THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA
Programme Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Programme Type:
Exchange/Study Abroad
Agreement type
Exchange (Business Only)
Study Abroad (other than Business)
Duration:
Semester Only
University website:
http://www.ubc.ca/
Mobility programme
website:
Exchange: http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/
Study Abroad: http://www.students.ubc.ca/nondegree/visiting/
Language of Instruction:
English
English Requirement
IELTS required for study abroad programme
Approximate Semester
Dates:
Semester 1: September-December
Semester 2: January- April
Credit Load:
At UBC, a full-time course load for undergraduate students varies depending on the faculty and
degree program. The average UBC degree-student registers in 15 credits per term (100% of a full
time course load), but some science and engineering students register in 18 to 20 credits per term.
We recommend that you register in 12 to 15 credits per term. Each course in a semester is a 3credit course (i.e. 3 hours of lectures per week for 13 weeks, with an additional 2-week
examination period).
Study Area:
https://courses.students.ubc.ca/cs/main
Restricted Fields of Study
Many faculties, schools, and programs at UBC are available to visiting exchange students, however
admission into some programs is limited. Further course information can be obtained on UBC's
Course Schedule web page and on the faculty websites.
We can not guarantee access to specific courses, even if they are required by your home
university. Admission into the following programs is limited:

Applied Science

Architecture

Commerce

Creative Writing

Education

Graduate Studies

Kinesiology

Landscape Architecture/Environmental Design


Law
Music
Housing
On-campus student residences:
“Exchange students will be given priority for a room in selected on-campus residences provided
that they complete the housing application and submit the $50 non-refundable application fee by
the exchange application deadline. Year after year, students tell us that making new friends and
becoming a part of a community are some of the best things about living in residence.”
Off-campus accommodation:
“If you opt to reside off campus then Jericho beach and Kitsilano are areas that offer private
student housing. There is an efficient bus network operating between campus and these locations.”
Further information is available from:
http://www.housing.ubc.ca/
http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/coming-to-ubc/accommodation/
Tuition fee

Exchange Programme: UNNC tuition fee

Study abroad programme : $754.05 per credit http://www.students.ubc.ca/nondegree/tuition/
Approximate Living cost
Approximate living costs per semester:
Visa costs £50-100
Health insurance (compulsory) £100-200
Accommodation £1200-2000
UBC estimates that a student will spend $8500(around £4800) per semester in order to maintain a
basic lifestyle in Vancouver.
Health Insurance
Compulsory
All new exchange students are required by UBC to be enrolled in a mandatory health insurance
plan (iMED) for the first three months if they will study in UBC for a year, or for the entire time of
studies if they study for one term only. Students pay for iMED online on the Student Service
Centre. For more information about dates of iMED coverage and what are covered, please visit
http://david-cummings.com/imed/ (Insurance company website) and
http://www.students.ubc.ca/international/international-students/health-care-and-healthnsurance/imed-health-insurance-for-new-international-students/
Please be advised that, unless students have a mandatory medical health coverage purchased by a
third party sponsor as a part of their scholarship and the sponsor is recognized by and has
agreement with UBC, students cannot cancel or opt out iMED.
Students staying less than 6 months (one term only):
One term only students are automatically covered under iMED for the duration of their studies at
UBC. The cost of iMED for one term students is $170 CDN. For specific coverage dates, please visit
the websites mentioned above.
Students staying for more than 6 months (full year):
Full year students are automatically covered by iMED for the first three months before they can be
enrolled in BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). The cost of iMED for one term students is $120 CDN.
The iMED plan will ensure that students have adequate medical coverage from the time they leave
home (up to ten days prior to arrival if within the coverage dates) and while they are waiting for BC
MSP to be effective.
Full year students must apply for BC’s provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) as soon as they arrive
in BC, Canada. There is a three-month waiting period before students can be enrolled in MSP. This
is the basic medical insurance provided by BC government for anyone who will reside in BC for
more than six months. The coverage is quite comprehensive and it covers the cost of most services
provided by physicians and supplementary health care practitioners, laboratory services and
diagnostic procedures. The fee is $57 CDN per month. As a basic insurance plan, however, MSP
does not cover dental care, vision care, and travel and prescription medicines. Application forms
are available at International House.
Visa Requirements
Other Information
Service Available
Go Global assists students with registration/academic matters; International House provides
International Student Advising and Support; International Peer Program matches International
Students with UBC students for support for adjusting to UBC); First Nations House of Learning;
Disability Resource Centre; Career Services; Counselling Services For more information:
www.students.ubc.ca/
Exchange students allowed to work?
On campus: Yes, with a Study Permit valid for at least 6 months
(10 - 12 hours per week)
Travel opportunities
Vancouver is the eighth largest city in Canada located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and
surrounded by mountains. Vancouver is less than 1 hour from Seattle, just over 2 hours from San
Francisco and 5½ hours from New York. Vancouver is well known as the gateway to Whistler. In
the winter you’ll find some of the best skiing and snowboarding in North America.
British Columbia is both a place full of natural wonder and active adventure.
Location
UBC's main campus is situated 40 minutes by bus from downtown Vancouver. The Vancouver
campus boasts some of the city's best attractions and recreation facilities, including the Museum of
Anthropology, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, the UBC Botanical
Garden and Centre for Plant Research, and endless opportunities to explore forested trails in the
adjoining 763-hectare Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
Climate
In Vancouver temperatures range from an average of 2˚C in the winter and 26˚C in the summer.
Most rainfall occurs between October and March although rain and cloudy days are common at any
time of year.
Further information
http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/coming-toubc/