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 This page contains a range of useful FAQs, links and resources to support you during the 2021/22 Winter Session. 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.
On this page:
Teaching and Learning
- Is UBC holding in-person classes for the 2021/22 Winter Session?
- Where can I get support with learning remotely?
- What is UBC doing to address academic assessment and course concessions?
- I’m worried that my academic accommodations aren’t being met with remote teaching and evaluation methods. What should I do?
Research
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?
Getting to and from campus
- What support is there for students, faculty and staff taking public transit to campus?
- How do I find out about public transit options – in both Vancouver and the Okanagan?
- What other options are available for getting to campus?
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?
Buildings
UBC Facilities and Services
- Where can I find more information about parking locations and fees?
- What libraries are open on campus?
- Are student study spaces available?
- What is the status of UBC Food Services?
- What is the status of student residences?
- What is the status of Student Services on campus?
- Are the UBC Bookstores open?
- What is the status of UBC sports facilities and programming?
Events and Graduation Ceremonies
Travel
- As an international student, what impact does COVID-19 have on my immigration status?
- 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 status of student international travel for university purposes?
- If I am arriving from outside of Canada, does UBC have accommodation where I can self-isolate?
Teaching and Learning
- Is UBC holding in-person classes for the 2021/22 Winter Session?
Is UBC holding in-person classes for the 2021/22 Winter Session?
Please note: On January 12, 2022, a UBC Broadcast was issued with an update on classes for 2021/22 Winter Session, Term 2. Click here for the full announcement.
Yes. UBC is conducting in-person classes for the 2021/22 Winter Session. The health, safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff remain our first priority. For those returning to in-person teaching and learning, research, or working on campus, we want to help you resume activity in a way that best supports the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community. Here’s what you need to do to help ensure a safe environment for yourself and those around you:- Know the symptoms of COVID-19 and complete a daily health assessment. If you are sick, stay at home. Learn about the self-assessment tool at https://bc.thrive.health.
- Make sure you have a non-medical mask, as they are required in public indoor spaces on campus including classrooms.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- If you are not yet vaccinated, make a plan to receive your COVID-19 vaccination. You can book your first and second doses via https://immunizebc.ca. Drop-ins are welcome at all Vancouver Coastal Health clinics. For details visit http://www.vch.ca/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine#vaccination. In the Okanagan, information about immunization clinics can be found at https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/covid-19-immunization-clinics/.
- As a reminder, in BC, free vaccines are available to students arriving from international destinations and other provinces.
The BC Centre for Disease Control and BC Ministry of Health have issued return to campus public health guidance. You can find details at http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/COVID_public_guidance/Public_Health_Guidance_Campus.pdf.
- 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?
Decisions around academic regulations and variances to them (concessions) are generally made within the Faculties. 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. Graduate students at UBC Okanagan should review the COVID-19 section on the College of Graduate Studies website.
- 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.
Research
- Where can I find more information about conducting research activities at UBC?
Where can I find more information about conducting research activities at UBC?
On-campus research as well as off-campus Field Research Activities are covered by the UBC COVID-19 safety plans. For more information, visit: https://srs.ubc.ca/covid-19/covid-19-safety-plans.
Researchers are encouraged to visit https://covid19.research.ubc.ca for information on UBC’s COVID-19 research activities, including research projects, potential collaborators, initiatives, networks and support.
For the latest guidance on human participant research, please consult the websites of the applicable research ethics board (BREB, Clinical REB, C&W REB, PHC REB and the BC Cancer REB).
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 and graduates and postdoctoral fellows
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.
Getting to and from campus
- What support is there for students, faculty and staff taking public transit to campus?
What support is there for students, faculty and staff taking public transit to campus?
As part of planning for increased activity on campus, we have established a Transportation Working Group to explore ways to support the UBC community. We understand that safety on public transit is an area of concern for many people so this group is working with TransLink to address the questions and concerns we are hearing. If you want to learn more about TransLink’s COVID-19 safety protocols, or sign up for alerts, visit https://www.translink.ca. The working group is also identifying resources to support carpooling and cycling to campus and there is a new flexible parking option coming this fall. Learn more
- How do I find out about public transit options – in both Vancouver and the Okanagan?
