Software Engineering at UBC: Admission Average
University of British Columbia · Vancouver, BC
What average do you need for Software Engineering at UBC?
Software Engineering at University of British Columbia typically admits students with averages in the high 80s-low 90s, roughly 85–92%. It is the most competitive of the 19 UBC programs we track.
Combined with CS faculty, excellent research and co-op.
How competitive is it?
Of the 14 universities we track that offer it, 1 asks for a higher average and 11 ask for a lower average.
As a rough guide, 92% or higher is above the typical range, 85% up to 92% is inside it, and 81% up to 85% 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.
Software Engineering at other universities
- University of Waterloo – high 90s (94-97%+)
- McGill University – low-to-mid 90s
- McMaster University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Ottawa – high 80s-low 90s
- Western University – high 80s
- Carleton University – high 80s
- Ontario Tech University – high 80s
- York University – high 80s
- Toronto Metropolitan University – high 80s
- University of Victoria – high 80s
- Concordia University – high 80s
- University of Calgary – high 80s
- University of New Brunswick – high 80s
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Calculus & Vectors
- Physics
- Chemistry
First-year courses
- Calculus I & II
- Linear Algebra
- Programming Fundamentals
- Digital Circuits
- Engineering Profession
These are typical for Software Engineering programs across Canada. About the Software Engineering degree
After a Software Engineering degree
Software Engineering usually takes 4 years.
- Software Engineer – $85,000 to $180,000+
- AI / Machine Learning Engineer – $95,000 to $200,000+
- Game Developer – $65,000 to $130,000
- Cybersecurity Analyst – $75,000 to $150,000
- Waterloo SE and CS are both excellent but SE has a stronger focus on engineering process - CS is more research-oriented.
- SE graduates often command slightly higher starting salaries than general CS at non-Waterloo schools.
- The accreditation as an engineering program means you can pursue a P.Eng designation - uncommon in CS.
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)
- 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)
- 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)