Application Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ answers many questions about applying to UBC Graduate Studies. Please read carefully to see if your question has been answered here.

Who to contact?

Contact the graduate program for:

• application status
• references
• transcripts
• extensions to application deadline
• missing documents
• supervision
• funding

Contact Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for:

• credit card payment problems
• persistent log in problems with the online application

Pre-Application

Review the graduate degree program listing on our website which provides you with the ability to browse all graduate degree programs (master and doctoral degrees) and credentials (graduate certificates and diplomas). Each entry provides a description of the program, entry requirements, statistics, tuition and funding information and much more.

Students who take graduate level courses without enrolling in a degree program are known as unclassified or non-degree students. Please visit the following web page for information: Admission Requirements for Unclassified Students

Complete details on admissions requirements and the application process are included on our website.

Check the list of program contacts and visit the program web site for information about academic requirements.

UBC's online application is the only way to apply to graduate school at UBC.

Apply via the online application. Information about graduate degree programs at UBC Okanagan can be found at the College of Graduate Studies.

Yes. You can apply as long as your current degree program is completed before the start of the UBC program to which you are applying. Upload the most updated version of your transcript during the application process.

It depends on program to which you are applying. See GRE or Other Required Tests for GRE requirements by program.

What are the minimum English Language Proficiency and GRE test scores required to apply to a graduate program at UBC?

General information on English language proficiency test score requirements and the GRE can be found on our website. You can also check your program's minimum requirements for English Language Proficiency and GRE test scores on the UBC Calendar.

Detailed information on application fees, including payment options, are found on the page Online Application and Fee.

• The application fee can only be waived for international applicants:
  • whose citizenship and correspondence address are located in the world's 50 least developed countries, as declared by the United Nations.
  • These countries include but are not limited to Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nepal, and Uganda.
    • Complete list of eligible countries
    I'm eligible for a fee waiver. How do I apply?

    If you are eligible for an application fee waiver, you do not need to apply for it. You will not be asked for a fee when you complete the online application.

    Is the application fee refundable?

    The application fee is not refundable. We can only refund the application fee when a program applied for has been cancelled.

    • Make sure your application is for the correct program
    • Only click the "submit" button once; if the application is not submitted contact the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies before re-submitting, as your credit card may be charged twice.

    I'm not able to log into the online application or am having difficulty creating a CWL account. What can I do?

    In order to submit an application for UBC graduate programs you must have a UBC Campus Wide Login (CWL) account. The CWL system provides access to UBC's online services with one secure login ID.

    As a previous undergraduate or graduate applicant, an alum, a student, a staff member or in some other affiliated role, you most likely have a CWL account already. Follow these links to retrieve your login name or reset your password. The password reset feature will provide you with specific instructions for how to proceed with your existing CWL account.

    As an individual you can have only one CWL account, even if you have multiple email addresses. You have to re-use a pre-existing CWL. If you create multiple CWL accounts, your admission application will not be forwarded to the graduate program until your CWL account has been reviewed. Creating multiple CWL accounts will cause a delay that may result in your application not being considered by the graduate program.

    Unsuccessful previous applications connected to your CWL will not disadvantage your current or future application(s).

    For CWL issues, please contact the IT Service Centre Help Desk. If you are experiencing technical issues, please ensure your browser supports both Cookies and JavaScript. See Browser Help for additional information and instructions. Use of the latest version of Firefox with JavaScript enabled is recommended but the application is also supported by Internet Explorer, Chrome, Opera and Safari.

    For all other questions, please email graduate.apply@ubc.ca and include your full name, the program(s) you are applying to and a general description of the problem.

    I am or was a UBC student. Should I create a new CWL user account when applying to grad school?

    No, you should login to the online application system using your existing CWL account. If you experience difficulties using your CWL account then please contact the IT Service Centre Help Desk. If you are experiencing technical issues, please ensure your browser supports both Cookies and JavaScript. See Browser Help for additional information and instructions. Use of the latest version of Firefox with JavaScript enabled is recommended but the application is also supported by Internet Explorer, Chrome, Opera and Safari.

    For all other questions, please email graduate.apply@ubc.ca and include your full name, the program(s) you are applying to and a general description of the problem.

    I want to apply to more than one program. Do I have to submit more than one application?

    Yes, you will need to submit a separate application and application fee for each program you want to apply to. Decisions are made by the program(s), and they each need complete information in order to evaluate your application. If you are indeed applying to more than one program, references must be sent to each program you have applied to.

    While Applying

    I want to apply, but I can't take my English Language Proficiency test until after the application deadline. Can I apply, and submit my test score later?

    Please contact the program to which you are applying to and ask them if you can do this.

    My degree hasn’t been conferred yet because I am still attending university, but I plan on finishing soon. How should I address this in my application?

    When filling out your Academic History on your application, you will be asked whether or not the institution(s) you have attended have provided you with a degree or other credentials. If you are in the process of completing your degree, but your degree has not been conferred yet, make sure to select "Not Yet. Credential is in progress."

    Do I have to list all the schools and institutions I’ve attended?

    You must list all post-secondary schools and institutions.

    I have run out of room to list all the institutions I've attended, so how should I list them?

    The online application has room to list six higher education institutions of study. If you have attended more than six previous institutions, you will be instructed to upload all remaining transcripts into one file within your online application.

    What supporting documents should I send?

    Program specific document instructions are provided within the online application system and on the website of the program you are applying to. Please check with the program to which you are applying to determine what additional support documents they may require and for instructions about uploading and sending documents to support your application. Main document requirements are listed on our website.

    For more information on document requirements, see:

    Where do I send my supporting documents and transcripts?

    For initial application, you will normally scan and upload digital files (.pdfs) of documents in the online application system. If you are offered admission, you will be required to send in one copy of each of your official academic history documents. Official documents are normally sent to:

    University of British Columbia
    Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
    6371 Crescent Rd
    Vancouver, BC V6T1Z2 CANADA

    Some graduate programs may require you to send in paper documents directly to their department office upon initial application. Please check the website of the program(s) to which you are applying for instructions.

    For more information on document requirements, see:

    Further information on providing scanned and official paper documents is also provided within the online application system.

    Can I provide unofficial transcripts or are official transcripts required?

    You must scan and upload digital copies (.pdfs) of official required documents in the application system. The scanned transcripts must be copies of your official transcripts, which usually means that you must order official transcripts from your institution(s), open the envelopes, and then scan and upload copies to the application system. Since this requires you to break the official seal on the transcripts, these are considered “unofficial documents”. These uploaded copies of your official documents will be used for the initial evaluation of your application.

    Please note: Some programs will require an official set of transcripts at the time of application. Please refer to the website of the program(s) to which you are applying and the instructions in the online application for specific information about sending your official documents.

    If you are offered admission conditional upon receipt of official documentation, you must provide UBC with one set of official transcripts for every postsecondary institution you have attended for the equivalent of one year or more of full-time study. UBC reserves the right to also require any individual applicant to provide official transcripts for study of less than one year duration. Do not send official transcripts before receiving an offer of admission unless you have received special instructions from the graduate program to which you have applied.

    What are the minimum English Language Proficiency and GRE test scores required to apply to a graduate program at UBC?

    General information on English language proficiency test score requirements and the GRE can be found on our website. You can also check your program's minimum requirements for English Language Proficiency and GRE test scores on the UBC Calendar.

    I have questions about supervision and/or funding. Who should I contact?

    Please contact the program to which you are applying.