Course load requirements

Looking for course load requirements for scholarships and awards?

Calculating your course load

The number of credits you need for a full course load depends on your program. Loans, grants, and interest-free status all require students to be registered in 60% of a full-time course load (or 80% for Newfoundland loans).

When you’re calculating your course load, the table headings refer to the following:

• Credits: 100% of a full-time course load for September to April
• 60% session: 60% of a full-time course load for September to April
• 60% term: 60% of a 1-term full-time course load

Full-year course credits are divided into 50% in Term 1 and 50% in Term 2. Make sure you maintain minimum enrolment in each term. For example if the minimum course load for the Winter Session is 18 credits, a student must be registered in at least nine credits in Term 1 and nine credits in Term 2.

If you have a documented permanent disability, you may be eligible to study at a reduced course load.

Students with disabilities

Undergraduate students who have established permanent disability status with their provincial lender may be considered full-time for government student loans with at least 40% of a full-time course load. Graduate students should speak to Student Services to determine their full-time funding requirements.

Select from the list below to find your program’s course load information.

Undergraduate programs

Winter Session (September to April)

In order to qualify for student loans, UBC undergraduate students must register in 60% or more of a full-time course load (80% for Newfoundland student loans). Be aware full-time status must be in each term registered, not just over the full academic year. Audited, wait-listed, and withdrawn courses do not count towards this course load.

N/A credits: If your program and year level credit requirements are listed as N/A, contact Student Records & Financial Services for assistance.

For specific information on the course load requirements of your program, choose the appropriate faculty below:

Students with disabilities

Some students with permanent disabilities may be eligible for a reduced course load. Contact Student Records & Financial Services for more information.

Split enrolment (Students studying at another institution)

In order to qualify for student loans, students must be enrolled in 60% of a full-time course load (students with permanent disabilities may be eligible for a reduced course load – contact Student Records & Financial Services for details). You must be registered in the minimum 60% course load in each term of the Winter Session – there is no averaging across terms.

Students may be considered to have fulfilled the 60% course load requirement when they are registered in the majority of their courses at UBC, but are also enrolled in a course(s) at another school, provided that the course(s) is an essential element of the program of study and counts for credit toward the student’s credential at UBC. This is called a ‘split enrolment’.

You may be eligible for student loan funding if the following applies:

• The start and end dates of the course(s) match those at UBC
• The course(s) will count towards your UBC credential

To be considered for split enrolment eligibility, you must have met all of the above criteria and must bring the following to Student Services:

• A letter of permission from your Faculty at UBC indicating the course(s) you are planning to take at another institution will be credited towards your UBC credential
• Confirmation of Split Enrolment completed by the Financial Aid Office at the second institution

Note: Student loan documents will need to be processed by the institution at which the majority credits are being taken.