About the University of British Columbia

Portrait of a World-Class University

The mission of the University of British Columbia (UBC) is to be one of the world's best universities. In order to make that vision real, everyone – from the president to the professors to the instructors and staff at UBC's English Language Institute (ELI) – strives to offer students the best possible educational experience.

Established in 1908, the University of British Columbia (UBC) serves a student population of over 50,000 on two major campuses in two cities, and holds an international reputation for excellence in advanced research and learning. Independent international rankings have placed UBC among the world's top universities. UBC is a world leader in advanced research and instruction offering students the opportunity to engage in research and bring new knowledge and expertise to their fields.

Along with its breathtaking vistas of the ocean, forest and mountains, UBC boasts some of the city's best attractions, including the Museum of Anthropology, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, the UBC Botanical Garden, and forested trails in the adjoining Pacific Spirit Regional Park.

UBC has campuses and facilities throughout British Columbia:

Facts About The University of British Columbia

  • Year UBC established: 1915
  • Year of groundbreaking at current campus: 1922
  • UBC alumni: more than 250,000 in 120 countries
  • Total number of students: 58,284
  • Student body, 2013/2014: undergraduate 47,732; graduate 10,552
  • International students: 10,181
  • Number of countries represented in the student body: 149
  • Number of faculty and staff: 15,171
  • Number of research projects conducted annually: 8,000+
  • Seven Nobel prize winners, among current or former faculty and alumni
  • First Canadian institution to sign the International Sustainable Campus Network Charter
  • The UBC library system is the second-largest collection in Canada
  • Number of varsity sports teams: 28, competing in 17 sports
  • Number of student-run clubs: 250
  • Size of campus: 402 hectares, including 412 buildings

UBC Web Site Links