To the UBC Community:
Last spring, the UBC Senate and Board of Governors approved the creation of a new Vancouver campus program that will attract a greater diversity and number of international students, helping them to succeed in a North American academic environment. This program – now known as the International Program – is offered by UBC Vantage College, the newest academic unit at UBC’s Vancouver campus
UBC Vantage College is ramping up to accept its first class of 300 International Program students in August 2014. Students will choose from three academic streams, equivalent to the first year of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science program, (Computational Sciences, Physical Sciences and Global Citizenship). Those who successfully complete the twelve-month International Program will transition directly into the second year of an Arts or Science degree.
Although UBC is already a leader in international education, the structure of the International Program at UBC Vantage College will allow students from a greater diversity of backgrounds to study at UBC. The program will integrate additional English language and cultural transition support into its curriculum, allowing academically outstanding students who need additional academic English and cultural transition support to pursue a degree here. UBC Vantage College students will live in on-campus residences, have access to a wide range of student awards, and be supported by the full breadth of services and facilities available to all UBC undergraduate students.
Diversifying the UBC student population by bringing in students from a wider range of countries and school systems, different educational backgrounds and perspectives, will provide even richer educational experience and global learning opportunities for all UBC students.
UBC Vantage College has also been mandated as a ‘living lab’, a place of innovation and excellence in teaching and learning. The core faculty, mostly tenure-track PhD’s with cross-appointments to the relevant UBC departments, have been selected for teaching excellence. A core team is now in place and will spend this academic year developing innovative curriculum and pedagogy.
To learn more, please visit the UBC Vantage College website:
Dr. Angela Redish, Vice Provost and Associate Vice President Enrolment and Academic Facilities
James Ridge, Principal, UBC Vantage College