Welcome to February's issue of GradProspect, the newsletter for prospective students of UBC’s graduate programs. This month, we share the latest on study permits for international students, get some application advice and motivation from Professor Rashid Sumaila, celebrate Black History Month and much more!
Study permit updates
You may have read that Canada has made temporary changes to its International Student Program (ISP) for the next two years, affecting study permit issuance. Here are the key points for international graduate students:
The new cap on study permits does not apply to Master's and Doctoral degree applicants.
Applicants for these degrees will not require an attestation letter.
Additionally, the cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants has been increased, reflecting changes in living costs. This new threshold will be updated annually. This change applies to new study permit applications received on or after January 1, 2024.
Read more and stay informed by checking our study permit updates page and reviewing UBC's International Student Guide. Our International Students page is also full of useful information for international students applying to UBC.
Faculty advice
Dr. Rashid Sumaila is a Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Interdisciplinary Ocean and Fisheries Economics at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. In this video, he provides advice and encouragement on applying to grad school. He covers a variety of topics including:
- Practical tips on reflecting on your motivations, telling your story and writing a statement of interest.
- What makes him stop and really consider an applicant?
- Encouragement on reaching out to prospective supervisors.
- Advice on succeeding once you get to grad school.
Upcoming info sessions
See the full list of upcoming info sessions including program and departmental sessions on our info sessions page.
Applying to grad school at UBC
February 16 at 10 AM (Zoom and LinkedIn)
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. Register
Black History Month at UBC
February is Black History Month. While we should celebrate Black history and excellence every day, this is an opportunity for a focused, intentional and elevated reflection and recognition of Black history and achievement – and the many historical and contemporary contributions of Black Canadians, Black British Columbians and Black students, faculty and staff at UBC.
See the events happening at UBC to celebrate Black History Month, including the online virtual museum
Learn about BC's Black history with Professor Handel Kashope Wright and understand why BC's Black community is unique in Canada.
Read stories of Black graduate students at UBC, and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
Read about Black Student Space on campus
Latest graduate community news
This month we learn about conducting research with Indigenous Peoples and Lands in a good way. See how a new smart textile technology developed at UBC has been used in a groundbreaking “smart glove” and hear about a study conducted in part by graduate student Dunigan Folk which shows that some activities we thought made people happy lack evidence to prove they actually do boost mood levels. Read more
Blog — Eating out on a budget in Vancouver
There are lots of great restaurants in Vancouver's bustling culinary scene. In this blog one of our current grad students give us recommendations on the best places to eat without breaking the bank. Read the blog
Ask an ambassador — Moving up to the graduate level
If you are thinking about applying to graduate school, you're very likely thinking about how it might differ from your undergraduate experience. We caught up with some of our Graduate Student Ambassadors to hear about some of the differences they've observed.
Applications are still open for a September 2024 start
Many of our graduate programs are still accepting applications to start in September 2024. Check application deadlines by program in the Application Deadlines section of our Application & Admission page.
Research projects, programs, and supervisors recruiting students
Visit our research projects page to review open research projects and faculty recruiting students. Below is a selection of projects and programs actively recruiting.
- Funded MASc Positions in Sensing, Control, and Data-assimilation for Smart Buildings
- Funded MASc Position in data-driven design for additive manufacturing
- Partial cutting systems to mitigate drought and heat impacts on forests in southern BC
- Funded MASc Position in data-driven design for additive manufacturing
- Graduate Student: Single-Particle Imaging of Lipid Nanoparticles
- Graduate Student in Soft Matter Physics
- PhD Student - Development of Climate Informed, LIDAR Derived, Growth and Yield Models
- PhD Position in Forest Growth Projection and Sampling
- Graduate Student: Oligotherapeutics Imaging
- Graduate Student: Single-Molecule Biophysics
- Applications Open for UBC Master and Graduate Certificate in Global Surgical Care