About
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university that ranks among the best three universities in Canada and is the oldest university in the region of British Columbia, and counts eight Nobel Prize winners.
- Undergraduate student population: 66,000+ (approximately 45,000 on Vancouver campus, 9,000 on Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC)
- International Ranking: Vancouver campus ranked 45 on the QS World University Rankings 2021
Vancouver is the largest city in the thriving region of British Columbia, and its metropolitan area make up Canada's third-largest city.
UBC's world-class learning opportunities and breathtaking natural setting combine to offer students from around the world an unforgettable study-abroad experience. Vancouver is an in-demand location, consistently ranks among the most desirable cities to live in the world, hosts numerous international events annually, and enjoys the the mildest winter when compared to other Canadian cities. UBC's two campuses offer an inspiring study environment with temperate weather, a blend of urban and relaxed outdoor lifestyles and beautiful natural scenery.
UBC at a glance
Location
Exchange students can choose either the Vancouver campus or the Okanagan campus (in Kelowna). You can find descriptions of the campuses here. The biggest differences between the campuses is that the Vancouver campus is 30 minutes from Vancouver (a large city), has over 50,000 students, and has more Faculties and Schools (e.g. Faculty of Land & Food Systems, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Forestry, etc.) than the Okanagan campus. The Okanagan campus is a five-hour drive east of Vancouver, has 10,000 students and provides a more intimate learning environment.
Level of competitiveness
Competitive **
The level of competitiveness (Less competitive * / Competitive ** / Very competitive ***) refers to one's chances of being allocated an exchange space at this partner. This is normally an approximation determined by the number of applications received for this destination during the last academic year versus the total number of exchange spaces available to Queen Mary students. However since this is a new exchange destination for 2022/23 mobility, this is an estimation based on the popularity of exchanges at our other Canadian partners and also those in urban areas in general.
Academic Calendar
Both campuses:
- Semester 1: September - December
- Semester 2: January - April
For full details, consult the key dates for exchange students.
Courses
This destination is only open to students studying within select academic schools within Queen Mary's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Students must seek approval from their academic school that they are eligible to include this destination in any application.
UBC’s courses are listed here in the UBC Course Schedule. UBC releases their course schedule every April for the subsequent academic year.
Please review UBC's credit requirements and course restrictions for exchange students. Please note the UBC Faculties and schools not open to exchange students.
Please note there is limited availability of first-year courses due to popularity in English.
Programme restrictions for the two UBC campuses can be found at:
https://global.ubc.ca/go-global/coming-ubc/coming-ubc-exchange/register-courses-ubc-exchange
https://students.ok.ubc.ca/global-engagement-office/go-global/study-abroad-at-ubc-okanagan-2/
Credits
Students should register for 4 modules per semester, equivalent to a minimum of 12 UBC credits per semester.
Find out more on UBC's website about coming to study as an exchange student.
Find out more about credit transfer and grade conversion.
Queen Mary student feedback
Instagram takeovers:
Accommodation
| UBC Vancouver |
UBC Okanagan |
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UBC’s Vancouver campus is located at the western tip of the Point Grey peninsula in Vancouver, BC. A limited number of on-campus rooms in Vancouver is reserved for exchange students. Due to very high demand, on-campus housing is not guaranteed, and only about 50-60% of exchange students will receive on-campus housing, and a priority system in place (see below) prioritises rooms for select students before the lottery system. Full-year exchange students have priority access when compared to optional semester exchanges, so optional semester exchange students will have significantly lower chances in securing housing.
How to apply: To maximise chances of being allocated a room, following nomination by Queen Mary, successful students should submit a housing application online as soon as they receive their UBC ID number. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee. Deadlines vary by nomination period and academic year.
Selection and placement: Priority consideration for on-campus housing is given to the below groups in order:
- Full year students
- Students in special cohort programs (e.g. Tec JAP, Global SCLM, etc.)
- Students with disabilities, medical conditions and extenuating circumstances**
- Students from partner schools that evenly distribute Term 1 and Term 2 nomination spots
- Students whose nomination is submitted during the regular nomination periods
**The Global Opportunities team at Queen Mary would liaise with the Go Global team at UBC to identify qualifying students prior to the housing selection process.
After the priority considerations, UBC's Go Global team conducts a random lottery of students to receive housing offers. All residence offers are sent by email from the Vancouver Housing office and include an expiry date to respond and pay a deposit. Specific residence and room assignments are managed by the Vancouver Housing office.
Private/alternative accommodation: According to participant feedback, many exchange students who are unsuccessful in securing on-campus accommodation live in Fairview Crescent or Walter Gage.
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UBC’s Okanagan campus is located in Kelowna, BC, at the heart of the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Currently, the housing office in the Okanagan prioritises all exchange applicants who apply by the deadline.
How to apply: via the same process and hyperlink as shown for the Vancouver campus (see left).
Selection and placement: Priority consideration for on-campus housing is given to all inbound exchange students. All residence offers are sent by email from the Okanagan Housing office and include an expiry date to respond and pay a deposit.
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Cost of living
Please consult the estimated minimum and maximum cost of living figures for this destination country available in our “Estimated Costs of Living” document available on our Finance page.
Students considering to live and study in Vancouver must be realistic about financial matters, as it is one of the most expensive cities in the world due to the high cost of living (also confirmed by Queen Mary exchange participants). The cost of living on the Okanagan campus may be more affordable. Find out more about the cost of living and estimated expenses as a UBC student here.
In decision-making and budgeting processes, Queen Mary students are strongly advised to calculate their forecasted budget with confirmed funding to which they will have access against the rising cost of living (particularly for Vancouver yet also globally).
Exchange students to UBC must pay for a mandatory plan for medical insurance, where the cost varies depending on the duration of the exchange. More details here.
Support services
Student life
- UBC Life blog
- Campus life
- UBC Events
- Over 300 student clubs. Learn more from AMS CampusBase, the official campus community platform at the Alma Mater Society at the University of British Columbia (AMS of UBC); see "Groups" section, and also "Events" section for latest events.
