We acknowledge that the UBC Vancouver campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).

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Admissions Requirements

Applications for the MSc open on November 15th, 2022 and the deadline for receipt of all applications is January 8th, 2023. The deadline for receipt of references is January 15th, 2023. The Admissions Committee will not consider your application unless all documents have been received by this date.

SPPH values equity, diversity, and inclusion. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented. The MSc Program believes a diverse student body results in better learning outcomes for all students.

We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous persons. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to contact the program before submitting an application for more information about supports for Indigenous students and applicants at UBC.

We accept applicants from many diverse backgrounds and countries, and we do not have a limit to out-of-province or international students. We rank all completed applications and applicants are offered admission based on merit. If you will complete your bachelors degree before the entry date in September, we encourage you to apply.

Applicants must meet both the minimum academic requirements and relevant experience requirements set out by the MSc Program and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Contact us with questions about the admission requirements or admissions process: spph.graduate-programs@ubc.ca. You should also review the information on how to apply.

Minimum Academic Requirements

Meeting the minimum criteria does not ensure acceptance into the program – most successful applicants present academic credentials and test scores that are above the minimum.

Undergraduate degrees from Canada or USA

Degree and GPA:

  • A degree equivalent to a UBC 4-year Bachelor’s degree.
  • A GPA of B+ or higher, calculated from all third and fourth-year level coursework.
  • Find more information about degrees and GPAs for Canadian and US institutions from Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Quantitative Skills:

  • A short Quantitative Statement (150 words or less) is required for all applicants. Quantitative Statements should describe past quantitative experience, including, but not limited to: coursework in math, statistics, or research methods; experience with statistical software; and/or research experiences. Further information and example Quantitative Statements can be found here.

English Language Proficiency:

  • Applicants do not need to submit and English Language test.
International Undergraduate degrees

Degree and GPA:

  • Applicants with international credentials must have academic backgrounds that meet the minimum requirements outlined by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for the country of origin of the credential(s). The GPA is calculated on all courses taken for the degree. Please note that we do not accept transcript evaluations from WES or similar agencies.

Quantitative Skills:

  • A short Quantitative Statement (150 words or less) is required for all applicants. Quantitative Statements should describe past quantitative experience, including, but not limited to: coursework in math, statistics, or research methods; experience with statistical software; and/or research experiences. Further information and example Quantitative Statements can be found here.

English Language Proficiency:

  • A score of 100 or higher on the TOEFL OR a score of 7.0 or higher (and component scores of 6.5 or higher) on the IELTS. The test must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

An English Language test is required for all applicants with an undergraduate degree from a university where English is not the primary language of instruction.

Relevant Experience Requirements for All Applicants

Applicants should have interest, experience, and/or skills in a health-related field. This information can be provided in the following required documents.

Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

A detailed and up-to-date CV that highlights your academic, research, and professional experience. Please include (if relevant): academic history, publications, conference presentations, awards, fellowships, teaching experience, workshops, volunteer work, or employment. We recommend sharing your CV with your potential supervisor.

Find more resources to assist in preparing your CV from UBC Student Services or G+PS.

Letter of intent (LOI)

A letter of intent that describes your career objectives, your research interests, and how the MSc program will meet your career goals. The LOI should be about 700 words.

Additional instructions and suggestions can be found in our LOI Guide. You can find even more tips on writing your LOI from G+PS.

Reference Letters

Three reference letters are required for each application. We prefer that two of these references be from former professors, but we will accept professional references if you do not have academic references. Please ask your references highlight your academic skills, research skills, and your ability to excel in an academic environment. This might include:

  • Potential to succeed as a graduate student
  • Academic ability and initiative
  • Critical thinking and complex problem solving skills
  • Ability to interpret and communicate data clearly and effectively
  • Demonstrated compassion, professionalism, and integrity

Please ask your referees to provide information on the context in which they’ve known you (e.g., work environment, your role and responsibilities, or the educational/course setting).

For additional information, including information for people writing reference letters, see our Reference Guide.

Program-Specific Admissions Policies

 Supervisor support is highly recommended, but not required. The best way to connect with a potential supervisor is to investigate Faculty profiles (including research interests and recent publications) and then contact the faculty member you are interested in working with to inquire whether they are willing to serve as your supervisor. Use the G+PS Supervisor Tool to assist you in your investigation. The MSc Supervisor Support Form should be submitted directly to the MSc Program by the potential supervisor.