Applicants apply to UBC Vantage College via an online application form. The fundamental principles governing admission to UBC Vantage College are the mandate to diversify the international student population and the capacity of the student to matriculate into a UBC degree program.
All applicants to UBC Vantage College must demonstrate.
- a minimum level of English proficiency as indicated in the English Language requirement section.
- a suitable level of academic proficiency in the senior level of secondary school study in their domestic curriculum equivalent to having at least a 70% average in the BC/Yukon Secondary School curriculum.
Further, students applying to Vantage One Engineering must have completed:
- senior-level Mathematics (Pre-Calculus)
- senior-level Chemistry
- senior-level Physics
Further, students applying to the Management stream in the Vantage Program must have completed:
- senior-level Mathematics (Pre-Calculus)
Further, students applying to Vantage One Science must have completed:
- senior-level Mathematics (Pre-Calculus), with a minimum grade of 68% (or nearest equivalent on other grading scales)
- Grade 11 Chemistry and Physics or equivalents to BC/Yukon school curriculum
Due to receipt of more qualified applicants than there are spaces available, a higher admission average may be required. Applicants will be assessed for admission based on the following criteria:
- academic performance in secondary school
- secondary school curriculum and coursework
- level of English language preparation
The UBC Vantage College admissions committee may seek additional information relevant to the applicant’s background such as, for example, an applicant’s personal statement of academic experience and aspirations.
The Principal of UBC Vantage College has the right to make case-by-case admission decisions on behalf of the College. The College reserves the right to determine whether or not a student is eligible for admission.
Many students will be admitted on the basis of interim grades to ensure that offers of admission meet the needs of both the applicant and the university for timely decision-making. Students who are admitted on interim grades and whose final grades drop below the final competitive admission average may be contacted by the College and required to participate in support programs to facilitate academic success or have their offers of admission withdrawn at the discretion of the College.
English Language Requirements
The language of instruction in UBC Vantage College programs is English. Before being granted admission into the College, applicants must demonstrate a suitable level of English proficiency.
| English Language Qualification | Entry Requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| CAE | Certificate in Advanced English | CEFR Level B2 |
| CAEL | Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (Computer edition and Paper-based) | Overall 50 |
| With the speaking sub-test | 40 | |
| CEL | UBC Certificate in English Language | 400 |
| CPE | Certificate of Proficiency in English | N/A |
| IELTS | International English Language Testing System (Academic) | 5.5 overall |
| Minimum 5.0 Speaking and Listening | ||
| Minimum 5.5 in Reading and Writing | ||
| MELAB | Michigan English Language Assessment Battery | 70 final score |
| PTE | Pearson Test of English (Academic) | Overall Score: 48 |
| Reading: 43 | ||
| Listening: 43 | ||
| Writing: 43 | ||
| Speaking: 43 | ||
| TOEFL | Test of English as a Foreign Language | |
| Either the Paper-based test | 50 | |
| With the TWE (Test of Written English) | 3.0 | |
| Or the Internet-based test | Overall Score: 70 | |
| Reading: 16 | ||
| Listening: 16 | ||
| Writing: 16 | ||
| Speaking: 16 | ||
| ELS EAP | ELS Educational Services - English for Academic Purposes | EAP Level 112 |
Academic Requirements
Applicants to UBC Vantage College programs must be graduates of a secondary school system that comprises 12 years of primary and secondary study or the equivalent. Where the school system comprises 11 years of study, curricula will be reviewed and students may be eligible at the discretion of UBC Vantage College. The admission average is calculated on academic courses and/or exams completed at the senior level of study. These courses and/or exams are selected by the UBC Vantage College admissions office.
Calculation of Admission Average for Applicants to UBC Vantage College from BC/Yukon Secondary School Curriculum
Specific Program Requirements for Applicants Following the BC/Yukon Secondary School Curriculum
Below are the required courses used in the calculation of the admission average for specific UBC Vantage College program streams for applicants from the BC/Yukon Secondary School Curriculum, as well as courses that are required but are not necessarily used in the calculation of the admission average:
| Faculty/School | Average Calculated on the Following Required Courses or IB/AP Equivalents | Courses Required for Admission but not Required to be Included in the Calculation of the Average |
|---|---|---|
| Vantage College - Arts Stream | Four approved examinable Grade 12 courses | English 12 English 11 Language 11 One of Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-Calculus 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 12 Science 11 Social Studies 11 |
| Vantage College - Management Stream | English 12 One of Principles of Mathematics 12 or Pre-Calculus 12 Three other approved examinable Grade 12 courses | English 12 English 11 Language 11 One of Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-Calculus 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 12 Science 11 Social Studies 11 |
| UBC Vantage College - Vantage One Engineering | English 12 Chemistry 12 Principles of Mathematics 12 or Pre-Calculus 12 Physics 12 One other approved examinable Grade 12 course | English 12 English 11 Language 11 Chemistry 11 One of Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-Calculus 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 12 Physics 11 Social Studies 11 |
| UBC Vantage College - Vantage One Science | One of Principles of Mathematics 12 or Pre-Calculus 12 (minimum 67% grade) Three other approved examinable Grade 12 courses, including at least one of Biology 12, Chemistry 12, Geology 12 or Physics 12 | English 12 English 11 Language 11 Chemistry and Physics 11 One of Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-Calculus 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 12 Social Studies 11 |
Transfer and Advance Credit
Transfer Credit
No post-secondary transfer credit is granted toward any of the Vantage One programs.
Advance Credit
No secondary school advance credit from International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, or A-level courses is granted toward the Vantage One Arts, Engineering, or Management programs.
No secondary school advance credit is granted toward courses in Winter session term 1 of the Vantage One Science program. At most, one Faculty of Science course in each of Winter session term 2 and Summer session of the Vantage One Science program may be replaced by advance credit. For detailed information about advance credit for courses taken in the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, or A-level programs, consult www.you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/applied/first-year-credit/
Appeals on Admission Decisions
Please refer to the Admission Appeals information.