School of Community and Regional Planning at UBC was one of the first dedicated planning schools in Canada. Founded in 1951, we have over six decades of experience in graduate planning education and research. We work, live and play in one of the most scenic urban settings in the world. Vancouver is home to a culture of environmentalism and pluralism with a long history of activism and action. It is also home to formidable socio-economic problems in the Downtown Eastside and elsewhere. Our work is endlessly challenging and there is no shortage of both issues to tackle, and inspiration to draw from, in our lively and dynamic city.
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Continuing Studies
UBC Continuing Studies is an academic unit of the University of British Columbia, an institution that consistently ranks among the 40 best universities globally. We offer outstanding flexible learning experiences that advance our students’ careers and enrich their lives.
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Faculty of Dentistry
The UBC Faculty of Dentistry is approaching some very important milestones in its history:
- 40th anniversary of the graduation of the first dental class
- 50th anniversary of the opening of the school
- 100th anniversary of the University of British Columbia
- It is my honor to serve as the sixth dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at this exciting time.
There have been remarkable changes in dentistry in the 40 years since our first class graduated and the UBC Faculty of Dentistry has been instrumental in these advances in the oral health sciences. We are particularly well prepared to continue to make significant contributions to our profession’s body of knowledge through our active faculty research, outstanding curriculum and the most technologically advanced dental clinic in the world, the Nobel BioCare Oral Health Centre.
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Faculty of Education
For over 50 years, the Faculty of Education has served the international education community through leadership in research, service, and advocacy.
In British Columbia, more than 45% of the province’s elementary teachers, the majority of secondary teachers, and a significant proportion of BC’s special needs and First Nations teachers, counsellors, school administrators, school psychologists, and vocational rehabilitation counsellors, are prepared by the UBC Faculty of Education for their important roles.
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Faculty of Forestry
Forestry education in British Columbia has never been better. UBC’s forest education is keeping pace with changing social values and an increasingly knowledge-based forest sector.
UBC Forestry is turning out a new generation of foresters. As of 2015/16, approximately 920 undergraduate students and 240 graduate students are enrolled at the Faculty.
Programs offered are progressive and timely. Today’s students not only learn about topics like the biology of trees, innovative wood products and forest engineering, they are taught about ecological and cultural issues related to the forest. Students learn to use the latest technology available to manage forests thoughtfully and efficiently.
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School of Journalism
UBC Journalism is a unique, boutique journalism masters program in one of the most beautiful, diverse and progressive cities in the world. It is one of only four masters-only journalism programs in North America, and the only graduate journalism program in western Canada.
Faculty members come from the highest levels of major media organizations, as well as leaders in digital journalism and media scholarship. We pride ourselves on our one-on-one approach with students, working closely with the aspiring journalists who go through our program, and often continuing to mentor them long after they graduate.
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School of Kinesiology
Kinesiology is an academic discipline which involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life. It includes such areas of study as exercise science, sports management, athletic training and sports medicine, socio-cultural analyses of sports, sport and exercise psychology, fitness leadership, physical education-teacher education, and pre-professional training for physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine and other health related fields.
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Faculty of Land and Food Systems
The Faculty of Land and Food Systems is a world leader in integrated research, education and service to address critical global issues around human health and a sustainable food supply.
The UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems uses student-centered learning to educate new generations of scientists equipped to solve the most fundamental issues faced by society — those focused around human health, a sustainable food supply and the responsible use of finite land and water resources. To that end, Faculty initiatives foster and support: research excellence, innovative active learning environments, strong community connections, and global and local collaborations.
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Peter A. Allard School of Law
On January 22, 2015, UBC announced a transformational $30 million gift from law alumnus Peter A. Allard, Q.C. Mr. Allard’s gift is the largest gift ever to a Canadian law school. In recognition of his gift, which will enable the faculty to build on its reputation for championing human rights, the university renamed the law school the Peter A. Allard School of Law.
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School of Library, Archival and Information Studies
The iSchool@UBC, We offer the Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies (MLIS), the Master’s degree in Archival Studies (MAS), and the Dual MAS/MLIS. In addition, we sponsor a multidisciplinary Master of Arts in Children’s Literature with five other departments. Opportunities are also available for post-master’s study.
