How To Apply

Thank you for your interest in applying to our graduate programs.

Our next intake period is for September 2025. Application portals will open September 20, 2024, and close December 1, 2024, with a references deadline of December 15, 2024. We do not have January intakes at this time.

Please also note, the School and Applied Child Psychology (SACP) program will be taking applications for the PhD degree programs only for the September 2025 intake. We will post updates at a later date regarding the next year when we will admit for the MEd program.

    1. Complete the online application
      1. Current and former UBC students (including unclassified, diploma and visiting) must enter their UBC student number on the online application. If you don’t remember your student number, please contact the program assistant for the program you’re applying to (the application cannot be processed without the correct UBC student number).
      2. If you have not attended UBC before, the online application system will give you a student number when you fill out the application.
      3. We do not require a Statement of Intent. Do not attach one to your application; you are only required to answer the online application questions.
    2. Upload official transcripts to online application
      1. Current and former UBC graduates are NOT required to submit their UBC transcripts.
      2. We require a scanned copy of the official transcripts (*in PDF format only) with the grading key. Please note: without the grading key, we are unable to do the assessment or evaluation of your transcripts. If a degree certificate or official translation is applicable to your transcripts, you must also scan and upload this document to the online application.
      3. International applicants: if your transcript does not state that your degree has been conferred, we require a scanned copy of your degree certificate. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English, we require both a scanned copy in the original language and a certified English translation. Additional information can be found on the Grad and Postdoctoral Studies website.
    3. Three (3) Electronic References are required for all programs: CNPS, HDLC, SACP, MERM, and SPED
      We require references to be submitted electronically and you should let your referees know that we will not accept references by mail. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.
      In the online application system, applicants are asked to provide an email address for each referee. (Please note, the system is unable to accept emails from Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, Shaw, Telus, or other free e-mail accounts for referees. The system will accept university email addresses or organizational email addresses). A unique link will be emailed to each referee, allowing them to log in to a secure site and submit an online reference or upload a reference document as an attachment.

    English Proficiency Scores

    Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to graduate studies are: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language); IELTS (International English Language Testing Service)  Review English proficiency requirements here.

    A copy of your TOEFL or IELTS score report must be uploaded to the online application. Applicants must inform ETS to send electronic TOEFL or IELTS scores to UBC. The UBC code is 0965.

    Summary of Additional Documents

    CNPS
      • Ph.D.: CV or résumé, GRE (General Test is not required, but can be submitted, see footnote below), Supplementary form, and 1/2 hour video (DVD; MP4 format) demonstrating counselling skills
        1. A copy of the CV, GRE, and CNPS Ph.D. supplementary form must be uploaded to the online application. Please note that a copy of the CNPS Ph.D. supplementary form must also be emailed to Program Assistant karen.yan@ubc.ca. Applicants must inform ETS to send electronic GRE scores to UBC. The UBC code is 0965. CNPS Forms & Resources can be found here.
        2. The video in (MP4 format) must be uploaded to the CNPS PHD admission video portal.  Here is the self-sign up link for the video portal: https://canvas.ubc.ca/enroll/PG48NA

    Footnote: Some students may choose to submit GRE scores because they feel these better represent their academic potential than their GPA. Other students, however, may feel their GPA better—or sufficiently—represents their academic potential and will choose not to submit GRE scores.

      • M.A.: CV or résumé, GRE (General Test is not required, but can be submitted, see footnote below), and Supplementary Form
        1. A copy of the CV, GRE, and CNPS M.A. supplementary form must be uploaded to the online application. Please note that a copy of the CNPS M.A./M.Ed. supplementary form must also be emailed to karen.yan@ubc.ca. Applicants must inform ETS to send electronic GRE scores to UBC. The UBC code is 0965. CNPS Forms & Resources can be found here.

    Footnote: Some students may choose to submit GRE scores because they feel these better represent their academic potential than their GPA. Other students, however, may feel their GPA better—or sufficiently—represents their academic potential and will choose not to submit GRE scores.

    • M.Ed.: CV or résumé and Supplementary Form
      1. A copy of the CV and CNPS M.Ed. supplementary form must be uploaded to the online application. Please note that a copy of the CNPS M.Ed. supplementary form must also be emailed to karen.yan@ubc.ca

    HDLC
    • All applicants must upload their CV or résumé

    MERM
    • Ph.D.: CV or résumé, GRE is no longer required for admission of the PHD applicants for the MERM program effective September 1, 2024.
    • M.A.: CV or résumé, does not require the GRE
    • M.Ed.: CV or résumé, does not require the GRE
    1. A copy of the CV must be uploaded to the online application.
    2. We require all transcripts to be scanned from official transcripts with the grading key and uploaded to the online application. Please note: without the grading key, we are unable to do the assessment or evaluation of your transcripts. If the degree certificate or official translation is applicable to your transcripts, you must also scan and upload this document to the online application.
    3. In addition, please follow the instructions above in section #3 regarding the three electronic references required.

    SACP
    • All applicants must upload their CV or résumé, and GRE score report

    Learn more about applying to School and Applied Child Psychology.

    SPED

    Application Processing Details

    It takes approximately 3 months to process applications and evaluate transcripts. Documentation must be uploaded to the application by December 1st and reference letters received by December 15th; otherwise the application will be considered incomplete.  All applicants will be notified by email of our final admission decision by the end of March. The programme abides by the CPA policy (I. B4 of the Standards for Accreditation of Doctoral Programmes in Clinical, Counselling and School Psychology), as defined in its Graduate Guide. Doctorial students are allowed until April 15th to accept an offer of programme admission and/or financial support.