Graduate Tuition Fees
For most programs, graduate tuition is assessed as an annual program fee, which is divided into three equal installments due at the beginning of academic terms starting in September, January and May. This fee is the same regardless of how many course credits the student is registered in.
Online programs charge tuition on a per-credit or per-course basis.
Current tuition fees for all graduate programs can be found in the Graduate Degree Program listing and the UBC Calendar online:
Domestic vs International
For the purpose of tuition charges, the classification between domestic and international students is based on citizenship/permanent residency.
- Domestic: Canadian citizens or permanent residents (as well as refugees and diplomats)
- International: all applicants without Canadian citizenship or permanent residency in Canada (landed immigrants), including US citizens, are international students.
If you hold multiple citizenships and one of these is Canadian, you will be a domestic student.
Full-time tuition fees (Schedule A)
All graduate students (except online program students) are assessed full-time tuition fees (Schedule A), unless they apply for part-time status (Schedule B) at the beginning of their program. Doctoral students must pay tuition based on Schedule A.
Part-time tuition fees for Master's students (Schedule B)
In some programs, Master's students have the option of pursuing the degree through part-time study. The expected academic workload of students classified as part-time is determined by the graduate program. Students classified as part-time are assessed tuition fees according to Schedule B.
Students who wish to be classified as part-time must obtain approval from their graduate program advisor and the Faculty of Graduate Studies prior to the beginning of the first term of the program.
Students classified as part-time are advised that:
- they are not eligible to receive interest-free status government loans, University fellowships or scholarships;
- they are not eligible for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, student housing, or assigned desk space at the University; and
- the five-year maximum time allowed for the masters program also applies to part-time students.
Students who pay tuition fees according to Schedule B are not permitted to revert back to Schedule A after the initial payment of the tuition fees in the first term of the program.
Continuing tuition fees
Each graduate program has a minimum number of tuition installments required, according to either Schedule A or B (see listings in Calendar). After the minimum number of installments have been paid, the student pays reduced, "continuing" tuition installments for the remaining duration of their normal time eligibility in the program (five years for Master's, six years for doctoral).
Extension tuition fees
If a student is granted an extension of time eligibility in their graduate program, "extension" tuition installments are assessed for the duration of the time allowed on extension. See listings in Calendar.
On leave tuition fees
If a student is granted a leave of absence from their studies, a "leave of absence" tuition fee is assessed. See listings in Calendar
Senior citizens: BC residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 65 years or over during the session in which they are registered are not assessed application, tuition, or student fees. The Distance Education administrative fee and some special fees may be assessed. Fees will be assessed to senior citizens for programs in areas such as Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Nursing, or any faculty or school where existing facilities and resources are limited.
