Prospective graduate students should first contact the Graduate Program to which they wish to apply. They will be admitted to study only in programs that are authorized by Senate to offer master's and/or doctoral degrees. All applications must be accompanied by an application fee at the time of submission. The number of students that can be accommodated is limited, and Graduate Programs with limited facilities may accept the best-qualified students as vacancies occur.

Most students begin their program of study in September, but students may also be admitted to start their programs in May or in January. Limitations on the number of students that can be accommodated often results in students being selected well before these dates. Students are encouraged to submit applications for admission as early as possible.

Master's Degrees

Students with Canadian or US Credentials

At minimum, applicants for a master's degree program must hold the academic equivalent of a 4-year baccalaureate degree from UBC with:

• a minimum overall average in the B+ range (at UBC, 76% or higher) in third- and fourth-year courses, or
• academic standing with at least 12 credits of third- or fourth-year courses in the A-grade range (at UBC 80% or higher) in the field of study, or
• applicants who hold a four-year baccalaureate degree or its academic equivalent, which does not meet the requirements stated above, but who have had significant formal training and relevant professional experience to offset such deficiencies, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the appropriate Graduate Program or Faculty and approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

These are the minimum requirements for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Individual graduate programs may have additional admission requirements. Consult the program listings to confirm the admission requirements for specific degree programs.

Students with International Credentials

Applications for admission to master's programs at UBC are welcomed and encouraged from students who hold international credentials deemed academically equivalent to a four-year baccalaureate degree from UBC and who demonstrate superior academic standing. The Faculty of Graduate Studies has established specific minimum admission requirements for graduates of different countries. Individual graduate programs may have additional admission requirements.

Doctoral Degrees

Students with Canadian or US Credentials

At minimum, applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Doctor of Education (EdD) must have completed one of the following requirements prior to admission:

1. the academic equivalent of a master’s degree from UBC with a minimum overall average in the B+ range (at UBC, 76% or higher)
   • (for PhD) clear evidence of research ability or potential;
   • (for DMA) outstanding ability in performance or composition.
   • (for EdD) a master's degree in Education (or equivalent degree).
2. A bachelor's degree with one year of study in a master's program with 12 credits of first class average, of which 9 credits must be at the 500-level or above and at least 9 credits must be of first class standing (at UBC, 80% or higher). Transfer into a doctoral program should be accomplished after the first year of study at the master's level and will not be permitted after completion of the second year. Also:
   • (for PhD) clear evidence of research ability or potential
   • (for PhD, Elementary Education) first class standing in Teacher Training or a B.Ed.
   • (for EdD) first class standing and first class standing in such prerequisite work as may have been required, and five years professional experience
   • (for DMA) outstanding ability in performance or composition
3. In exceptional cases, applicants who hold an honours bachelor's degree with an overall average in the 'A-' grade range (at UBC 80%) and who demonstrate advanced research ability may be granted direct admission to a doctoral degree program on recommendation of the admitting Graduate Program and approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Students entering directly from a bachelor's degree must, during the first year of study, complete 12 credits with a first class average of which at least 9 credits must be at the 500-level or above and at least 9 credits must be in the ‘A-‘ grade range (at UBC, 80%), to maintain registration as a doctoral student.

Students with International Credentials

Applications for admission to doctoral programs at UBC are welcomed and encouraged from students who hold international credentials deemed academically equivalent to a master's degree from UBC and who demonstrate superior academic standing. The Faculty of Graduate Studies has established specific minimum admission requirements for graduates from different countries. Individual graduate programs may have additional admission requirements.