Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q: When should I apply for my study permit?

• • A: 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.

Q: Where should I start?

• • A: Information is power! read up on what documentation and criteria needs to be fulfilled. The following are helpful web sites:
    • Canada Immigration - Study Permits
    • UBC Study Permit Information
    • Before you travel to Canada
  •  We hosted two live sessions on study permit application with UBC's International Student Development team in March and May. Recordings for both sessions can be found at the following links: 
    • March Webinar
    • May Webinar

Q: Where do I get a letter to submit with my study permit application?

• • A: You can download this in your Student Services Centre (SSC) under "Grades and Records”. If you are not able to get a Letter of Enrollment from the SSC, contact askmm@sauder.ubc.ca to request one.
    

Q: I have more questions about obtaining my study permit, should I contact the RHL office?

• • A: Your best resources for accurate information and guidance on obtaining your study permit is with UBC International Student Development Advisors. You can contact David Sage, our International Student Advisor and Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant at isa@students.ubc.ca for support with your application.

Q: Will COVID-19 affect my immigration or health insurance?

• • A: As the COVID-19 situation continues, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other government departments are constantly revising their policies. UBC has a central website that answers some frequently asked questions and contains links to government resources.

Q: I've got my study permit and am preparing to come to Vancouver. Is there anything I should know about COVID-19 and planning my trip?

• • A: There are important steps to take before you plan your trip so it is imperative for you  to check to see if you are eligible to enter Canada and understand the process and requirements before you travel.

Q: I'm wondering what is being done to prepare for in-person classes starting in September at UBC and Sauder?

• • A: Countries around the world, including Canada, are working to contain the current outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). UBC's COVID19 website contains useful FAQs and resources for UBC students, faculty and staff. It is updated regularly, following advice from provincial and federal health agencies.

    The Sauder School of Business has also developed a dedicated web site to keep students, faculty and staff up to date with evolving information about returning to in-person classes. As we continue to navigate COVID, our priority is on the health and well-being of everyone in our community, and following all provincial health guidelines and directives. We will continue to carefully monitor the situation and adjust our plans accordingly. Bookmark this page and check back often for all the latest updates related to Winter Session Term 1, September 2021.

• • A: Those are a lot of questions and it can certainly be tricky to navigate some of them! Luckily, the answer to all of them is basically "YES"!! The BC Government has additional details and links on their web site.

Q: I'm new to Vancouver and will need to find somewhere to live, where do I start my search?

• • A: Check out the "Housing" section of the "Transition to Vancouver" page, it is full of useful tips and information!

Q: I've applied to live on campus and I'm on a wait list - can the RHL programs office help to ensure I get into UBC housing?

• • A: We wish we could, but all students must go through the wait list process along with everyone else who has applied and we have no influence on this procedure. For questions, it is best to contact the UBC Housing office.

Q: I will need to self-isolate when I arrive, is there any help available?

• • A: International travellers are required by law complete the federal ArriveCAN application, meet COVID-19 testing requirements and self-quarantine for 14 day. Air travellers have additional requirements. Review the BC Government's rules and regulations so you fully understand what is expected of you.
  • In addition, UBC can provide on-campus, self-isolation accommodation and meal packages for students travelling to UBC from outside Canada.

Q: What are my tuition payments and when are they due?

A: The exact amount of tuition and student-levied fees as well as payment deadline will appear on the UBC Student Service Centre (SSC) prior to each month that tuition is due. Tuition will be broken into three equal instalments which will be due:

• • September 8, 2021*
  • January 14, 2022*
  • May 11, 2022*

*Dates subject to change

Visit the following sites for additional information:
1. “Finances” page of Canvas
2. UBC tuition web site to learn about allowable methods of payment.

Q: I'm an international student who has been advised to pay my entire tuition to help with obtaining my study permit, how can I do that?

