Having a difficult time finding a quiet space? Why not check out one of our dedicated 
graduate student spaces.
Whether you are looking for a space to host an event, practice defending your thesis with a couple peers, or have a quiet space to do some research, we have listed out the available places suitable for, or dedicated to, graduate students.
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Dedicated Graduate Student Spaces
Research commons, Koerner Library
The UBC Library Research Commons is a multidisciplinary hub built to support students and faculty in their research endeavours, partnerships, and education. It's a community space that embraces both new and traditional exploratory scholarship and provides access to services and expertise for the advancement of research.
Located on the 4th and 5th floors of Koerner Library, the Research Commons offers consultations, workshops, and collaborative spaces for studying, projects, and presentations. The space also includes a Digital Scholarship Computer Lab for research and experimentation.
The 4th floor of the Koerner Library is a silent study area which graduate student can use to for independent or focused work.
For independent or group study
Bookable semi-private rooms, Level 4 & 5
Students can “drop-in” any time to one of the bookable spaces by scanning the QR code in front of an empty room.
Six Project Rooms (Room 454, 456, 496, 499, 553, and 555) in the Koerner Library building are available for the research project work of UBC Graduate Students and Faculty.
Rearrangable sitting area
Computer lab
The UBC Library Research Commons has 18 enhanced PC workstations (11 on-site, 6 short-term, remote-access, 1 long-term, remote access) to support data, GIS and other digital scholarship and research project needs that require enhanced computing power. These machines provide equitable access to resources, including powerful hardware, specialized software, and expertise for all researchers who require access
Event spaces
Presentation rooms
Priority for the use of the room will be given to graduate students and faculty for research presentations and instructional purposes. Due to the popularity of this room, the library is prioritising bookings that support research endeavours.
Graduate student society loft
A loft dedicated to graduate students located on the 4th floor of the AMS Student Nest. Graduate students must tap their student card to enter to an open social lounge with lots of natural light, tables, kettle, and microwave.
Take the north elevator (close to Blue Chip Cookies) and go up to the 4th floor. You will exit in front of the restaurant "Gallery Patio & Lounge". Turn left out of the elevator, then left again to walk down the hallway. At the end of the hall, the GSS Loft is located on your left.
The loft is also available for booking to host dedicated graduate student events.
For independent or group study
Student loft
An open space for graduate students to study, accessible only with a valid graduate student UBC card.
Bookable rooms
Includes an office space that can be booked by graduate students for private meetings or study sessions.
Event spaces
Student loft
The main loft area can also be booked for graduate student related events.
Boardroom
The boardroom includes an AV set up that can be used for small classes, study groups, or meetings.
Thea Koerner House
Note: At the end of 2023 Renovations on the first floor were completed to host the Graduate Life Centre (GLC). The space is now open 9am-9pm with your graduate student card. Read More
Thea Koerner House is where the Graduate Student Society and the Graduate Life Centre are located in the north wing. Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies have their office space in the south wing. Additionally, the building houses the graduate student pub - Koerner's Pub - and several event spaces that graduate students can rent from the GSS free of charge for any event dedicated to, or in support of, graduate students.
Graduate Life Centre (GLC)
Suitable for: studying and socializing of graduate students
Features: self-serve kitchen with fridges and microwaves, coffee maker; study room, social lounge, child-friendly space with interactive games floor
Leon's lounge
Suitable for: small group discussions, workshops, corporate meetings
Capacity:
40 Theatre Style
32 Banquet Style
15-20 Classroom Style
Size: 520 sq ft
Features/Extras: Piano
Thea's lounge
Suitable for: workshops, networking events, parties, booth fairs, banquets, receptions
Capacity:
120 Banquet Style
120 Theatre Style
Size: 2,420 sq ft
Features/Extras: Bar counter, furnishings, audio-visual, music
Study room
Suitable for: small group meetings, cocktail socials, workshops, networking events, pre-event receptions
Capacity:
15 Boardroom Style
Size: 300 sq ft
Features/Extras: Washroom, walk-around patio
Libraries
UBC has 8 libraries on campus, including ones dedicated to specific programs. Here's a brief list of our libraries and their locations. Library services include public workstations, computer labs, printers/copiers, silent study spaces and bookable carrels.
