UBC September 2027 Admissions: Chinese students must achieve a Gaokao score at or above the Tier 1 cutoff, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90. Application deadline: January 15.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) admissions website outlines the undergraduate admission requirements for the Vancouver campus for Chinese high school students. The following information is organized for September 2027 entry (2027/28 Winter Session) and applies to students attending regular high schools in China who plan to apply using their Gaokao or AP scores.

Academic Requirements

• High School Grades: Official high school transcripts and certified Academic Proficiency Test (Huikao) scores authenticated by the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) are required.
• Gaokao Scores: Certified Gaokao scores authenticated by CSSD are required. UBC expects scores to reach the Tier 1 cut-off line of the applicant's province.
• Without Gaokao: Applicants must submit competitive scores from at least 3 AP (Advanced Placement) exams in different subjects.
• Grade Reference: Required grades vary by major and change annually. In previous years, Engineering, Business, Science, and Arts all required an average high school grade of around 84% (on a 100-point scale, with 60% as the passing grade).

Prerequisite Courses by Major (Examples)

• Engineering (Applied Science): 3 years of high school math (including pre-calculus), 2 years of chemistry, and 3 years of physics. Strong academic students missing one of the senior-level chemistry or physics courses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Business (Sauder School of Business): 3 years of high school math (including pre-calculus).
• Science: Senior-level math (including pre-calculus), 2 years of chemistry, and 2 years of physics. Physics may be waived if the applicant earns an A in both senior-level math and chemistry.
• Arts: No specific prerequisite courses required beyond general admission requirements.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS Academic: Overall band score of 6.5, with no individual band below 6.0 (IELTS General, IELTS Indicator, and One Skill Retake are not accepted).
• TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition): Overall score of 90 out of 120 (Reading 22, Listening 22, Writing 21, Speaking 21); or overall score of 4.5 out of 6 (Reading 4.5, Listening 5, Writing 4.5, Speaking 4).
• Duolingo English Test: Overall score of 125 (Reading and Listening 115, Writing and Speaking 120); PTE Academic: Overall score of 65, with 60 in each communicative skill.
• Individual section scores must be achieved in a single test sitting; score combining is not allowed. For the 2027/28 academic year, test scores must be from January 1, 2025, or later. AP English Language or English Literature scores of 4 or higher can also meet the requirement. Supporting documents must be submitted by February 15 at the latest.

Key Dates

• Early October 2026: Online application opens.
• November 15, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific Time): International students wishing to be considered for the UBC International Scholars Program must submit their UBC application and scholarship application by this date.
• January 15, 2027 (11:59 PM Pacific Time): Application deadline for September 2027 entry.
• November 2026 to June 2027: Admission decisions for high school applicants are released on a rolling basis.
• January 31, 2027: International Scholars Program applicants must meet the English language requirements and submit all required documents.
• February 15, 2027: Deadline for English language proficiency proof; March 15: Deadline for documents from high school applicants outside Canada.
• May 1 or June 1, 2027: Deadline for most students to accept admission and pay the deposit (subject to the admission letter).
• July 25, 2027: Deadline for international applicants to submit final transcripts to confirm enrollment.

Reminders for Chinese Students

The application deadline (January 15) is before the Gaokao, and admission decisions are released on a rolling basis from November 2026 to June 2027. Gaokao scores must be submitted with CSSD certification, and final transcripts for international high school students must be submitted by July 25, 2027, to confirm enrollment. Students aiming for scholarships should note the earlier deadline of November 15.

Sources: https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/requirements/international-high-schools/; https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/requirements/english-language-competency/; https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/dates-deadlines/. Policies are subject to the latest official updates.