TEO Home > Steps To Apply > Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will my application be considered if I submit it past the deadline?

Yes, you may submit your application after the deadline within a 2-month period.
However, late applications will be evaluated according to available spaces in the program.

2. When will I hear about my application status?

Applicants can check the interim status of their application at any time at www.students.ubc.ca. Most offers of admission are made in the March-May period. Some late offers are made in June - August where program space permits. All applicants receive a written response by the end of the application period.

3. I've changed phone numbers and address. What should I do?

After submitting the online application, please be sure to check and update contact information (mailing address, phone number and email address). Please note that communication with applicants is normally by email.

4. I currently have courses in progress. How does this affect my application and
how do I indicate this?

Priority is given to applicants with all course work completed by the end of April; however, we do accept applications from students with summer courses in progress. You must submit an official interim transcript showing all course/s completed and in progress at the institution where you are enrolled. For proof of registration purposes, include the name of the institution, course name(s) and number(s), credit value(s) and estimated date(s) of course(s) completion. Upon receiving final grade(s) for course(s) in progress, you must order an official final transcript to be mailed directly to our Teacher Education office:

Admissions, Teacher Education Office
Faculty of Education
University of British Columbia
2125 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
Canada.

While admission is competitive, the impact on your admission of completing required courses after April depends on the teaching specialization (Secondary) or program option (Elementary, Middle Years, Secondary) to which you apply. Furthermore, applicants must complete all BEd required courses before the start of the program option (i.e. before July for July Start option; before September for September start options).

5. If I am missing a required course, will the Faculty guarantee admission when I complete the course?

No. You may provide proof of enrolment in the course, e.g. an official transcript, and your application will be considered. However, the course must be completed prior to the program start, and admission is not guaranteed.

6. Will you consider correspondence course marks?

Yes, but a lab science courses by correspondence is only accepted when it includes an on-site lab equivalent to an on-campus course. Summer courses must be completed prior to the starting date of the BEd program. This includes final exams and any other completion requirements.

7. Can I send transcripts electronically?

For the UBC-Vancouver BEd application, we do not accept official transcripts submitted electronically. The official transcript must be sent by mail to our office directly from the institution.

8. Do I need to submit my UBC transcript?

Applicants who are current or former UBC students are not required to order a UBC transcript for evaluation as we have access to UBC student records.

9. I'm a UBC student who did an international exchange. How should I submit my transcripts?

UBC exchange students have three options to submit their exchange transcript:

request an official transcript from the institution to be submitted directly to our office,
submit a copy of the transcript that you have in your possession,
request "Go Global" - UBC exchange department to send our office a copy of the transcript.

Applicants who have taken exchange courses for transfer to another university (not to UBC) must order the official transcript showing courses taken and grades from the university where study was taken as an exchange student.

10. What documents need to be sealed and can I drop them off in person?

Applicants may submit official transcripts in the original unopened sealed envelope from the institution*, or have the Canadian institution mail the official transcript directly to us.
Official transcripts from any post-secondary institutions attended outside of Canada must be ordered from that university to be mailed directly to our office, along with an official translation.
All confidential reference reports should be signed by the referee across the sealed flap of the envelope to ensure confidentiality but they can be dropped off by the applicant as long as they are unopened.

*only in the case of a Canadian institution

11. Can I appeal denial of admission if it's based on an academic deficiency?

The Faculty does not grant appeals resulting from not meeting academic requirements.

12. If I have extensive experience working with youth, does that compensate for a lower GPA?
If I have a very high GPA, will I still be considered if I am missing a required course?

All applicants must have had successful experience working (volunteer or employee) with children and youth to be considered. At the same time, all academic admission requirements must be met. For all required courses, your GPA is calculated similarly across program options.

13. What happens to my application if some marks are higher than others?

We will choose the courses for evaluation with the best grades that satisfy the admission requirements. You will list courses with the best grades on your "Academic Requirements" form, but even if you make an error or donâ€™t list a suitable course, we will still review your transcripts to determine grades that are most advantageous to your application.

14. Do I have to meet the BC College of Teacher requirements to be admitted to the BEd program? Is it okay if I meet the College of Teachers requirements but am missing a UBC requirement?

We only admit students who satisfy both the UBC requirements and the BC College of Teachers requirements. However, meeting these requirements doesn't guarantee admission, as admission is competitive based upon a limited number of seats per admission year.

15. How do I get a criminal record check done?

UBC Faculty of Education Admissions processes criminal record checks through our office for all students who are admitted to the program, after the student has been admitted and registered. This is not something which you need to be concerned about at the application stage. We will forward you all necessary forms and instructions with your letter of offer.

We do not accept criminal record checks done by a third party in respect of the BC criminal record check. Students who have lived in another country for more than 6 months in the past 10 years should contact appropriate authorities to organize a check early, in addition to the BC criminal record check.

16. I want to apply to UBC-Okanagan as well. Do you evaluate for that program?

UBC-Vancouver BEd and the UBC-Okanagan BEd are not identical programs and have different admission requirements. The applications are dealt with in two separate processing areas. When an applicant wishes to apply to both programs, an online application, application fee and supplemental applications must be submitted for each program separately.

17. I wish to apply for the Elementary option July entry. Can I apply for other options as well?

Applicants applying for July must choose the July Elementary option as the first choice and may not indicate a second choice (as July admission decisions are made earlier than September). If an applicant for July is not admitted to the July option, due to lack of space, the application will automatically be considered for the September Elementary 12-month option if all admission requirements have been met. In that case, the applicant will compete with the September pool of applicants.

18. What is the difference between presenting a teaching specialization as a Major as opposed
to a Concentration?

When you present a teaching specialization as a Major, this enables you to present only one specialization if you wish, as the academic requirements for a Major are more than what is required for a Concentration. When you present your specialization as a Concentration, you must present two teaching specializations. It is possible to present both a Major and a Concentration in two subject areas; for example, a Major in English and a Concentration in History.

Teaching specializations that are not widely taught in BC schools may not be presented together as two Concentrations; for example, Spanish and ESL. Further examples include specializations in ESL, Modern Languages, and Social Science. Physical Education and Computer Science can each be presented as a Major; however, they each require a second specialization. For more details, please consult the academic requirements for each specialization on our website.

19. How do I get into Student Housing?

For more information about opportunities for Student Housing at UBC either on-campus or off-campus, please visit their website. This site includes very useful information about what types of resident housing is available and also how to apply for housing.

20. I'm interested in financial aid. How do I get more information?

UBC Awards, Fees and Finances has much information on many topics including about how to apply for student loans and other options for financial assistance.

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