Universities in British Columbia: Top Universities, Ranking, Course Fees, Eligibility, and Popular Courses

If you’re looking for top-quality higher education abroad, British Columbia can be an ideal choice. The province is home to many high-ranked universities with widely-acclaimed faculty. Most of British Columbia’s post-secondary universities are located in areas that generate the highest job prospects in the province. Canadian universities hold prominent positions in the QS World University 2024 rankings. Among these, British Columbia universities figure among the top 3 ranks. This article covers the 5 most popular universities of the province that students worldwide prefer for admissions.

Top Universities in British Columbia

The QS World University Rankings 2024 have ranked the following 5 universities among the top positions. Let us look at each of them in detail in this section.

• University of British Columbia 

• Simon Fraser University 

• University of Victoria (UVic) 

• University of Northern British Columbia 

• Vancouver Island University

Related Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/countries=ca&sort_by=rank&order_by=asc

• University of British Columbia (UBC): Ranking among the world’s top public universities for several years, the University of British Columbia in Canada attracts students globally. The university is renowned in the province for its teaching, research, and infrastructure facilities.   

Among the various courses offered at UBC, international students particularly prefer those in Geology, Archaeology, Chemical Sciences, Music, and Urban Planning.

The admission criteria laid out by the university for international students are as follows:

• For Undergraduate (UG) courses, completing higher education from a recognised senior secondary school in India or overseas is a must

• The applicant must have acceptable grades in a minimum of 6 academic subjects, which includes English 

• For Postgraduate (PG) courses, completing a four-year Bachelor’s degree in the related discipline is required 

• The student must show proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall of 6.5, and no less than 6.0 in each test band

Some of the most popular on-campus facilities at UBC include childcare and school facilities, a bookstore, conference rooms, courier service, and ample parking provision.

For students’ leisure, there is a baseball indoor training centre, activities and recreation centre, sports centre, rugby centre, tennis centre, fitness centre, and boathouse.

Besides these, UBC offers accommodation options to suit varied budgets and staying preferences. Students can choose from easily affordable hostel rooms to high-end luxury hotel suites.

• Simon Fraser University: Another of the top universities in British Columbia, Simon Fraser enjoys consistently high ranks for research. The institution is also counted among the world’s top 250 universities.

Some of the most popular courses among international students at Simon Fraser University are Germanic Languages, Mechanical Engineering, and Performing Arts and Music.

International students applying to any of these courses must meet the following admission criteria:

• Bachelor’s courses require official academic transcripts from high school as proof of completion of secondary education

• Master’s courses require completion of Bachelor’s programs in a related discipline

• Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall of 7.0 and no less than 6.5 in each band of the test

Simon Fraser University's large and spacious campus houses top academic and research centres equipped with all necessary facilities for student learning. Examples include the Academic Quadrangle, Aquatic Research Centre, and Bee Research Building.

Students are encouraged to participate in a host of extracurricular activities such as drama, research trips, sports, and choir classes.

The primary option for student accommodation at Simon Fraser is SFU Residence halls with single-room stay facilities for comfortable and affordable living at the university campus.

• University of Victoria (UVic): This is another name that figures among the top universities in British Columbia

  .It has also consistently enjoyed the prestige of being one of Canada’s top comprehensive universities by Maclean’s Magazine.

International students prefer the following courses at UVic - Law, Nursing, and Social Sciences.

The standard entry requirements for courses at UVic include:

• International students applying for the program must be 18 years of age at the start of the course

• They must show a certificate of high school completion from a recognised high school in India (for UG courses)

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study is a general prerequisite for applying to PG courses at UVic

• Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall of 6.5 and not less than 6.0 in each test component

Related Source: https://www.uvic.ca/undergraduate/admissions/language-requirements/

Related Source: https://www.uvic.ca/graduate/finances/tuition-costs/estimate.php?residency=I&level=GR&program=15#ipn-estimate-in-canadian-dollars

On-campus services at UVic for international students include academic and career counselling, a bookstore, a library, computer labs, a medical store, and a clinic.

Recreational facilities at the university's campus are designed for student leisure. Some of the most popular ones are athletics, student clubs, sports clubs, and youth camps. Besides these, there are art galleries, a movie theatre, a school of music events, an auditorium, and a drama theatre to encourage students to participate in art and culture programs.

Student housing facilities at UVic include homestays, dormitories with single and double rooms, and residential communities with shared accommodation.

• University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC): This features among the renowned universities in Columbia, focusing on top research and academic brilliance for international students.

There are several courses offered at the UNBC. Among them, the ones that are the most popular among international students include Public Health, Health Sciences, and Curriculum and Education Studies.

International students applying to the university must meet the following admission requirements:

• A higher secondary certificate from a recognised school in India (for students applying to UG courses)

• Completion of a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline

• Relevant professional experience related to the course of study

• Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall of 6.5

Related Source: https://www2.unbc.ca/calendar/graduate/admissions#English

Related Source: https://www2.unbc.ca/international/tuition-and-fees#Tuition%20and%20Fees

UNBC offers students various essential facilities and services for maximum comfort. Some of them include on-campus food courts, bookstore, library, child care centre, and copy centre.

Students can also participate in various social and extracurricular clubs. A few of them are women’s rugby, math and physics club, pre-med club, fencing club, and science and health club.

Accommodation options at the university include fully furnished residences on campus, all-female housing floors, and private housing spaces.

• Vancouver Island University (VIU): The last on the top 5 list of British Columbia universities, VIU is a centre of excellence that releases brilliant graduates for employment each year.

Some of the most notable programs at the university include Global Studies, Teaching, Culinary, and Economics.

While different courses at the university may have different admission criteria, some of the standard entry requirements for international students at VIU are:

• Completion of high school or equivalent Indian qualification from a recognised institution

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university in a related or non-related study area

• Relevant professional experience related to the course of study

• Proof of English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, with an overall of 7.0

The popular campus facilities at VIU include a cafeteria, bakery, coffee shop, food court, events and conferences centre, and other essential amenities for student comfort.

Recreational facilities that students at VIU engage in are a bookstore, art gallery, theatre, and fisheries department.

Accommodation options at the university comprise fully-catered residences and homestays on campus and rented private stay facilities off campus.

FAQs

1. How many universities are in British Columbia?

The following 5 universities in British Columbia are the most popular among international students:

• University of British Columbia

• Simon Fraser University

• University of Victoria (UVic)

• University of Northern British Columbia

• Vancouver Island University

2. Is British Columbia good for Indian students?

Absolutely! The city has top universities that enjoy high ranks in global universities. Besides, British Columbia has a diverse culture, accepting students from all ethnicities and backgrounds.

3. What are the benefits of studying in British Columbia?

British Columbia is one of the most affordable cities in Australia. The city has good employment opportunities too after course completion.

4. How is life in British Columbia for international students?

Students arriving in British Columbia are fascinated by the natural beauty of the place. Additionally, the city is easily affordable and safe for people from diverse backgrounds.

5. What jobs are available easily after studying at a university in British Columbia?

Some top roles you can apply to after studying in British Columbia are Information Systems Manager, Food Service and Restaurant Manager, and Construction Manager.

6. How much does it cost to study in British Columbia?

Different universities have different fee structures. However, the average cost of studying a Postgraduate course at a British Columbia university is estimated at CAD 27,632 (indicative fee).

7. What is the average cost of living in British Columbia for international students?

The average cost of staying in British Columbia for higher education will likely be CAD 30,488 (estimated cost for international students). This may vary from one area of the city to another.

Related Source: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/tuition-fees-cost-living/cost-living#calctable

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