Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs have been compiled to help UBC students during the current COVID-19 outbreak.
This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all questions and answers for students.
You can also visit:
- The Resources page for links to additional FAQs and information on other UBC sites.
- The Prevention page for general Q&As about COVID-19 — including how to protect yourself.
- Student Services UBC Vancouver or Student Services UBC Okanagan sites.
- UBC Okanagan COVID-19 site for campus-specific information.
- Where applicable, your respective Faculty website.
Teaching and Learning
- What is UBC’s approach for fall 2020?
- Where can I get support with learning remotely?
- What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
- Are final exams going to be online?
- Is UBC proceeding with spring and summer sessions?
- I’m worried that my academic accommodations aren’t being met with remote teaching and evaluation methods. What should I do?
- What is the status of overseas programs?
- Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
Financial Support and Resources
- What financial support and resources are available to students?
- How does academic concessions offered due to COVID-19 impact my award, bursary, or student loan?
- Is UBC refunding student tuition, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak?
- Will the deadline to pay 2020 Summer Session fees be extended?
Health and Wellbeing
- Where can I find support for my mental health and wellbeing during this time?
- Where can I find support for my physical wellbeing during this time?
UBC Facilities and Services
- Are there any changes to UBC parking fees during the Remote Work Arrangements?
- What is the status of UBC Food Services?
- What is the status of student residences?
- What is the status of Student Services on campus?
- Is the UBC Bookstore still open?
- What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
Events and Graduation Ceremonies
- What is the status of UBC’s spring graduation ceremonies?
- What is the status of events?
- What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
Travel
- As an international student, what impact does COVID-19 have on my immigration status?
- If I have travelled abroad, should I remain at home for a period of time, after returning to Canada?
- What is the status of overseas programs?
- Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
- What is the best way to ensure I get support while on UBC-related travel, if it’s required?
Teaching and Learning
- What is UBC’s approach for fall 2020?
What is UBC’s approach for fall 2020?
During fall 2020, UBC will primarily offer larger classes online with selected smaller classes conducted in-person, adhering to physical distancing and other public health requirements. We will maintain a clear focus on ensuring high-quality face-to-face instruction, where possible, and high-quality remote instruction. This approach is based on the current guidelines and direction of the Provincial Health Officer, public health agencies, and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. Individual Faculties will share updates about specific programs in due course.
- Where can I get support with learning remotely?
Where can I get support with learning remotely?
The Keep Learning website offers resources and tips to help you learn effectively, get to know online teaching technologies used at UBC and also take care of yourself while learning online.
- What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
We recognize that the recent transition to online learning has been challenging. Our intention is to provide an opportunity, wherever possible, for students to complete 2019 Winter Term 2.
There is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution to academic assessment and associated regulations, but various options to make changes do exist. Decisions around academic regulations and variances to them (concessions) are primarily the domain of Faculties and the Dean. Students are advised to contact their Home Faculty Academic Advising Office at UBC Vancouver or the Academic Advising office at UBC Okanagan to explore what options may be available to them.
Graduate students at UBC Vancouver should review the Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies Assessment FAQs.
- Are final exams going to be online?
Are final exams going to be online?
Online instruction will continue and final exams will not take place in person. You will be provided details on arrangements for exams through your Faculties and course instructors, as soon as possible.
- Is UBC proceeding with spring and summer sessions?
Is UBC proceeding with spring and summer sessions?
In light of the COVID-19 situation, and in continued support of physical distancing, Term 1 of Summer Session (May 11 – June 18) and Term 2 of Summer Session (July 6 – Aug. 13) at UBC Vancouver, UBC Okanagan and UBC Robson Square will be online. The Summer Session for Vantage One (Arts, Science and Engineering) programs will also be online.
- I’m worried that my academic accommodations aren’t being met with remote teaching and evaluation methods. What should I do?
I’m worried that my academic accommodations aren’t being met with remote teaching and evaluation methods. What should I do?
Inform your instructor of your concerns and request the changes you require. Include your accessibility advisor in the request and work with the Centre for Accessibility at UBC Vancouver, or the Disabilities Resource Centre at UBC Okanagan, who can support the process of improving accessibility.
- What is the status of overseas programs?
What is the status of overseas programs?
UBC has cancelled all upcoming international programs for students. Further, the Vancouver Summer Program for both June and July has been cancelled. Students affected will be contacted directly and the university will work with them to determine how the university can help best meet their needs.
- Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
UBC will work with students on a case-by-case basis to determine how best to support them.
Financial Support and Resources
- What financial support and resources are available to students?
What financial support and resources are available to students?
Please refer to the following pages for further details on student specific supports and resources available.
UBC Vancouver student-specific supports
UBC Okanagan student resources and services - How does academic concessions offered due to COVID-19 impact my award, bursary, or student loan?
How does academic concessions offered due to COVID-19 impact my award, bursary, or student loan?
Visit this page for information regarding award, bursary, or student loans impacts during COVID-19.
- Is UBC refunding student tuition, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak?
Is UBC refunding student tuition, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak?
Visit this page for information regarding student tuition during COVID-19.
- Will the deadline to pay 2020 Summer Session fees be extended?
