Degree Requirements for students who enter the program in 2023/24 or earlier

All students in the Bachelor of Arts degree program must complete the following seven requirements1:

  1. Writing and Research Requirement
  2. Language Requirement
  3. Science Requirement
  4. Literature Requirement
  5. Outside Requirement
  6. Upper-level Requirement
  7. Arts Credit Minimum Requirement

1See also Credit Requirements and Regulations.

1. Writing and Research Requirement

The Writing and Research requirement has two components:

Writing Component

In order to begin to engage with the scholarly community at UBC and beyond, students must successfully complete 3 credits of instruction on research and writing in the disciplines through one of the following courses: Arts One, ASTU_V 100 or ASTU_V 101 (Coordinated Arts Program), ENGL_V 100, WRDS_V 150 or WRDS_V 350. This component must be satisfied prior to the student attaining Year 3 standing.

Students admitted to the Faculty of Arts directly from secondary school should attempt the Writing Component in their first 30 credits, registration permitting, and must ensure it is complete prior to reaching 54 credits. Transfer students who have not already completed the Writing Component must attempt it in their first Winter Session and ensure it is complete by the end of that Session or prior to reaching 54 credits.

Students who do not satisfy the above requirement due to a lack of attempts may have their registration restricted until the Writing Component is complete. 

Students who have completed a college or university-level writing course similar in rigour, content, and learning objectives to an approved Writing Component course may appeal to apply their transfer credits towards the Writing Component of the Writing and Research requirement. For further information students should consult Arts Advising.

Research Component

In order to contribute to the development of knowledge in their chosen field(s) of study, students must also complete a research-intensive experience. Typically, they will register in a research-intensive course specified for their major1. Students are advised that research-intensive courses, normally offered at the 400-level, often have prerequisites and are frequently restricted to Majors in the discipline. Students should consult the department in question in planning their program of studies.

See below for a list of approved research-intensive courses.

