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

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 100 or ASTU 101 (Coordinated Arts Program), ENGL 100, WRDS 150 or WRDS 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 420, 440, 441, 463, 464, 470, 471, 472, 480, 499
 AnthropologyANTH 317, 407, 408, 417, 418, 428, 431, 449, 452, 478; ARCL 306, 405, 406, 419
 Art HistoryARTH 410, 432, 436, 437, 439, 440, 442, 443, 445, 448, 450, 455, 458, 459, 464, 471, 476, 479, 480
 Asian Area StudiesASIA 402, 407, 408, 427, 440, 442, 445, 447, 451, 453, 468, 477, 491, 495, 498, 499, CHIN 482, JAPN 408, 453, 462, KORN 410
 Asian Language and CultureASIA 402, 407, 408, 427, 440, 442, 445, 447, 451, 453, 468, 477, 491, 495, 498, 499, CHIN 482, JAPN 408, 453, 462, KORN 410
 Canadian StudiesCDST 450
 Cinema StudiesCINE 445, 449
 Cognitive SystemsCOGS 402
 Computer ScienceCPSC 319, 410, 427, 444, 455, 491; also CPSC 448, 449 (with the approval of the Department of Computer Science)
 Critical Studies in SexualityCSIS 450, GRSJ 401, 422, 480
 EconomicsECON 390, 490, 495, 499
 English, Emphasis LiteratureENGL 490, 491, 492, 496, 499
 English, Emphasis LanguageENGL 489
 Cinema StudiesCINE 445, 449
 First Nations and Endangered LanguagesFNEL 389, 448, 481, 482
 First Nations and Indigenous StudiesFNIS 400
 First Nations Languages and LinguisticsLING 431, 432, 447
 FrenchFREN 495
 Gender, Race, Sexuality & Social Justice StudiesGRSJ 401, 422, 480
 Geography, Environment and SustainabilityGEOG 312, 315, 345, 371, 379, 395, 410, 412, 419, 424, 429, 446, 447, 448, 450, 453, 495, 498, GEOB/GEOS 309, 405, 406, 407, 472, 479, URST 400
 Geography, HumanGEOG 312, 315, 345, 371, 379, 395, 410, 412, 419, 424, 429, 446, 447, 448, 450, 453, 495, 498, GEOB/GEOS 309, 405, 406, 407, 472, 479, URST 400
 German StudiesGMST 420, 424, 440, 448, 475, 490, 492
 HistoryHIST 403, 449, 466, 467, 468, 479, 490
 History and Philosophy of SciencePHIL 491, HIST 490
 History with International RelationsHIST 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 403, ECON 457, POLI 464, or other Faculty Approved Research-Intensive courses approved for IR
 Italian/Italian StudiesITAL 495, ITST 495
 Latin American StudiesLAST 303
 LinguisticsLING 431, 432, 447, 449
 MathematicsMATH 437, 441, 444, 445, 448, 462
 Medieval StudiesMDVL 440, 449, 490
 Modern European StudiesCENS 404, GERM 403, RUSS 410
 MusicMUSC 207, 320, 402, 403, 409, 412, 413, 449, 469
 PhilosophyPHIL 418, 426, 431, 432, 440, 450, 452, 455, 469,490, 491
 Political ScienceAll POLI courses at the 400-level
 PsychologyPSYC 217
 Religion, Study ofRGST 400
 Romance StudiesRMST 495, 499
 RussianRUSS 410
 SociologySOCI 380, 381, 382, 383, 449
 SpanishSPAN 411, 495
 Speech SciencesLING 431, 432, 447, 449
 TheatreTHTR 417, 439, 445, 449
 United States StudiesHIST 467 or other Research-Intensive courses, including POLI courses at the 400-level, with the approval of the USST Chair
 Visual ArtsVISA 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)400 or 202
Modern Arabic (ARBM)202
Asian Languages (ASLA)400
Cantonese (CNTO)301 or 311
Chinese (CHIN)117 or 118; 243 or 244 (heritage students); 107 or 108; 233 or 234 (non-heritage students)
Danish (DANI)210
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL)202 Salish
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL)212 Algonquian
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL)222 Dene (Athabaskan)
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL)232 Tsimshanic
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL)242 Wakashan
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL)252 Haida
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL)262 Ktunaxa (Kootenay)
First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL)292 Other indigenous languages
French (FREN)112 or 202
German (GERN)202
Greek (GREK)200 or 202
Hebrew (HEBR)405 or 202
Hindi-Urdu (HINU)200 or 202
Indonesian (INDO)200 or 202
Italian (ITAL)202, 203 or 206
Japanese (JAPN)103 or 151; 201 or 260
Korean (KORN)200 or 202
Latin (LATN)200 or 202
Persian (PERS)104 or 201
Polish (POLS)300
Portuguese (PORT)202 or 210
Punjabi (PUNJ)200 or 202
Russian (RUSS)200, 202
Sanskrit (SANS)200 or 202; 400 or 401
Spanish (SPAN)112 or 202
Swedish (SWED)210
Ukrainian (UKRN)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 113, 300; CHEM 300
  2. Specific courses taught by the Faculty of Arts:
    • ARCL 140, 203, 228, 235, 325, 326, 345
    • ASIC 200, 220
    • all GEOB/GEOS courses
    • GRSJ 201 (cross-listed with CPSC 101)
    • LING 209
    • PSYC 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 366
  4. Specific courses taught by the Faculty of Forestry: CONS 127, FRST 303, 304
  5. Specific courses taught by the Faculty of Land and Food Systems: APBI 100, 200, 244, 260, 311, 327, 328; FNH 200, 250; LFS 340
  6. Specific courses taught by the Faculty of Medicine: CAPS 210, 390, 391, SPPH 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)351, 370
Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies (AMNE)251, 260, 261, 341, 345, 346, 347, 348, 392, 440, 441
Arabic (ARBC)400, 420
ARTS001*
 
