Eligibility for Unclassified Studies
As an unclassified student, you can continue to take courses at UBC even after completing a recognized 4-year bachelor’s degree program.
If you’ve completed a 4-year bachelor’s degree, you can apply as an Unclassified studies student.
To be eligible, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You meet the English language requirement.
- You have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
- You can provide a final official transcript showing your degree conferral.
If you’re a senior citizen, there are additional steps you’ll need to follow, which you can review in the section below.
Considerations for unclassified students
- Depending on the time of year, it may take several weeks for your documents to reach UBC Admissions and be processed.
- Being admitted as an unclassified student does not guarantee enrolment in requested courses or admission to a degree program at UBC.
- Credits from your courses may be transferable to a future UBC degree program at the discretion of the faculty you apply to.
- Non-Degree students are not eligible for Credit/D/F grading. However, you may consider auditing courses.
Application deadlines
| Course start date | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| September for Winter Session Term 1 | July 15 |
| January for Winter Session Term 2 | October 15 |
| May for Summer Session Term 1 or 2 | March 15 |
How to apply
New students
If you’re new to UBC, or have previously applied to but not attended UBC, you’ll need to create a new student account.
- Create an Education Planner BC account online.
- Fill in your personal information and academic history.
- Choose Start Applying and select “University of British Columbia” as the institution.
- Select the appropriate Admissions Category based on your academic history.
- Select “Unclassified Student” under First Program Choice. You do not need to select a second program choice.
- UBC Admissions will email you with a confirmation of your application and next steps.
- After completing your application, email any additional and required documents to non.degree@ubc.ca.
Previously registered students
If you have previously been admitted to UBC and registered in courses, you would have a student record in the UBC system with your information. Please email non.degree@ubc.ca with the following details to begin your admission process:
- Full name
- UBC student number, if available
- Date of birth
- Your Non-Degree Category, which is “Unclassified”
- Intended start date
- Campus preference, Vancouver or Okanagan
- Citizenship status (Canadian citizen, permanent resident, study permit)
If you’ve graduated from UBC
UBC graduates do not need to submit an application or pay an application fee to become an unclassified student, as it is granted upon request. The above application deadlines do not apply.
Please email non.degree@ubc.ca to confirm your eligibility for the Vancouver campus. For the Okanagan campus, please email nondegree.ok@ubc.ca with your details.
Make sure you include the following information:
- UBC student number
- Date of birth
- Dates you attended UBC
- Intended start date
- Campus preference: Vancouver or Okanagan
- Citizenship status (Canadian citizen, permanent resident, study permit)
Senior citizens
BC residents 65 years of age or older are eligible to apply through Unclassified Studies to take courses for general interest if they meet the following requirements:
- They are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- They hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
Tuition costs for senior citizens
Normally, senior citizens do not pay tuition or student fees, except for programs within Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, or any faculty or school where existing facilities and resources are limited.
If you wish to opt into the full suite of student fees, please email non.degree@ubc.ca.
Expect to pay about $100 to $150 per course for course materials, which are available through the UBC Bookstore.
How to apply as a senior citizen
Follow the same application instructions as mentioned above, then email non.degree@ubc.ca with proof of your date of birth as well as British Columbia (BC) residency, such as a photocopy of your BC driver’s license. Include your UBC reference or student number.
If you have questions
Contact Enrolment Services by phone at 604 822 9836 or email non.degree@ubc.ca.