The iSchool is an internationally recognized School with innovative programs and exceptional research productivity. Our programs have received international awards and our faculty have received large research grants to support students. Peruse our website, look at our course offerings, examine our research interests, and make the iSchool your choice to begin your next step at one of the best universities in the world.
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Faculty of Medicine
The UBC Faculty of Medicine educates health professional and life sciences students at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels, and pursues research – in the laboratory, in clinical settings and at the population and public policy level – to improve the health of people worldwide.
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School of Music
The School of Music at UBC is the largest school of its kind in western Canada. The study of music was introduced at UBC as early as 1935, with noon-hour lectures and recorded recitals. The first formal courses, offered through the Department of Extension, were introduced during the war years. The first class of Bachelor of Music students began their studies at UBC in September, 1959.
Today, with a faculty of distinguished composers, scholars and performers, the School of Music produces graduates who work in all aspect of the music industry from high profile artists and composers such as opera stars Ben Heppner and Judith Forst, and internationally acclaimed composers such as Paul Steenhuisen and John Estacio to members of orchestras and chamber ensembles around the world. Non-performance graduates, less in the public eye but as important, are the hundreds of graduates who write, research and teach, at universities, public schools and privately as well as graduates working behind the scenes in concert production, broadcasting, arts management and the recording and film industries.
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School of Nursing
Established in 1919, the UBC School of Nursing has almost 100 years of experience educating nursing leaders and innovating research. We have an international reputation for research and scholarship, guided by a vision of excellence in nursing education, research and practice.
The UBC School of Nursing is home to the first degree program in nursing in the Commonwealth and was one of the first academic programs established at UBC after the university’s inception in 1915.
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School of Population and Public Health
The School educates students at the graduate level as they examine local, national and global health challenges. Students have the opportunity to learn from and work with faculty who are renowned researchers in their fields of expertise.
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Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
On April 5, 2016, nine leading experts in the field of health systems data will present at the UBC Centennial Sessions Symposium on Health Informatics.
The sold-out event, co-hosted by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, will be held at the Life Sciences Institute and is part of a series of public events designed to commemorate the University's 100th anniversary.
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Faculty of Science
Ranked among the world’s top 40 universities, UBC research prowess in environmental science, math, physics, plant and animal science, computer science, geology and biology is consistently rated best in Canada by international and national rankings.
UBC Science is a key incubator of educational innovations at UBC and beyond. Led by the Faculty's teaching and learning initiatives, we've transformed more than 160 science courses, improving the classroom experience of 16,000 UBC undergraduates every year.
UBC Science faculty members conduct top-tier research in the life, physical, earth and computational sciences. Their discoveries help build our understanding of natural laws—driving insights into sustainability, biodiversity, human health, nanoscience and new materials, probability, artificial intelligence, exoplanets and a wide range of other areas.
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School of Social Work
Building upon a foundation of social justice and an ethic of care, we are a community of learners actively engaged in the development of critical, transformative knowledge for social work practice.
Founded in 1929, the UBC School of Social Work is the oldest social work education program in British Columbia and the third oldest in Canada. Today, we continue our long and distinguished record of professional education, research and scholarship.
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UBC Vantage College
Vantage One program offers a unique student experience. Academic English language instruction is integrated into each course of study, whether it be chemistry, business or political science. Your successful transition into year two of your degree is supported with mentorship, small class sizes and peer-to-peer learning.
After successfully completing the 11-month Vantage One program at UBC Vantage College, you will be able to transition directly into the second year of your degree—an option that is both time and cost effective. At UBC Vantage College, your opportunities are boundless. You will find a unique opportunity to flourish here, and an opportunity to transform not just your life, but also the cultural landscape of UBC.
In 1877, only six years after British Columbia joined Canada, Superintendent of Education John Jessop submitted a proposal for the formation of a provincial university. An Act Respecting the University of British Columbiawas passed by the provincial legislature in 1890, but disagreements arose over whether to build the university on Vancouver Island or the mainland. A provincial university was formally called into being by the British Columbia University Act of 1908, although its location was not yet specified.
UBC has grown over the last 100 years, from a provincial institution with just 379 students to an internationally renowned research powerhouse with 60,000 students and more than 300,000 alumni across the globe. Wherever they may be, our talented graduates are building upon their education to enrich the social, environmental, and economic sectors of their society, and contributing to the wellbeing of their fellow citizens.