• • A: It is not possible to pay all your tuition for your entire program. Tuition amounts for Winter session will appear on the Student Service Centre and can be paid once students have been registered in courses  which will happen in June 2021. 2022 Summer Session registration will occur in Spring 2022.International students with questions about paying tuition to help secure their study permit should contact David Sage at UBC International Student Development for guidance. Details on how to contact David can be found under the "Study Permit" section of the International Students page of this site.
    

Q: What is the Sauder Building Fee and why am I paying it?

• • A: In 2006, the Sauder School of Business launched the Opening Worlds Campaign to support the revitalization of its facilities on UBC’s Point Grey campus. In total, $52 million was raised with generous support from the community, as well as Sauder’s undergraduate and graduate students, who pledged financial support through special building fees.
  • Revenue from the fee will only be used to make payments on a mortgage and ensure building and facilities continue to be updated into the future. The fee will support a mortgage of approximately $20 million. Inflationary increases in the fee will be set aside in a discrete fund that will only be used with student consultation for the purpose of updating and renewing the facility. The fee will remain in effect for all Sauder students (BCom, Graduate, PhD) for the duration of the mortgage of approximately 35 years.

Q: Why am I paying a MM Student Society fee?

• • A: Each cohort and all programs at the RHL Graduate School have their own student society who will be the representatives and voice of your class while you are in the program. The fees each student pays create the MM student society’s budget.
    • • The society will present the budget to the cohort, who will vote to approve it
      • Once approved, the budget will be used to plan student events, guest speakers, gifts, etc.

Q: Can I opt out of the Building and/or Student Society fees?

• • A: There is no opportunity to opt out of the Sauder Building fee and/or MM Student Society fee.
    

Q: Do I need a laptop to take the Master of Management?

• • A: It is highly recommended that each student to have their own laptop for the duration on the program. The reason being that there will be a high number of instances where you will need to share data, download documents and perform other tasks that something like a tablet or other simplified equipment will not be able to do.

Q: When does the MM officially start?

• • A: The MM begins with the mandatory Program Opening on August 30, 2021. Program Opening is the official start of your MM and all students must attend. Absence from the opening may result in withdrawal from the program.

Q: When will the schedule for 2022 Winter session be available?

• • A: The 2022W session schedule will be available by mid-July, 2021

Q: Can you confirm whether the program will be offered in-person?

• • A: Based on current immunization timelines and vaccine approvals, and with strong and effective safety plans in place, we can confirm that UBC is working toward a return to on-campus activity for Winter Session, Term 1, in September.It is important to stress that the health and wellbeing of the UBC community remains first priority. Updates regarding the fall course schedule and various orientation activities will be provided in the coming weeks. The RHL Graduate office will keep students informed of plans as we near the start of the program. In the meantime, you are encouraged to visit https://covid19.ubc.ca for general updates as they become available.

Q: Do I have to be in Vancouver for this program?

• • A: Yes, all MM students are expected to be in Vancouver, BC, Canada and settled into their accommodations by no later than the Program Opening (August 30-Sept 3, 2021).

Q: When will registration open?

• • A: Registration for 2021 Winter session will open for MM students sometime in March 2021, but no need to worry - see the next Q & A!

Q: I want to be ready for registration, where do I find the list of courses I’m going to be taking so I can be prepared?

• • A: No need to worry about registering for or getting into your courses! The RHL Graduate school will be registering all MM students into their set curriculum for 2021W later in the spring so you can relax and take that off your list of things to do. When it is ready, the schedule for the program will be posted in the Program Content section of Canvas.
    

Q: I want to work during the program, is that advisable?

• • A: Because of the fast pace of the program, we do not advise students to work more than 8 hours per week until they go through the first set of courses. What surprises most students is how rapidly the courses are conducted and the volume of information that is delivered. Our recommendation is for each student to experience this and then determine whether or not they can take on additional work hours.

Q: I need to take classes that are scheduled around my work hours and/or other obligations – what choices do I have for registration?

