Reasons to Study at the University of British Columbia
An international centre for educating, gaining knowledge and research, the University of British Columbia is an excellent option for overseas students to pursue their higher education. Consistently acknowledged as one of the best 20 public universities in the world, it is among the top institutes in Canada and is recognized for its diverse student population, academic eminence, and attractive campus locations. Students can choose from distinct undergraduate and graduate courses such as social sciences, engineering, business, humanities, and much more.
UCB also has various student clubs, organisations, and sports facilities. It also hosts many cultural events, establishing it as an exciting place for students to study due to its supportive environment. It has two main campuses in Vancouver and in Kelowna, Okanagan Valley. Over 80 training venues have been set up across British Columbia by UBC for imparting clinical education to students studying medicine. India and Hong Kong both have two of its regional bases, promoting local networking and learner-centric partnership.
This article explores UCB as an institute of academic prominence and shares the top reasons to study at the University of British Columbia.
Check: Study Guide to Canada for Indian Students: Admissions, Eligibility, Cost of Living & Jobs
Top 8 UCB Facts
- The university has a total of 375,000 alumni, residing in 160 nations
- UCB has a total of 18,953 faculty and staff members
- A total of 58,768 students are studying at the Vancouver campus, 11,989 at the Okanagan campus and 2,165 are indigenous students
- The Vancouver campus has 21.8% of the international population, whereas Okanagan has 21.8% of overseas students
- A total of 8 Nobel Prize recipients and three PMs have been a part of UCB
- It is among the top 15 universities for overall impact towards UN SD goals
- It is the first Canadian university to provide an undergraduate course in Indigenous language fluency
- UCB is recognized among the best 40 research universities in the world
UCB for International Students
Boasting a large international student crowd, UCB has students from more than 160 nations, belonging to different races, religions, and ethnicity. This heterogeneity lets students enjoy a rich cultural and academic experience and assists them in gaining an international perspective and networking with peers across the globe. Overseas students have the access to a range of support services such as cultural integration, orientation, health and wellness services, language courses and immigration counselling. In case one has any queries regarding the admission procedure or academics, the international student advising team is present to help one with the same.
University of British Columbia (UCB) Rankings
UCB has remained among the top 50 institutes of higher education globally in all the international ranking publications, proving its strong image in Canada and worldwide. These rankings take parameters into consideration such as employer reputation, research productivity, teaching excellence, international collaboration, etc.
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- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023: The university stands at the 40th position in the world, making it one of the best 50 universities worldwide.
- THE World Reputation Rankings 2022: UCB holds the 40th rank worldwide.
- QS World University Rankings 2023: Ranking 47th in the world, UCB is among the best 50 universities globally.
- Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2023: UCB holds the 44th rank worldwide.
- US News & World Report Global Universities Rankings 2023: UCB holds the 35th rank worldwide.
Check: Study in Canada: Timeline for September 2023 Intake (Fall Intake)
UG and PG Programmes at UCB
The institute has more than 60,000 Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes for students, offered at both of its two main campuses and affiliated teaching hospitals. Some of the popular UG, PG and professional courses offered at UCB have been displayed in the table below:
| Undergraduate Programmes |
Graduate Programmes |
Professional Programmes |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Economics |
Engineering |
Master of Urban Design |
| Health and Life Sciences |
Education |
Diploma in Accounting |
| Languages and Linguistics |
Earth and Environmental Sciences |
MBA |
| History, Law, and Politics |
Data Science |
Real Estate Division |
| Math, Chemistry, and Physics |
Computer Science |
Diploma in Marketing and Sales Management |
| Earth, Environment, and Sustainability |
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Master of International Forestry |
| Media and Fine Arts |
Accounting |
Master of Engineering Leadership |
| Education |
Psychology |
Master of Community and Regional Planning |
| People, Culture, and Society |
Digital Media |
Interprofessional Continuing Education |
| Engineering and Technology |
Film Production |
Executive Education |
Reasons to Study at the University of British Columbia
Some of the reasons which may push you to make a decision in favour of UCB have been listed below:
Exquisite Campus Site: UBC’s Vancouver campus rests in the city which is among the most beautiful and habitable in the world. A treat for Nature lovers, the campus is enveloped by forests, mountains and alluring ocean views.
Good Academics: Positioned among the top Canadian universities and international institutes of higher learning, the University of British Columbia possesses world-class faculty and offers research opportunities in multiple fields.
Extracurricular Opportunities: Students at UCB can indulge in a wide range of extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports, and other volunteering experiences. All these can help them connect with new people, build new skills and improve their CVs.
Job Opportunities: The university has built strong ties with renowned employers and maintains a good reputation. Students are provided with every assistance that helps them obtain employment, internships, co-ops, etc. This helps build a strong foundation for their future professional growth.
Diverse Community: Consisting of students from more than 160 nations, the University of British Columbia is an inclusive and diverse place. The socio-cultural exchange between students is common and helps them understand each other’s outlook towards many things.
Read More: Cost of Living in Canada for Indian Students 2023
Selkirk College Canada expects a non-refundable application fee from international students, which is USD 100 (INR 8K). International students must fill out the application form where they must upload documents like transcripts, test scores, passport ID page, resume, and more. At the end of the application, international students can expect to pay the application fee, and once their application meets eligibility, they get an offer of acceptance.
Both the University of Lethbridge and Memorial University of Newfoundland are among the top universities in Canada for international students. They offers the quality education at a low cost compared to other top MS in CS universities in the world. We have compared them in the table below in terms of tuition fee and ranking:
MS in CS Universities | Tuition Fees | US News World Ranking |
|---|---|---|
University of Lethbridge | INR 10 L | 1741 |
Memorial University of Newfoundland | INR 4.7 L | 698 |
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According to the student review on the unofficial web, pursuing a PGDBA is not a great option in Canada, and pursuing an MBA is far better than that. However, international students who are looking for an affordable option can choose PGDBA from Selkirk as they offer programs way cheaper than other SPP colleges in Canada. In addition, Selkirk College has supporting faculty members and smaller class sizes which means students will get to learn a lot with assignments and projects and get three years to showcase their talent to grab the best career.