Registration for Non-Degree students

About Non-Degree Studies

Non-Degree Studies provides study options for individuals wishing to take UBC credit-based courses without pursuing a UBC degree, diploma, or certificate.

Non-Degree Studies is an option for you if you meet one of the following:

  • You want to take courses for general interest.
  • You want to take a course for professional upgrading or academic advancement.
  • You are completing an undergraduate degree at another institution.
  • You have already completed a degree.

If you would like to take courses at the UBC Okanagan campus, please contact UBC Okanagan Non-Degree Studies.

How to register for courses

Once your application for Non-Degree Studies has been approved, you’ll be able to register for courses through the following steps:

  1. Use your Campus Wide Login (CWL) to access your Student Service Centre (SSC). If you didn't create a CWL when you applied, sign up here. Be sure to select “Student and Alumni” in the process.

  2. Find out when your course registration begins. A date is assigned in your Student Service Centre (SSC) 2 weeks before registration opens. Review the Winter and Summer Session registration dates.

  3. Register in your courses on the Course Schedule as soon as your registration opens. You can change your course choices until the course add/drop deadline. Non-Degree Studies students register after all other degree-seeking students. Courses may already be full, and you may need to wait until closer to the start of the class to register in an available seat.

  4. Pay your tuition and student fees on the Student Service Centre (SSC) by the due date. Non-Degree Studies students are held to the same policies surrounding registration and tuition as degree-seeking students at UBC. It is the student’s responsibility to periodically check their student account for any changes and to ensure that their registration and finances are up to date. Upon registration in course(s), students are assessed both the regular tuition fees and all related student fees.

If you're having trouble registering

Prerequisites and Transfer Credit

Non-Degree students do not receive transfer credit from other institutions. Your Student Service Centre (SSC) will not automatically show transfer credits even though you may have provided transcripts for the purpose of an admission decision.

If a course that you are trying to register in requires a prerequisite and you are unable to register yourself, you will need to complete and submit a Registration Form (pdf) to Enrolment Services.

If you are able to obtain permission from the instructor or the department via email, you may forward this communication to non.degree@ubc.ca.

If your desired course is full

  • Some courses have waitlists on the Student Service Centre (SSC) that you can register for. There is no guarantee of getting into the course based on waitlist registration, and you will not be notified if you have been moved from the waitlist into the course, so continue to check your registration regularly.

  • Some instructors have informal waitlists and may sign Registration Forms during the registration period for students on their waitlists or for those who request it. This is at the instructor's discretion and may not be granted.

  • Keep checking the Course Schedule for course openings as students add or drop courses throughout the registration period.

Helpful information

  • Generally, students are admitted to an entire academic session (Winter or Summer) and may choose to register either in one term or both terms.
  • UBC registration occurs on a sessional basis. If you're admitted for the Winter session, you will register for courses in both Term 1 and Term 2 at the same time.
  • If you're an international student and not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may need to follow additional steps after you are admitted to UBC. You can review the information on study permits and visas.
  • Read the online guide for how to register for courses, create worklists, or add, drop, and switch classes.
  • Non-Degree students are not eligible for Credit/D/F grading. However, you can consider auditing courses.

Additional resources

If you have questions

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