Applying to UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan on One Application

One application, two campuses

UBC runs Vancouver and Okanagan as two campuses of the same university, and prospective students apply through a single account and a single application rather than choosing between two separate institutions. When you start your application, you select the specific degree program and campus combination you want to be considered for, and that choice sits inside your application from the start rather than getting added later.

Programs that exist at only one campus

A number of UBC programs run at only one of the two campuses. If you apply to one of these, your application is assessed against that single campus, since there's no equivalent seat to compare it against elsewhere. Check the specific program page for the campus it runs on before you apply, since program names look similar across campuses while the degree structure, faculty and admission pool differ.

Programs offered at both campuses

Some degrees, like the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, run at both Vancouver and Okanagan as separate admission pools. Vancouver's larger applicant pool and larger faculty roster mean the two campuses hold different admission averages and different program strengths for what looks like the same degree title, so treat them as two distinct choices rather than one program with two locations.

How to decide between the two

Beyond admission averages, Vancouver and Okanagan differ in size, program breadth and campus setting. Vancouver is UBC's larger, original campus with the widest range of specializations and a bigger city around it. Okanagan is a smaller campus in Kelowna, with a tighter-knit student community and a narrower but still substantial range of programs. Where your target program exists at both, base your choice on the campus environment and specialization you want, not admission average alone, since a mismatched fit costs you more over four years than a slightly easier admission does.

Changing your campus preference

To change which campus or program combination your application is assessed against after you submit, contact UBC Enrolment Services directly rather than assuming the system updates automatically. Your flexibility depends on where your application sits in the review process, so reach out as soon as you decide you want to change rather than waiting until close to a decision date.

Confirm the exact application steps and current deadlines directly on UBC's admission requirements page , since specific steps in the application system change between cycles.

Applying to different programs on each campus

You are not limited to choosing one campus and one program. UBC's application lets you list multiple degree and campus combinations, letting you apply to a program at Vancouver and a different program at Okanagan on the same application if both genuinely interest you. Rank your choices by real preference rather than by which one you think is easier to get into, since your ranking affects which offer you receive if you qualify for more than one.

Life on each campus

Vancouver sits inside a major Canadian city, with the university's full range of faculties, research centres and a large, busy student population. Okanagan sits in Kelowna, a smaller city in BC's interior, with a more compact campus and a tighter student community, though it still runs a genuine research university with its own residences, athletics and student services rather than operating as a satellite campus of Vancouver. Visit both, in person or through a virtual tour, before you rank your preference if the choice is close for you, since campus fit affects your day-to-day experience as much as the program name does.

Moving between campuses after you enroll

UBC allows students to apply for an internal transfer between Vancouver and Okanagan after they enroll, though this runs as its own separate process with its own requirements and is not guaranteed. If there's a real chance you'll want to switch campuses partway through your degree, ask UBC Enrolment Services directly about the internal transfer process for your specific program before you commit to a first choice, since some programs move more easily between campuses than others.

Common questions

• Does applying to both campuses cost more? Confirm the current application fee structure directly with UBC Enrolment Services, since fee details are set for the specific application cycle you're applying in.

• Do I need separate references or documents for each campus? Your supporting documents, like your transcript and Personal Profile, apply across your whole application rather than needing a separate copy per campus choice.

• What if I get into my Okanagan choice but not my Vancouver choice? UBC assesses each degree and campus combination on your list on its own merits, so it's normal to receive an offer for one choice and not another on the same application.

Tuition and cost across campuses

Domestic tuition for the same degree program generally runs at the same rate whichever UBC campus you attend, since tuition is set by degree and year of study rather than by campus. Cost of living is where the two campuses diverge more: Kelowna's rental market runs smaller and often less expensive than Vancouver's, while Vancouver offers a wider range of part-time work and co-op opportunities tied to a bigger city economy. Factor both tuition and living costs into your decision, and confirm the current tuition schedule for your specific program directly through UBC's student services, since rates are set separately from admission and change by academic year.