Will the deadline to pay 2020 Summer Session fees be extended?
The Summer Term 1 tuition deadline has been extended to June 15, 2020 (the payment deadline will appear as May 15, 2020 on the SSC. You can disregarThe Summer Term 1 tuition deadline has been extended to June 15, 2020 (the payment deadline will appear as May 15, 2020 on the SSC. You can disregard this). Visit this page for additional FAQs regarding student tuition during COVID-19.
Health and Wellbeing
- Where can I find support for my mental health and wellbeing during this time?
Where can I find support for my mental health and wellbeing during this time?
Student Services has compiled some university and community resources, which are available to support you. The following blog post on How to get and give support during the COVID-19 outbreak also provides some helpful guidance.
- Where can I find support for my physical wellbeing during this time?
Where can I find support for my physical wellbeing during this time?
UBC Recreation has created these resources to help you stay active while studying at home, which include live movement sessions, at-home workouts and ‘deskercises’.
UBC Facilities and Services
- Are there any changes to UBC parking fees during the Remote Work Arrangements?
Are there any changes to UBC parking fees during the Remote Work Arrangements?
UBC Parking will be reinstating hourly parking rates effective May 4. If you have a permit, there are no changes. For further details visit https://parking.ubc.ca/.
- What is the status of UBC Food Services?
What is the status of UBC Food Services?
Please visit the relevant website below for the latest information regarding UBC Food Services:
- What is the status of student residences?
What is the status of student residences?
Please visit the relevant website below for the latest information regarding student residences:
UBC Vancouver Student Housing
UBC Okanagan Student Housing - What is the status of Student Services on campus?
What is the status of Student Services on campus?
Please refer to the following pages for the status of Student Services on your campus:
- Is the UBC Bookstore still open?
Is the UBC Bookstore still open?
The Vancouver and Okanagan UBC Bookstores are closed until further notice. Customers are still able to order products online. Further, due to these changes, the UBC Bookstore is offering free standard shipping to anywhere in Canada while the stores remain closed. For the latest updates, visit the UBC Bookstore website.
- What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
Athletics & Recreation has closed a number of facilities and programming. For the latest information, visit the relevant website below:
UBC Vancouver Athletics and Recreation
UBC Okanagan Athletics and Recreation
Events and Graduation Ceremonies
- What is the status of UBC’s spring graduation ceremonies?
What is the status of UBC’s spring graduation ceremonies?
A virtual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2020. There will be one ceremony for students graduating from UBC Vancouver and one ceremony for students graduating from UBC Okanagan. The virtual ceremony will include many elements of a traditional ceremony and some unique ones as well.
UBC is committed to holding an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, when safe to do so, that has all elements of a traditional graduation ceremony.
Please visit graduation.ubc.ca (UBC Vancouver) or graduation.ok.ubc.ca (UBC Okanagan) for more information.
- What is the status of events?
What is the status of events?
UBC has cancelled all on-campus and off-campus in-person events until June 30, 2020. This applies to all UBC campuses and sites, includes indoor and outdoor events, and includes those organized by students, faculty and staff.
- What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
Athletics & Recreation has closed a number of facilities and programming. For the latest information, visit the relevant website below:
UBC Vancouver Athletics and Recreation
UBC Okanagan Athletics and Recreation
Travel
- As an international student, what impact does COVID-19 have on my immigration status?
As an international student, what impact does COVID-19 have on my immigration status?
Visit International Student Advising’s page on the impact of COVID-19 on immigration and health insurance for international students.
- If I have travelled abroad, should I remain at home for a period of time, after returning to Canada?
If I have travelled abroad, should I remain at home for a period of time, after returning to Canada?
The Government of Canada have advised that Canadians should avoid all non-essential travel at this time.
As of March 25, 2020, it’s also mandatory that anyone arriving in British Columbia from outside of Canada self-isolates and monitors their symptoms for 14 days.
For more information, please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website, which includes information about travel and the Quarantine Act.
- What is the status of overseas programs?
What is the status of overseas programs?
UBC has cancelled all upcoming international programs for students. Further, the Vancouver Summer Program for both June and July has been cancelled. Students affected will be contacted directly and the university will work with them to determine how the university can help best meet their needs.
- Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
Will there be any academic concessions for students who are supposed to travel to COVID-19 affected areas as part of their studies and whose programs abroad are cancelled?
UBC will work with students on a case-by-case basis to determine how best to support them.
- What is the best way to ensure I get support while on UBC-related travel, if it’s required?
What is the best way to ensure I get support while on UBC-related travel, if it’s required?
The Canadian Government has announced an official global travel advisory to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
For future travel plans, you are advised to consult travel.gc.ca, the Government of Canada’s official source of destination‑specific travel information. It provides important advice to help travellers make informed decisions and travel safely while abroad.
Travellers with Canadian citizenship are advised to register their travel with the Canadian government.
Travellers from the UBC community, regardless of citizenship, are further advised to book their travel through the UBC Travel program, so the university can contact and advise you during your travels.
UBC works with a service provider, International SOS (iSOS), to advise and support travelling students, faculty, and staff. The iSOS section of the Finance website has further details and access to the app with country-specific information.