  • *Students may count a maximum of 3 credits from ARTS 001, ASTU 100, or ENGL 110-121 (except ENGL 112) toward the Literature Requirement.
Asian Studies (ASIA)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)100*
 
  • *Students may count a maximum of 3 credits from ARTS 001, ASTU 100, or ENGL 110-121 (except ENGL 112) toward the Literature Requirement.
Central, Eastern, and Northern European Studies (CENS)202, 303, 304, 307
Chinese (CHIN)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)ENGL 110-121*; 200, 220-228, 230-249; 332-397
 
  • *Students may count a maximum of 3 credits from ARTS 001, ASTU 100, or ENGL 110-121 (except ENGL 112) toward the Literature Requirement.
First Nations and Indigenous Studies (FNIS)454
French (FREN)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)333
Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice Studies (GRSJ)224
German (GERN)344, 347
German Studies (GMST)229, 325, 335, 341, 342, 343, 346, 347, 433, 440, 445, 448
Greek (GREK)301, 351, 352, 401, 402
Hebrew (HEBR)479
Hindi-Urdu (HINU)400
Italian (ITAL)231, 232, 303, 304, 333, 345, 380, 403-409, 414-418, 420, 421
Japanese (JAPN)311, 312, 342, 406, 408, 422, 423, 452, 453
Korean (KORN)410
Latin (LATN)301, 350, 351, 401, 402
Medieval Studies (MDVL)301, 302
Nordic Studies (NORD)333-336, 338, 339, 411-415
Persian (PERS)451
Philosophy (PHIL)375
Polish (POLS)345, 424, 426
Portuguese (PORT)392, 405
Punjabi (PUNJ)300, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404
Romance Studies (RMST)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)206, 207, 305, 306, 321, 323, 407-412
Sanskrit (SANS)300, 450
Slavic Studies (SLAV)307
South Asian Languages (SOAL)4401
Spanish (SPAN)221, 222, 280, 312, 357, 358, 364, 365, 406, 410, 420, 430, 470, 490
Theatre (THTR)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

1All 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).
2The Interdisciplinary Studies program satisfies the outside requirement; students are not required to complete further credits outside their program. 3Outside 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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