Unclassified studies

Enrollment at UBC’s Okanagan campus as an Unclassified student is intended for those students who have a previous university degree and want to enroll in courses not intended to lead to a particular UBC degree or diploma. Enrolment can be full- or part-time and can include a wide variety of courses. All courses are credit courses and will appear on your official UBC transcript.

Eligibility

  • You meet the English language requirement.
  • You have completed a bachelor degree from a recognized institution.
  • You can provide a final official transcript showing your degree conferral.

Senior citizens 65 years of age and older can apply through Senior Access Studies.

Cost

All students who are accepted into Unclassified Studies will be assessed an application fee and will be required to pay an acceptance deposit upon successful admission.
Tuition fees for UBC students are assessed on a per-credit basis and depend on the level of the course and the faculty in which it is offered.

Most undergraduate courses are three credits (one term) or six credits (two terms) in value, although there are exceptions. The course schedule will detail the credit value of a course. Students studying at UBC’s Okanagan Campus are assessed student fees in addition to their tuition.

Most student fees are assessed on a per-credit basis, so depending on how many credits you are taking, the total amount of student fees owing will fluctuate.

Visit the Academic Calendar for the most up to date fees and policies.
Expect to pay about $100–$150 for course materials, per course, available through the UBC Bookstore.

Application

View the application deadlines.

UBC Alumni:

UBC alumni do not need to submit an application or pay an application fee for unclassified eligibility; it is granted upon request. UBC graduates will be required to pay a registration deposit that will be applied towards tuition and student fees.

Email your request for Unclassified eligibility to recreginquiry.ubco@ubc.ca, after your degree is conferred, including your:

  • Full name
  • UBC student number
  • Date of birth
  • Dates you attended UBC
  • Campus preference (Vancouver or Okanagan)

If you’re new to UBC (Winter term 1 or summer term 1/2):

If you wish to take on-campus courses starting in September, May, or July, please apply to be an Unclassified student by following the steps below:

Step one:

Ensure that you meet the English Language Requirement.

Step two:

Visit the course schedule to view the course offered, and choose the course(s) that you are interested in taking.

Step three:

Apply through youbc and select the following information in the sections indicated:

  • Create or login to your account at you.ubc.ca.
  • Apply to Undergraduate Degree Programs and Non-Degree Studies.
  • On the Program Selection page, select the Unclassified Students box.
  • Submit your application.

Step four:

UBC’s Undergraduate Admissions office will email you with a confirmation of your application and your next steps in 5-7 business days.

Step five:

Submit all required and any additional documents to:

The University of British Columbia

Undergraduate Admissions, Attention: Non-Degree Studies

2016 – 1874 East Mall

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1

If you’re new to UBC (Winter term 2):

If you intend to take courses starting in January, please request unclassified eligibility through non.degree@ubc.ca ensuring you provide the following information:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Intended start date: January (Winter Session Term 2)
  • Campus preference (Vancouver or Okanagan)

if you have previously applied to, been admitted to or have studied at ubc:

As a student record has already been established in the UBC system with your information, please request unclassified eligibility after your degree is conferred by emailing non.degree@ubc.ca.

Under subject line use Non-Degree Studies – Unclassified student

In your email, include the following:

  • Full name
  • UBC student number
  • Date of birth
  • Name of school that granted your degree
  • Date of graduation
  • Desired start date of UBC courses (month and year)
  • Campus preference (Vancouver or Okanagan)

What else do I need to know?

  • Depending on the time of year, your school may take up to several weeks to produce your official transcript.
  • Admission as an Unclassified student does not guarantee entrance to the courses requested or subsequent admission to a degree program at UBC.
  • Courses may be transferable to a future UBC degree program at the discretion of the faculty to which you apply.