This graduate certificate is intended for graduate students who are currently enrolled at UBC. Prospective students cannot apply directly for this program. Once a student has been admitted to another degree program, they can apply to take this program concurrently.
Overview
The certificate focuses on knowledge enhancement in migration and mobilities research through interdisciplinary thinking and engagement. Regardless of your degree program, if you have an interest in migration as a field of research or professional practice, a certificate in Migration Studies can significantly enhance your graduate education and career prospects.
As a broad-based research field, migration studies have evolved at the intersection of various disciplines such as sociology, political science, anthropology, geography, law, economics, education, history, demography, cultural studies, and health studies. The new certificate program adopts a multi- and interdisciplinary approach, encouraging exploration beyond departmental confines to enrich students’ understanding of migration studies. Rooted in decolonizing approaches, it fosters critical inquiry and invites engagement with diverse perspectives.
The Graduate Certificate in Migration Studies is open to graduate students at UBC who are enrolled in any master’s, doctoral, or professional degree program. It provides students with the opportunity to pursue a migration studies credential alongside their graduate degree program.
The certificate pursues three distinct objectives:
- Provide multi- and interdisciplinary training in migration and mobilities research;
- Provide knowledge about pathways to non-academic employment in the migration and immigrant integration sector;
- Foster an inclusive, engaged, and interdisciplinary community.
What makes the program unique?
An academic credit certificate program that allows graduate students enrolled in any UBC graduate program to gain a specialization in migration and mobilities studies.
Program Structure
To complete the certificate, students must fulfill 10 credits and submit a synthesis paper:
- ASTU 505 – Interdisciplinary Research and Professional Practice in Migration Studies (1 credit). This year-long core research seminar is ideally taken in the first year of the certificate program. The course meets bi-weekly across Winter Terms 1 and 2. For the 2025/26 academic year, sessions will be held on Mondays from 12:00 PM to 1:45 PM in BUCH D214, starting September 8, 2025. A detailed schedule will be shared later in the summer.
- 9 credits of graduate course electives from a list of approved courses. The 9 credits may be completed any time during the student’s graduate degree. 3 of the 9 credits must be taken outside of the student’s home department. Where departments open up 400 level courses to graduate students, certificate students may take 3 of the required 9 credits at the 400 level.
- Upon completing the 10 credits, students are required to submit a 5-7 page paper reflecting on their curricular learning.
Quick Facts
Further Information
Specialization
Migration Studies promotes collaborative, interdisciplinary, and transformative research that advances our understanding of the causes, consequences, and experiences of human mobility, both within and across borders.
Program Website
Faculty Overview
Academic Unit
Experience the colours of Vancouver
Great academic programs, great location: the distinct seasons and mild climate are among the reasons why graduate students choose to study here -- from the autumn leaves to cherry blossoms, witness the many colours Vancouver has to offer.