Exchange FAQs
FAQs
When will UBC Housing release housing offers? When do I find out where I've been placed?
UBC Housing usually contacts students in June/July via email with information about their residence placements for September and the next steps you will need to take. If you are joining us in January, you should expect to hear during November/December. If you have further questions please contact UBC Housing at information@housing.ubc.ca.
How do I apply for Housing (Term 1, Term 2, Full Year)?
1. Go to the Housing and Conferences Online Service Centre and log in under “UBC New Applicants, Students, Staff with CWL ID.”
2. Login with your CWL.
3. Select “Application,” and then “Apply.”
4. Select the application for the Winter Session (September – April). [IMPORTANT: SELECT THIS OPTION REGARDLESS OF YOUR EXCHANGE TERM]
5. When asked for your faculty, enter “Exchange Program, year 1.”
There is a $50 non-refundable application fee. A deposit must be paid by Visa or MasterCard and is due upon acceptance of your room offer.
We will inform the housing office whether you are coming for one or two terms as there is no place for you to indicate this on their application.
If you have any further questions related to housing, please contact UBC housing directly at information@housing.ubc.ca.
When would I be registered for courses?
Late June to August for students admitted in May and July. November to December for students admitted in Fall.
Can I take Distance Education courses?
Exchange students are typically restricted from taking Distance Education courses. If you need to take a Distance Education course, please contact Go Global for permission after arrival.
What does being on a course waitlist mean (am I in the course or not)? What is the likelihood of getting in?
Waitlists are not available for all courses, and being on the waitlist does not guarantee registration in the course. Students on a waitlist should check their registration in Workday to see if they have been officially registered into the course.
- If there is a waitlist for the course, register for the waitlist and contact go.global@ubc.ca to ensure you have a token to be able to get off the waitlist into full registration when a seat becomes available
- Check the departmental website to review their waitlist procedures
- Keep your eye on the course via Workday
- Check the course on your Workday after the first class
- Attend your waitlisted course(s) where possible, and have a backup plan in place
How many courses am I required to take? Is there a minimum or a maximum?
Undergraduate exchange students typically take between 9 and 15 credits per semester at UBC, depending on degree requirements at home university. Go Global is not able to advise you on the minimum course load required by your home university. Students must maintain registration of minimum of 9 credits per term to be considered as a full-time student at UBC. If you are living on campus or considering working with a valid Study Permit, you must maintain your full-time student status. There is a credit limit for both full-year (30 credits/year) and single-term students (18 credits/term).
Can I add a course that is full, restricted, or blocked?
If a course you hope to take is in the Arts or Science Faculty (excluding MATH and ECON courses) and is full or restricted, you may monitor the course to see if space opens up. If space does not open up, you may seek permission from the instructor of the course, AFTER you arrive on campus. You will need to use the Change of Registration Form (PDF), have it signed by the instructor, and return it to Go Global via email.