Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website to learn more about Psychology (BA).
View full program detailsProgram information
Psychology explores diverse topics, from the factors involved in social interactions among individuals and groups, to the processes underlying the nervous system, to moral development in children and what gives us a sense of well-being. Round out your degree with arts courses that complement your study of human and animal behaviour.
Program overview
- Campus
- Okanagan
- Program length
- 4 years
- Faculty
- Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Co-op Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent congue purus nibh, vitae ultrices urna consectetur id. Aenean consequat condimentum auctor.
- Yes
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts
- Honours Nunc posuere lacus felis. Proin libero turpis, aliquam nec laoreet non, congue a nibh. Quisque non tellus iaculis, bibendum magna vel, viverra felis.
- Yes
What you'll learn
Psychology is the study of human and animal behaviour, ranging from the factors involved in social interactions among groups of people and the firing of individual cells in the nervous system to moral development in children. A psychologist might assess and treat mental or behavioural problems, research psychological processes through observation and experimentation, or act as a consultant to corporations to improve employee motivation and productivity. You can complete either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology. Bachelor of Arts programs offer a major, honours, or a General Studies BA with a concentration in Psychology.|Advanced courses give you the opportunity to apply your education to real-life situations. You can also complete advanced coursework where you will be guided in the practical application of research methods for planning and carrying out program evaluations, including developing your own evaluation designs. Directed studies courses give you the opportunity to conduct an investigation of a research problem, which will require a written report of your findings. The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences holds an annual undergraduate research conference on UBC’s Okanagan campus to showcase student research projects.
You can meet your Psychology program peers and explore career options by joining the Psychology Course Union, a student organization on UBC’s Okanagan campus.|
Experiential learning and research
Advanced courses give you the opportunity to apply your education to real-life situations. You can also complete advanced coursework where you will be guided in the practical application of research methods for planning and carrying out program evaluations, including developing your own evaluation designs. Directed studies courses give you the opportunity to conduct an investigation of a research problem, which will require a written report of your findings. The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences holds an annual undergraduate research conference on UBC’s Okanagan campus to showcase student research projects.
You can meet your Psychology program peers and explore career options by joining the Psychology Course Union, a student organization on UBC’s Okanagan campus.
What can you do with this major after graduation?
Most popular courses
Survey of topics in psychology which relate to personal functioning. Methods and statistics, motivation and emotion, life span development, social processes, personality, abnormal behaviour, and psychotherapy
Topics will include structure and function of the nervous system, research methods, and their application to a selection of the following topics: human brain damage and recovery, stress, selected psychological and neurological disorders, sleep, memory, and vision
Survey of developmental psychology, focusing on the childhood segment of the lifespan. Examines the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development of children from conception through the school years
Theories and concepts of social psychology applied to working in the organizational context with an emphasis on human service delivery systems (health, mental health, education, justice, social services, and others)
What can you do with this major after graduation?
Take action & plan
Program requirements
Choose application type:
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Arts
- No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Second Languages
- Social Studies
- Visual and Performing Arts
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you’re unable to visit UBC in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current UBC students walk you through UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Related programs
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time UBC international student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all eligibility criteria.
Want to learn more?
Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website to learn more about Psychology (BA).
View full program details