Process
- For your INITIAL APPLICATION we only accept scanned copies of original documents or self-uploaded digital copies.
- If you receive an ADMISSION OFFER, you will have to provide hard copies or secure electronic delivery of academic documents.
Initial Application
Each entry under the Academic History section of the application must include pdf copies of official, up-to-date, transcripts for all current and previous post-secondary study (see exception for current and former UBC students below).
Note: Grade sheets/records are not transcripts and will not be accepted in lieu of copies of official transcripts.
Uploading transcripts in the application system
Current and former UBC students
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The application to graduate school must be made under the current/former CWL (Campus-wide Login). Applying with the correct CWL will automatically transfer the UBC record into the application.
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Official academic documentation for all other post-secondary institutions that have been attended (e.g., exchange year, transfer year, etc.) will need to be uploaded as part of the application.
Applicants with Canadian transcripts
Applicants with Canadian transcripts (other than UBC) must obtain an official transcript for every post-secondary institution they have attended.
- Each transcript should be scanned as an individual .pdf file and then uploaded to the application system as indicated.
- Users of the MyCreds | MesCertif digital service have to download the documents as PDF (see video “How to download my document as a PDF”) and self-upload to the application system. Documents sent via secure electronic delivery to UBC as receiving organization directly will not be accepted for initial application purposes!
- Please refer to any directions provided by the selected graduate program on naming scanned document files. Otherwise, files should be named: "Applicant Full Name-Document Description.extension"
Examples:
Peng Zhang-University of Waterloo Transcript.pdf
Peng Zhang-CV.pdf
Peng Zhang-Journal of Neurosciences Paper.pdf
- Transcripts must be scanned front and back.
- All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single file (rather than a separate file for each page).
- The online application system provides additional, detailed directions on scanning and uploading of documentation.
Applicants with international transcripts
Applicants must obtain an official transcript for every post-secondary institution they have attended (other than UBC).
- Each transcript must be scanned as an individual .pdf file and uploaded to the application system as indicated.
- Scan both sides of the transcript and/or degree certificate where there is information, notations, or stamps from the issuing institution.
- Please refer to any directions provided by the selected graduate program on naming scanned document files. Otherwise, files should be named: "Applicant Full Name-Document Description.extension"
Examples:
Peng Zhang-Peking University Transcript.pdf
Peng Zhang-Peking University Transcript English Translation.pdf
Peng Zhang-CV.pdf
Peng Zhang-Journal of Neurosciences Paper.pdf
- Each transcript must be uploaded as a single file (rather than a separate file for each page).
- If you have documents that are issued in a language other than English, then, in addition to uploading digital copies of the documents in their original language, you must also upload a certified literal English translation of your transcripts from your home university's translation service or a certified English translator.
- The online application system provides additional, detailed directions on scanning and uploading of academic documentation.
After Being offered Admission
Conditional admission offers are made based on documents uploaded to the application system. Once an offer of admission is received:
- A list of required transcripts will be posted in the applicant's online portal.
- G+PS (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies) must receive one set of all required official transcripts for every (non-UBC) post-secondary institution attended for the equivalent of one year or more of full-time study.
- Note: UBC reserves the right to also require any individual applicant to provide official transcripts for study of less than one year duration.
- Do not send official transcripts before receiving an offer of admission unless special instructions were received from the selected graduate program.
- Applicants will not be allowed to register in a graduate program until the initial transcript requirements are met.
How to Submit Official Academic Documents
To be considered official, academic records must either be received in official university envelopes, sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution, or be received via secure electronic delivery from the issuing institution.
Current and former UBC students
If you applied with your CWL account, your transcript will have been received electronically. No hard copies of UBC transcripts are required. Please ensure to submit official documents of any other institutions.
Applicants with Canadian transcripts
Documents being provided to meet conditions of admission should be sent directly to:
Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
The University of British Columbia
170 - 6371 Crescent Rd
Vancouver, BC CANADA V6T 1Z2
Applicants from Canadian institutions that participate in the MyCreds | MesCertif service for secure electronic delivery should follow the instructions below under "secure electronic delivery."
Applicants with international transcripts
To be considered official, academic records must either be received in official university envelopes, sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution, or be received via secure electronic delivery from the issuing institution.
If your university issues only one original set of academic documents (transcripts/degree certificates):
Make photocopies of your original academic documents and send them to your home university. Ask your home university to:
- Verify that the photocopies are consistent with their records.
- Attest that the copies are true photocopies and stamp them with an official university stamp.
- Put the attested, stamped photocopies in sealed envelopes endorsed by the Registrar.
- Mail the sealed, endorsed envelopes directly to Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
If your academic documents are issued in a language other than English:
- Order a set of academic documents in the original language along with certified literal English translations from your home university's translation service.
If your home university does not provide English translation:
- Photocopy a set of your documents.
- Take the copy to a certified English translator and order a complete, word-by-word, literal English translation.
- Direct the translator to put both the original language photocopy and the English translation into a sealed envelope, and endorse the envelope by signing across the seal.
- Send the sealed, endorsed envelopes from the translator to UBC Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
- Important: Remember that UBC will still require a set of official academic documents received directly from your home institution.
Note: Academic records must be translated in their entirety, including any information that appears on the reverse side of any document.
UBC does not accept the following:
- Photocopies that have not been stamped, attested and endorsed by the Registrar at your home university
- Documents in envelopes that have been opened
- Documents that do not arrive in sealed envelopes endorsed by the issuing institution or certified translator
- Documents that arrive without the official seal of the university
- Photocopies notarized by a notary public
- Photocopies endorsed by a lawyer, professor, judge etc.
- Unofficial translations
- Non-literal translations
Do not order academic records that are not in sealed and endorsed envelopes, or not sent by secure electronic delivery. It will only delay the processing of your application.
Documents being provided by post/courier to meet conditions of admission must be sent directly to:
Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
The University of British Columbia
170 - 6371 Crescent Rd
Vancouver, BC CANADA V6T 1Z2
See below for information on meeting the condition of admission with secure electronic documents.
Document Ownership
Documents submitted in support of applications become the property of the University and are not returned to the applicant or student. Refer to the UBC Academic Calendar statement on ownership of application documents.
Applicants are strongly discouraged from sending irreplaceable documents and are advised to follow the instructions for verified copies found under Official Academic Documents, above.
Secure Electronic Delivery
UBC works with the following digital document providers:
MyCreds | MesCertif (Canada)
Applicants from Canadian institutions that participate in the MyCreds | MesCertif service for secure electronic delivery of transcripts/parchments should log in to the Learner Portal and share their documents to this registered organization:
University of British Columbia (UBC) - Graduate Admissions | Vancouver Campus
Ensure that:
- You either don’t set an expiry date or provide at least 6 months of duration for documents to be available
- You provide the UBC student number (required) as part of your submission. You receive your student number with confirmation of your application submission to a UBC graduate program.
- You can review videos explaining the process in the How-To Videos.
My eQuals (Australia / New Zealand)
Applicants from Australian and New Zealand institutions that participate in the My eQuals service for secure electronic delivery of transcripts/parchments should log in to the Learner Portal and share their documents to this registered organization:
University of British Columbia (UBC) - Graduate Admissions | Vancouver Campus
China Credentials Verification CSSD (China)
Applicants from Chinese institutions that participate in CSSD (formerly CHESICC) service for secure electronic delivery of transcripts/parchments can share their documents via graduate.ts@ubc.ca
Digitary Core (European & international institutions)
Applicants from institutions that participate in the Digitary platform for secure electronic delivery of transcripts/parchments should log in to the Learner Portal and share their documents to this registered organization:
University of British Columbia (UBC) - Graduate Admissions | Vancouver Campus
Other electronic delivery
The issuing institution must send a link to a secure site to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS) at graduate.ts@ubc.ca. G+PS will download the transcript from the secure site. Important: an e-transcript is downloaded via a link to a secure site. It is NOT an email attachment of any kind, even if sent from an authority at the issuing institution.