The number of credits you need to be considered as a full-time student for student loan purposes depends on your program. Find your degree, certificate, diploma, or non-degree study option below and see how to calculate your course load based on the number of credits enrolled.
If you’re registered in a two-term course which runs from September to April, Workday will show credits in Term 1 only. However, for loan purposes, the credits of a two-term course will be spread equally across both terms. For example, a 6-credit two-term course will count as 3 credits in Term 1 and 3 credits in Term 2. Please connect with your Enrolment Services Advisor for confirmation. Your Confirmation of Enrolment Letter will also reflect this.
Loans, grants, and UBC bursaries
If you're planning to apply to loans and grants, UBC bursaries, or interest-free status, you must be enrolled in at least 60% of a full-time course load in each term, or 80% for Newfoundland loans. Audited, waitlisted, and duplicate courses do not count towards a full-time course load.
Students with disabilities
Undergraduate students who have established Permanent Disability (PD) or Persistent or Prolonged Disability (PPD) status with their provincial lender may be considered full-time for government student loans with at least 40% of a full-time course load. Graduate students should speak to an Enrolment Services Advisor (ES Advisor) to determine their full-time funding requirements.
All undergraduate students in a degree program have a dedicated Enrolment Services Advisor (ES Advisor) to help navigate the loan application process. If you don't have an assigned advisor, they're still available to help.
Graduate students
Research graduate program students and most professional graduate program students are considered full-time status if you meet the following requirements:
- You pay full-time tuition fees.
- You are registered in courses and/or thesis or have continuing status.
A few professional graduate programs (e.g. MFA Optional Residency) have credit requirements. Details can be found in the course load guide below.
International students
If you’re an international student, you must be enrolled full-time for immigration purposes during regular academic sessions to:
- Remain in Canada as a student
- Work during your studies and be eligible to work during scheduled program breaks
- Maintain eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit after your program
This may be different from other full-time definitions. For more details, review the immigration impacts of part-time studies and withdrawing from courses.
