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Overview

The Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program (ISGP) at the University of British Columbia was established in 1971, the first of its kind in Canada. It is one of the only Canadian programs to offer doctoral degrees in interdisciplinary studies, and is possibly one of the largest of its kind in North America.

The main purpose of the ISGP is to enable qualified graduate students to pursue advanced interdisciplinary research exceeding the provisions of existing departmental programs. There are no restrictions regarding the topic and in many cases the student draws upon expertise from several distinct faculties. The prospective student has to bring together three or four qualified faculty from different departments or units. Because there are no constraints on which fields are brought together, there are virtually no two students in the same sub-field. The ISGP is designed only for a highly motivated and superb student who can steer an independent course.

What makes the program unique?

ISGP gives you the opportunity to:

  • pursue interdisciplinary research that is individually designed by the student
  • select courses and research supervisors from every department at UBC
  • participate in interdisciplinary lectures, workshops and seminars
  • apply for funding for exceptional students

Meet a Representative

Applying to grad school at UBC

Wednesday, 22 July 2026 10:00 – 11:00 am

Start your journey to graduate studies at UBC with confidence! Join us for an informative session where we will demystify the intricacies of the application process and equip you with the tools to enhance your application. 

This session will cover: 

  • Overview of the application process 
  • Online application - what to expect 
  • Understanding admissions requirements 
  • Crafting a compelling statement of interest 
  • Finding the right supervisor 
  • Effective supervisor outreach 
  • References - what we look for and who you should ask 
  • Application dos and don’ts 

Who is this webinar for? 

This webinar is tailored for individuals who are gearing up to apply to graduate school, offering invaluable insights and practical advice to elevate your application strategy. Whether you're a prospective UBC graduate student or have started the application process, this session is designed to empower you with the knowledge and insights needed for a successful application. 

Join us as we demystify the path to graduate school at UBC and set you on the road to academic success! 

Register

UBC Grad School Info Session

Wednesday, 5 August 2026 10:00 – 11:00 am

In this session, we’ll provide a high-level overview of graduate study, graduate school at UBC, and the application process. This is a general session from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and is not program-specific. 

The session will cover: 

  • Why graduate study? – Advice on what to consider if you are considering graduate school. 
  • Differences between undergraduate and graduate study. 
  • Explanation of the different types of graduate programs at UBC. 
  • What makes UBC a great place to study at the graduate level. 
  • How to search UBC’s over 300 different graduate program options. 
  • Overview of the graduate school application process. 
  • Next steps on learning more and beginning a grad school application 
     

Who is this webinar for? 

This webinar is for anyone who is thinking about studying at the graduate level. It’s for those who’d like to learn more about UBC and gain insight into what it’s like to study at UBC. This webinar is also helpful for anyone who wants to learn more about what is involved in a graduate school application. 

Register

How to find and reach out to a supervisor

Wednesday, 12 August 2026 10:00 – 11:00 am

For many research-based graduate programs you’ll need to find and secure a supervisor before submitting or during your application. In this webinar we take a close look at how to search for a supervisor and once you have found them how to reach out. We’ll also discuss the importance of having good references as part of your application and how to identify and approach referees. 

This session will cover: 

  • How to find a supervisor using UBC’s supervisor database. 
  • What to consider when looking for a supervisor. 
  • Who makes a great referee? 
  • Advice on reaching out to referees 
  • Q&A 
     

Who is this webinar for? 

This webinar is for anyone who needs to secure a supervisor as part of the graduate program application to UBC. You can check if your program of interest requires this step by looking at the program’s admission information and requirements on the program page. Find your program at grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs 

Register

How to write a statement of interest

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 10:00 – 11:00 am

The statement of interest (SOI) is an essential part of a graduate school application. In this session, we take a closer look at the statement and provide advice on how to make yours as strong as possible. 
 
This session will cover: 

  • What is the SOI of interest and what should it include? 
  • What contributes to a compelling SOI? 
  • Differences between SOI’s for thesis and course-based programs. 
  • Strategies for writing your SOI. 
  • Q&A 
     

Who is this webinar for? 
 
This webinar is for anyone who has started or plans to start a graduate school application and wants advice on approaching an important part of the application, the statement of interest. Applicable for research and course-based programs. 

Register

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