UBC Okanagan is a research university in Kelowna, BC, with 10,000+ students across science, engineering, health, and arts. It operates under the UBC brand — one of Canada's top 3 universities — but with smaller classes and direct faculty access. If you want a research degree without being lost in a large campus, this is a strong option.
Kelowna, Canada
Top 40 worldwide (QS 2024 — parent UBC)
3rd in Canada (Maclean's 2024)
Canada's top research university group — U15 member
Approx. 18:1 — smaller than UBC Vancouver
UBC degree recognised by employers across Canada and internationally
Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Jan, Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Master of Science in Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Jan, Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Jan, Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90, GMAT: 550
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
UBC-accredited degrees — same credential as the globally ranked Vancouver campus.
Small campus of ~10,000 students — undergraduates get real research opportunities early.
Engineering and health sciences programs backed by active faculty research labs.
Kelowna location — lower cost of living than Vancouver, with a growing tech sector nearby.
Graduates enter tech, healthcare, and engineering roles across BC's growing Okanagan and Metro Vancouver job markets.
UBC's employer network spans Amazon, Telus, BC Health Authority, and major Canadian banks.
Average starting salary for UBC graduates in tech and engineering ranges from CAD 65,000–85,000.
Strong pathway into UBC Vancouver graduate programs or professional schools including medicine and law.
Undergrad
Rolling — typically closes March to May
Postgrad
Rolling — varies by program
Undergrad
Not available for most programs
Postgrad
Rolling — select graduate programs only
The campus sits on 760 acres beside Okanagan Lake. Buildings are compact and walkable, making it easy to move between classes, labs, and student services.
Kelowna is a city of 145,000 with a low cost of living compared to Vancouver. Skiing, hiking, and beaches are within 30 minutes — and a growing tech scene means internships are close by.
Valid letter of acceptance from UBC Okanagan
Canadian student visa (study permit)
Proof of funds: ~CAD 20,000/year
Valid passport for study duration
Health insurance via BC Medical Services Plan
Biometrics required for most nationalities
