Nursing (BScN) at UNBC: Admission Average
University of Northern BC · Prince George, BC
What average do you need for Nursing (BScN) at UNBC?
Nursing (BScN) at University of Northern BC typically admits students with averages in the high 80s, roughly 85–89%. It is the most competitive of the 10 UNBC programs we track.
Strong northern health focus - addresses genuine healthcare access needs.
How competitive is it?
Of the 28 universities we track that offer it, 14 ask for a higher average and none ask for a lower average.
As a rough guide, 89% or higher is above the typical range, 85% up to 89% 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.
Nursing at other universities
- University of British Columbia – high 80s (BC) / low-mid 90s (OOP)
- University of Toronto – high 80s-low 90s
- McMaster University – high 90s (92-96%+)
- Queen's University – high 80s-low 90s
- Western University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Ottawa – high 80s-low 90s
- Ontario Tech University – high 80s-low 90s
- Toronto Metropolitan University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Victoria – high 80s-low 90s
- McGill University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Alberta – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Calgary – high 80s-low 90s
- Dalhousie University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Manitoba – high 80s-low 90s
- Brock University – high 80s
- University of Windsor – high 80s
- Thompson Rivers University – high 80s
- Université de Montréal – high 80s
- Université Laval – high 80s
- MacEwan University – high 80s
- Mount Royal University – high 80s
- St. Francis Xavier University – high 80s
- University of Saskatchewan – high 80s
- University of Regina – high 80s
- University of New Brunswick – high 80s
- Memorial University of Newfoundland – high 80s
- University of Prince Edward Island – high 80s
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Biology
- Chemistry (at most schools)
- One additional U/M course
First-year courses
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Nursing Fundamentals
- Health Assessment
- Psychology
These are typical for Nursing (BScN) programs across Canada. About the Nursing (BScN) degree
After a Nursing (BScN) degree
Nursing (BScN) usually takes 4 years.
- Registered Nurse (RN) – $65,000 to $110,000
- School Counsellor – $60,000 to $100,000
- Canada faces a critical nursing shortage - BScN graduates have essentially guaranteed employment across every province.
- Direct-entry nursing at top schools like McMaster often requires a 90%+ average - note that UofT's BScN is a 2-year program entered after prior university study, not from high school.
- Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a growing role that requires a master's degree after the BScN but significantly expands scope of practice.
Applying to UNBC
The University of Northern BC was founded in 1994 to serve northern and rural British Columbia and is consistently ranked among Canada's top small universities by Maclean's. UNBC is particularly strong in environmental science, forestry, Indigenous studies, and northern health. The campus is surrounded by wilderness, providing unique field research opportunities unavailable anywhere else in Canada.
University of Northern BC is in Prince George, BC, was founded in 1994 and has about 4,000 students. Domestic tuition is about $6,100 a year, co-op is available and first-year residence is guaranteed.
Deadlines: direct application March 31.
- UNBC consistently ranks near the top of Maclean's primarily undergraduate category (#2 in the 2026 rankings) - the small size means exceptional faculty access.
- Prince George winters are genuinely cold, but the surrounding wilderness is extraordinary for outdoor and field research.
- Indigenous programs are deeply connected to northern First Nations communities - meaningful and respected.
Other UNBC programs
- Environmental Science – mid-to-high 80s
- Forestry – mid-to-high 80s
- Biology – mid-to-high 80s
- Computer Science – mid-to-high 80s
- Business Administration – mid-to-high 80s
- Indigenous Studies – mid 80s
- Psychology – mid-to-high 80s
- Political Science – mid 80s
- Education (BEd) – mid 70s