University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine
General Information
The UBC Faculty of Medicine, based in Vancouver, is renowned for its Distributed Medical Education model—the first of its kind in Canada.
General Info
Established: 1950.
Location: Life Sciences Centre, Vancouver (St. George Campus), with major sites in Victoria, Prince George, and Kelowna.
Degree Conferred: Doctor of Medicine (MD).
Duration: 4 Years (Postgraduate entry).
Language of Instruction: English.
Accreditation: Fully accredited by CACMS (Canada) and LCME (USA).
Eligibility Note: UBC gives significant preference to B.C. residents.
For the 2026 intake, up to 10% of seats (approx. 33 positions) are typically reserved for out-of-province applicants. International students are generally not eligible for the MD program.
Campus Facilities
Upon admission, students are assigned to one of four sites for all four years of their degree:
VFMP (Vancouver Fraser Medical Program): Based at UBC Vancouver and hospitals in the Lower Mainland.
IMP (Island Medical Program): Based at the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island hospitals.
NMP (Northern Medical Program): Based at the University of Northern BC (Prince George) and northern rural facilities.
SMP (Southern Medical Program): Based at UBC Okanagan (Kelowna) and the interior region.
Hospital & Medical Facilities
Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution
UBC utilizes a massive network of over 11 clinical academic campuses and 17 affiliated regional centers:
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) & St. Paul’s Hospital: Primary tertiary sites for the Vancouver program.
BC Children’s & Women’s Hospitals: Specialist training centers in Vancouver.
Royal Jubilee & Victoria General: Primary sites for the Island program.
Kelowna General Hospital: The hub for the Southern Medical Program.
University Hospital of Northern BC: The hub for the Northern Medical Program.
Rural Immersion: All students have the opportunity for rural rotations, including unique 3rd-year Integrated Community Clerkships (ICC) in towns like Bella Coola or Fort St. John.
Fee Structure
State University Affordability
Tuition at UBC is one of the more affordable options for Canadian residents compared to schools in Ontario.
Annual Tuition (Domestic): Approximately $19,500 – $20,500 CAD per year.
Application Fee: $130 CAD (B.C. Residents) or $165 CAD (Out-of-Province).
Student Fees (U-Pass, Dental, etc.): Approx. $1,200 CAD per year.
Other Costs: First-year students should budget approx. $2,500 for books, equipment, and travel for site interviews/rotations.
City Details
Vibe: A stunning coastal city surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Known for its mild climate (by Canadian standards) and heavy emphasis on outdoor lifestyle.
Transport: The TransLink network (SkyTrain and buses) is world-class. Students receive a U-Pass for unlimited travel.
Safety: Very high, though the cost of living—particularly housing—is among the highest in Canada.
Climate: Temperate oceanic. Frequent rain in winter (rarely snows heavily) and dry, pleasant summers.
Hostel & Mess
On-Campus Housing: Available at all four university sites (UBC, UVic, UNBC, UBCO).
Marine Drive & Walter Gage (Vancouver): Popular for medical students; offers year-round housing.
Cost: Approx. $1,100 – $1,600 CAD per month for studio or suite-style living.
Commuter Student Hostel (Vancouver): A unique option for students on short-term rotations in the city, costing approx. $72.50 per night.
Dining: Medical students typically self-cater. On-campus cafeterias (like Open Kitchen in Vancouver) offer pay-per-item dining, but no mandatory meal plans exist for professional students.
MedsHousing: A dedicated platform used by UBC students to find private rentals near specific hospital sites across B.C.
Miscellaneous
Academic: Minimum 90 transferable credits (3 years of university).
Minimum GPA: 75% (B.C. residents) / 85% (Out-of-province).
Most successful candidates have 88%+.
Standardized Tests:
MCAT: Minimum total score of 496 is required for the 2026 cycle.
Sub-section minimums of 124 are no longer strictly required, but scores are looked at competitively post-interview.
English Prerequisite: 6 credits of university-level English are mandatory.
NAQ (Non-Academic Qualifications): UBC heavily weights your "Non-Academic" score (50% of the pre-interview rank), assessing leadership, service, and diversity of experience.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates attend the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), usually held in February.
Collage Images Gallery
Facilities & Campus Life
Well-equipped Library
Experienced Faculty
Computer Lab
Sports Activities
Heritage Campus
Frequently Asked Questions
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