Koerner Library
Koerner Library has several large open spaces available for study. Levels 1, 2, 4-5 are reserved for silent study aside from bookable study rooms on Level 1.
Bookable carrels will be available in September 2022.
Level 1: Computer labs (11 on-site, 6 short-term, 1 long-term, remote access) exclusive to graduate students, postdocs, and researchers), carrels, & graduate student space soon to be renovated.
Level 2: Koerner Library computer lab, Room 217 (32 workstations)
Level 3: A fireplace study room and librarian help desk
For independent or group study
Study spaces
Computer labs, level 2
IRVING K. BARBER Learning Centre
The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre offers a limited number of dedicated rooms that have open spaces and bookable rooms for group study sessions and the Chapman learning Commons.
They also have a computer lab available for students to use on the first floor.
Event spaces
These event spaces in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre are reserved for graduate student events and can only be booked by faculty & staff. Graduate students may book this room if they are sponsored/supported by a faculty or staff member.
The Dodson Room
Building: Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, Level 3, Room 302
Suitable for: small group meetings, cocktail socials, workshops, networking events, pre-event receptions
Capacity: 60
Features/Extras:
Microphones (wireless handheld, wireless lapel)
Projector
Windows PC with Blu-ray DVD player
Screen, powered projection
Lecture capture
The Peña Room
Building: Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, Level 3, Room 301
Suitable for: small group meetings, cocktail socials, workshops, networking events, pre-event receptions
Capacity: 60
Features/Extras:
Microphones (wireless handheld, wireless lapel)
Projector
Windows PC with Blu-ray DVD player
Screen, powered projection
Lecture capture
WOODWARD LIBRARY
If you are a graduate student in one of the seven faculties that Woodward serves (Applied Science, Dentistry, Forestry, Land & Food Systems, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science), Woodward Library has several small rooms that are reserved for graduate students use.
Features/Extras: TV with HDMI cables
For independent or group study
Desk & room rentals
Woodward library has semi-private study rooms on the third floor available for rental if you are a graduate student in one of the faculties they serve: Applied Science, Dentistry, Forestry, Land & Food Systems, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science. Each room is lockable and consists of two carrels. At the Library’s discretion, the rental period is one to three consecutive, four-month academic terms.
Rental fee: $20 per month, payable in advance of each term. Parking and Access Services charge a deposit for the room key.
Shared or semi-private closed-room carrels: 12
Single closed-room carrels: 2
David lam library
The David Lam Management Research Library provides collections and research support in the areas of commerce and business administration.
asian library
UBC Asian Library provides support for scholars, students and community members who conduct research on, or are learning about, Asia and Asian heritage. Asian Library maintains Asian-language holdings (totaling 710,000 volumes as of June 2020) in ten languages including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Nepali, Tibetan, and Persian. In addition, the library is actively engaged in providing access for Chinese and Japanese rare materials, and also works with library and external partners on the digitization of rare items.
X̱wi7x̱wa Library
X̱wi7x̱wa Library is a centre for academic and community Indigenous scholarship. Its collections and services reflect Aboriginal approaches to teaching, learning, and research. Everyone is welcome to visit X̱wi7x̱wa Library.
Law library
The Law Library is part of the UBC Library System, and is located on three floors in the Peter A. Allard School of Law complex. It supports the study, reference, and research needs of the students and faculty of the Allard School of Law, and other members of the University community. As well, any person may use library resources for study and research in the Library. During exam times, some tables and carrels are reserved for current Allard Law students.
education library
The Education Library’s role is to advance the academic and research mission of the University of British Columbia. It strives to provide outstanding access to the universe of recorded knowledge and information in the field of education. Their branch serves a large and varied clientele; first the students, faculty, and staff at UBC, and second, communities, libraries and individuals throughout British Columbia and Canada. The Education Library’s specialized role is to support the academic and research mission of the Faculty of Education.