 Department/MajorResearch-Intensive Approved Course(s)
 Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern StudiesAMNE_V 420, 440, 441, 463, 464, 470, 471, 472, 480, 499
 AnthropologyANTH_V 317, 407, 408, 417, 418, 428, 431, 449, 452, 478; ARCL_V 306, 405, 406, 419
 Art HistoryARTH_V 410, 432, 436, 437, 439, 440, 442, 443, 445, 448, 450, 455, 458, 459, 464, 471, 476, 479, 480
 Asian Area StudiesASIA_V 402, 407, 408, 427, 440, 442, 445, 447, 451, 453, 468, 477, 491, 495, 498, 499, CHIN_V 482, JAPN_V 408, 453, 462, KORN_V 410
 Asian Language and CultureASIA_V 402, 407, 408, 427, 440, 442, 445, 447, 451, 453, 468, 477, 491, 495, 498, 499, CHIN_V 482, JAPN_V 408, 453, 462, KORN_V 410
 Canadian StudiesCDST_V 450
 Cognitive SystemsCOGS_V 402
 Computer ScienceCPSC_V 319, 410, 427, 444, 455, 491; also CPSC_V 448, 449 (with the approval of the Department of Computer Science)
 Critical Studies in SexualityCSIS_V 450, GRSJ_V 401, 422, 480
 EconomicsECON_V 390, 490, 495, 499
 English, Emphasis LiteratureENGL_V 490, 491, 492, 496, 499
 English, Emphasis LanguageENGL_V 489
 First Nations and Endangered LanguagesFNEL_V 389, 448, 481, 482
 First Nations and Indigenous StudiesFNIS_V 400
 First Nations Languages and LinguisticsLING_V 431, 432, 447
 FrenchFREN_V 495
 Gender, Race, Sexuality & Social Justice StudiesGRSJ_V 401, 422, 480
 Geography, Environment and SustainabilityGEOG_V 312, 315, 345, 371, 379, 395, 410, 412, 419, 424, 429, 446, 447, 448, 450, 453, 495, 498, GEOB_V/GEOS_V 309, 405, 406, 407, 472, 479, URST_V 400
 Geography, HumanGEOG_V 312, 315, 345, 371, 379, 395, 410, 412, 419, 424, 429, 446, 447, 448, 450, 453, 495, 498, GEOB_V/GEOS_V 309, 405, 406, 407, 472, 479, URST_V 400
 German StudiesGMST_V 420, 424, 440, 448, 475, 490, 492
 HistoryHIST_V 403, 449, 466, 467, 468, 479, 490
 History and Philosophy of SciencePHIL_V 491, HIST_V 490
 History with International RelationsHIST_V 403, 449, 466, 467, 468
 Interdisciplinary StudiesAny research-intensive approved course for which the student qualifies to register, normally in the student’s primary-category discipline
 International RelationsHIST_V 403, ECON_V 457, POLI_V 464, or other Faculty Approved Research-Intensive courses approved for IR
 Italian/Italian StudiesITAL_V 495, ITST_V 495
 Latin American StudiesLAST_V 303
 LinguisticsLING_V 431, 432, 447, 449
 MathematicsMATH_V 437, 441, 444, 445, 448, 462
 Medieval StudiesMDVL_V 440, 449, 490
 Modern European StudiesCENS_V 404, GERM_V 403, RUSS_V 410
 MusicMUSC_V 207, 320, 402, 403, 409, 412, 413, 449, 469
 PhilosophyPHIL_V 418, 426, 431, 432, 440, 450, 452, 455, 469,490, 491
 Political ScienceAll POLI_V courses at the 400-level
 PsychologyPSYC_V 217
 Religion, Study ofRGST_V 400
 Romance StudiesRMST_V 495, 499
 RussianRUSS_V 410
 SociologySOCI_V 380, 381, 382, 383, 449
 SpanishSPAN_V 411, 495
 Speech SciencesLING_V 431, 432, 447, 449
 TheatreTHTR_V 417, 439, 445, 449
 United States StudiesHIST_V 467 or other Research-Intensive courses, including POLI_V courses at the 400-level, with the approval of the USST Chair
 Visual ArtsVISA_V 401, 410, 411, 430, 431, 440, 441, 450, 451, 470, 471, 479, 480, 481

1In order to consider all research-intensive course options available to them, students completing a second major in a subject falling within the B.F.A. program are advised to consult both the B.A. Research Component table, above, and the B.F.A. Research Component table.

2. Language Requirement

There are three ways to satisfy the Language Requirement:

  1. Prior to admission, and while still in secondary school, complete a language course (excluding English) at a level equivalent to BC Grade 12.
  2. Pass a proficiency test. This option is particularly recommended for students who have knowledge of a language but no secondary school or university transcript to prove competency. No course credit is awarded for passing a proficiency test. Students must consult Arts Academic Advising.
    • If the language is taught at UBC, students may be able to prove competency through examination. Arrangements for such examination must first be sought from the academic department providing instruction in the language. If departmental examination or an acceptable alternative is not available, students should consult Arts Advising.
    • If the language is not taught at UBC, students may be permitted to prove competency through a proficiency examination. Only languages for which the Faculty of Arts can access an appropriate language expert to mark the examination, and in which a newspaper of acceptable circulation and quality is available online, may be considered for proficiency examination. Students must consult Arts Academic Advising.
  3. Reach or exceed the level specified in any of the languages taught at UBC, as listed below. Note that most of these courses have prerequisites. Students with some language background wishing to register in language courses must check with the department teaching the language for placement prior to the beginning of classes. Note that there is no credit assignment to the Language Requirement, only a level of proficiency to be obtained.
SubjectCourse
Classical Arabic (ARBC_V)400 or 202
Modern Arabic (ARBM_V)202
Asian Languages (ASLA_V)400
Cantonese (CNTO_V)301 or 311
Chinese (CHIN_V)117 or 118; 243 or 244 (heritage students); 107 or 108; 233 or 234 (non-heritage students)
Danish (DANI_V)210
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL_V)202 Salish
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL_V)212 Algonquian
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL_V)222 Dene (Athabaskan)
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL_V)232 Tsimshanic
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL_V)242 Wakashan
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL_V)252 Haida
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL_V)262 Ktunaxa (Kootenay)
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL_V)292 Other indigenous languages
French (FREN_V)112 or 202
German (GERN_V)202
Greek (GREK_V)200 or 202
Hebrew (HEBR_V)405 or 202
Hindi-Urdu (HINU_V)200 or 202
Indonesian (INDO_V)200 or 202
Italian (ITAL_V202, 203 or 206
Japanese (JAPN_V)103 or 151; 201 or 260
Korean (KORN_V)200 or 202
Latin (LATN_V)200 or 202
Persian (PERS_V)104 or 201
Polish (POLS_V)300
Portuguese (PORT_V)202 or 210
Punjabi (PUNJ_V)200 or 202
Russian (RUSS_V)200, 202
Sanskrit (SANS_V)200 or 202; 400 or 401
Spanish (SPAN_V)112, 202, or 203
Swedish (SWED_V)210
Ukrainian (UKRN_V)225

