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University of British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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University of British Columbia – Overview & Background

Category Details

Name

University of British Columbia (UBC)

Type

Public research university

Founded

1908, the oldest university in British Columbia; the Vancouver campus officially opened in 1925 at Point Grey

Location

Two main campuses – Vancouver (Point Grey Peninsula) and Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

Campuses

UBC Vancouver (the larger, founding campus) and UBC Okanagan (acquired through merger with Okanagan University College in 2005), plus UBC Robson Square and the Centre for Digital Media in downtown Vancouver

Affiliations

Member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities; home to TRIUMF, Canada’s national particle and nuclear physics laboratory, with the world’s largest cyclotron; first university in North America to commit to implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Accreditation

Established under the British Columbia University Act; Sauder School of Business is AACSB-accredited

Faculties & Structure

12 faculties at Vancouver (including Arts, Science, the Sauder School of Business, Applied Science, Medicine, Law, and Forestry) and 7 faculties and schools at Okanagan

Recognition

Consistently ranked in the global top 3% of universities by QS, THE and ARWU; ranked 45 in the QS World University Rankings 2027

Students

More than 65,000–72,000 students across both campuses, from Canada and 140+ countries

International Students

A highly international student body, with one of the most diverse populations of any North American university

Programs

Over 300 undergraduate and graduate programs across both campuses, plus clinical training for medical students at 80+ sites across British Columbia

President

Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon (President and Vice-Chancellor)

Governing Body

UBC Board of Governors, with elected student, faculty and staff representation

Notable Strength

Home to TRIUMF (Canada’s national physics laboratory) and the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, with North America’s first Max Planck Institute partnership; consistently top-ranked for environmental sciences and mining engineering

Alumni

A global network of more than 410,000–435,000 graduates across 145–160 countries, including 8 Nobel laureates, around 71–75 Rhodes Scholars, and three Canadian Prime Ministers

Motto

Tuum Est (“It is yours”)

Website

ubc.ca

Contact

+1 604-822-2211

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University of British Columbia Virtual Tour

https://www.ubc.ca/our-campuses/

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Key Advantages of UBC

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    Ranked in the global top 3% of universities by every major ranking body (QS, THE, ARWU, US News), with a QS World Ranking of 45 in the 2027 edition.
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    One of the most international universities in North America, with students from 140+ countries making up a significant share of the student body.
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    Home to TRIUMF, Canada’s national particle and nuclear physics laboratory and the world’s largest cyclotron, alongside the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute and North America’s first Max Planck Institute.
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    A globally recognised alumni network spanning 8 Nobel laureates, around 75 Rhodes Scholars, and three Canadian Prime Ministers, including Justin Trudeau.
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    Strong subject-level depth, particularly in mining and mineral engineering (top 10 globally), psychology, education studies and environmental sciences.
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    A genuinely stunning Vancouver campus set between mountains and ocean on the Point Grey Peninsula, alongside a dynamic, fast-growing Okanagan campus in Kelowna.
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    84% of undergraduate students participate in some form of high-impact learning experience by the time they graduate (National Survey of Student Engagement, 2023).
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    A new South Asia Hub and partnerships in India, including more than $4 million in entrance scholarships for exceptional Indian undergraduate students through a partnership with ATLAS SkillTech University.
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    Post-study work eligibility: international graduates can apply for Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), one of the most accessible work-after-study pathways among major study destinations.
 

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University of British Columbia Jobs and Placements

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    Strong co-op and career programs particularly in computer science, data science and business through the Sauder School of Business, known for higher starting salaries and stronger employment outcomes.
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    MBA outcomes – around 89% of MBA graduates secure jobs, with about 72% receiving offers within three months of completing their studies.
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    Research opportunities – with TRIUMF, the Quantum Matter Institute and partnerships including the Max Planck Society, students gain access to world-leading research infrastructure.
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    Clinical training network – Faculty of Medicine students train across 80+ clinical sites throughout British Columbia.
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    Alumni network – a global community of over 410,000 graduates, including Nobel laureates, heads of government and business leaders, offering substantial networking value.
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    Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) – eligible international graduates can work in Canada for up to three years after completing their degree, one of the most generous post-study work options globally.
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University of British Columbia Campus

Main Campus

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    UBC Vancouver – 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4.

Other Campuses

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    UBC Okanagan – 1137 Alumni Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7.
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    UBC Centre for Digital Media – 685 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, BC V5T 0C6 (Great Northern Way Campus, Mount Pleasant).
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Residence at UBC

UBC offers extensive on-campus housing at both Vancouver and Okanagan, with a strong tradition of residential college life including the Nest (the student union hub) and Green College, a transdisciplinary live-in postgraduate community.

On-Campus Residence

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    A wide range of residence halls and apartment-style housing across both campuses, including specialised communities like Green College for graduate students.
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    Cost: approximately CAD 1,000 – 1,800 per month, depending on residence and meal plan.

Off-Campus Residence

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    Private rentals in Vancouver’s west side neighbourhoods (near UBC) or in Kelowna, with Vancouver rents running considerably higher given the city’s housing market.
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    Cost: approximately CAD 1,200 – 2,200 per month in Vancouver, somewhat lower in Kelowna.
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Notable Alumni at UBC

Some notable alumni of the University of British Columbia include:

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    Justin Trudeau – 23rd Prime Minister of Canada (2015–2025).
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    Kim Campbell – first female Prime Minister of Canada.
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    John Turner – former Prime Minister of Canada.
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    Bertram Brockhouse – Nobel laureate in Physics (1994), for the development of neutron spectroscopy.
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    Robert Mundell – Nobel laureate in Economics (1999), for his analysis of monetary and fiscal policy.
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    Michael Shanks – actor, known for portraying Dr. Daniel Jackson in Stargate SG-1.
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University of British Columbia Address & Transport

UBC Vancouver Campus (Main)

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    2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.

Public Transit

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    TransLink bus routes (including the 99 B-Line and the R4 RapidBus) connect UBC directly to downtown Vancouver and the broader Metro Vancouver transit network; the Broadway Subway extension is expanding rapid transit access toward campus.

Bus & Regional Transit

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    Frequent direct bus service links UBC to downtown Vancouver in about 30 minutes; UBC Okanagan is served by Kelowna’s local transit network, including an on-campus Transit Exchange.

Nearest Airport

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    Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is approximately 30–40 minutes from the UBC Vancouver campus by road or transit; Kelowna International Airport (YLW) serves the Okanagan campus.

Location Advantage

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    The Vancouver campus sits in one of the world’s most scenic urban settings, between mountains and ocean, with easy access to Vancouver’s technology, film and finance sectors, while the Okanagan campus places students in one of Canada’s fastest-growing regional economies.
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University of British Columbia Map Location

Address: 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada