Okanagan and UBCO

Arrival to Kelowna

First, please download the VIRS Pre-arrival Checklist (pdf).

It can also be helpful to check out these resources (note that much of the information below is for our Vancouver campus, but the information is transferrable):

UBC Okanagan

UBC’s Okanagan campus is a young, exciting, and rapidly growing university nestled in the middle of the stunning Okanagan Valley. Our diverse campus community is active and close-knit, with many clubs, societies, and social opportunities providing ways to get involved. As a research student at UBC Okanagan, you will see that living and researching in the Okanagan Valley will be an amazing experience.

Go on a virtual tour

City of Kelowna

195,000 people in Kelowna’s metro area. One of Canada’s fastest growing cities—and getting younger. All of this within the stunning natural beauty of BC’s Okanagan Valley.

Learn more

Getting here

Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley are located in the southern interior of British Columbia, just over 200 km (120 miles) north of the U.S. border and over 400 km (250 miles) from the Vancouver campus.

By air, Kelowna is a one-hour flight from Vancouver, Calgary, or Seattle. UBC’s Okanagan campus is just a few minutes away from the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) via taxi or car.

Housing

VIRS students are not eligible for UBC Housing (on-campus dormitories). The exception to this is if your research starts and commences between May and August. Please see the Housing website for exact summer dates. VIRS students are responsible for finding their own accommodations.

Learn more about finding housing here: UBC Okanagan Off-Campus Housing Resources

Student status

Depending on the student’s academic level at their home institution, a VIRS will be registered in VURS 499 (Undergraduate) or VGRS 599 (Graduate), a non-credit, non-tuition bearing course code which denotes full-time engagement in academic research.

A VIRS will have access to the UBC Library, email services, Go Global services, and, on an urgent need basis, health/counseling services. Students can access the use of the Hangar Fitness centre and BC Transit services (student discounts available). Transcripts can be accessed on a fee paying basis, as available.

  • A VIRS will be registered at UBC for all UBC academic terms that overlap with the length of their planned visit.
  • A VIRS may not enroll in any UBC courses, but may apply during their stay to be admitted as a Visiting Undergraduate or Visiting Graduate Student, should they wish to enroll in courses following their completion of their VIRS placement. This may require an adjustment of immigration approval.
  • The maximum length of proposed research period that a VIRS can be approved for is one year (12 months). At the end of the approved visit period, the student may request an extension for up to one year.

Resources

Staying connected at UBC Okanagan

All VIRS students should be able to access the Secure Network on their laptops and smartphones while on campus. You will have to set this up using the AutoConnect application online. See the steps on the UBC IT website. You will use your UBC Campus-Wide Login (CWL) and password to access the network.

VIRS students can access library resources online by logging in with your Campus-Wide Login (CWL). Your UBC Card will act as your library card to borrow materials.

Recreation at UBC Okanagan

UBC has excellent recreation facilities. Check out more information here: Recreation (sports, fitness)

VIRS students pay the public or staff rates for these facilities. Unfortunately, VIRS students do not qualify for the student rates.