Biology at UBC: Admission Average
University of British Columbia · Vancouver, BC
What average do you need for Biology at UBC?
Biology at University of British Columbia typically admits students with averages in the mid-to-high 80s, roughly 82–89%. It ranks #14 of 19 UBC programs by admission average.
Strong ecology and marine biology streams, world-class research.
How competitive is it?
Of the 11 universities we track that offer it, 7 ask for a higher average and none ask for a lower average.
As a rough guide, 89% or higher is above the typical range, 82% up to 89% is inside it, and 78% up to 82% is a reach. Cut-offs move every year, so apply to a mix of schools.
Ontario applicants are assessed on their top six Grade 12 U/M courses, including the program's prerequisites. Work out yours with the Best 6 calculator.
Biology at other universities
- Simon Fraser University – high 80s
- McGill University – high 80s
- Mount Royal University – high 80s
- Acadia University – high 80s
- St. Francis Xavier University – high 80s
- Mount Allison University – high 80s
- University of Prince Edward Island – high 80s
- University of Victoria – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Northern BC – mid-to-high 80s
- Bishop's University – mid-to-high 80s
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Biology
- Chemistry
- One additional U/M course
First-year courses
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Chemistry I & II
- Calculus
- Statistics
These are typical for Biology programs across Canada. About the Biology degree
After a Biology degree
Biology usually takes 4 years. Many graduates go on to graduate or professional school.
- Research Scientist – $60,000 to $140,000
- Veterinarian – $80,000 to $165,000
- Geneticist / Genomics Scientist – $65,000 to $140,000
- Climate / Environmental Scientist – $60,000 to $140,000
- A biology undergraduate degree alone has limited direct employment - graduate school or professional programs (medicine, dentistry) are the most common paths.
- Research lab experience during undergrad is essential for competitive grad school and medical school applications.
- Marine biology at UBC and UVic benefits from direct Pacific Ocean access - world-class programs.
Applying to UBC
The University of British Columbia is ranked third in Canada by both Maclean's and QS, and sits among the top 50 universities in the world. Its main campus in Vancouver is consistently rated among the world's most beautiful, perched on a peninsula overlooking the Pacific. UBC is a true comprehensive research university - exceptional in sciences, engineering, business (Sauder), law, medicine, and arts.
University of British Columbia is in Vancouver, BC, was founded in 1908 and has about 70,900 students. Domestic tuition is about $6,300 a year and co-op is available.
Deadlines: direct application January 15 (BC); varies by faculty.
- Out-of-province (OOP) applicants typically need 3-5% higher averages than BC students for the same program.
- UBC considers the full Grade 11 and 12 profile - not just top 6 Grade 12 courses.
- Vancouver's cost of living is among the highest in Canada - budget carefully.
Other UBC programs
- Computer Science – high 80s-low 90s (BC) / low-mid 90s (OOP)
- Software Engineering – high 80s-low 90s (BC) / low-mid 90s (OOP)
- Electrical Engineering – high 80s (BC) / low 90s (OOP)
- Mechanical Engineering – high 80s (BC) / low 90s (OOP)
- Chemical & Biological Eng. – high 80s (BC) / low 90s (OOP)
- Sauder Business (BCom) – high 80s (BC) / low 90s (OOP)
- Science (BSc - general) – mid-to-high 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)
- Chemistry – mid-to-high 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)
- Mathematics – high 80s (BC) / low 90s (OOP)
- Statistics – high 80s (BC) / low 90s (OOP)
- Psychology – mid-to-high 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)
- Political Science – mid-to-high 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)
- English – mid 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)
- Arts (BA - general) – mid 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)
- Nursing (BScN) – high 80s (BC) / low-mid 90s (OOP)
- Education (BEd) – mid 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)
- Forestry – mid 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)
- Environmental Science – mid-to-high 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)