2.0 Student Classifications

2.1 Master’s Students

FULL-TIME CLASSIFICATION

Students classified as full-time are expected to engage in their studies on a full-time basis. Master’s students are normally considered full-time students and are assessed fees according to Schedule A of the master’s full-time fees schedule. Full-time students are eligible for graduate scholarships and fellowships. Normally, teaching assistantships (TAs) and research assistantships (RAs) are limited to full-time students.

Graduate programs may articulate specific limitations regarding concurrent paid employment as consistent with the definition of full-time study. Recipients of TAs must adhere to the TA union’s regulations governing number of hours worked while holding a TA.

PART-TIME CLASSIFICATION

In some programs, master’s students have the option of pursuing their degree through part-time study. The expected academic workload of students classified as part-time is determined by the graduate program. Students classified as part-time are assessed tuition fees according to Schedule B of the master’s part-time fees schedule.

Students who wish to be classified as part-time must obtain approval from their graduate program coordinator and the College of Graduate Studies prior to the beginning of the first term of the program (i.e., prior to the commencement of the degree program) in which fees are first assessed.

Students classified as part-time are advised that:

they are not eligible to receive interest-free status government loans, University fellowships, or scholarships;
they are not eligible for TAs, RAs, student housing, or assigned desk space at the University; and
the five-year maximum time allowed for the master’s program also applies to part-time students.

No master’s student who selects Schedule B will pay total fees less than the first nine (9) installments (plus authorized student fees) of their degree program. Upon program completion, any installments not already assessed will be assessed at that time.

Students who pay tuition fees according to Schedule B are not permitted to revert back to Schedule A after the initial payment of the tuition fees in the first term of the program.

MASTER’S STUDENTS IN EDUCATION (MED OR MA)

Students pursuing a Master’s degree in Education (MEd or MA) are normally part-time students and pay specialized master’s degree tuition fees according to Schedule B (see Specialized Master’s Degree Programs). Students in this program are not eligible for graduate scholarships or fellowships.

2.2 Doctoral Students

All doctoral students are considered full-time students and are assessed fees according to Schedule A of the doctoral degree tuition fees schedule. Full-time students are expected to engage in their studies on a full-time basis. Full-time students are eligible for graduate scholarships and fellowships. Normally, teaching assistantships (TAs) and research assistantships (RAs) are limited to full-time students.

Graduate programs may articulate specific limitations regarding concurrent paid employment as consistent with the definition of full-time study. Recipients of TAs must adhere to the appropriate union’s regulations governing number of hours worked while holding a TA.

2.3 Indigenous Students

UBC Okanagan does not have a specific Indigenous graduate admissions policy. However, we are committed to ensuring Indigenous students receive the benefits of a first-rate graduate education. Indigenous students should consult the following links for important services and resources.

2.4 Faculty as Graduate Students

Full-time faculty are not normally allowed to register for programs leading to UBC Okanagan campus degrees or diplomas.

2.5 Qualifying Students

A student whose academic background entitles him or her to serious consideration for admission to graduate studies but who is considered to be inadequately prepared to enter a graduate program in the specific discipline (e.g., three-year degree holders from other Canadian universities, a student changing from one field of study to another, or a student upgrading his or her academic standing) may be admitted as a qualifying student. Qualifying students are not considered graduate students.

If, at the end of a qualifying term or year, the graduate program and the College of Graduate Studies are satisfied with the calibre of the student’s work, the student may apply for admission to a graduate degree program.

Courses taken during a qualifying year or term that are necessary in order to meet the requirements for full admission to Graduate Studies cannot be transferred to a subsequent graduate program. However, other courses may be transferred upon the recommendation of the department and with the approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Qualifying student status is available only to applicants who do not require a study permit to enter Canada.

2.6 Visiting Students

A visiting graduate student is one who is attending the UBC Okanagan campus to complete coursework and/or research toward the requirements of a graduate degree at another recognized university. To be eligible for admission as a visiting student to the UBC Okanagan campus, the student must be currently registered in a graduate program with good standing at the home university. Normally, students may hold visiting status at the UBC Okanagan campus for a maximum of 12 months. Prior approval of the home university, the UBC Okanagan campus graduate program, and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies is required.

Visiting students, with the exception of those governed by the Western Deans’ Agreement, Graduate Exchange Agreement, and other special agreements, pay tuition fees on a per-credit basis.

VISITING STUDENTS FROM CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES

Students enrolled in graduate programs at other Canadian universities may enroll on the UBC Okanagan Campus as visiting students through one of three mechanisms:

Western Deans’ Agreement;
Graduate Exchange Agreement; or,
Regular Visiting Students.

