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Canadian Immigration Updates

Review details about the recently announced changes to study and work permits that apply to master’s and doctoral degree students. Read more

Minimum vs. Program Requirements

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants. The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please refer to specific Graduate Degree Programs for detailed information regarding the program to which you intend to apply, including deadlines and specific admission requirements. Please note that the number of applications to UBC graduate programs always exceed the number of seats available, and meeting the minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admission.

 

Minimum Academic Requirements

Please review the minimum requirements by country. The requirements are not based on your citizenship, but where you received your academic credentials that will most likely form the basis for admission to a UBC graduate program. Applicants should have academic backgrounds within the general requirements listed by country below.

 

Important note to students with three-year bachelor's degrees from European institutions (except UK): Most three-year, Bologna-compliant degrees from research-intensive universities are acceptable as a basis for admission to master's programs at UBC. Contact the UBC program of interest and see individual country listings below for further information.

View other country requirements

 

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

The value of strong English skills

English is one of the two official languages of Canada, and the primary language of instruction at UBC. Strong English skills mean new students can settle quickly into their academic environment, and get to know their fellow students and faculty members who will be their colleagues during their time at UBC. Students with good English skills are far more likely to succeed; they experience far less stress and get greater enjoyment and fulfillment from their studies.

Applicants are advised to focus on learning how to speak, listen, read, and write in English, independent of studying for the TOEFL (or other tests), as this will best prepare them for communicating in all types of situations. Students with strong English skills are more likely to do well on the TOEFL.

Students from eligible countries planning to apply for a study permit via the Student Direct Stream (SDS) pathway are advised to carefully review the language test eligibility requirements.

Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores, and may require minimum scores on individual components of any of the tests. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.

Acceptable Tests

English Language Tests

Submission of Test Results

TOEFL and IELTS test takers can request electronic submission of scores to universities. We accept electronic delivery directly from the test centre to UBC only. For all other tests an official paper test score report ordered from the testing agency is required. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.

 

Other Test Scores

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Graduate Record Examination has two components: a General Test measuring verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning skills, and a Subject Test measuring achievement in particular  fields of study. The table GRE Requirements by Program lists which graduate program at UBC requires a GRE test.

The UBC institution code is 0965.

GRE Requirements by Program

Graduate Management Test (GMAT)

Applicants to the MBA and MScB programs in the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration are required to submit GMAT results (applicants to the MScB in Transportation may submit the GRE or the GMAT). Applicants to the PhD program in the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration must submit either GMAT or GRE results.