UBC, including the ELI, has temporarily moved all courses online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Below, you will find answers to your questions about refunds, online learning, campus visits and medical insurance.
We have moved all ELI classes online during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure the health and well-being of our students, faculty and community. ELI online courses are an interactive, engaging experience. You will be able to see and communicate with your instructors and other students in real time.
We will continue to follow British Columbia and Canadian government guidelines during the outbreak. When social distancing guidelines allow us to reopen, we will return to our regular in-person format.
We will be offering our summer and fall programs online based on the travel restrictions and social distancing requirements. We will publish whether programs will be in-person or online at least one month prior to program start dates.
For Students in Upcoming Programs
- All summer and fall 2020 programs
You may cancel your enrolment by writing us at eli.registration@ubc.ca. We need at least one week’s notice before the start date in order to offer you a full refund, including the deposit. The ELI will continue to run programs online until government and UBC guidelines permit us to reopen.
Programs in 2021 and Beyond
Regular refund policies apply: https://eli.ubc.ca/apply/policies
Homestay Fees
If you decide to leave your homestay early, please let the host family and the ELI Homestay Office know immediately. After you leave, the family will keep two weeks of your homestay fees (to cover the food etc. they bought for your stay), and refund any balance of the fees you have paid.
We aren’t accepting or processing new homestay applications for the summer online programs. We will offer homestay services in the fall if we are able to offer in-person programs at that time.
If you would like to postpone your program, you may select a new start date from any of the dates published at the Dates and Fees page. The new start date must be within one year of the original start date. Your deposit or full tuition will be transferred to the new session at no extra charge. Please email us at eli.registration@ubc.ca at least one week prior to your program start date informing us you wish to postpone your program, and the new program date you wish to enroll in.
Your instructor can help you with any issues you are having with Canvas.
Yes. You will receive regular assessment and grades during the online course. More information on assessment will be provided by your instructors. Transcripts and certificates will also be issued at the end of the course.
Yes. Instructors will continue to cover the curriculum and administer all exams online.
We are discouraging students from coming to campus unless absolutely necessary. This is in line with government guidelines. Please read updates to UBC’s response to COVID-19 before coming to the campus.
Is my iMED insurance still valid if my in-person class was moved online?
Your iMED insurance will cover you for COVID-19. If you think you need testing, or you become ill, iMED covers you under its standard policy and terms.
Because events are evolving so quickly, iMED could change coverage for students in future programs (e.g. starting June 25 and later), and limit or stop covering COVID-19 cases. Please check this page regularly as ELI is in close contact with iMED and will add any new information here.
You can read about UBC’s response, which offers information, resources and answers to frequently asked questions.
If you have additional questions please fill out the form below and we will get back to you within 1 (one) business day.