Planning & eligibility
As a visiting exchange student, you can:
- Study at UBC between one to two winter terms (single term or full year).
- Start your studies in September or January, depending on your exchange duration.
- Take undergraduate or graduate courses available to exchange students.
- Earn credit for courses taken at UBC towards your degree at your home university.
- Study at UBC’s Vancouver or Okanagan campus
Students must be nominated by a UBC partner university. Please check with your home university's international exchange office for application processes, requirements and timelines.
Students must also meet our minimum English language requirements to be eligible for exchange.
If you want to take UBC credit-based courses, but your home university does not have a Student Mobility Agreement with UBC, contact UBC Non-Degree Studies.
Estimated living expenses are $6,500-$8,500 CAD per term. But financial requirements vary depending on individual goals, the cost of living in Vancouver and personal preferences. To get a clear financial picture of your studies at UBC, create a budget with both university and living costs.
See this sample budget worksheet (PDF) to estimate your monthly expenses. Fill in the table with realistic amounts for each category that applies.
Here is a breakdown of some key costs:
On-campus housing: $3,500-$4,000 CAD per term
Housing costs depend on the location, size and type. There are apartment and townhouse-style accommodations available (e.g., Walter Gage, Fairview Crescent, Ritsumeikan-UBC House, Marine Drive). For detailed costs for each residence, visit UBC Vancouver Housing to check winter session residence fees.
Off-campus housing options: $2,800-$4,000 per term
Rents vary greatly depending on apartment location, age and condition. For example, it is generally more expensive to rent in a condominium building than an apartment building, and lodging close to UBC is typically more expensive than elsewhere in the city. Keep in mind these are only general guidelines for cost. See more info on living off campus.
- Shared room: $2,800+/term
- Private room - shared unit) : $4,000+/term
Approximately $2,000/term
UBC students with an active UBCcard can get a 5% discount at UBC Food Services. For details, see UBCcard Value Plan – FOOD AT UBC VANCOUVER.
U-Pass fee: $180.40 for the winter academic term (subject to change) and mandatory for all exchange students attending UBC.
Only students registered in a minimum of three credits are eligible for the U-Pass, a universal transportation pass with unlimited access to all TransLink buses, the SkyTrain and the SeaBus during the winter session.
Mandatory iMED insurance for international students
The iMED program is a temporary basic health insurance plan required as a condition of registering as an international student new to UBC. Enrolment is automatic upon registration of your courses. See more information on iMED, includ on iMED, including coverage dates.ing coverage dates.
iMED is the basic health insurance required for all new international exchange students. Enrolment is automatic upon registration in your courses. Find more information on iMED, including coverage dates.
- Single-term exchange: The cost is $338 CAD per term, plus a $10.76 direct billing fee for iMED. If you are a single-term exchange student, iMED will cover you for the duration of your stay (approximately four months and one week).
- Full-year exchange: The cost is $237 CAD plus a $10.76 direct billing fee for iMED. The cost covers the three-month waiting period for the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP). Students on exchange for six months or longer are required to apply for MSP. The MSP plan costs about $75 CAD per month.
For academic expenses such as books and supplies: $500-$700 CAD per term.
Tuition: In most cases, students on exchange at UBC pay tuition directly to their home institution.