Pre-arrival checklist

Apply

1. Go to the Student Housing and Community Services Online Service Centre and log in under “UBC New Applicants, Students, Staff with CWL ID.”
2. Log in with the CWL you created above. If you are having issues with your CWL, please contact our office (goglobal.okanagan@ubc.ca).
3. Select “Application,” and then “Apply”.
4. Select the application for the 2025/2026 Winter Session (25W).
5. When asked for your faculty, enter “Exchange Program, year 1.”
6. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee. The housing deposit must be paid using an approved payment method and is due upon acceptance of your room offer.

We will inform the housing office whether you are coming for one or two terms as there is no place for you to indicate this on their application.

September arrivals

Apply for housing by May 1. Once you have been accepted to the exchange program, UBC Housing will begin to process your application and will email you an Offer of Assignment by June. You must accept the offer and make any necessary payments by the deadline stated in your offer email. Follow the acceptance deadline as Housing will give your spot to a student on the waitlist immediately upon expiration of your deadline.

January arrivals

Apply for housing by October. You will be provided with more details from our office on how to apply for Housing. You must accept the offer and make any necessary payments by the deadline stated in your offer email. Follow the acceptance deadline as Housing will give your spot to a student on the waitlist immediately upon expiration of your deadline.

Apply for Early Arrival Housing

Deadline to apply for early arrival is August 1. For more information on early arrival costs, terms, conditions, and online application, visit the Housing website for full details on how and when you can arrive. Please note that exchange students rarely qualify for Early Move-In so please anticipate alternative housing options if you wish to arrive early.

Off-campus housing

If you choose to live off-campus, most housing contracts will start on the first of the month, please plan your arrival accordingly. Students who do not make arrangements before they arrive may end up paying premium rates at a hotel or for an apartment. Please refer to our Off-Campus Housing Guide for assistance in securing off-campus accommodation.

Follow our email instruction, submit your Final Course Selection Form by June. This information will be emailed to you. Make sure you mark the Go Global email address (goglobal.okanagan@ubc.ca) as safe, so you receive all messages.

Many UBC faculties, schools and programs are open to visiting and exchange students. You can find the courses being offered at UBC on the public UBC Course Schedule website or the UBC Course Schedule in Workday Student (CWL Required).

Please keep in mind some courses are restricted to certain programs. Be sure to check restrictions on the course schedule itself. To find faculty/school information, refer to the course descriptions on the Academic Calendar. Restrictions are subject to change.

Make sure you have your iMED health insurance card from David Cummings Insurance Services. You will receive your iMED card via email, approximately two weeks before your study term begins. Check your junk mail folder periodically to make sure you didn’t miss it. Print out the card and keep it with you at all times. Learn more about how to use your iMED insurance.

Register with the UBC Disability Resource Centre if you anticipate needing academic or exam accommodations during your exchange.

Contact Go Global if you are arriving late for your study at UBC. Check the term and other key dates here.

Get your UBC Student Card and active your The Universal Bus Pass (U-PASS). Effective May 1, 2024 and onwards, you will need to either use cash, scan an UMO physical card, or use scan the UMO app. Scanning of Student ID cards on transit is no longer used and have been replaced by the two UMO options.

If you arrive late, submit an iMED Date Change Request directly through David Cummings Insurance Services.

You are legally required to enroll in MSP if you plan to live in the British Columbia (BC) province for six months or longer. Apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in BC. Read how to apply for BC MSP.

Pay your student fees (U-PASS and iMED) before the UBC deadline. A student will be put on financial hold if there are outstanding fees.

Check with your home university to ensure you meet program/scholarship/loan requirements at home. Finalize your courses before the course add/drop deadline.

If living in a student residence, review your housing contract and pay your housing fees by the deadline.