At UBC Science, you’ll study at a top international research university, learn from faculty members committed to teaching excellence.

Study at a top 40 research university

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

Join a North American leader in STEM education

We've made unprecedented investments to enrich the experience of thousands of science students and help them succeed.

Nearly 3,000+ paid co-op positions

UBC Science places domestic and international students in paid co-op positions—you get the support you need to build your skills and network.

A special place for fieldwork

Affiliated geological field schools, marine research stations, natural history museums and nuclear particle accelerators are yours to discover.

Where does UBC rank internationally?

THES Global Ranking 2024

41st

ARWU Global Ranking 2023

44th

US News Global Ranking 2023

35th

QS World Rankings 2024

34th

UBC Science subject area rankings

  Ranking Agency Global Ranking Canadian Ranking
Natural Sciences QS World University Rankings 2023 17 1
Environmental Sciences QS World University Rankings 2023 12 1
Earth and Marine Sciences QS World University Rankings 2023 16 1
Geology QS World University Rankings 2023 16 1
Geophysics QS World University Rankings 2023 17 1
Environment and Ecology US News and World Report Rankings 2023 14 1
Plant and Animal Science US News and World Report Rankings 2023 8 1
Applied Microbiology US News and World Report Rankings 2023 22 2
Microbiology US News and World Report Rankings 2023 32 1
Life and Earth Sciences CWTS Leiden Ranking 2023 23 1
Computer Science Maclean's Magazine 2023 Rankings NA 1 (Tied)
We’re proud of our rankings, but they don’t tell the whole story. To find out if UBC is the right fit for you, meet some of our students and professors, and explore our program offerings.

Meet UBC Science

Sumedha Sharma

Integrated Sciences

Ronnie Chen

Mathematics and Computer Science

Gilbert Lam

Pharmacology

Marisol Valerio

Geological Engineering + Co-op

Al Shaibani

Microbiology and Immunology, English Literature

Cecilia Montauban

Environmental Science

Michelle Kunimoto

Physics and Astronomy

Angela Sunario

Microbiology and Immunology, Master of Management

Joban Bal

Biology

Javier Rivera

Indigenous Student, Biology

Anna Hughes

Physics and Astronomy

Markus Thormeyer

Environmental Science

Explore your first year options

Design your own timetable

Most first-year UBC Science students design their own timetable, which offers the most flexibility. You select both the courses and the sections you attend according to the requirements of the degree program you want to enter in second year. Most of your lectures will be in large rooms but labs and tutorials will be in smaller groups. You can also benefit from small-group classes, like our first-year seminar in science.

Science One

Science One presents biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics in a unified, integrated format. The program has its own dedicated space, and cultivates critical, independent thought as the basis of scientific inquiry.

Learn more

First-Year Focus

FYF program will not be offered to new students for 2024W. Please check back for future years. First-Year Focus (FYF) helps students build a strong foundation in either computational sciences (FYF-C) or life sciences (FYF-L) in a supportive, cohort-based program. Students take a common set of courses (with a flexible combination of online, hybrid, or in-person courses) with the same cohort of about 180 UBC Science first-year students—your community. You can select additional courses based on your interests. You’ll gain the flexibility to pursue almost any majors from second year that UBC Science has to offer as you progress in your degree. Separate application is required.

Learn more

UBC Vantage One Science

International students who don't meet UBC's English requirements can consider Vantage One. After completing an intensive 11-month program in computational or physical sciences, you transition directly into second year.

Learn more about Vantage

Explore our program specializations

Now that you're familiar with all that UBC Science has to offer, you can begin the admissions process. You'll apply online through youbc, UBC's undergraduate admissions site. But first, we'll run you through a few important things to consider.