University of British Columbia
ubc.md
University of British Columbia
Admissions (Fall 2025)
- Total applicants: ~60,000+ (undergraduate and graduate combined)
- Overall acceptance rate: ~44% (Vancouver campus); ~71% (Okanagan campus)
- Early round: N/A -- UBC does not offer early decision or early action
- Class size: ~10,000+ (entering first-year across both campuses)
- Yield: ~35%
Academics
- SAT middle 50%: N/A -- SAT/ACT not required; U.S. applicants evaluated on transcripts and course rigor
- ACT middle 50%: N/A
- Avg unweighted GPA: N/A -- Canadian percentage system; competitive programs require 85-95%+ averages
- Top 10% of HS class: Varies by program
- Testing policy: SAT/ACT not required. Admissions based on academic record; some programs require supplementary applications with short essays.
Demographics
- Women: 53%, International: ~20% (undergraduate). UBC does not publish U.S.-style racial/ethnic breakdowns. The 2024/25 Student Diversity Census collected identity data. Vancouver campus: 35,773 domestic undergrads, 12,083 international undergrads.
Financial Aid / Net Cost
| Category | Annual Tuition (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Domestic (Arts) | ~$6,500 |
| Domestic (Engineering/Science) | ~$9,500 |
| International (Arts) | ~$43,000 |
| International (Science/Engineering) | ~$50,600+ |
| Residence + Meal Plan | ~$14,000-$18,000 |
Note: UBC is a Canadian public university. Domestic tuition is government-subsidized. International students pay approximately 5x domestic rates. For international students starting in 2026/27, tuition increases are capped at 3% annually for up to 4 years. Need-based aid for international students is limited but some merit scholarships are available.
Athletics
26 varsity teams across 15 sport disciplines; 15 teams compete in U Sports (Canada West conference), 6 in NAIA, and 5 independently. The UBC Thunderbirds are among Canada's most successful university athletic programs.
Notable
UBC is consistently ranked among the top 40 universities globally and is Canada's third-largest university by enrollment (~73,000 students across two campuses). The Vancouver campus is renowned for its location on the Pacific coast. Admissions are primarily academic with some programs (Commerce, Engineering, Kinesiology) requiring supplementary applications. Unlike U.S. schools, there is generally no holistic admissions review -- academic grades are the primary criterion. UBC is a popular choice for international students, particularly from East and South Asia.
Sources
- UBC Student Services - Tuition Fees
- UBC PAIR - Annual Enrolment Report 2024/25
- UBC Admissions (you.ubc.ca)
- College Transitions - UBC Acceptance Rate
- The Ubyssey - UBC 2024/25 enrolment report