Welcome to the website for the Explore Programs at UBC!  In order to direct your visit properly, you will want to learn a little bit about the programs we offer and about the eligibility requirements for each of these programs.  Please note that UBC will be offering two immersion programs this summer, one in May-June and another in July-August.

The Explore Programs are five-week immersion programs in French or English offered to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who were full-time students for at least one semester in the academic year prior to the start of the program. You must be at least 19 years old to attend Explore at UBC.

In order to study as a bursary student, you must apply to the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) for a bursary. See the links in the right-hand column for more information about applying for a bursary. Only Canadian students are eligible to apply for an Explore bursary.

Keep in mind that the CMEC awards bursaries by lottery and that you may not get your first choice of institution. Do not make any travel arrangements until you have received an official confirmation from the institution for which you have been selected.

While the majority of the students who come to study at UBC are bursary recipients, Canadian and international students who are not eligible to receive the bursary or who did not receive a bursary in the lottery are encouraged to join the Explore Programs at UBC as fee-paying students.

Canadian students without a bursary who are looking to study either English or French should apply to the Non-Bursary Program for Canadian Students. Please note that fee-paying students interested in studying French can only apply to the May-June program. 

International students interested in studying English or French with Canadian students are encouraged to join the Explore Programs at UBC as fee-paying participants. Application information can be found by clicking on the Non-Bursary Program for International Students title in the menu above. Applicants to the French program should apply to the May-June program exclusively.

Spring English with Canadians is the name given to the non-bursary programs described above when they are advertised independently of the Explore Programs. To find out if Spring English is the right program for you, click here. You will learn all about what type of international students might enjoy the Spring English program and about how to submit an application if you are interested. 

All program options include morning classes and afternoon workshops designed to improve your listening and speaking abilities in your second language, as well as your intercultural communication skills. Each program also includes an interesting variety of optional evening and weekend recreational activities appropriate to the season in which you participate. Throughout your learning process, you will be exposed to the various cultures of English Canada, as well as to a variety of francophone cultures from Canada and around the world. And all of this in one of the most beautiful and livable cities on earth! 

UBC’s dedicated team of instructors and monitors is eager to welcome you to our spectacular campus, city and province. And to our Super, Natural British Columbia!