Academic English development programs for admission
If you meet UBC's general and degree-specific admission requirements, but not the English Language Admission Requirement, there are three programs available to you, all of which will boost your English proficiency and lead to an undergraduate degree program at UBC.
More on English language competency:
Vantage One program at UBC Vantage College
UBC’s Vantage One programs are specially designed for academically outstanding, international students who do not yet meet the English language admission requirement for direct entry into a UBC faculty. In these 11-month programs, award-winning UBC faculty members add English language instruction to your first-year degree courses to prepare you for success in your bachelor’s degree. Upon successful completion of your Vantage One program, you will progress into second year at UBC for the following degree programs on UBC’s Okanagan campus or UBC’s Vancouver campus:
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering)
- Bachelor of Science
How to apply to a Vantage One program
- Choose your UBC Vantage One program.
- Meet the Vantage One admission requirements.
- Apply online and pay the fee.
- Submit your required documents.
- Stay in touch.
Learn more about applying to the Vantage One programs.
Please note: If you have not applied for a Vantage One Program directly, and do not meet our English Language Admission Standard based on your English language test score, UBC’s admissions professionals will determine if you are a candidate for a Vantage One program.
Conditional Admission Program at UBC’s Vancouver campus
The Conditional Admission Program offers English-language preparation to academically outstanding students who do not yet meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard. Completion of the Conditional Admission Program improves your English proficiency and leads to an undergraduate degree program on UBC’s Vancouver campus for bachelor degree programs in all faculties.
If you are admitted through the Conditional Admission Program, you will be accepted into your undergraduate degree on the condition that you successfully complete the UBC Extended Learning English for Academic Purposes program before beginning your first year of studies at UBC. You have two options:
- An 8-week accelerated session scheduled to start in July and finish in September.
- A 16-week session scheduled to start in January, May, or August
Admission to the Conditional Admission Program
- Apply to a UBC degree program on your campus of choice.
- Based on your English language test score and academic record, UBC’s admissions professionals will determine if you are a candidate for conditional admission.
Once you have been accepted to the Conditional Admission Program, you will be required to register for English for Academic Purposes.
English Foundation Program at UBC’s Okanagan campus
The English Foundation Program offers English language preparation for students who meet all of UBC’s admission requirements, except for the English language admission standard. Successful completion of the English Foundation Program leads to a full range of undergraduate and graduate programs on UBC’s Okanagan campus.
The English Foundation Program allows you to advance your English language skills while immediately starting your university degree. The program engages students in campus life and provides a strong blend of academic studies, cultural discovery, community connections and experiential education.
On successful completion of the program, you will continue with your full academic programming, having already earned credits that are included on your transcripts.
Admission to the English Foundation Program
If you apply to UBC’s Okanagan campus and meet all of UBC’s admission requirements and the minimum English Foundation Program entry scores, yet are not fully admissible to UBC, you will be automatically evaluated for this program.