How do I find out about public transit options – in both Vancouver and the Okanagan?
Useful updates and resources related to public transit can be found at: UBC Vancouver | UBC Okanagan
- What other options are available for getting to campus?
What other options are available for getting to campus?
A series of resources have been compiled with useful information related to biking to campus, parking options, car pooling and ride hailing.
Learn more: UBC Vancouver | UBC Okanagan
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’.
Buildings
- What is UBC doing to ensure its buildings are safe, as we return to campus?
What is UBC doing to ensure its buildings are safe, as we return to campus?
Visit the Campus Return section to learn about the measures UBC is taking to ensure buildings are cleaned and ventilated, operating, and maintained to provide a safe environment for students, faculty, and staff.
UBC Facilities and Services
- Where can I find more information about parking locations and fees?
Where can I find more information about parking locations and fees?
UBC Vancouver: There are a range of parking locations, including reserved carpool parking, as well as rates and permits for parking on campus, including a new 10-day multipack pass for staff and faculty.
Please note that parking on campus is limited. To ensure that all permit holders have available parking on campus, a waitlist is currently in effect for all student permit requests.
A parking permit does not guarantee you a parking spot. You are encouraged to review parking availability before driving to campus. For more information, visit: https://parking.ubc.ca/.
UBC Okanagan: Monthly parking permits continue to be available across parking locations on campus. In addition, a Flex Permit Waitlist has been developed for students, faculty and staff attending campus no more than 10 days a month. A Semester Permit Waitlist and Resident Student Permit Waitlist are also in effect. Also find out about sustainable transportation options.
Regular parking fees for monthly, daily and hourly parking resumed on September 1, 2021. For more information, visit https://parking.ok.ubc.ca/.
- What libraries are open on campus?
What libraries are open on campus?
Most UBC Library branches across both campuses are now open.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit:
- Are student study spaces available?
Are student study spaces available?
Yes, study spaces, including informal study spaces, some library spaces, and other locations where students can find suitable space for silent and personal or quiet group studying, are available.
- 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:
- Are the UBC Bookstores open?
Are the UBC Bookstores open?
For information about which UBC Bookstores are open, please 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?
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 events?
What is the status of events?
Events at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan are permitted in line with public health restrictions as well as in accordance with UBC policies. Please note: New restrictions for organized indoor events and seated activities such as sports, workshops, concerts and movies are in place in BC from December 22, 2021 to February 16, 2022, and not all events are currently permitted.
As public health restrictions related to gatherings and events are lifted through BC’s Restart plan, you are encouraged to review the Provincial Health Order on Gatherings and Events to understand the specific details. Regional Health Orders related to gatherings and events are in place in Northern Health.
The Provincial Health Order on Gatherings and Events order includes specific details about where proof of vaccination is required. Event 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 and the Okanagan, proof of vaccination is required for non-educational indoor activities, regardless of number of participants.
If you would like to know more, or if you are an event planner, more information is available in a toolkit for event planners on the UBC Ceremonies and Events website.
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.
- 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 status of student international travel for university purposes?
What is the status of student international travel for university purposes?
After careful consideration, UBC has extended this cancellation until further notice. This cancellation includes international programs outside of Canada like exchange and study abroad, co-op, student research visits (both undergraduate and graduate), practicums and conference attendance.
This decision is in line with the current advice of BC CDC and Global Affairs Canada. It follows guidelines outlined in UBC’s Student Safety Abroad Policy.
The UBC Student Safety Abroad Manager will continue to work with students who need to engage in travel that is deemed essential to their academic program, through the ‘High-Risk Authorization’ protocol. This may include graduate research outside of Canada that cannot be delayed. If there are questions about this process please refer to safety.abroad@ubc.ca. UBC will continue to monitor the situation and government directives as they evolve, sharing any updates on student international travel as they become available.
- If I am arriving from outside of Canada, does UBC have accommodation where I can self-isolate?
If I am arriving from outside of Canada, does UBC have accommodation where I can self-isolate?
UBC Student Housing and Community Services is offering a variety of self-isolation accommodation packages, on a first come, first served basis, to any members of the UBC community— students living on- or off-campus, faculty, and staff—who need to self-isolate after arriving in Canada. For more information, please visit: