It can be tricky finding a good place to study on campus. Luckily, UBC has a wealth of great study spots that you might not know about.
Finding a good study place can be like making a new friend. After seeing each other a couple of times, you become more comfortable and start wanting to spend more time together. You can rely on them when you need to, but they also don’t get angry when you spend time apart.
While the most popular study spaces are at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, the AMS Nest, and Koerner Library, these places are really busy during crunch time so it's often difficult to find a spot right away.
Don’t waste your precious study time trying to find a place at the popular study hangouts. Instead, try finding an alternative that fewer people know about with this list of lesser-known study spaces on campus.
Brock Hall—2nd Floor, West Wing
Address: 1874 East Mall
If you’re a student at UBC, you’ve probably been to Brock Hall: to see your Enrolment Services Advisor, to get some tips for improving your resume, or to discuss your tuition payments. While it seems like a pretty busy public space that wouldn’t be good for studying, that’s because you probably missed the hidden gem on the second floor of the West Wing.
Tucked away in a hallway is a series of study carrels—you know, those box-like walled desks that help you focus—that are perfect for some quiet studying. This place is ideal for people looking for a distraction-free and silent study session. The best part about it is that it seems nobody knows it exists.
Open: Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–5:30 pm
Forest Sciences Centre—MacMillan Bloedel Atrium
Address: 2424 Main Mall
The MacMillan Bloedel Atrium is a great place for students who like to immerse themselves in epic surroundings while getting work done. With space for up to 60 people, the MacMillan Bloedel Atrium is also a good option for group study with its large tables and couches. Natural light comes in through the skylight and the atrium is surrounded by greenery with amazing woodwork adorning the walls and ceiling.
This isn’t the best place for quiet study as the atrium is busy and there are always students milling about, so you’ll need to deal with some background noise, or bring a good pair of headphones.
Open: Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–8:00 pm
Life Sciences Centre—East and West Atriums
Address: 2350 Health Sciences Mall
The twin atriums in the Life Sciences Centre are expansive, open spaces with high ceilings and large windows that allow the sun to shine through. The East Atrium has 5 rows of long tables that are great for independent or group study.
Alternatively, the West Atrium has small group tables and bench seating. In total, there is capacity for over 200 people in these atriums. The Perugia Cafe located in the West Atrium, serving hot drinks and Italian food, also has some additional seating.
Open: Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–6:00 pm
Buchanan—2nd and 3rd floor Student Lounges
Address: 1866 Main Mall
The Buchanan building complex may not be the most attractive building from the outside, but the inside has a lot to offer students looking for a place to get some work done. The student lounges on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the B Block have a variety of different places for students looking to study, including tall and small group tables, bench seating, and lounge space for group work.
Buchanan has a lot of classrooms so it is a pretty busy area while classes are in session, but during exam time it's almost empty. This is a good place for independent study and for group work.
Open: Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–8:00 pm; Saturday, 7:30 am–6:00 pm
Allard Hall—Law Library
Address: 1822 East Mall
There are a lot of rumours flying around about whether or not non-law students are allowed to study at the Law Library, so I’m just going to clear the air once and for all. Non-law students—both undergraduate and graduate students—are allowed to use the library space for studying as long as they stick to places that aren’t reserved for law students. Reserved sections are clearly marked with signs, so it’s easy to find your own place.
I highly recommend this place as it has modern facilities and is also very quiet. Maybe some of that law school work ethic will even rub off on you while you’re there.
Open: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 am–9:00 pm; Friday, 8:30 am–6:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm
Neville Scarfe Building—Education Library
Address: 2125 Main Mall
The Education Library in the Neville Scarfe building has places for all your study needs. Long tables, study carrels, armchairs, and round tables are tucked in between rows of books and public computer stations. There are large windows that let light in during the day. It's rarely full here, so you’re more than likely to find a place each time you visit.
Open: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 am–9:00 pm; Friday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Woodward Library
Address: 2198 Health Sciences Mall
If you can get over the ancient state of the building—it was built in 1964—the Woodward Library is a good alternative to the other, better-known libraries.
Open: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 am–10:00 pm; Friday, 8:00am-6:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm; Sunday, 12:00 pm–6:00 pm
Bean Around the World
Address: 6308 Thunderbird Boulevard
Bean Around the World is arguably the best coffee shop on campus and the least well known. It’s located in the southern part of campus, just outside the academic core. The menu of juices, hot drinks, sandwiches, pizza, and more is quite extensive—and tasty.
Open: Monday–Sunday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm
Great Dane
Address: 6011 Walter Gage Road
Great Dane by the Walter Gage Residence is a definite favourite for those who like to drink high-quality coffee while studying. There is not too much space but the coffee is just too good to pass up. Make sure you try their homemade scones. They’re crispy and delicious.
Open: Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–6:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm
J.J. Bean
Address: 6005 University Boulevard
This coffee shop on University Boulevard is a prime destination for drinking coffee and studying. Located across the street from the campus Shoppers Drug Mart, it’s a very popular spot for students and you might have to wait around until a place opens. But, trust me, it’s worth the wait when you get into one of the 2nd floor booths and can hang out all day in comfort.
Open: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–6:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm
