Last updated on October 17, 2021
International Student Development – Visa Application Webinar
If you were unable to attend the live session or are simply looking to revisit the content discussed, we have uploaded the recording for the session. You can access the recording via the link below:
As we are getting more questions from the incoming students regarding return to campus from the Covid-19 Pandemic, we wanted to provide more information for transition to Vancouver. Here are some info and links that should be helpful:
Program Schedule
When is the MBAN program start date?
Your program officially begins on August 30, 2021 with Opening Week. Attendance is mandatory.
Deferral Requests
Can I defer my program start date to the August 2022 intake?
Yes, students can request a deferral of their program for one year, one time only.
If a student has already deferred once, can they defer again?
No. As mentioned above, students can request a deferral of their program one time only.
What is the process for initiating a deferral request?
Please send your request to Ning Liu, Manager, Recruitment & Admissions Operations at ning.liu@sauder.ubc.ca and CC mban@sauder.ubc.ca
In your request you will need to provide a rationale for seeking the deferral and how the additional time before your program start will allow you to successfully prepare for your program start.
When is the deadline for initiating a deferral request?
The last day to submit a request for deferral is March 9, 2021.
Note: We will reserve a maximum of 15% of class capacity for deferrals. As there is a limited number of deferral opportunities, they will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships do not automatically transfer with deferrals, but the Admissions Committee will review all deferred students for scholarship opportunities next fall.
If I defer my program start, will I get my program deposit be refunded?
No. If your deferral request is approved, you will be asked to pay an additional deferral deposit of $2,500 CAD by October 26, 2021 in order to confirm your seat for August 2022. The cumulative $7,500 amount will be applied to your first tuition instalment.
Required and supporting documents
If I have outstanding conditions on my offer letter, will I be issued a new one?
After original transcripts are received, a new letter can be issued to the student. The Recruitment and Admissions Team will be able to support students with this at mban@sauder.ubc.ca.
Where can students get a Proof of Enrolment Letter with the correct dates?
Please send your request to askmban@sauder.ubc.ca if you need a proof of enrolment letter to support financial aid or housing applications.
Study Permit, Co-op Work Permit & PGWP
When should I apply for my study permit?
Many visa processing centres around the world are operating at reduced capacity amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to start the application process for your study permit as soon as possible to give you the best chance at receiving your application approval in time for the program start date.
First step: Contact David Sage, our International Student Advisor and Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant at intlubc@students.ubc.ca for support with your application.
Does Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recommend travel to Canada?
Not all students can travel to – and enter – Canada due to current travel restrictions. To assist you, UBC has put together an online guide that can help you determine if you may be eligible to travel to and enter Canada. We encourage you to walk through all steps contained in our comprehensive guide: https://students.ubc.ca/new-to-ubc/travelling-to-canada
If you meet the criteria for travel to Canada, you must still be admitted by a Canadian Border Services Officer at the point of entry (Airport or land border crossing). An officer must assess if your entry is essential due to hardship in accessing online coursework (limitations of bandwidth/speed or time zone challenges) or a requirement to be on campus.
Eligible students may download a letter of support from UBC along with the program schedule. You may find the document here: https://students.ubc.ca/new-to-ubc/travelling-to-canada/before-you-travel
You must have your study permit in hand to enter Canada.
David Sage, Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant, from the International Student Development office is able to advise on more specific scenarios on a case by case basis and he can be reached at intlubc@students.ubc.ca.
We further encourage you to bookmark and return to this guide regularly as Immigration policy is changing quickly.
I did not apply for my Co-op work permit at the time I applied for my study permit. Can I apply for it later?
Yes, you can apply for your co-op permit separately but only if you are IN Canada. You can’t submit a co-op work permit application separately from your study permit application if you’re applying from outside Canada.Do I need any documents from UBC to submit my Co-op work permit application.
Do I need any documents from UBC to submit my Co-op work permit application?
Yes, you need to submit a letter issued by UBC confirming that internship is part of your academic program. You might have already received this letter. If you have not received it or are unable to locate it, please reach out to askmba@sauder.ubc.ca with your request.
