Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
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The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is an educational provider based in the heart of Northern British Columbia, Canada. It is the best in Western Canada in the primarily undergraduate category (Maclean’s, 2024), ranking among the top 300 young universities worldwide (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, 2024).
At UNBC, students receive world-class education. Its faculty to student ratio of 1: 11 allows for a personalized learning experience where students can closely connect with their professors and classmates. An expansive selection of study programs covers subjects including culture, economics, the environment, health, and the sciences.
UNBC is one of British Columbia’s top research-intensive universities, meaning students benefit from being at the forefront of exciting developments in their field. Faculty are some of the top scholars in their fields, and students benefit from the ability to collaborate on research with faculty from as early as their first year, an unparalleled opportunity for both undergraduate and graduate students.
From early entrance scholarships to awards for leadership, UNBC provides nearly CAD 4 million in financial awards every year, that means one in three students receive a UNBC financial award. Its international office provides assistance to overseas students across all areas of their move to Canada, offering helpful advice and guidance, and continuing to offer a full scope of support services as required throughout their study experience.
Within six months of graduation, 84 percent of UNBC graduates gain employment and nearly 70 percent are in management.
UNBC’s main campus is located in the vibrant city of Prince George, the largest city in northern British Columbia. Here, students can enjoy a vibrant arts and culture scene, a great selection of places to eat and drink, a range of sports teams, and plenty of outdoor activities in the spectacular mountains nearby.
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At the Student Career Centre, many resources and services are available to support learners in their transition to professional work after university. This includes employment preparation workshops, alumni opportunities, annual career fairs and job listings.
Students can receive help with all aspects of job searching, such as writing cover letters, developing resumes, and interview preparation. Career advisors are friendly and approachable, with expert knowledge to help graduates stand out from the crowd.
UNBC hosts career fairs that allow students to connect with hiring employers. These events help students to:
UNBC’s co-op program gives students the chance to gain the desirable qualities that employers look for through work placements and other employability experiences.
This program offers undergraduate students the tools and support necessary to be successful in gaining relevant, paid work experience before graduating, and provides employers with the opportunity to connect with and hire UNBC co-op students to help move their organization forward.
“The co-op program was there every step of the way to answer any concerns or doubts I had. The feeling of ‘wow, okay, I’m not just a student, and I actually have valuable knowledge and experience’ is probably the thing I am most thankful for from participating in the program.”
– Cameron Spooner, ENSc.
One in four students receives a financial award from UNBC each year, with nearly CAD 4,000,000 in awards provided annually. Students wishing to be considered can apply to the awards competitions once they are admitted to UNBC.
This financial support helps students with educational costs so that they can progress towards meaningful careers. Many awards are available that international students can apply to.
Early Entrance Awards are for new undergraduates entering directly from high school. No application required. Apply for early admission by January 15th to be considered.
Awards in these categories range in value, up to CAD 10,000 per academic year. Entrance awards are available to students commencing an undergraduate course of study at UNBC for the first time, or to new transfer students with less than 18 transfer credit hours.
There are even awards specific to international students, and awards specific to programs. Students can review them in the scholarship, bursary and award guide .
In-course undergraduate awards
Students often benefit from awards after starting their studies, which they can apply for every year. There are also awards specific to programs that can be viewed in the Scholarship, bursary and award guide.
More information can be found about applying for awards competitions on the awards and financial aid webpage.
UNBC offers two exciting new undergraduate programs in civil engineering and environmental engineering. Both programs equip students with the expert knowledge and skills needed for a career in engineering, with a focus on responsible development and infrastructure.
The School of Engineering has modern facilities, including the Wood Innovation Design Centre and Wood Innovation Research Laboratory. Both learning spaces are known worldwide for their innovative use of renewable resources in the construction process and reducing carbon emissions. Its main campus is also home to a modern-equipped materials lab and hydrology lab.
UNBC’s PhD in Engineering and PHD in Biochemistry are in the process of being introduced.
As per the information collected from the BC Student Outcomes Survey 2023, 88 percent of students say the knowledge and skills gained are useful in performing their job with 89 percent working full-time. 86 percent of graduates stated that they were satisfied with their experience at UNBC.
16,22,294 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
5,16,233 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
Innovative learners from all over the world are welcome to apply to UNBC. Undergraduate students have three start date options:
Fall term, September
Winter term, January
Spring term, May (*Applications are not encouraged for this semester, unless applicants are transferring from a Canadian post-secondary institution.)
Graduate students usually begin in the fall term, though it is often possible to start at different points of the year.
Each program has its own specific admissions requirements, which can be found on the UNBC website.
As a general guide, undergraduate international students need an accepted secondary or post-secondary education equivalent to high school in British Columbia, or a General Certificate of Education, equivalent to:
Two A-Levels, minimum grade C
Three GCSEs, minimum grade C and grade 4
International postgraduate students must hold the equivalent of an upper second-class honours degree, or equivalent, in a related subject.
International students also must satisfy the English language criteria, as this is UNBC’s primary language of communication. Proficiency can be proved through one of the following language test scores, or equivalent:
TOEFL: overall score of 90, with at least 20 in each band
IELTS: overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each band
Duolingo English Test score of 105 or higher
A final grade of 75 percent (B) or higher in a university-transferable English course
UNBC is a relatively small university that offers unique learning opportunities through its research and experiential learning initiatives. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, students enjoy small classes and work closely with academic staff.
As a research-intensive university, many faculty are global leaders in their field who bring their research to the classroom while focusing on the cultural, social, environmental, and economic issues of the local area, resulting in world-leading research in areas such as natural resources and community sustainability.
Students can collaborate with faculty on research projects, even in the first year of study. Other learning opportunities include UNBC’s co-op program, which offers students the opportunity to gain unique, practical work experience.
Through the university’s Academic Success Centre, students can access support throughout their educational journey. Students can utilize academic support through tutoring and online help or peer-led learning programs. To ensure quality service in all learning environments, all tutors and peer mentors take part in ongoing certified training.
At UNBC, study options include undergraduate, graduate, PhD, diploma, certificate, and international exchange programs. Undergraduate academic programs take place within five faculties, each with their own unique assets and opportunities.
School of Education
School of Health Sciences
School of Nursing
Department of Psychology
School of Social Work
Department of Anthropology
Department of English
Department of First Nations Studies
Department of History
Department of Global and International Studies
Northern Studies Program
Department of Political Science
Women and Gender Studies Program
Interdisciplinary Studies Program
Division of Medical Sciences Programs
UBC programs delivered in partnership with UNBC through the Division of Medical Sciences:
Students are encouraged to browse the extensive range of study programs currently available at UNBC.
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