Political Science at UBC: Admission Average
University of British Columbia · Vancouver, BC
What average do you need for Political Science at UBC?
Political Science 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 for law and public policy careers.
How competitive is it?
Of the 21 universities we track that offer it, 1 asks for a higher average and 4 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.
Political Science at other universities
- McGill University – high 80s
- Carleton University – mid 80s
- Brock University – mid 80s
- University of Windsor – mid-to-high 80s
- Simon Fraser University – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Victoria – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Northern BC – mid 80s
- Concordia University – mid 80s
- Université de Montréal – mid-to-high 80s
- Bishop's University – mid 80s
- Dalhousie University – mid-to-high 80s
- Acadia University – mid-to-high 80s
- St. Francis Xavier University – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Winnipeg – mid-to-high 80s
- University of New Brunswick – mid 80s
- Mount Allison University – mid-to-high 80s
- Western University – high 70s-80s
- University of Ottawa – high 70s-low 80s
- Wilfrid Laurier University – high 70s-80s
- York University – high 70s
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- One additional U/M course
- History or Law (recommended)
First-year courses
- Introduction to Politics
- Canadian Government
- Comparative Politics
- Research Methods
- International Relations
These are typical for Political Science programs across Canada. About the Political Science degree
After a Political Science degree
Political Science usually takes 4 years.
- Lawyer – $70,000 to $300,000+
- Policy Analyst / Public Servant – $65,000 to $130,000
- Diplomat / Foreign Service Officer – $75,000 to $160,000
- Crown Attorney / Prosecutor – $75,000 to $160,000
- Political science does not determine law school admission - your GPA and LSAT score are what matter.
- Ottawa and Queen's are particularly strong for students wanting federal government careers.
- Model UN, debate, and student government are the most relevant extracurriculars for this degree.
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)
- Biology – 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)
- 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)