Parents
Frequently asked questions
Photo credit: Ka-Kei Law
1. How does my son or daughter register for courses?
Students can register for their courses online through the Student Service Centre. Students must register for courses on their pre-determined date and time. For new students, this date will be included in the admission letter. For returning students, this date will be sent to them via email and listed on the Student Service Centre. Some classes fill up quickly, so students are advised to register as close to their scheduled date as possible in order to avoid disappointment.
Go to top2. How can my son or daughter check their grades?
Students can check their grades online through the Student Service Centre. For information on when grades become available, visit our Current Students website.
3. How do I find out about my son's or daughter's progress?
UBC expects students to take responsibility for being successful and meeting the requirements of their program. If you want to ensure that you know about your son's or daughter's progress, we suggest that you talk to them directly. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act prevents UBC from releasing personal information to anyone without express consent. This means UBC does not release any information pertaining to a student's academic record (including information on admissions, awards, and grades) to his or her parents.
4. Where can my son or daughter go for help if they're having difficulties with their classes?
All professors and teaching assistants (TAs) offer office hours each week and students are encouraged to take advantage of this time for questions or feedback on their work.There are also many faculty specific services that students can find out through their Faculty Advisors.
Other facilities on campus also help students with their academic performance. These include AMS Tutoring and the Writing Centre.
There are also workshops on topics such as exam preparation, time management and more. For a list of workshops and other resources, visit the UBC Learning Commons.
5. Where can my son or daughter go if they have questions about their program?
UBC offers many forms of academic and career advising. Advising can help students select courses, choose a major, decide on a career, provide information on faculty specific co-op programs, or determine prerequisites for graduate school.
For general academic questions, students can go to their faculty academic advising office. Each faculty has specialized staff members who advise students on everything from general education requirements to choosing a major. If a student needs to extend their maximum credit load, check their graduation requirements, apply for an academic concession, or request a Letter of Permission for study elsewhere, they should see their faculty academic advisor.
Students who need information on a particular major should go to the office of the appropriate department. It is also important for students to seek departmental advising for assistance in planning their overall academic program.
Students who need information on careers should meet with a career educator at Career Services.
6. My son or daughter will be commuting to school. Where will they spend time between classes?
Everywhere and anywhere! One of the nice perks of having such a large campus is the amount of social space available to students. Almost every departmental building has a student lounge with a microwave, telephone, study space, and the all-important couch for that midday nap. The second floor of the Aquatic Centre is also popular with students seeking a warm respite from the rain.
Of course, just because your son or daughter doesn't live in residence, that doesn't mean that they can't spend time there! Commuter students are more than welcome to visit friends and classmates in residence.
The UBC TREK Program Centre is dedicated to promoting a more sustainable environment for ourselves, our community, and our children. The Centre exists to help find convenient, cost-effective ways to get to and from UBC without using a single-occupant vehicle. Its mission is to improve your transportation choices by promoting sustainable transportation at UBC.
8. Can my son or daughter find work on campus? Will working disrupt their studies?
Many students work while going to school. The short-term gains are obvious: students have the chance to make money and connect with other students on campus. Long term, students may find that the relationships they form with other students introduce them to new academic options and career possibilities. In addition, students often find that balancing the responsibility of work and academics strengthens their time management skills.
Many of the jobs on campus are designed for students. For example, the Work Study (for domestic students) and Work Learn (for international students) programs allow full time students (minimum 9 credits) to only work 10 hours per week and earn more than average wages. Students are able to schedule shifts to fit class and exam pressures. Also, employers on campus understand that academics come first and will usually give time off for studying. Both the AMS and Career Services have job postings.
Find more ways to get involved on campus.
International students: Employment opportunities for international visa students are restricted. Opportunities for paid employment will generally not be sufficient to meet tuition and living expenses, and international students should ensure they have sufficient financial resources to cover major costs for the full duration of their studies.
9. What is the AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan?
The AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan provides insurance for a number of services not covered by provincial health plans such as dental care and prescription drugs. Full- and part-time students who pay AMS fees are automatically covered.
Visit AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan website for more information.
10. Who will notify me if my son or daughter is suffering from a physical or mental illness?
The University is prohibited by law to notify a parent about a student's physical or mental health concerns, unless the student expressly permits the University to notify their parents. We suggest you talk to your student about how you want to manage these situations.
UBC offers a wide range of services for students who are experiencing personal difficulty or who require support. For more information about these services visit the links below.
Access & Diversity - Access & Diversity works to identify and eliminate systemic barriers to full participation in university life. These barriers may arise from race, ethnicity, disability, gender and sexual diversity, and other intersecting inequalities.
Counselling Services - Counselling Services provides a wide range of counselling services for admitted and registered UBC students.
International House - International House provides support to international students at UBC, through services and programs such as one-on-one advising, educational and social programs, ESL classes, a Peer Program, and information about their visa status and adjustment to Canada.
Student Health Service - Student Health Service is the main centre on campus for students to go to with any health-related issues or concerns.
Wellness Centre - The Wellness Centre is an outreach program of the Student Health Service. The Coordinator works with volunteer peer educators to organize a variety of outreach events: wellness fairs, workshops, displays, and articles.
Alma Mater Society - The Alma Mater Society also offers a wide range of support services for students.
12. What kind of cell phone plans are available in Vancouver?
Vancouver offers a number of different cell phone plans for students including Fido, Rogers, and Telus. Please check out their websites or visit their store locations to find out about plans that will best suit your student.
13. Does my son or daughter need a computer?
The entire UBC campus is served by a wireless network, which allows your son or daughter to connect to the Internet anywhere they have computer access. In addition, many courses use WebCT, an Internet-based course software that provides lecture notes, additional study notes, answer keys, and more to students. Having a personal computer will certainly make it easy for your son or daughter to access these UBC services, but if they are not able to bring a computer to UBC, there are plenty of labs and terminals available.
