The UBC MD Undergraduate Program is committed to educating the next generation of leaders in medicine within respectful learning environments, enriched by diversity and focused on clinical excellence combined with compassionate care for all BC communities.
The UBC MD Undergraduate Program
The UBC Doctor of Medicine (MD) Undergraduate Program is a four-year program, of which psychiatry education is an integral component. Undergraduate medical students will be introduced to fundamental concepts, as well as gain core experience, in general psychiatry and its areas of specialization.
Prospective applicants who are interested in the UBC MD Undergraduate Program are encouraged to visit the FoM General Information and Admissions page. Current undergraduate M.D. students seeking general information and services should visit the FoM Current Learners page.
Years 1 & 2
Students are exposed to the introductory concepts of Psychiatry and case-based presentations and clinical settings in Foundations of Medical Practice and Transition into Clinical Education.
Students also have the opportunity to pursue psychiatry-related projects as part of the Foundations of Scholarship and Flexible Enhanced Learning.
Year 3
Students attend a six-week rotation through the Brain and Body Block, interacting with adult and child patients under the supervision of psychiatrists.
Students will learn to complete a diagnostic evaluation and formulate an appropriate treatment plan for patients presenting with mental health concerns.
Year 4
Students have the opportunity to undertake two- or four-week electives in a wide range of clinical settings.
Visiting students from approved universities are welcome to enroll in a psychiatry elective in their final years of medical school. Please refer to the Visiting Student Elective Program.
Psychiatry Summer Immersion Program
Led by Dr. Clare Beasley, the two-day Psychiatry Summer Immersion Program will take place in Vancouver, with selected activities throughout our distributed sites. The program is open to UBC first-year medical students and provides opportunities to explore the diverse field of psychiatry and engage with psychiatrists and psychiatry residents through interactive seminars and clinical observership placements.
The next Psychiatry Summer Immersion Program will take place from Monday – Tuesday, June 2-3, 2025.
** Online applications will be open from January 2 – 31, 2025. Please check our website in January to apply. **
For more information, please contact our Project Manager.
~Testimonials~
“Such a wonderful two days! Had no idea how diverse psychiatry could be. Was amazing to see so many clinicians who truly love their job, as well.”
“It was already a specialty I was very much interested, but the program confirmed this and also provided a lot of information I was not aware of in terms of the broad scope of practice, as well as the flexibility.” “Many aspects that are usually not talked about in general when it comes to specialties (life/work balance in residency, life/work balance in practice, wages, bread and butter of the specialty, general attitude of the profession) were discussed and I had exposure to them. I appreciated this and I feel like I know what psychiatry has to offer a lot more than I did previous to this immersion program. I am very grateful for attending it.”
“Many aspects that are usually not talked about in general when it comes to specialties (life/work balance in residency, life/work balance in practice, wages, bread and butter of the specialty, general attitude of the profession) were discussed and I had exposure to them. I appreciated this and I feel like I know what psychiatry has to offer a lot more than I did previous to this immersion program. I am very grateful for attending it.”
PSIP 2024 students
Right Psych Podcast
A podcast series by our medical undergraduates highlighting the wide range of clinical activities offered by Psychiatry.
UBC Scholarships, Bursaries & Awards
View all Department of Psychiatry awards.
