University of British Columbia (UBC)

A global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world.

Dean

Meigan Aronson

Academic staff

1,000 - 20,000

Students

58000

Locations

Vancouver, Canada Okanagan, Canada

Afiliations

ssociation of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), Universitas 21 (U21), Canadian U15 Group of Research Universities, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL)

Address

Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Social Media

URL

Summary

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was founded in 1908 and has since become one of the leading universities in Canada and the world. UBC has two main campuses: the Vancouver campus, which is located in the Point Grey area of Vancouver, and the Okanagan campus, which is located in Kelowna, British Columbia.

UBC offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with over 200 academic programs to choose from. Some of its most popular programs include business, engineering, computer science, biology, psychology, and political science. UBC also offers professional programs in areas such as law, medicine, and education.

The university has a diverse student population, with over 60,000 students enrolled from over 140 countries. It also has a strong focus on research, with over $650 million in research funding each year. UBC is home to several research centers and institutes, including the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, the Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems, and the Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences.

UBC has consistently ranked as one of the top universities in Canada and the world. It is ranked 45th in the 2022 QS World University Rankings, 31st in the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and 37th in the 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities. UBC is also a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization that represents 65 leading research universities in North America.

In addition to its academic and research excellence, UBC is also known for its beautiful campus and stunning natural surroundings. The Vancouver campus is located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and boasts views of the North Shore Mountains. The Okanagan campus is located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, surrounded by lakes, vineyards, and mountains.

Overall, UBC is a world-class university that offers exceptional academic programs, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a vibrant community of students and scholars.

History

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university located in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1908, it is one of the oldest universities in the province of British Columbia and the largest in Western Canada, with two main campuses and over 58,000 students.

UBC was established by the provincial legislature in 1908, but its origins go back to 1877 when McGill University opened a branch in British Columbia. In 1885, the provincial government established the Provincial Normal School, which eventually became the University of Victoria. However, the need for a larger university was recognized, and in 1907, the government passed the University Act, which authorized the creation of UBC.

The university opened its doors in 1915, with just six faculties: Applied Science, Arts, Education, Medicine, Science, and Agriculture. The first president was Frank Fairchild Wesbrook, who served from 1913 to 1918. Under his leadership, UBC developed into a major research institution, with a strong focus on the natural sciences. During the First World War, the university contributed to the war effort by providing training for military personnel and conducting research on explosives and other war-related topics.

In the 1920s and 1930s, UBC continued to grow, adding new programs and faculties. In 1922, the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration was established, followed by the Faculty of Forestry in 1947. The university also established ties with other institutions, such as the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and became a leader in distance education, with the creation of the Division of Continuing Education in 1949.

UBC underwent a major expansion in the 1960s and 1970s, with the construction of new buildings and facilities on both the Vancouver and Kelowna campuses. During this period, the university also expanded its research programs, with a focus on interdisciplinary research and collaboration. UBC also established a number of international partnerships and exchange programs, which continue to this day.

In recent years, UBC has continued to expand and evolve, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and engagement. The university has launched a number of new programs and initiatives, such as the Peter A. Allard School of Law, the Sauder School of Business, and the School of Population and Public Health. UBC has also invested heavily in research and innovation, with a focus on areas such as clean energy, digital media, and biomedical research.

Today, UBC is one of Canada's leading universities, with a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. The university is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and collaboration. UBC is also known for its beautiful campuses, which are located in some of the most scenic areas of British Columbia.

Courses

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers a wide variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional courses across its faculties, schools, and departments. Here is an overview of some of the courses available at UBC:

Arts: The Faculty of Arts offers programs in a diverse range of subjects, including Anthropology, Economics, English, History, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and more.
Science: The Faculty of Science offers programs in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, and Statistics.
Applied Science: The Faculty of Applied Science offers programs in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and more.
Sauder School of Business: The Sauder School of Business offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Accounting, Business Technology Management, Finance, International Business, Management Information Systems, Marketing, and more.
Education: The Faculty of Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Education, with options for teacher certification, school leadership, counselling psychology, and more.
Law: The Peter A. Allard School of Law offers Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Laws (LLM) programs, as well as joint degree programs with other UBC faculties.
Medicine: The Faculty of Medicine offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Medicine, as well as programs in Nursing, Dentistry, and Population and Public Health.
Forestry: The Faculty of Forestry offers programs in Forestry, Forest Sciences, Wood Products Processing, and more.
Land and Food Systems: The Faculty of Land and Food Systems offers programs in Applied Biology, Food and Resource Economics, Global Resource Systems, and more.
Arts + Science: The Faculty of Arts and Science offers interdisciplinary programs that combine courses from multiple faculties and departments, including Cognitive Systems, Environment and Sustainability, Integrated Sciences, and more.

In addition to these faculties, UBC also offers courses in other areas, including Continuing Studies, Creative Writing, Journalism, Music, and Theatre and Film. UBC is known for its innovative and cutting-edge programs, and its courses are taught by world-renowned faculty members who are leaders in their respective fields.

Global MBA rankings

The University of British Columbia's MBA program has consistently been recognized as one of the top business programs in Canada and the world.

In the latest Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2021, UBC Sauder School of Business was ranked #82 in the world, moving up four spots from the previous year. The program was also ranked #1 in Canada for the third year in a row.

The UBC MBA program is also highly regarded by other organizations, such as QS World University Rankings, which ranked it #34 globally in 2022, and the Economist Intelligence Unit, which ranked it #68 in the world in 2021.

UBC Sauder School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which is a widely recognized accreditation for business schools around the world. The school is also a member of the Global Network for Advanced Management, a network of leading business schools that collaborate on research and educational programs. UBC's MBA program is highly regarded for its rigorous curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and diversity of its student body.

Job integration rate

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has a strong track record of helping its graduates find employment after graduation. According to the university's most recent statistics, the job integration rate for UBC graduates is 96.4% within two years of graduation. This means that the vast majority of UBC graduates are employed or pursuing further education within two years of completing their degree.

UBC has a number of resources and initiatives in place to help students with job integration. The university's Career Services department provides a range of services, including career advising, job search strategies, resume and cover letter development, and interview preparation. They also host career fairs and other networking events to connect students with potential employers.

Additionally, many UBC faculties and departments have their own career resources and initiatives. For example, the Sauder School of Business has a dedicated Career Centre that provides students with job postings, career advising, and networking opportunities. The Faculty of Arts has a co-op program that allows students to gain work experience while completing their degree.

UBC also has a strong reputation among employers, both locally and internationally. Many employers actively seek out UBC graduates for their skills, knowledge, and work ethic. The university's location in Vancouver, one of Canada's largest and most vibrant cities, also provides students with access to a range of job opportunities and industries.