You are reading the 2024/25 Academic Calendar. The 2023/24 version remains in effect until August 31, 2024 and is available here.

Admission and Transfer

Academic Admission requirements are specified in Admissions. To apply to the Bachelor of Arts degree program, students should apply to UBC via youbc Vancouver and indicate the B.A. program as their first or second choice.

Admission from Secondary School

Applicants are admitted on the basis of academic performance; evidence of personal initiative, commitment, and accomplishment; and academic preparation, including breadth and rigor of secondary-school studies.

Admission from Post-Secondary Study, including Change of Campus

Applicants are admitted on the basis of academic performance. Where appropriate, credits successfully completed in prior study may be used to satisfy requirements of the Bachelor of Arts program of study. See Transfer and Exchange Credit.

Students applying to transfer to UBC’s Bachelor of Arts program are advised that a minimum of 50% of total degree credits, 50% of upper-level degree credits, and 50% of upper-level specialization credits (Honours, Major or Minor) must be completed while registered as a student in the Faculty of Arts.

Transfer students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts degree program who have not already completed the Writing Component of the Writing and Research requirement must attempt it during their first Winter Session in the Faculty of Arts or in their first 30 total credits.

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.

Admission from another UBC Degree Program

Applicants are admitted on the basis of academic performance. See Change of Degree Program.

Where appropriate, credits completed through prior study may be used to satisfy degree and specialization requirements. However, students applying to transfer to UBC’s Bachelor of Arts program are advised that a minimum of 50% of total degree credits, 50% of upper-level degree credits, and 50% of upper-level specialization credits (Honours, Major or Minor) must be completed while registered as a student in the Faculty of Arts.

Transfer students admitted to the Bachelor of Arts degree program who have not already completed the Writing Component of the Writing and Research requirement must attempt it during their first Winter Session in the Faculty of Arts or in their first 30 total credits.

Admission from another Degree Program in the Faculty of Arts

Students enrolled in any of the Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of International Economics, Bachelor of Media Studies or Bachelor of Music degree programs who wish to transfer to the Bachelor of Arts degree program should consult with Arts Academic Advising.

Admission from UBC Vantage College

Students enrolled in an Arts stream in UBC's Vantage One program are considered for admission to the Bachelor of Arts degree program for the following Winter Session. Evaluations are based on academic performance; see UBC Vantage College. Initial offers of admission are conditional, pending successful completion of the Vantage One program. Students enrolled in non-Arts streams who wish to study in the Faculty of Arts should speak with Academic Advising at Vantage College as soon as they identify interest.

See also Transfer and Exchange Credit.

Admission as a Second Degree Student

Students with a recognized undergraduate degree, from UBC or elsewhere, may subsequently apply to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree. Applications are evaluated in accordance with the requirements for Admission from Post-Secondary study; see above. Those whose previous study was in an Arts discipline should note that they may not complete a second degree in the same discipline. For information on credits and requirements, see Second Degree Studies.


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