How to Apply

To apply, ALL applicants (including UBC graduates and current UBC students) must fill out both of these applications:

Online application for admission to UBC is due January 15, 2023.

Are you a current UBC student graduating in May? Apply for a change of program for the next September through SSC (this will not affect graduation from your current program).

UBC graduates should apply for re-admission through SSC.

When completing the online application to UBC, select the Vancouver campus and the Bachelor of Computer Science or Integrated Computer Science: Bachelor of Computer Science Degree - Major or Honours.

Note well:  You must submit official transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions to the Registrar's Office. If you are a current UBC student or UBC graduate, you do not need to submit UBC transcripts, but you MUST submit transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions you've attended.

Application to the CS department must happen by January 15, 2023 and meet these criteria:

  1. You must have applied and paid UBC's application fee, or your application to the CS department will not be processed and the fee will not be refunded
  2. Provide your resume
  3. Contact information provided (name, email and phone number for two (2) references (referees will be contacted to submit references online by January 15, 2023)
  4. Pay a $100, non-refundable application fee (Interac, Visa or Mastercard only)
  5. Provide evidence of completion of BC Principles of Mathematics 12 (e.g. BC high school, Pre-calculus Math 12, or equivalent)
  6. Provide evidence of completion of a UBC-recognized/transferable first-year English course

Admissions has two phases:

Phase I.  The BCS program reviews applications. You may be contacted for a face-to-face or remote interview (particularly strong candidates may not need to interview). We will then forward a list of successful applicants to UBC Admissions.

Phase 2. UBC Admissions verifies that candidates hold a recognized Bachelor's degree and that they have met all program prerequisites including Math, English, and an appropriate GPA. If you successfully meet all requirements and judgements, you will be admitted to both UBC and the BCS (ICS) program by UBC Admissions.

Please read through the details below to ensure your application arrives on time and receives full consideration.

Details

UBC's official admissions, promotion and program information is available in the BCS Calendar Entry. You must meet the requirements listed there.

BCS Interpretation of Admissions Criteria

UBC evaluates your application to BCS for completion of the minimum requirements listed in the BCS Calendar Entry (e.g., a recognized prior Bachelor's degree or the mathematics and English requirements). UBC also calculates a "30-credit GPA" (effective, UBC-equivalent GPA in the most recent 30 credits of undergraduate coursework) used by BCS admissions. The BCS leadership may also impose additional minima on applications based on recent history of competitiveness and applicant success in the program. If so, these will be listed on the BCS application page.

Beyond that, the BCS program reviews each complete application (including essays, resume, reference letters, and transcripts) according to four broad criteria that are roughly equally weighted:

  1. Suitability of academic background: relative to the needs of the BCS program. By default, this is your 30-credit GPA. We may adjust this on the basis of factors including: grades in highly relevant coursework (especially any introductory computing courses taken); graduate coursework (not normally counted in the 30-credit GPA); excessive computing background (where we generally consider strong work in the equivalent of UBC CPSC 110, 121, and 210 a positive; CPSC 213, 221, and 310 neutral; and additional coursework increasingly negative, because it is too close to a computing degree); and unusually challenging or easy coursework (e.g., we might classify an applicant with a Biological Engineering degree who retakes introductory biology as part of their last 30 credit GPA as unusually easy coursework).
  2. Realistic plan for success: How well you have set yourself up for success in the program. Your grades and coursework (particularly in areas related to computing) also impact this criterion. We consider factors like if you have explored computing on the job or via online coursework. Additionally, we look for evidence you can manage heavy workloads or are transitioning into a new discipline. Here, and in the subsequent criterion, your application will be stronger where you build on a realistic understanding of the program.
     
  3. Motivation for program: How prepared you are to enthusiastically engage with computing and keep doing so for the duration of a challenging 2-3 year program. You should explain to us why BCS is a good choice for you and why you're a good choice for BCS. We want to understand your excitement for, and commitment to computing, BCS, and UBC, founded through your background. Ideally, your application should back up your enthusiasm with evidence.
     
  4. Contribution to community: We want to hear how you plan to contribute to your community, the UBC community and computing community through your actions upon attaining your BCS. We also want to hear how you will help create a diverse and vibrant community of students in BCS. Of particular interest is if you have previously contributed strongly and positively to your colleagues and community. We will also consider how you fit into a program that draws ideas and perspectives from a diverse range of backgrounds across many dimensions.

Your GPA has a significant impact on our evaluation of your application, but is far from the only deciding factor.

Resources

Timeline

If you require more information about the application process, please contact bcs-info@cs.ubc.ca.