The University of British Columbia is consistently ranking among the 40 best globally, and now places among the top 20 public universities in the world.
2015
#34-Times Higher Education (UK)
#40-ARWU (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
Indicators used in the surveys include numbers of Nobel laureates; number of highly cited researchers; number of articles published in Nature and Science; number of articles cited in the Science Citation Index; and academic performance per faculty.International rankings are a relatively new phenomenon, beginning with the 2003 Shanghai Jiao Tong University Institute of Higher Education rankings.
The Times Higher Education (THE) Reputation Rankings
UBC ranks 37 in the 2015 Times Higher Education (THE) reputational in ranking. This ranking is a sub-component of the comprehensive rankings, and based on an academic opinion survey. The THE started releasing this ranking separately in 2011.
Life on UBC’s Vancouver Campus
With popular beaches, international food, and a lively social scene, the campus is so easy to live on that some students say they hardly need to leave.
UBC’s Vancouver campus is a vibrant community with almost 32,000 undergraduate students. It feels like its own little city but it’s within easy reach of beaches, downtown, and mountains. You can go from exploring a rainforest trail in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, to relaxing on Jericho Beach, to shopping on Robson Street — all in one day.
Cost of living
Getting started can be tough due to the relatively high cost of living in Vancouver, but this resource is aimed at saving you time and money by pointing you in the right direction.
A premium is charged through rent and other living costs for the luxury of living in this beautiful city. Vancouver is amongst the least affordable cities in which to live in Canada, with the highest housing prices in the country. Come see our city and you will understand why so many people are willing to tolerate the high cost of living in Vancouver. Tipping is standard practice in bars/restaurants (typically 15-20pc of the bill). A pint of beer will cost you anywhere from $5-8 dollars depending on location and whether it’s a local or imported brand.
Facilities
As a top-ranked research university, the Vancouver campus is home to some outstanding facilities, including:
- TRIUMF — one of the world’s leading laboratories for subatomic physics
- UBC Library — one of Canada’s leading academic libraries, with 21 branches and divisions on this campus
- The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts — one of the world’s great concert halls
- The Centre for Interactive Research in Sustainability (CIRS)
- The Arthur Erickson designed Museum of Anthropology — Canada’s largest teaching museum
- The Beaty Biodiversity Museum — home to Canada’s largest blue whale skeleton
- The world class UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research
- The UBC Farm — the only working farm in the city of Vancouver
- Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre — home to Thunderbird Ice Hockey and 2010 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Venue
- Nitobe Memorial Garden — considered one of the top five Japanese Gardens outside of Japan
Know my campus
Find out about UBC's orientation and transitionprograms to become familiar with campus life, and use campus navigation to find your next class. Or your next meal.
Plan for success
Plan your academic requirements and opportunities, create a strategy for experiencesoutside the classroom to complement your coursework, and get support when you need it.
Live well to learn well
Take care of your mental and physical health and manage your personal safety so that you can do your best while you're at UBC.
Have some fun
Balance your academic life with friends and activities - participate in campus life, get involvedin leadership opportunities, and find recreationactivities.
Build my career
Connect your education to the world beyond UBC - advance your career, find experiences outside the classroom to develop skills, get involved to build your network.
Manage my courses, money & enrolment
Get stuff done - register for class, pay your tuition, get your study permit sorted, figure out yourhousing and get your U-Pass.
Make a Difference
What is it about UBC that enables so much breakthrough research and innovative thinking? In every corner of our campuses, you will find talented, inspiring people doing extraordinary work and envisioning a world made better.
Learning
Do you see work as a place to sit still, or a place to constantly learn? Is your career about staying the same, or finding ways to grow? There’s a reason why UBC employees say it’s fascinating to work here: this is a place where learning never stops!
Perks
Once you’re part of UBC, you have access to a wide range of perks that are hard to find in one place elsewhere. Classes, concerts, cuisine, you name it.
Community & Culture
Like a magnet for the interesting, UBC has drawn fascinating people from all over the world. Small talk on the sidewalks will introduce you to catalysts and learners and doers and dreamers, representing every perspective and culture you can imagine.
Health & Wellbeing
Your mind and body, your skills and your experiences all work together to create your identity, and that’s the person UBC wants: we hire humans, not resources.
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