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Admission Requirements

Applications open: October 15, 2024 (for September 2025 admission)
Application deadline: January 15, 2025
All supporting documents must be submitted by the deadline of JANUARY 23, 2025.

 

Admission requirements

This Occupational and Environmental program leads to professional or research careers that make a difference to community and work environments and to people’s health.

Students come to the program from diverse undergraduate backgrounds, including biology, chemistry, engineering, geography, kinesiology, laboratory science, microbiology, nursing, medicine, physics, psychology, and resource management.

Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements set out by both Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the MSc Occupational Environment Hygiene Program.

MSC OEH program does not require applicants to identify a supervisor at time of application.

SPPH values and seeks to recruit indigenous students as well as students with diverse racial, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, ability/disability, and religious contexts.  Our admissions processes and committees take into account equity, diversity and inclusion in criteria development, the assessment of merit relative to these criteria and the student community across our graduate programs. Please visit https://equity.ubc.ca/ to learn more.

Undergraduate degree from Canadian or U.S. 
  • Degree: A degree that is academically equivalent to a UBC 4-year Bachelor’s degree or a designation of equivalent status by the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.  Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in such areas as the physical or health sciences or engineering. Since this is an interdisciplinary program there are no specific prerequisite courses.
  • GPA: The GPA is calculated based on all third and fourth-year level coursework and must be at least a B+ average based on the institution’s grading scale.
  • Quantitative skills: Evidence of quantitative skills by having taken undergraduate courses such as mathematics, statistics, physics or chemistry.  The Graduate Record Exam (GRE), GMAT, or MCAT may also be used as evidence of quantitative skills.
  • Language: Applicants do not need to submit an English Language test.
International Undergraduate degree
  • Degree: Applicants with international credentials should have academic backgrounds that meet the minimum general requirements outlined by for the country of origin. Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in such areas as the physical or health sciences or engineering. Since this is an interdisciplinary program there are no specific prerequisite courses.
  • GPA: Applicants with international credentials should consult the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Policy to determine country-specific equivalency of the minimum academic requirements. Your admission average is calculated on all courses taken for your degree.
  • Quantitative skills: Evidence of quantitative skills by having taken undergraduate courses such as mathematics, statistics, physics or chemistry.  The Graduate Record Exam (GRE), GMAT, or MCAT may also be used as evidence of quantitative skills.
  • Language: Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
    • Acceptable English language tests and submission of these results are detailed online with the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The minimum TOEFL score is 100 and the minimum IELTS score is 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component of the ACADEMIC IELTS test.
    • For other test scores, visit the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
    • Students who have completed a degree from an English speaking and teaching university are exempt from taking an English proficiency test. Proof of university teaching in English will be required, either stated on the official transcript or an official letter sent from the institution.
      The Faculty of Graduate Studies reviews all international applications and does not consider such applications until a satisfactory English comprehension score has been received.

Relevant Experience is not required. Any experience can be expressed in the following required documents.

Letter of intent (LOI) This letter should explain your reasons for interest in the program, your future career plans, and your research interests (if you are planning a thesis-based masters). The letter is usually 1-2 pages in length.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Professional Resume A detailed and up-to-date CV/resume that highlights your professional work experience and relevant skills. We recommend using the most suitable format that best supports your application.
Transcripts Applicants must upload scans of official transcripts of all post-secondary institutions attended, both front and back. Please do not mail official transcripts to our office. See here for Domestic and International transcript policies. **UBC students do not need to provide their current or former UBC transcripts.  Transcripts from other post-secondary institutions are required Program-Specific Admissions Policies
Three letters of reference

Three references are required.  While academic references are preferred, we will also consider professional references.  Note that one academic reference is recommended where possible to report on your ability to perform in an academic environment.

Electronic submission of references is managed through the Graduate Studies online application site. Your referees will be sent an automated reference request  when you list their information in the “References” section of your application (only upon submission of your application).Please carefully review the steps under How to Apply to ensure the timely receipt of your references by the deadline.

Note – MSC OEH program does not require applicants to identify a supervisor at time of application.

The Admissions Committee will not consider your application unless all documents have been received by the application deadline.

Meeting the minimum criteria does not ensure acceptance into the program – most successful applicants present requirements that are more than the minimum.

We examine each applicant’s record in the context of their career goals, and may advise some individuals to supplement their undergraduate coursework to maximize their chance of success.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to contact the program before applying for more information about supports for Indigenous students and applicants at UBC.

In exceptional circumstances, candidates with other backgrounds or mature students whose work experience makes up for deficiencies in standing may be admitted with the permission of the Program Director and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

It is recommended to read through the Faculty of Graduate Studies website carefully, as all graduate programs are required to adhere to their policies and guidelines.