BSN Program - Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't find your question in the list below, please contact our Undergraduate Admissions Assistant at information@nursing.ubc.ca.
- How is the BSN Program Structured?
Here is a diagram of the program structure, and course descriptions can be found here.
- Who is eligible to apply for admission to the third year
of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with advanced standing?
Eligible applicants have completed a bachelor’s degree or significant progress (minimum of 48 university transferrable credits) toward a degree in another field of study at a recognized university and who will complete the prerequisite courses with transcripts submitted by June 15th of the year they apply for entry (i.e., June 15, 2014 for September 2014 intake).
- Do you have a waiting list for the program?
No. Unsuccessful applicants must re-apply the following year.
- I want to apply to the program. How do I do that?
There are two steps to apply to the Nursing program, and both can be done once you create an account and access the Student Service Centre. You must complete two applications - one for UBC (called the Undergraduate Admission Application), and one for the School of Nursing (called the Supplemental Application).
Visit https://you.ubc.ca/ubc/index.jsp. Click on "Vancouver Campus," then to the right of the new window in the second blue box from the top you will see "Create a youbc account." Click that link to get started. After you pay the processing fee and submit the Undergraduate Admission Application, the system will give you access to the Supplemental Application.
Note: if you are already a UBC student you will apply to transfer to Nursing. The “Change of Degree Program/Campus” application will not affect your eligibility in the current program.
Be sure to remember that there are fees attached to each application.
- What does the online Supplemental Application include?
The Supplemental Application includes
1) a personal statement that will introduce you to the committee;
2) a resume which showcases your education history, work experience, volunteer/community service work, leadership roles or activities, and extra-curricular activities;
3) the names and contact information for two referees. - If I complete a prerequisite course during the Summer Session
(July-August), will I be eligible to apply for the following winter session?
No, all prerequisites must be completed successfully with final transcripts submitted by the June 15th deadline for acceptance of offers. Interim transcripts for ongoing courses must be submitted by the document deadline of January 30th.
- Do you accept a transcript sent from my address, or handed
in?
For the BSN application, we do not accept official transcripts submitted from individual applicants or third parties. The official transcript must be sent by mail to UBC Enrolment Services directly from the institution concerned.
- Where could I find information on the equivalents of English
and Biology required courses?
The list with English/Anatomy & Physiology equivalents is available on our website.
- Does UBC BIOL 155 still meet the human anatomy and physiology
requirement?
We will accept BIOL 155 courses completed by the end of April 2013 as meeting the human anatomy and physiology requirement. As of May 2013, BIOL 155 will no longer satisfy this requirement. Courses that transfer to UBC as BIOL 155 will be considered for equivalency on an individual basis. You may check with information@nursing.ubc.ca regarding equivalency requirements.
- I have checked the list with English/A&P equivalents,
but the English course I completed is not on the list. Do I have to take another
English course?
If you completed a first year (or higher level) university transfer English course at a North American post-secondary institution, you do not have to take another English course.
- I have checked the list with English/A&P equivalents,
but the human anatomy and physiology course I completed is not on the list. What
should I do?
You will have to submit a PLAR application to have the human anatomy and physiology course(s) reviewed. Details regarding the PLAR process are outlined on the nursing website http://www.nursing.ubc.ca/PLAR/PLARBSN.aspx. You will be notified by e-mail whether the course meets our requirement. As a general guideline, human anatomy and physiology courses must have been completed within the last 7 years.
- I completed my human anatomy and physiology requirement in
2002? Is/Are the course(s) still acceptable?
No - human anatomy and physiology courses must have been completed within the last 7 years.
On a case-by-case basis, we consider applicants who have completed human anatomy and physiology courses more than 7 years ago provided that they can demonstrate related work experience and/or continuing education. The applicants are required to attach to the PLAR application a letter and supporting documentation explaining their experience. - I have completed a 6-credit course in Human Physiology and
have another on cellular biology. Do I still have to take a Human Anatomy course?
Yes. To be eligible for admission with advanced standing, applicants must complete an in-depth course(s) in Human Anatomy and Human Physiology.
- I have graduated from a university outside of Canada. How
can I find out if my degree is recognized by UBC?
You can contact the School of Nursing at information@nursing.ubc.ca. Include the institution name, the country and the program taken in your message.
