UNBC attracts students from across the province and around the world because of its small size, high–quality academic programs, and friendly atmosphere. They stay because of many enriching opportunities, such as being involved in research, working closely with professors and other students, playing on athletic teams, participating in student exchanges, and gaining employment skills through work terms and internships.

Student Population (2020/21)

Total students – 4,253

Undergraduate students – 3,524

Graduate students – 736

Self–declared Indigenous students – 503

International students – 466

Student Age (2020/21)

Average age of undergraduate students – 24.4

Average age of Masters students – 33.8

Average age of PhD students – 38.8

Student Awards (2020/21)

Number of Awarded Scholarships and Bursaries – 1085

Total Value of Student Awards – $3.266 Million

Continuing Studies (2020-21)

Total students – 3,182

Total courses – 44 face to face, 22 online

Total course deliveries – 112 face to face, 22 online

The delivery of academic programs and the creation of a positive learning environment matter at UNBC. “How we teach” and “what we teach” have a direct effect on students. The student experience is enhanced by opportunities for hands-on learning, international perspectives, a focus on student outcomes, instruction enriched by innovative research, the use of appropriate technology, and approaches to learning that are informed by multiple perspectives.

Classes at UNBC include practical sessions in advanced laboratories, field schools throughout northern BC, week-long intensive courses for students who may otherwise work full-time, web courses for ultimate flexibility, seminars in small groups, and lectures in state-of-the-art theatres.

Courses (2018/19)

Total academic courses offered – 122

Courses in Prince George –  806

Regional courses – 215

Online courses – 101

Total Continuing Studies courses offered – 71

Learning through technology

Building on the success of the Northern Medical Program, UNBC is exploring ways to further expand its technology-enabled learning capabilities. The NMP uses state-of-the-art equipment that allows medical students in Prince George to participate in lectures with students at UBC or the University of Victoria.

At the forefront of research

For its size, UNBC is among the most research-intensive universities in Canada and many faculty are international leaders in their fields. Much of UNBC’s research focuses on the social, economic, environmental, and cultural issues of the North. This has led to the establishment of world-class research in such areas as Natural Resources and the Environment; Rural, Remote, and Northern Health; and the Sustainability of Communities.

Research partnerships with the private sector and public agencies have strengthened UNBC’s role as a resource for communities. This includes research on the mountain pine beetle, local governance, indigenous languages, economic development, determinants of health, and climate change.

Leader in research

UNBC has been successful in attracting government and private sector funding to establish a total of 15 research chairs. The roster includes six Canada Research Chairs who focus on topics related to the environment, rural communities, First Nations and climate change. UNBC also has research leaders working in BC's most spectacular environments, and industry-supported chairs conducting research that span disciplines related to mixed wood ecology, climate change and forest growth and yield.

Six students became the University’s first alumni in 1994. UNBC now graduates more than 700 students per year. As of 2019, UNBC has 14,140 individual graduates holding 15,973 credentials. Alumni include politicians, entrepreneurs, nurses, teachers, foresters, bankers, and community leaders of all types.

UNBC’s alumni are the University’s single-most important external constituency. As ambassadors, they are key to expanding UNBC’s profile around the world. As citizens, they apply their UNBC education and experience to improve the social, economic, environmental, and cultural fabric of our communities.

Post-Graduation Success

University graduates earn more money than the provincial average according to a Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia report and UNBC alumni are no exception. More than half of employed survey respondents reported earning at least $60,000 a year from their main job and nearly 16 per cent reported earning more than $100,000 annually.

UNBC graduates are leaders in their field, with nearly 70 per cent of employed graduates working in management or executive-level leadership positions.