3. Science Requirement

In order to ensure the development of an understanding and appreciation of scientific methods, applications and reasoning, students must complete 6 credits chosen from any combination of:

  1. All courses taught by the Faculty of Science except: SCIE_V 113, 300; CHEM_V 300
  2. Specific courses taught by the Faculty of Arts:
    • ARCL_V 140, 203, 228, 235, 325, 326, 345
    • ASIC_V 200, 220
    • all GEOB_V/GEOS_V courses
    • GRSJ_V 201 (cross-listed with CPSC_V 101)
    • LING_V 209
    • PSYC_V 263, 270, 360, 361, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 370, 371, 460, 461, 462, 463, 465, 466, 467, 469, 472
  3. Specific courses taught by the Faculty of Applied Science: APSC_V 366
  4. Specific courses taught by the Faculty of Forestry: CONS_V 127, FRST_V 303, 304
  5. Specific courses taught by the Faculty of Land and Food Systems: APBI_V 100, 200, 244, 260, 311, 327, 328; FNH_V 200, 250; LFS_V 340
  6. Specific courses taught by the Faculty of Medicine: CAPS_V 210, 390, 391, SPPH_V 200, 301

Important Note: Students may not earn credit for two courses with significant and pre-defined content overlap. Students are fully responsible for their registration, and are advised to check the Course Schedule for course equivalencies and to review the Science Credit Exclusion Lists to avoid unnecessary registration. Note that credit exclusion does not imply that courses are interchangeable, and meeting specialization requirements may necessitate the completion of a specific course. Students registering in courses dealing with probability and statistics should exercise particular caution.

4. Literature Requirement

Students must complete 6 credits of literary study, chosen from:

SubjectCourse
African Studies (AFST_V)351, 370
Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies (AMNE_V)251, 260, 261, 341, 345, 346, 347, 348, 392, 440, 441
Arabic (ARBC_V)400, 420
ARTS_V001*
 
  • *Students may count a maximum of 3 credits from ARTS_V 001, ASTU_V 100, or ENGL_V 110-121 (except ENGL_V 112) toward the Literature Requirement.
Asian Studies (ASIA_V)212, 213, 254, 308, 324, 326, 334, 336, 341, 342, 347-352, 357-360, 361, 363, 364, 368, 380, 392, 395, 398, 412, 413, 431, 441, 444, 447, 452, 451, 453, 454, 455, 457, 460, 461, 464
Arts Studies (ASTU_V)100*
 
