Application for admission to the School of Kinesiology must be made through Enrolment Services. Procedures, policies, and admission requirements for the University of British Columbia and the School of Kinesiology are specified in the Admissions section of the UBC Academic Calendar.
The School of Kinesiology has implemented a Broad-Based Admission policy that incorporates the use of supplementary criteria in addition to academic performance in the selection of students entering the Bachelor of Kinesiology degree program.
Detailed information on admission requirements for all applicants is available on the School of Kinesiology website.
Admission of students into the Bachelor of Kinesiology program is based on academic performance and other accomplishments, including personal statements, demonstrated leadership skills, active participation in extracurricular activities, work experience, significant awards and achievements, and reference contacts.
Admission from Secondary School
Admissibility for Secondary School applicants is determined on the basis of a number of factors including performance in specific high school courses, the overall academic rigor of the program, evidence of relevant learning and achievements both in and out of school, and other indicators of suitability for the Bachelor of Kinesiology program at UBC. The School of Kinesiology has implemented a Broad-Based Admission policy for Secondary School applicants that incorporates the use of supplementary criteria in addition to academic performance in the selection of students entering the Bachelor of Kinesiology degree program.
Admission as a Post-Secondary Transfer Student
Students who are accepted on transfer from other post-secondary institutions must normally complete all remaining courses toward the Bachelor of Kinesiology at UBC. A maximum of 60 transfer credits will normally be granted. The University will not grant a degree for studies that represent less than the equivalent of two regular Winter Sessions (60 credits).
Please note, not all transfer credit is necessarily applicable to a students’ degree program. As such, when students present in excess of 60 transfer credits, the School of Kinesiology will determine which 60 credits are most applicable to the degree program.
In general, transfer credit is limited to the initial two years of the Bachelor of Kinesiology degree program. Credit at a more senior level may be possible if prior written permission has been granted by the Undergraduate Advising Centre. It is the student's responsibility to forward an official transcript to Enrolment Services, Admissions.
Admission from Another Program at UBC
Students who are currently enrolled in another program at the University of British Columbia and wish to transfer into the Bachelor of Kinesiology program must complete the “Change of Degree Program/Campus” application (see here for deadlines). Students applying for admission from another UBC program are subject to the same requirements noted above under “Admission as a Post-Secondary Transfer Student.”
Admission as a Second-Degree Student
Students holding a recognized undergraduate degree may pursue a Bachelor of Kinesiology as a second degree, provided their focus of study differs from the discipline(s) of their first degree.
To fulfill the requirements for a second degree in the Bachelor of Kinesiology, students must meet all Bachelor of Kinesiology degree requirements using a combination of first and second-degree credits. A minimum of 50% of the required credits must be earned while enrolled at UBC Vancouver in the second-degree program. For the Bachelor of Kinesiology, this involves earning at least 60 new credits, and potentially more if Lower-level Requirements of the Bachelor of Kinesiology were not satisfied during the first-degree studies. It is expected that the Upper-Level Requirements for the Bachelor of Kinesiology, including a minimum of 36 upper-level KIN credits will be completed with second-degree courses.
Transfer credit is not automatically assigned to second-degree Bachelor of Kinesiology students. Approval from the Manager, Undergraduate Programming and Advising in the School of Kinesiology is required for any credits earned before entering the second-degree Bachelor of Kinesiology program to be applied to its credit requirements. These credits must have been earned in the previous five years and must not have been used to fulfill requirements for any credential. With approval, a maximum of 12 such credits can be applied toward relevant toward Lower-Level Requirements in the second-degree program.
Students admitted to a second degree must consult with the Undergraduate Advising Centre and relevant departments regarding specific second-degree requirements before commencing the program.
UBC Langara Indigenous Transfer Partnership
To be eligible to transfer into the Bachelor of Kinesiology program through this partnership, Indigenous students must meet the general requirements for admission as a post-secondary transfer student as well as the following specific requirements:
- Successful completion of at least 24 transferable credits.
- An academic average of 2.67 or greater on the most recent 30 credits of transferable courses attempted, including failed and retaken courses. If in a particular year the competitive admission criteria is lower than 2.67, then the applicant will be evaluated against the lower admission criteria.
- Completion of required high school academic prerequisites. In some cases, university transferable coursework may satisfy these prerequisites.
- Successful completion of the Transition Plan offered by Langara in collaboration with UBC.
Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be considered for admission as a general transfer student and can be considered through UBC's Aboriginal Admissions Policy.
For more information about the UBC Langara Partnership, please visit the website
Readmission for Students in Good Standing
Students who have previously been admitted to the Bachelor of Kinesiology program, left in good academic standing, have been away from their studies for more than one academic year and wish to return to their previous program of study should consult the Readmission section of the UBC Academic Calendar for details.
Students who have previously been admitted to the Bachelor of Kinesiology program, left in good academic standing and have been away for one academic year or less, and wish to return to their previous program of study may do so without re-application. Students should consult the Academic Leave section of the UBC Academic Calendar.
Students who have previously registered in the Bachelor of Kinesiology program, and were required to discontinue from the program or withdraw from the University and wish to return to their previous program of study should consult the “Readmission for Students after a Failed Year” section.
Students with questions about their status should consult with the Undergraduate Advising Centre prior to submitting an application.
Limitation of Enrolment
Enrolment may be limited in certain Kinesiology courses, particularly at the upper-level, when the demand is greater than available resources.
See Space in Courses for further information.