Is there a tutorial or guide that can walk me through the application process?
Yes, there are a few resources available to you:
- Information about co-op work permits in the UBC International Student Guide: https://students.ubc.ca/career/career-resources/working-canada/co-op-or-internship-work-permitLinks to an external site.
- Co-op Canvas course: https://canvas.ubc.ca/enroll/8WRXD6
Tuition, Student Fees, and Financial Support
What are the tuition instalment deadlines?
The tuition installment due dates are: September 8, 2021, January 14, 2021, and May 11, 2022.
Do students need to buy textbooks in advance before program starts?
The Program Team will give students access to course outlines and sites 4 weeks before the course start date. There may be online cases, textbooks, etc. that will be outlined in the syllabi for students to purchase.
Online Learning Environment
Will lectures be recorded?
Students are expected to attend lectures live to maximize their learning.
Where students are unable to attend in real time (due to illness and family emergency), students may receive an accommodation or academic concession and then they be able to watch the recorded lectures instead of attending class.
If professors are working with stringent copyright issues for case studies or sensitive topics in some students’ home countries, then those parts will not be recorded.
How will groups be coordinated in different time zones?
Even if Opening Week and Winter Term 1 begin in an online format, all students will be required to be in Vancouver and fully settled (all quarantine complete, housing secured, etc.) before the first day of Opening Week, August 30th, 2021.
Students must be in Vancouver so that they can participate in any in-person activities, easily align with their various project groups, and pivot to expanded in-person instruction with short notice.
What are class sizes like for MBAN?
In typical years, we have around 55-60 students for MBAN.
Students will find out class sizes at Opening Week, which is typically when the class sizes are shared with the cohort. The school is still waiting on documentation (transcripts, etc.) where students have been conditionally accepted and are waiting for those final steps to confirm admissions.
What will the networking opportunities and events look like?
Students will and start to have access to networking opportunities and events on Career Options On-Line (COOL). Companies are still looking to hire and want to engage virtually.
Housing
How is residence supporting physical distancing, hygiene and health protocols?
- Residence staff trained to refer residents with cold or flu-like symptoms to HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, Student Health Services or their own health care professional.
- Limited number of self-isolation units set aside for residents who are not local and have been directed by their health professional to self-isolate.
- Additional signage in community and public washrooms and throughout residence buildings reminding residents, staff and visitors to wash their hands. View all our SHCS Covid-19 signs, posters and decals to date.
- Elevator protocols have been adjusted and guidelines have been posted.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers in each Commons block and the residence dining rooms.
- Enhanced cleaning and sanitizing.
- Fitness, music, study, meeting rooms as well as common spaces are either closed or have had seating removed.
- Outdoor recreational areas are closed. Some outdoor courtyard spaces remain open, but with the reminder to maintain physical distancing.
What Residence amenities have been adjusted in response to COVID-19?
We will continue to provide the services and amenities that align with guidance from health authorities, and help create a healthy, safer and supportive community environment. Key adjustments may include:
- Communal/common spaces may be temporarily closed or have seating removed. This includes fitness, music, study and meeting rooms, along with outdoor recreation spaces.
- Larger community building events and activities will not take place, including intramural sports, musicals and more.
- There may be a reduced number of residents overall, and limited opportunities and support for building communities.
- The Residence Meal Plan will be modified: less selection of food, likely takeout meals only, and physical distancing protocols mandated.
Keep in mind that we may have to adjust our services and amenities on an ongoing basis, often on short notice, to align with public health authorities. Please also be aware that Student Housing is recommending but not enforcing physical distancing. As Vancouver Coastal Health reminds us, they “are recommending physical distancing as one of the ways to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. At this time, there are no public health orders enforcing physical distancing.”
Where can I find additional information on UBC Student Housing?
Along with UBC, Student Housing has implemented plans to provide the best possible accommodation for our residents given COVID-19 challenges. This website contains useful FAQs and resources, and is being updated regularly following advice from provincial and federal health agencies.