Department of Chemistry at UBC Graduate Entrance Requirements

Applications to the UBC Department of Chemistry are now being processed through the Faculty of Graduate Studies Online Application Form. Please follow the instructions below to ensure that your application will be processed.
Important: There is no application fee for applicants to graduate studies in Chemistry.
The Department welcomes applications from students with undergraduate or Master's degrees with high standing. In most cases, students enter graduate study with chemistry degrees but applicants with other backgrounds, such as physics, biology, or mathematics, are also given consideration. Since educational systems vary worldwide, a database has been constructed which details the minimum academic requirements (by country) for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Applications which do not meet these minimum requirements will be rejected. Note however that satisfying these basic entrance requirements does not guarantee admission to graduate studies.
The admission procedure for graduate studies involves two steps:
STEP 1: Complete the FOGS Online Application Form.
Students are strongly encouraged to register for admission to the Winter Session Term 1 which starts in September. This offers the greatest availability of graduate course offerings and Teaching Assistantships. Admissions to the Winter Session Term 2 which starts in January or other sessions is possible upon Departmental approval.
STEP 2: Submit ancillary materials as required
Additional documentation is required for the department to process your application. These ancillary materials must be sent directly to the UBC Department of Chemistry at the following address:
Graduate AdmissionsDepartment of ChemistryRoom D229 – 2036 Main MallThe University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1
The exact requirements depend on the country from which you are applying (see below):
Canada and United Kingdom
In addition to submitting the application form, students whose degrees are from institutions in Canada or the United Kingdom must ensure that the following documents are submitted directly to the Department:
two official transcripts in sealed and endorsed envelopes sent directly by the student's educational institution;
three completed Reference Forms sent directly by the respective referees.*
Australia, Botswana, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United States
In addition to submitting the application form, students whose degrees are from institutions in the countries named above must ensure that the following documents are submitted directly to the Department:
two official transcripts in sealed and endorsed envelopes sent directly by the student's educational institution;
three completed Reference Forms sent directly by the respective referees;*
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores in both the General and Subject(Chemistry) tests sent directly by the Educational Testing Service.**
China
In addition to submitting the application form, students whose degrees are from institutions in China must ensure that the following documents are submitted directly to the Department
two official original language transcripts, including their English translations, in sealed and endorsed envelopes sent directly by the student's educational institution;
two official copies of the student's degree certificate;
three completed Reference Forms sent directly by the respective referees;*
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores in both the General and Subject(Chemistry) tests sent directly by the Educational Testing Service;**
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores sent directly by the Educational Testing Service. Note that the minimum acceptable TOEFL score for graduate admission to the Department of Chemistry is 580 on the paper-based test, 237 on the computer-based test, or 92 on the internet-based test.**
All Other Countries
In addition to submitting the application form, students whose degrees are from institutions in all remaining countries must ensure that the following documents are submitted directly to the Department:
two official original language transcripts, including their English translations, in sealed and endorsed envelopes sent directly by the student's educational institution;
three completed Reference Forms sent directly by the respective referees;*
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores in both the General and Subject(Chemistry) tests sent directly by the Educational Testing Service;**
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores sent directly by the Educational Testing Service. Note that the minimum acceptable TOEFL score for graduate admission to the Department of Chemistry is 580 on the paper-based test, 237 on the computer-based test, or 92 on the internet-based test.**
* Reference forms should be given to three referees who are prepared to provide a report on the student's academic ability and qualifications. The Graduate Studies Reference Form is available on-line in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
** It is important to write these tests as soon as possible since the Departmental Admissions Committee can act only after all the necessary scores have been received.
Deadlines
Early Admission Deadline:
Students who apply by February 1st will ensure that they are considered for all scholarship opportunities. North American students are strongly encouraged to make this deadline to ensure that they can visit during our visit dates (to be announced).
Regular Admission Deadline:
The deadlines for receipt of application forms and all ancillary material are March 31 (international students) and April 30 (domestic students) for September admissions, or July 31 (international students) and August 31 (domestic students) for January admissions. We are, however, open to any inquiries from talented students on a year round basis. International students should be aware that it may require up to four months to process visa applications, so that early submissions are encouraged.