University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
- About
- Overview
- Academic Details
- Area(s) of study
- Useful information
- How to apply
- Student Testimonial
Consistently ranked among the globe’s elite universities, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university that prides itself on innovation and its entrepreneurial spirit. Founded in 1908, it was the first university in the province, and today is ranked among the top 20 public universities worldwide and among the top three in Canada.
Academic Highlights
One of Canada’s oldest universities, UBC has broadened its initial remit of medicine, theology and the law to include around 500 bachelor’s and master’s degrees across the five faculties of Arts, Science, Medicine, Applied Science and the Sauder School of Business. A strong focus on collaboration and “real life” impact has seen the creation of around 200 new companies.
Location
The main campus is located on Point Grey Peninsula, around 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, and is known for its arresting backdrop of mountains and ocean. The other campus is found in Kelowna, a city located in the vicinity of Okanagan Lake in southern British Columbia.
Did you know?
Current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is among UBC’s notable alumni.
Language of Instruction | English | |||||
Program Duration | 1 semester | |||||
Academic Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate | |||||
Minimum Result Required | Partner entry requirement of 3.0 GPA | |||||
| Previous Round Cut-off (WAM (%) or GPA) | 80% WAM | |||||
Anticipated Places in Semester 1, 2027 | No places | |||||
Exchange Availability | Closed | |||||
Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia, Monash Malaysia | |||||
Agreement Scope | All Faculties except Business and Economics, Engineering and Law | |||||
Handbook/Catalogue
Please note that UBC does not have a central unit handbook as Monash does. The central unit listing on the website, called the Course Schedule, is considered a timetable of what is being offered each semester. To find further detail on each unit, called courses, you will need to visit the faculty/teaching department page and search for graduate/undergraduate course descriptions.
Please pay close attention to the course and program restrictions on the Register for Courses at UBC on Exchange page.
- Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC is not open to Monash students.
- Sauder School of Business at UBC is not open to Monash students,. Monash students wanting to study business units must look at management courses at Okanagan campus instead.
- Monash has a separate Engineering agreement with the UBC Faculty of Applied Science (CIE) - students must apply via this program link.
- UBC restricts access for exchange students to particular areas of study: Audiology and Speech Sciences, Dentistry, Film (some units available), Journalism, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences, Theatre (some units available) and Visual Arts.
For the course syllabus or outline, UBC has advised to contact the departments/course instructors directly to inquire if syllabi for courses are available.
Full-time Credit Load Equivalents
Semester | |
|---|---|
Min. 18 Monash points | Max. 24 Monash points |
12 credits - UG | 15 credits - UG |
9 credits - PG | 12 credits - PG |
Year | |
|---|---|
Min. 36 Monash points | Max. 48 Monash points |
24 credits - UG | 30 credits - UG |
18 credits - PG | 24 credits - PG |
Academic Calendar
UBC ‘Term 2’ (Monash semester 1): early January – late April
UBC ‘Term 1’ (Monash semester 2): early September– mid-December
See UBC Okanagan's dates and deadlines here.
See UBC Vancouver's academic calendar here.
Note that UBC has two intakes for undergraduate exchange students but if you are applying for exchange in Monash’s Semester 1 (Term 2 at UBC) you must be flexible with your study plan as many units will be full and, therefore, unavailable. For more information, contact Monash Abroad.
Accounting | Ancient Cultures | Anthropology | Biological Sciences |
Chemistry | Chinese Languages & Culture studies | Earth, Atmosphere and Environmental Sciences | Economics |
Education | English | French Language & Culture studies | German Language & Culture studies |
History | Human Geography | Indigenous Studies | Italian Language & Culture studies |
Japanese Language & Culture studies | Korean Language & Culture studies | Linguistics | Literary Studies |
Management | Marketing | Mathematical Sciences | Physics and Astronomy |
Politics and International Relations | Psychological Sciences | Science | Spanish and Latin American Languages & Culture studies |
Sociology |
Note
- The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
- Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.
Accommodation
There is student housing available at both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Places in the colleges are limited, however, and exchange students are not guaranteed a room. It is common for students to house share in downtown Vancouver and Kelowna.
Visas
As a general rule, Australian citizens do not need a study permit if they plan to participate in a university exchange program in Canada that lasts no more than six months. Every Australian citizen entering Canada for less than six months, however, will still require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) which can be purchased online. For more information on visas, please refer to the website of the High Commission of Canada in Australia.
UBC also provides information about the visa you might need, callled a study permit.
Health and insurance
You must purchase Canadian provincial medical insurance through UBC‘s selected program, iMED.
When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.
Orientation and extra-curricular
It is mandatory for exchange students to purchase a U-Pass, the public transport card.
Cost of living
Funding
For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.
Important notes
Please carefully check the 'Academic details' tab for eligibility and restrictions.
Engineering students are nominated under a separate agreement with UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science and should apply here.
Due to the popularity of this partner institution, for semester 1, 2026 onwards Monash students can only apply to study here on exchange for one semester.
This program is not currently accepting applications.
Have you been to the University of British Columbia and want to share your experience?
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!