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.

  1. Log into Workday at myworkday.ubc.ca with your Campus-wide Login (CWL).
    • If you don’t have a Student CWL, you can create one after accepting your offer and receiving a student number. You can set up a Student CWL through UBC IT.
    • If you do not have Multi-factor Authentication set up, follow instructions online, then log into Workday.
  2. Learn how to view the course schedule and find course sections.
  3. Register for individual courses when your course opens.
  4. Pay your tuition and student fees in Workday by the deadline. Non-Degree Studies students are held to the same policies surrounding registration and tuition as degree-seeking students at UBC.

It is your responsibility to periodically check your student account for any changes and to ensure that your registration and finances are up-to-date. Once you register in your courses, you must pay 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 information system 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 in the student information system 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 Workday for course openings since students add or drop courses throughout the registration period.

  • If you’re registering for courses in the Winter Session, follow online instructions for getting on a waitlist in Workday.

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.
  • Prepare for course registration with Workday tutorials.
  • 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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