What is the most competitive program at UBC?

Asked by: Dr. Edwardo Green PhD  |  Last update: November 24, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (53 votes)

However, some programs are more competitive than others. The admissions average for the Sauder School of Business Commerce program is 94%, making it one of the most difficult programs to get into in the country. Similarly, the engineering and computer science programs at UBC both have averages above 90%.

What is the most competitive major at UBC?

Engineering Physics is one of the most competitive and academically challenging undergraduate programs at UBC.

What program is UBC known for?

Our strength across a broad range of subjects—geology, math, physics, biology, computer science, and environmental science—earns top marks in Canada.

What subject is UBC best for?

The best majors offered at UBC include biotechnology, computer science, economics, medicine, law, civil engineering, mathematics, etc. If you are looking to get admission, you will have to apply with a strong application.

What programs does UBC specialize in?

Graduate Programs by Specialization
  • Architecture. Biomedical Engineering. ...
  • Ancient Culture, Religion and Ethnicity. Anthropology. ...
  • Accounting. Business Administration. ...
  • Craniofacial Science. Dental Medicine. ...
  • Adult Learning and Education. ...
  • Applied Animal Biology. ...
  • Audiology and Speech Sciences. ...
  • Applied Geological Engineering.

Choosing what to study at UBC

39 related questions found

What is the hardest program to get into UBC?

However, some programs are more competitive than others. The admissions average for the Sauder School of Business Commerce program is 94%, making it one of the most difficult programs to get into in the country. Similarly, the engineering and computer science programs at UBC both have averages above 90%.

What kind of students is UBC looking for?

UBC may assess post-secondary applicants on a combination of factors, including your grade point average (GPA), any required prerequisite courses, and a review of your overall academic history. We may also require you to submit a personal profile, supplemental application, portfolio, or audition.

What is a competitive GPA for UBC?

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a highly competitive school, and the average GPA for applicants is about 3.7. To be admitted into UBC, you will need to have excellent grades, as well as extracurricular involvement.

How hard is it to get into UBC?

Most UBC programs require you to have completed a few specific high school courses. They also require you to achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA). This minimum GPA is typically around 80%. However, we recommend aiming for a GPA in the 90% range to be a competitive candidate.

Why is UBC so prestigious?

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top public universities in the world. UBC embraces innovation and transforms ideas into action.

Is UBC the Harvard of Canada?

McGill University is Canada's second finest university, trailing only Toronto. This reflects in McGill University's status as Canada's Harvard and Toronto University's status as the country's Oxford.

What is the UBC Sauder acceptance rate?

The UBC Commerce (Sauder) acceptance rate is 13% to 17%.

The strength of your Personal Profile and video interview both play a huge role in your competitiveness.

What courses is UBC known for?

The University of British Columbia runs a number of interesting and highly specialized bachelor's degrees, such as:
  • International economics.
  • Food market analysis.
  • Journalism.
  • Media studies.
  • First nations and indigenous studies.
  • Religion, literature and the arts.

Which major is most competitive?

Engineering, biology, and computer science are among them, with math following up close behind. In the humanities, history and social studies/social sciences have attracted the most students.

What does UBC look for in the personal profile?

When we evaluate your application, two trained UBC readers will look for four qualities in your personal profile: engagement and accomplishment, leadership, substance, and voice. This is a chance for us to find out more about you and your experiences beyond academics.

Is it harder for international students to get into UBC?

For example, out of the 41,875 applications UBC received in 2020, only 54 % received an acceptance in their preferred program. University of British Columbia's acceptance rate for international students is about 44%. UBC may be harder to get in, but if you have good grades it's not impossible.

Does UBC look at extracurriculars?

Lastly, we look at your achievements beyond academics

It also helps us determine if you're deserving of an entrance scholarship or award by telling us what you've learned about your experiences, your academic and extracurricular achievements, and your leadership qualities.

How to increase chances of getting into UBC?

The Most Important Part of Your UBC Application

They want to see evidence of your academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and personal responsibility. They also want to get to know you as a person, so be sure to include detail and impact in your well-rounded personal profile.

Does UBC consider AP scores?

At UBC, we recognize the value of AP courses. All AP courses are eligible for admission consideration and AP course grades may be combined with an approved high school curriculum to meet the UBC's admission requirements. Not sure how to plan your courses or how we evaluate applications?

What is the competitive average for UBC Sauder?

Students must meet BOTH the admission average requirements for the Sauder BCom program AND for University of British Columbia as a whole. For the UBC Sauder BCom program itself, a competitive average is around 84%.

Does UBC give out athletic scholarships?

Awards range from general department endowments that are available to all student athletes, to sport-specific endowments. All scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the respective head coaches.

What are UBC students called?

The Thunderbirds. The UBC Thunderbird wasn't students' first choice, but has since become widely known as the university's mascot. In 1933, students overwhelmingly voted to be the UBC Seagulls — a write-in joke candidate in a university-wide poll.

How to answer UBC what is important to you?

Using specific examples, your answers should outline the activities, initiatives, causes, accomplishments, etc. that you're most proud of and care most about, and the accomplishments you've had in those areas.

Does UBC care about SAT scores?

Another very important thing to remember about UBC, like all other universities, is that its admissions process is holistic. This implies that although your University of British Columbia SAT Score Requirements plays a vital role in the selection process, it's not entirely relied on.