  • *Students may count a maximum of 3 credits from ARTS_V 001, ASTU_V 100, or ENGL_V 110-121 (except ENGL_V 112) toward the Literature Requirement.
Central, Eastern, and Northern European Studies (CENS_V)202, 303, 304, 307
Chinese (CHIN_V)411, 413, 421, 431, 433, 434, 451, 453, 455, 457, 461, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 470, 471, 473, 474, 481, 483, 484, 485, 486, 489, 491, 493, 494
English (ENGL_V)110-121*; 200, 220-228, 230-249; 332-397
 
  • *Students may count a maximum of 3 credits from ARTS_V 001, ASTU_V 100, or ENGL_V 110-121 (except ENGL_V 112) toward the Literature Requirement.
First Nations and Indigenous Studies (FNIS_V)454
French (FREN_V)220, 221, 280, 311, 328-331, 341, 371, and all 400-level courses except 401, 402, 427, 451-477, 499
French, Hispanic & Italian Studies (FHIS_V)333
Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice Studies (GRSJ_V)224
German (GERM_V / GERN_V)GERM_V 206, 301-305, 360, 370, 380, 390, 301, 402, 404-407, 426; GERN_V 344, 347
German Studies (GMST_V)229, 325, 335, 341, 342, 343, 346, 347, 433, 440, 445, 448
Greek (GREK_V)301, 351, 352, 401, 402
Hebrew (HEBR_V)479
Hindi-Urdu (HINU_V)400
Italian (ITAL_V)231, 232, 303, 304, 333, 345, 380, 403-409, 414-418, 420, 421
Japanese (JAPN_V)311, 312, 342, 406, 408, 422, 423, 452, 453
Korean (KORN_V)410
Latin (LATN_V)301, 350, 351, 401, 402
Medieval Studies (MDVL_V)301, 302
Nordic Studies (NORD_V)333-336, 338, 339, 411-415
Persian (PERS_V)451
Philosophy (PHIL_V)375
Polish (POLS_V)345, 424, 426
Portuguese (PORT_V)392, 405
Punjabi (PUNJ_V)300, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404
Romance Studies (RMST_V)201, 202, 280, 301, 302, 303, 304, 321, 322, 324, 341, 342, 343, 345, 355, 361, 372, 373, 402, 420, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460
Russian (RUSS_V)206, 207, 305, 306, 321, 323, 407-412
Sanskrit (SANS_V)300, 450
Slavic Studies (SLAV_V)307
South Asian Languages (SOAL_V)4401
Spanish (SPAN_V)221, 222, 280, 312, 357, 358, 364, 365, 406, 410, 420, 430, 470, 490
Theatre (THTR_V)210, 211, 245, 310, 311, 410
1 With the permission of the Department of Asian Studies.

5. Outside Requirement

Students must complete a minimum number of credits outside the field of study of their specialization(s).1

 Major2Honours or Combined Major3Double Major, Double Honours or Adding a Minor
Outside credits required:604824

1 All courses normally accepted or designated as applicable towards a specialization in a field of study, including cross-listed courses, are deemed to be within that field of study. This remains true even when the course credit is not actually applied to that specialization (i.e. is taken as elective credit).
2 The Interdisciplinary Studies program satisfies the outside requirement; students are not required to complete further credits outside their program. 
3 Outside credits must be outside both fields of study.

6. Upper-level Requirement

Students must complete a minimum number of upper-level credits (courses numbered 300 and above). The number of upper-level credits varies according to the degree program option chosen, as summarized in the table below. Note that the addition of a Minor to any degree program does not increase the Upper-Level requirement.

 Major, Combined Major or IDSTHonoursDouble MajorMajor/HonoursDouble Honours
Upper-level credits required:4854606684

7. Arts Credit Minimum Requirement

Arts Credit is defined by subject area. Credit completed in subject areas identified in the UBC Calendar course descriptions as being offered by the Faculty of Arts, as well as transfer credit in those subjects, is considered Arts Credit.

A minimum of 72 of the 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Arts degree program must be Arts credit, except when the completion of the student’s specialization(s) requires more than 48 credits outside of Arts. See Credit Requirements and Regulations.


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