How to register for courses

New student information system, Workday

UBC has switched to a new student system called Workday for the 2024/25 academic year starting September. Please check your email for setup instructions.

If you’re registered in Summer Session courses, keep using the Student Service Centre (SSC) for the Summer Session.

For 2024/25 Winter Session course registration, use the new Workday system. Follow online tutorials for how to use Workday.

Find out when you register

You'll receive an email about a week before you can register for courses. The email will let you know when your registration appointment is available. At that time, you can log into your Workday account for your registration appointment. Learn how to find your registration appointment in Workday.

Find out when registration dates are scheduled for each academic session.

Pay your deposit, if applicable

If you're new to UBC, you must pay a non-refundable acceptance deposit, which will count as your first registration deposit. Instructions are included in your offer of admission.

If you are enrolled in a certificate or diploma, you must pay a registration deposit. Once you have registered for that session, you cannot be refunded or transfer your registration deposit to a future session.

Graduate students should check their program website for information regarding acceptance and registration deposits.

Plan your courses

Check your program requirements

You can find degree requirements and specific requirements for each program in the Academic Calendar.

If you need help with degree requirements or course planning, review the information on your faculty’s website. Connect with your academic advising office if you have additional questions.

Build your saved schedule

In Workday, saved schedules are draft class timetables that you can create before you register to help you plan out your courses.

After logging into Workday, you can create multiple saved schedules, in case one or more of the courses on your first saved schedule are full. You can add lectures, standard timetables, and other course components to existing saved schedules.

For the Winter Session, you must create a saved schedule for each term separately.

Learn how to create a saved schedule and more in Workday through course registration tutorials.

Get ready for registration

Learn how to register for courses in Workday. You should register for both your Term 1 and Term 2 courses at the time of your registration appointment.

Below are tips to help you with course registration:

Courses fill up quickly, so register for both terms as early as you can.
Have multiple saved schedules ready in case courses are full.
Troubleshoot and resolve issues in your saved schedule before your registration appointment.
If you are blocked from registering for a course beacuse you may be missing a prerequisite, contact your faculty advising office for help.
After you register, you can add or drop classes until the course change deadline.

Common registration issues

If you're having trouble registering, make sure you meet the following requirements:

You are eligible to register for the session and meet any required prerequisites.
You are registering on or after your registration date and time.
You have paid your acceptance or registration deposit, if applicable.
You have paid any other outstanding fees.

Learn how to troubleshoot your course registration, accessible only if course registration is open to you.

If a course is full

Courses may fill up, particularly those required by the program. Follow the tips below if your course is full.

Learn how to get on the waitlist in Workday.
Contact the department offering the course to check if other sections of the course will be released.
If you're in your last year of study and you require this course to graduate, your faculty or department will generally check if they can arrange to have you enrolled in the required course. Contact your academic advising office for information.

Additional resources

If you have questions

For help on planning your degree or choosing your courses, please contact your faculty's academic advising office.

If you're having problems with registration, read the Workday tutorials first. If you still have questions, please connect with your Enrolment Services Advisor.