Degree Options

Identify and grow your strengths and skills through transformative learning experiences at the undergraduate and graduate level in UBC Arts.


Undergraduate degrees

UBC Arts offers diverse degree options and attracts passionate students driven to build expertise across theory, research, and practice.

6

degree options

9

dual degree options

70+

undergraduate program options

Degree options

The Bachelor of Arts is offered as a four-year degree program in the Faculty of Arts. You can complete honours, major, double major, and minor programs in one or more departments, or you can design an interdisciplinary studies program. Programs available to Bachelor of Fine Arts students are available to BA students as double majors.

  • Available to these degrees: BA
  • Year of entry: First-year entry (direct)
  • How to apply: Application required

The Bachelor of Fine Arts is a four-year degree program in the Faculty of Arts, blending artistic and professional practice, theory, and research. Students can specialize in the following academic disciplines:

Bachelor of Arts programs are also available to BFA students, as long as the program does not cross over with your main BFA academic discipline.

  • Available to these degrees: BFA
  • Year of entry: First-year entry (direct)
  • How to apply: Application required

Bachelor of International Economics (BIE) is a distinct four-year, full-time degree program offered by the Vancouver School of Economics with supporting partner the Sauder School of Business. Graduate with a deep understanding of the workings of the global economy, as well as strong technical training that will allow you to enter careers in business, government, and academia. All Bachelor of Arts minor programs are available to BIE students, except for the Commerce or Economics minor.

  • Available to these degrees: BIE
  • Year of entry: First-year entry (direct)
  • How to apply: Application required

The Bachelor of Media Studies is a four-year, multidisciplinary, direct-entry degree that combines media theory, research, and hands-on application. Drawing on curriculum from Art History, Visual Art, English, and German critical media theory, Creative Writing, Journalism, Film Studies, Film Production, Information Studies, and Computer Science, the BMS degree builds a foundation for a rewarding and dynamic academic or professional career. All Bachelor of Arts minor programs are available to BMS students as well.

  • Available to these degrees: BMS
  • Year of entry: First-year entry (direct)
  • How to apply: Application required

The School of Music offers a four-year degree program leading to the Bachelor of Music. At the heart of the program is the core curriculum of music theory and aural skills, music history, music technology, solo and ensemble performance, and liberal arts electives, in which all majors participate. The School of Music admits undergraduate students to the following majors:

Bachelor of Arts programs are also available to BMus students. Adding a BA Honours or major program will result in a double major.

  • Available to these degrees: BMus
  • Year of entry: First-year entry (direct)
  • How to apply: Application required

The Bachelor of Social Work is a two-year accredited degree that provides the knowledge, values, and skills necessary for professional practice, focusing on the interface between personal problems and public issues. The curriculum includes courses on theory, policy research and practice. It is complemented by integrative seminars, electives and two field practicums.

Available to these degrees: BSW
Year of entry: After completing a Bachelor's degree or 60 credits transferable to UBC
How to apply: Application required


Dual degree options

Through the dual degree program, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Applied Science within a minimum of five years. The BA/BASc Dual Degree program is not open to students with a prior degree. You must be registered in either Faculty to seek admission to the program.

  • Arts students submit a completed application form to Arts Academic Advising Services.
  • Engineering students apply through Engineering Student Services.
  • Available to these degrees: BA
  • Year of entry: Mid-degree entry (second-year standing)
  • How to apply: Applications are accepted annually between February 15 and April 30

Through this dual degree program, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in approximately 4.5 to 5.5 years. The dual degree program requires a student to fulfill both Science and Arts degree requirements and results in two degrees.

  • If you are an Arts student, follow the Arts student application form.
  • If you are a science student, follow the process outlined on the BSc student application form.
  • Available to these degrees: BA
  • Year of entry: Mid-degree entry (second-year standing)
  • How to apply: BA students should apply by August 31st

Through this dual degree, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Management in just 4.5 years.

  • Available to these degrees: BA
  • Year of entry: First, second or third year entry
  • How to apply: Application required

Through this dual degree, you can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Management in just 4.5 years.

  • Available to these degrees: BFA
  • Year of entry: First, second or third year entry
  • How to apply: Application required

Through this dual degree, you can earn a Bachelor of Media Studies and a Master of Management in just 4.5 years.

  • Available to these degrees: BMS
  • Year of entry: First, second or third year entry
  • How to apply: Application required

Through this dual degree program, you can earn a Bachelor of Music (General Studies) and a Bachelor of Education within five years. Graduates are qualified to teach music at the Secondary and Elementary levels.

  • Available to these degrees: BMus
  • Year of entry: Second or third year entry
  • How to apply: Application required

Through this dual degree program, you can earn a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Science in approximately six years.

  • Available to these degrees: BMus
  • Year of entry: First or second year entry
  • How to apply: Application required

Through this dual degree program, you can earn a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Management in just 4.5 years.

  • Available to these degrees: BMus
  • Year of entry: First, second or third year entry
  • How to apply: Application required

The UBC Sciences Po Dual Degree is a partnership between the University of British Columbia and Sciences Po (l’Institut d’études politiques de Paris) that gives students the opportunity to earn two Bachelor of Arts degrees in four years, while studying in Canada and France.

  • Available to these degrees: BA
  • Year of entry: First-year entry (direct)
  • How to apply: Application required


Program options

Your major is the focus of your degree. Of the 40 courses (or 120 credits) you’ll take as part of your degree, at least 14 (or 42 credits) will be in your major.

Two complementary fields of study can be combined into one major. Available combinations are:

  • Economics and Mathematics
  • Economics and Philosophy
  • Economics and Political Science
  • Economics and Statistics
  • Philosophy and Political Science

If you wish to create another combination of study, then you should consider the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

If you’d like two areas of focus in your degree, you can complete two majors. You won’t have much room for courses outside of your two majors.

An honours degree will offer you a more intensive study of your area of focus and includes a thesis, which involves conducting independent research.

You can include a secondary focus to your degree. You’ll need to complete between 18 and 36 credits in your minor, which leaves you some room to take courses in other areas outside of your focus.

Programs with an interdisciplinary approach address topics and the creation of knowledge through methods and structures not confined by traditional academic boundaries.

Areas of focus are specialities within a degree program. There are two "area of focus" programs in the Faculty of Arts at UBC: Archaeology and Museum Studies.


Graduate degrees

UBC Arts combines the strengths of the humanities, social sciences, and creative and performing arts to serve as an interdisciplinary hub for research, learning, and innovation.

UBC Arts graduate students are equipped with knowledge and professional expertise to meet and address complex global challenges.

80+

graduate program options

$26.9M

in annual research funding


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