WESTERN CANADIAN DEANS’ AGREEMENT

The Western Deans’ Agreement provides an automatic tuition fee waiver for visiting students from participating universities. Under the terms of this agreement, graduate students in good standing from UBC can register in any of the universities listed below without paying tuition or student fees. The same is also true for students of other participating institutions who wish to attend classes or conduct research at UBC.

Students may be required to pay student, activity, application, or other ancillary fees, according to general policies in effect. Wherever possible, these fees will also be waived.

To qualify at UBC Okanagan under the Western Deans’ Agreement, students must:

Be registered in an institution that is part of the Western Deans’ Agreement;
Be in good academic standing in a graduate program at their home institution;
Be up-to-date in the payment of all current and back fees at their home institution;
Be seeking to take courses that are considered integral to their degree program; and
Have completed the Western Deans’ Agreement

The Western Deans’ Agreement Authorization form must be approved by the relevant UBCO Graduate Program Advisor and the College of Graduate Studies at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the course(s) requested.

The fee waiver is not available retroactively.

Additional information about the Western Deans’ Agreement and participating institutions is available on the Western Canadian Deans of Graduate Studies’ website.

GRADUATE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

The Graduate Exchange Agreement allows graduate students in good standing at UBC, McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the University of Montreal to take courses at each other’s universities without having to pay tuition fees to the host institution.

To qualify at UBC Okanagan under the Graduate Exchange Agreement, students must:

Be registered in an institution that is part of the Graduate Exchange Agreement;
Be in good academic standing in a graduate program at their home institution;
Be up-to-date in the payment of all current and back fees at their home institution;
Be seeking to take courses that are considered integral to their degree program; and
Have completed the Graduate Exchange Authorization form.

The Graduate Exchange Authorization form must be approved by the relevant UBCO Graduate Program Advisor and the College of Graduate Studies at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the course(s) requested.

The fee waiver is not available retroactively.

REGULAR CANADIAN VISITING STUDENTS

A visiting graduate student is one who is attending the UBC Okanagan campus to complete coursework and/or research toward the requirements of a graduate degree at their home university. To be eligible for admission as a visiting student to the UBC Okanagan campus, the student must be currently registered in a graduate program with good standing at another recognized university. Normally, students may hold visiting status at the UBC Okanagan campus for a maximum of 12 months.

Applicants for regular visiting student status (other than those applying under the Western Deans Agreement or the Graduate Exchange Agreement) must submit the following documentation:

a graduate studies application;
an application fee;
one set of official transcripts from the student’s current graduate program;
evidence of English proficiency, where applicable, in the form of an official TOEFL or IELTS score;
individual graduate program requirements (e.g., GRE, statement of intent, research proposal, CV, etc.); and
a letter of permission from the home university’s registrar or department head confirming that the coursework and/or research undertaken at the UBC Okanagan campus while a visiting student is for the purpose of completing the graduate degree requirements at the home university.

At the recommendation of the graduate program, the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies will issue a formal offer of admission to the visiting student. Visiting students cannot use Workday to register; they must be registered in coursework or non-credit activity (if doing research only) through the College of Graduate Studies.

Visiting students must be registered in coursework or non-credit activity (if doing research only) through the College of Graduate Studies.

Those students involved in research activity only (no courses) must register for the non-credit activity Visiting Graduate Research Student (VGRS 599), which is equal to the tuition fee for one credit of coursework plus authorized student fees.

VISITING STUDENTS FROM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES

Students enrolled in graduate programs at non-Canadian universities may enroll on the UBC Okanagan Campus as visiting students through one of two mechanisms:

Visiting International Research Student (VIRS); or
Regular International Visiting Student.

VISITING INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH STUDENTS (VIRS)

A visiting international research student is one who is enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or graduate-equivalent program at another university, or is a participant in a UBC-recognized (through Go Global) “bridging” program between undergraduate and graduate studies, who visits UBC for one month or longer to conduct research only.

A VIRS must be supervised by a UBC faculty member throughout the visit, and must have the written permission of their home institution or sponsoring program to visit UBC to conduct research. The head for the department or laboratory with which the visitor will be affiliated has final authority to approve a VIRS visit. Students whose home institution has a formal academic student exchange agreement with UBC will be registered as exchange students unless reciprocity quotas are filled; in which case additional students may come under the VIRS designation.

A VIRS will normally come to UBC for a maximum of one year. At the end of the approved visit period, the student may request an extension for up to one year. A visit lasting more than one year will require renewal of their permissions, registration, and fees.

Detailed application information is available on the Go Global website.

REGULAR INTERNATIONAL VISITING STUDENTS