Canadian Immigration Updates
Review details about the recently announced changes to study and work permits that apply to master’s and doctoral degree students. Read more
Minimum vs. Program Requirements
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants. The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please refer to specific Graduate Degree Programs for detailed information regarding the program to which you intend to apply, including deadlines and specific admission requirements. Please note that the number of applications to UBC graduate programs always exceed the number of seats available, and meeting the minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admission.
Minimum Academic Requirements
Please review the minimum requirements by country. The requirements are not based on your citizenship, but where you received your academic credentials that will most likely form the basis for admission to a UBC graduate program. Applicants should have academic backgrounds within the general requirements listed by country below.
Important note to students with three-year bachelor's degrees from European institutions (except UK): Most three-year, Bologna-compliant degrees from research-intensive universities are acceptable as a basis for admission to master's programs at UBC. Contact the UBC program of interest and see individual country listings below for further information.
View other country requirements
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English Language Test
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
The value of strong English skills
English is one of the two official languages of Canada, and the primary language of instruction at UBC. Strong English skills mean new students can settle quickly into their academic environment, and get to know their fellow students and faculty members who will be their colleagues during their time at UBC. Students with good English skills are far more likely to succeed; they experience far less stress and get greater enjoyment and fulfillment from their studies.
Applicants are advised to focus on learning how to speak, listen, read, and write in English, independent of studying for the TOEFL (or other tests), as this will best prepare them for communicating in all types of situations. Students with strong English skills are more likely to do well on the TOEFL.
Students from eligible countries planning to apply for a study permit via the Student Direct Stream (SDS) pathway are advised to carefully review the language test eligibility requirements.
Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores, and may require minimum scores on individual components of any of the tests. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.
Acceptable Tests
English Language Tests
The minimum TOEFL score required for all applicants to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is
- 90 for the internet-based exam (with minimum component scores of 22 [reading, listening] and 21 [writing, speaking]) or
- 55 each for reading, listening, and writing in the paper-based test, with 4.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE).
Some programs require a higher score.
Important:
- TOEFL ibT Home is accepted for admission to UBC-Vancouver.
- TOEFL ITP and TOEFL Essentials are not accepted for admission.
- TOEFL MyBest composite scores are not accepted for applications to UBC-Vancouver.
- Minimum scores must be achieved in a single sitting of the test (i.e. scores from multiple test-taking instances may not be used to satisfy minimum component requirements.)
Score submission
UBC requires an official score to be sent to us electronically directly from the test centre/ETS.
On the TOEFL score request form you will be asked to specify the receiving institutions where you would like the results being sent to. To ensure UBC receives your results correctly, you have to use the following details:
- In the electronic score request form in your ETS manager, use institution code 0965 and pick "Graduate Organization" in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- If you use a paper request form, use institution code 0965 and institution name "University of British Columbia".
- Both electronic and paper form ask for a department name/code. Either pick the value of an appropriate fit to your study area or 99 for other.
- If you are asked to give a reason for taking the TOEFL test then select/enter: "to enter a college or university as a graduate student"
A minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component of the academic (NOT general) IELTS test.*
Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores, and may require minimum scores on individual components of the test. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.
Important:
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IELTS Online is accepted for Applications to UBC-Vancouver
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IELTS Indicator is not accepted for Applications to UBC-Vancouver.
Score submission
UBC requires an official score to be sent to us electronically from the test centre.
On the IELTS application form you will be asked to specify institutions where you would like the results being sent to. To ensure UBC receives your results correctly, you have to use the following details on the application:
- Name and address of college / institution / university: University of British Columbia - Graduate School Admissions
- Address: 170-6371 Crescent Road, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
A minimum overall score of 70 is required with 60 on the speaking sub-test.
Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.
Score submission
UBC requires an official paper record of this test score.
English for Academic Purposes (EAP): Applicant must achieve a 75% in each component of the 600 level.
A minimum overall score of 65 on the academic (NOT general) test is required with minimums of 60 reading, 60 writing, 60 listening, and 60 speaking.
Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.
Important:
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PTE Home / Online are not accepted for application to UBC-Vancouver
Score submission
Please email graduate.apply@ubc.ca when you have a test score ready for download.
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
A minimum overall MELAB final score of 85 (with 3 in the speaking test) is required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Alternative English Language Proficiency Test
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): B
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): C
Submission of Test Results
TOEFL and IELTS test takers can request electronic submission of scores to universities. We accept electronic delivery directly from the test centre to UBC only. For all other tests an official paper test score report ordered from the testing agency is required. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.
Other Test Scores
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The Graduate Record Examination has two components: a General Test measuring verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning skills, and a Subject Test measuring achievement in particular fields of study. The table GRE Requirements by Program lists which graduate program at UBC requires a GRE test.
The UBC institution code is 0965.
GRE Requirements by Program
Specialization | Program Name | GRE required? |
---|---|---|
Accounting | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Accounting (PhD) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Architecture | Master of Architecture (MARCH) | The GRE is optional. |
Architecture | Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture (MASA) | The GRE is optional. |
Atmospheric Science | Doctor of Philosophy in Atmospheric Science (PhD) | The GRE is optional. |
Atmospheric Science | Master of Science in Atmospheric Science (MSc) | The GRE is optional. |
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSc) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Business Administration | Master of Business Analytics (MBAN) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Business Administration | Professional Master of Business Administration (PMBA) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Business Administration | Master of Business Administration (MBA) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Business Administration | Master of Management (MM) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Chemistry | Master of Science in Chemistry (MSc) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Chemistry | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Civil Engineering | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) | The GRE is optional. |
Counselling Psychology | Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MA) | The GRE is required by all applicants. |
Counselling Psychology | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) | The GRE is required by all applicants. |
Economics | Master of Arts in Economics (MA) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Economics | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Finance | Master of Science in Business Administration in Finance (MSCB) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Finance | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Finance (PhD) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Health Administration | Master of Health Administration (MHA) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Linguistics | Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD) | The GRE is optional. |
Linguistics | Master of Arts in Linguistics (MA) | The GRE is optional. |
Management Information Systems | Master of Science in Business Administration in Management Information Systems (MSCB) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Management Information Systems | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Management Information Systems (PhD) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Management Science | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Management Science (PhD) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Marketing and Behavioural Science | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Marketing and Behavioural Science (PhD) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology | Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Mechanical Engineering | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) | The GRE is optional. |
Mechanical Engineering | Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering (MASc) | The GRE is optional. |
Nursing | Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Nursing | Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Occupational and Environmental Hygiene | Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (MSc) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Organizational Behavior | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Organizational Behaviour (PhD) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | Master of Science in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (MSc) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Planning | Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD) | The GRE is optional. |
Planning | Master of Arts in Planning (MAP) | The GRE is optional. |
Planning | Master of Science in Planning (MSCP) | The GRE is optional. |
Political Science | Master of Arts in Political Science (MA) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Political Science | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Population and Public Health | Master of Public Health (MPH) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Population and Public Health | Master of Science in Population and Public Health (MSc) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Population and Public Health | Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Psychology | Master of Arts in Psychology (MA) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Psychology | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Rehabilitation Sciences | Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences (MSc) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Rehabilitation Sciences | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
School and Applied Child Psychology | Master of Education in School and Applied Child Psychology (MEd) | The GRE is required by all applicants. |
Special Education | Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (PhD) | The GRE is required by some applicants. Please check the program website. |
Strategy & Business Economics | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Strategy and Business Economics (PhD) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Transportation & Logistics | Master of Science in Business Administration in Transportation and Logistics (MSCB) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Transportation & Logistics | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Transportation and Logistics (PhD) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Urban Land Economics | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Urban Land Economics (PhD) | The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website. |
Graduate Management Test (GMAT)
Applicants to the MBA and MScB programs in the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration are required to submit GMAT results (applicants to the MScB in Transportation may submit the GRE or the GMAT). Applicants to the PhD program in the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration must submit either GMAT or GRE results.