Located in Prince George, in the spectacular landscape of northern British Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia is one of Canada’s best small universities as ranked by Maclean’s post. UNBC’s motto, from the Dakelh (Carrier) language, directly translates as “that person also lives” and is interpreted as “respecting all forms of life”— a reminder of the spirit of academic freedom, respect for others, willingness to recognize different perspectives and inclusiveness. Despite being a small university, the campus embraces diversity, welcoming international students from more than 50 countries.
UNBC is a young university, just 30years old, which was established to serve British Columbia’s northern communities but is now having a global impact. Along with being one of the best small universities in Canada, it was recognized in 2018 as one of the elite young universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
AWide Range of Programs
UNBC strives to provide a safe and challenging learning environment where students gain leadership skills and stretch their boundaries.
It is a great choice for students who aspire to learn in Canada. With a student population of more than 3,800, it offers students a personal experience through small class sizes and close connections to their professors that is hard to find at other institutions.
Students are able to access up to 90-degree programs–60 Bachelors, 27 Masters, and 3 PhDs.
- Bachelor’s Degrees include Arts (BA), Science (BSc), Commerce (B Comm), Education (BEd), Health Sciences (BHSc), Applied Science (BASc), Nursing (BScN), Planning (BPI), Social Work (BSW).
- Master’s Degrees – Applied Science (MASc) (Engineering), Arts (MA), Education (MEd), Master of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design (MEng), Business Administration (MBA), Science (MSc), Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (MNRES), Nursing (MScN) (MScN – First Nations Planning), Social Work (MSW).
- Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D.) – Health Sciences, Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Psychology
A Research-Intensive Institute
UNBC is a research-intensive institute that is recognized in the top 50 Canadian Research Universities by Research Infosource Inc. Graduates of UNBC express that ‘close access to professors,’ ‘research opportunities,’ ‘interdisciplinary learning,’ and ‘interaction with small cohorts’ as factors of their success.
As early as their first year, students are able to participate in groundbreaking research and can attend field schools in more than 17 programs. With research clusters in natural resources; the environment; rural, remote, and northern health; sustainable communities; and sciences, technology, and engineering, UNBC’s faculty and students are leading research that confronts important issues and explores new opportunities that address the realities of living in the North while proposing solutions relevant around the world.
WIRL: State-Of-The-Art Research Facility
The Wood Innovation Research Lab (WIRL) is UNBC’s new state-of-the-art wood science and engineering research facility. WIRL provides students, faculty members, and researchers from UNBC’s Master of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design program with the ability to build and test large-scale integrated wood structures using engineered wood products such as Cross-Laminated Timber, Glued Laminated Timber and Laminated Veneer Lumber.
WIRL complements the nearby Wood Innovation and Design Centre by providing dedicated research space, which enables researchers to discover new, sustainable ways to integrate wood into building design and construction.
Green and Sustainable Campus
Green is UNBC’s official color – and way of life. It honors the environment with its campus, architecture, teaching and research, and initiatives led by its students, faculty, and staff.
UNBC’s main campus in Prince George is designed to reflect the northern environment and the spectacular landscape surroundings. The poetic location includes large wood beams that frame sunlit atriums, while slate and stone are featured prominently on floors and columns.
In addition, an on-campus bioenergy plant uses local sawmill residue, reducing fossil fuel consumption to heat the University by 85 percent. The Wood Pellet Plant saves 140 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
The campus sits on about 550 hectares of university property, providing an ideal outdoor classroom for courses ranging from forestry to anthropology. As well, trails from the campus connect to a network of nearly 50km of hiking, biking, and skiing. All students have access to incredible recreation and natural wilderness, minutes from each campus. From the Rocky Mountains to the coastal rain forest, northern B.C. has it all.
Celebrating Green Initiatives and Diversity
Every year, UNBC celebrates Green Day and Global U. Green Day has been running for 13 years and signifies the University’s dedication to the environment. It welcomes local vendors who are committed to sustainable community-based objectives who hold presentations that educate the faculty, staff, students, and the community about ongoing Green initiatives.
Global U is an annual four-day event that embraces diversity, inclusion, and culture. This event brings the community together to celebrate the diversity of the campus through speakers, dialogue, performances, crafts, and food. The purpose of this week is to raise awareness and honor cultural diversity across campus. Through celebration and discussion, it recognizes the value of these diverse viewpoints and what they bring to the community.
UNBC is home to a large and active international student population with close to 400 students from all over the world enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs.
International students must meet the equivalent of the criteria outlined for High School Admission and University Transfer in British Columbia. Admission is based on the comparison of standards for credentials and grading in the country of origin. For those applicants whose first language is not English, they must be able to demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency in English. Visit unbc.ca/apply/undergraduate/international-admission-requirements for information about English Language Requirements at UNBC.
Assisting Students with Awards and Funds
1 in 4 UNBC students receives a financial award and there is $3m in financial awards given each year. Awards requirements vary. Students are advised to contact UNBC Awards and Financial Aid at least three weeks prior to the start of classes for further instructions on how to receive their student loan funding.
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