Student FAQs

UBC requires COVID-19 rapid testing for all students, faculty and staff, with exemptions provided for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 
Find out more about the required COVID-19 Rapid Testing Program.

Welcome to all our new and returning students.

This page contains a range of useful FAQs, links and resources to support you during Winter Session, Term 1. There is a whole host of information on various university websites and you are encouraged to visit your own Faculty website for specific details about your program.

You might want to visit the Returning to Campus website, provided by Student Services. There is also useful information specific to UBC Okanagan. If you are a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow, you can find additional resources here: UBC Vancouver, UBC Okanagan.

If you’re looking for information about UBC’s plans for a return to campus, visit the Campus Return Plan section of this website. For health and COVID-19 vaccine-related guidance, you should visit the Health guidance and vaccines section.

Below are some additional FAQs specifically for students. While we cannot answer every question you may have, we have done our best to cover the main areas you might be interested in. These FAQs are updated regularly. Don’t forget to also check out the archive of our main announcements.

A person resting on a sofa with a cup of hot drink in hands

On this page:

Teaching and Learning

Research

Financial Support and Resources

Getting to and from campus

Health and Wellbeing

Buildings

UBC Facilities and Services

Events and Graduation Ceremonies

Travel

Teaching and Learning

Research

Financial Support and Resources

Getting to and from campus

Health and Wellbeing

Buildings

UBC Facilities and Services

Events and Graduation Ceremonies

  • Will there be an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021?

    Will there be an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021?

    UBC Vancouver Fall 2021 Graduation: As the public health orders and guidelines in British Columbia change in BC’s Restart Plan, and as UBC continues to resume on-campus operations, more information about Fall Graduation will be made available at www.graduation.ubc.ca this summer. Please check back for details.

    UBC Vancouver and Okanagan Spring 2021 Graduation: Virtual graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021 were held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 for UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan. 

    UBC’s Class of 2020: Virtual graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 were held on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 for UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, and on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 for UBC Vancouver. 

    UBC is committed to holding an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 and the spring Class of 2021, when it is safe to do so. As we embark on planning for on-campus activities, in collaboration with public health, we will advise members of the Class of 2020 and 2021 on plans to hold an in-person graduation ceremony when we have more information. Further details will be available at www.graduation.ubc.ca and www.graduation.ok.ubc.ca.

  • What is the status of events?

    What is the status of events?

    UBC event planners are asked to review safety plan templates and approval processes for in-person events outlined for UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan. Virtual event delivery continues to be an option you may consider in your planning. Venues and bookable spaces on campus may be at varying states of opening/readiness to host larger events. 

    As public health restrictions related to gatherings and events are lifted through BC’s Restart plan, planners are encouraged to review the Provincial Health Order on Gatherings and Events to understand the specific details. A Regional Health Order on Gatherings and Events is in place in Interior Health and applies to all communities in Interior Health, and a Regional Health Order on Gatherings and Events is in place in Northern Health, and applies to all communities in Northern Health.

    The Provincial Health Order on Gatherings and Events announced on September 10 includes specific details about where proof of vaccination is required, effective September 13. Planners are required to include plans for checking for proof of vaccination of event participants, where applicable, based on the type, scope and nature of the event, and include information in their safety planning. In Vancouver, proof of vaccination is required for non-educational indoor events where there are more than 50 participants. In the Okanagan, proof of vaccination is required for non-educational indoor and outdoor events, regardless of the number of participants (see below for further details).

    Non-educational (i.e. non-essential or discretionary) events and gatherings, such as graduation ceremonies, parties, recitals and concerts, must adhere to the restrictions outlined in the Public or Regional Health Order for gatherings and events.

    Educational events and gatherings (i.e. delivered as part of a formal education program), such as lectures, labs, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, presentations, formal study groups and UBC orientation events, do not need to meet the requirements of the Public or Regional Health Order for gatherings and events.

    See the BCCDC Return to Campus Public Health Guidance for more information about these types of events.

    UBC events held in-person in other jurisdictions outside of BC should follow local public health guidelines. 

    Planners are also encouraged to review guidance and orders related to the planning and delivery of events and gatherings, including the Public Health Order on Food and Liquor Serving Premises and the Public Health Order on Face Coverings.

    UBC Vancouver

    Indoor events: Effective July 1, 2021, indoor organized gatherings are limited to 50 people or 50% capacity, whichever is greater. For example, if the venue can hold 60 people, then you can have 50. If your venue holds 500, then you can have 250.

    Outdoor events:  Effective July 1, 2021, outdoor organized gatherings are limited to 5,000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is greater. For example, if the venue can hold 6,000, then you can have 5,000. If the venue holds 12,000, you can have 6,000. 

    These types of events are permitted and apply to UBC events being held in the Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Island Health, including at UBC’s Vancouver campus, UBC Robson Square and UBC sites in these health authorities.

    If you have an event (indoor or outdoor) planned with in-person components, and have any questions or are unsure of associated processes, please contact ready.ubc@ubc.ca (UBC Vancouver).

    UBC Okanagan

    Effective August 23, 2021, Interior Health implemented further restrictions in Interior Health. Effective September 13, 2021, Interior Health has updated the Regional Health Order on Events and Gatherings. Planners are encouraged to review these orders prior to planning events.

    Proof of vaccination is required for all events, regardless of whether the event is held indoors or outdoors. Please read below for further details.

    Indoor events <50: Effective September 13, 2021, indoor gatherings of up to 50 people are permitted with proof of partial vaccination, until October 23, 2021.

    Indoor events >50: Effective September 13, 2021, indoor organized gatherings 50 people or 50% capacity, whichever is greater, are permitted with proof of full vaccination. For example, if the venue can hold 60 people, then you can have 50. If your venue holds 500, then you can have 250.

    Outdoor events <100: Effective September 13, 2021, outdoor events of up to 100 people are permitted with proof of partial vaccination, until October 23, 2021.

    Outdoor events >100: Effective September 13, 2021, outdoor events are permitted up to 5,000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is greater, with proof of full vaccination. For example, if the venue can hold 6,000, then you can have 5,000. If the venue holds 12,000, you can have 6,000. 

    Flow-through events: Effective August 23, 2021, flow-through events are limited to 50% of the capacity of the venue.

    These types of events are permitted in the Interior Health region, including at UBC’s Okanagan campus providing that they meet the detailed requirements of the Regional Health Order on Events and Gatherings.

    UBCO Events should be reviewed by organizers to ensure compliance. If you have an event (indoor or outdoor) planned with in-person components, and have any questions or are unsure of associated processes, please contact ready.ok@ubc.ca (UBC Okanagan). 

    Northern Health Authority

    New measures were introduced in early September in Northern Health.

Travel

Last updated on September 21, 2021 @4:12 pm PDT