• • A: The MM program is a set, standard curriculum and registration will be done by the RHL Graduate School for each student. All students will be attending classes at exactly the same time each day.

Q: Can I watch recorded lectures instead of attending class?

• • A: Students are expected to attend 100% of their scheduled class hours. Because our courses rely not only on delivery of information but also on interaction between instructors and fellow classmates, attending the course when it is scheduled is mandatory. Each course has some percentage of the final grade which is based on participation.

Q: How much of a course can I miss?

• • A: You can miss up to 20% of the total scheduled class hours for a course. Since the MM courses are condensed, this means only 4 hours of instruction can be missed before a student may be required to withdraw. If you do not have academic concession, the instructor is not obliged to provide any information on material missed. Check out the UBC "Professionalism, Attendance & Behaviour" policy for additional information.
    

Q: What is an "academic concession" vs. just an "absence"?

• • A: An academic concession is something you must apply for in the event that you experience unanticipated events or circumstances that interfere with your  ability to accomplish academic work. Examples of possible academic concessions are religious observances, medical circumstances, death in the family or a traumatic occurrence.
  • If academic concession is granted, students may receive help from the RHL Graduate Programs office and instructors to help them navigate their circumstances.
  • In cases of absence without academic concession being granted, due dates for assignments remain unchanged and instructors may deduct participation points for missed classes.
    

Q: How do I apply for an "academic concession"?

• • A:  If you think your situation falls within the regulations, you can make a request for academic concession by submitting the Academic Concession Request & Declaration Form available here.
    

Q: Can I miss class to attend a job interview?

• • A: Attending a job interview does not fall under academic concession and would be an unexcused absence. We suggest first trying to re-schedule the job interview. Many employers understand conflicts between school and interviews and will accommodate a change. If you try and are not successful in moving the interview, contact askmm@sauder.ubc.ca.
    

Q: What exactly is the Community Business Project (CBP)?

• • A: The Community Business Project (CBP) is a 1.5 credit course in which students work in teams on projects for not-for-profit organizations and social enterprises in the Vancouver area. Student teams will be paired with a company and faculty advisor who will help guide them through the ins-and-outs of working on a real-life project for someone in the business community.

Q: Can we choose our own team for CBP?

• • A: Teams will be created by the RHL Graduate programs office which will ensure a balanced mix of backgrounds are represented on each.

Q: Can we choose our own project for CBP?

• • A: Teams will be assigned to each project by the RHL Graduate programs office.

Q: I heard about Capstone but I’m not really sure what it is or why we do it.

• • A: Capstone is the culmination of your studies for the MM. It is an online business simulation in which teams compete against each other. You will be putting the information you have learned in your classes to practice as your team runs a company by making cross-functional and strategic decisions.

Q: Can we miss part of Capstone due to travel or for other obligations?

• • A: As Capstone is only two days long, 100% of attendance at both of these days is mandatory. Students are not to make any travel plans and/or schedule any appointments during Capstone as missing time may result in not passing the course and a delay in your graduation.

Q: Can we choose our own team for Capstone?

• • A: The same as CBP, teams will be created by the RHL Graduate programs office which will ensure a balanced mix of backgrounds are represented on each.

Q: When will my Master of Management degree be officially conferred?

• • A: If the MM requirements are completed within the normal time frame, you will finish courses in late May/early June 2022 and officially confer your degree in November 2022.

Q: I need to confirm that I have completed the program requirements prior to the official degree conferral date, what can be provided?

• • A: Once your grades and standings have been entered on the Student Service Centre for all courses in the MM, the RHL graduate school can issue you a letter of completion. Requests for completion letters can be sent to askmm@sauder.ubc.ca.

Q: Is there a guaranteed length of a post-graduate work permit I can obtain after completing the MM?

• • A: There are no guarantees as to what length of work permit Canada Immigration will grant anyone who applies. Each applicant is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and many factors are taken into consideration when making their decision. The length of permits can also vary from student-to-student depending on each of their circumstances.