- How would I find out if the courses I took at another college
or university are transferable to UBC?
The BC Transfer Guide provides comprehensive information about transfer credit for courses taken in B.C. Courses taken outside of B.C. will need to be assessed on an individual basis.
- I noticed that you don't grant transfer credits for nursing
courses taken at other nursing schools. Does this mean you don't accept applications
of nursing students from other institutions for Advanced Standing entry?
No. Applicants who are enrolled in nursing programs at other institutions are eligible to apply to our program, but they will not receive any transfer credit for nursing courses. Such applicants must meet the entrance requirements for the Advanced Standing entry: minimum 48 transferable credits including 3 credits of English at 100-level and 6 credits of Human Anatomy and Physiology.
- When will I know if I am accepted?
Interviews are scheduled for April and most offers are made by the end of May.
- How many applications does the School receive each year?
We receive approximately 450 applications each year.
- How many students are accepted?
The School expects to admit 120 students per year each September.
- Is special consideration given to applicants who have a bachelor's
degree or to applicants who are Canadian residents?
Any applicants who have either 48 transferrable credits or a recognized degree are treated equally in terms of the application process. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are given priority when offers are made to the program.
- What is the required minimum academic standing to apply?
Applicants are required to have a minimum 70% or grade point average of 2.8 (calculated on a 4-point scale) based upon the most recent 30 credits completed at the undergraduate level. Note: Due to enrolment limitations, the academic standing required for admission is much higher than the above average and is subject to change each academic year.
- Which credits are used to calculate the grade point average?
To be eligible for admission into third year nursing, you need at least 48 UBC credits. However, the GPA is calculated on the most recent completed 30 transferable credits up to December of the year of application including any failed and repeated courses. In cases where counting back 30 credits lands in the middle of an academic term, the academic average of that term will be used for the remaining required credits to reach the total of 30.
- Is there a GPA score that will guarantee Advanced Standing
admission?
No. All applicants are evaluated on academic and non-academic criteria. Non-academic criteria are derived from the supplemental application including a personal statement and a resume describing work experience, volunteer/community service work, and extra-curricular activities.
- How are applicants selected for an interview?
Candidates are selected based on an Admission Index calculated from a combination of academic and non-academic information.
- Can I do my interview by telephone?
Unfortunately we do not offer telephone interviews, only face to face.
- What is the profile of the average student who is accepted?
There is no such thing as an “average student” as we have a wide range of people undertaking the course and welcome all applications. In 2012 the average GPA of those offered a place was 79% (or over 3.5), and generally students are aged between 20-54 years old, from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, 84% were female and about 62% had completed a prior first degree qualification.
- How many years does it take to complete the program?
It takes just under two years (5 terms) to complete the program.
- Can I complete the program through part-time studies?
No, students are expected to complete the program on a full-time basis and because of the demands of the accelerated program we advise against part-time work during the program. There is also no opportunity for electives.
- Are there any post-admission requirements?
Yes. All newly admitted students are required
- to attend the Orientation Session scheduled during the last week of August;
- to comply with the immunization regulations of the Provincial Health Authorities related to vaccine-preventable communicable diseases;
- to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC), CPR-HCP certification and N95 mask fitting test . - Are there any other program costs outside of the tuition
fees?
The fees change from year to year but currently there are a number of additional costs you will need to consider. The following figures reflect the overall additional required costs for the whole program (including writing the CRNBC exam) for your guidance, but these are subject to change:
UBC Application Fee (for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada) $62.00 SON Supplemental Application Fee $111.00 Textbooks $1,800.00 Uniforms $66.00 BP Cuff $30.00 Stethoscope $80.00 Photo ID Fee $15.00 Clinical Insurance $7 x 2 years - $14.00 N95 Particulate Mask fitting (total for 2 annual fit tests) $66.00 Program Material (Labs) $25.00 CPR Health Care Provider (HCP) Level Course Fee Total (2 Certifications) $120.00 - $150.00 Canadian Nursing Student association Membership (mandatory) $5.00 Initial Criminal Record Check $20.00 Immunization review by Student Health Services $150.00 CRNBC Registration Final Exam Cost (paid to CRNBC at the end of the program when the exam is written) $688.80 CRNBC Initial Annual Registration $423.00 $3,675.80 - Where can I find more information about UBC's general admission
policies?
Check UBC Student Services.
