We acknowledge that the UBC Vancouver campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).
SPPH values equity, diversity, and inclusion. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented. The PhD 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 master’s 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 PhD Program and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. 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.
Supervisor support is required for all PhD applications. We are not able to review applications without supervisor support. 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 PhD Supervisor Support form should be submitted directly to the PhD Program by the potential supervisor.
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
Relevant Work Experience
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.
A letter of intent that describes your career objectives, your research interests, and how the PhD 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.
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:
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.