Degree and Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

To gain admission to a graduate program at UNBC, an applicant must have an approved credential and meet a minimum level of academic performance. Entry into our graduate programs is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee entry. The assessment of your credential and grade point average is dependent on where you received your credential and what program you are applying to. There are also program-specific requirements that applicants must meet. In some instances, these may exceed our general requirements outlined below. Before you apply, please review program requirements carefully.

Admission to a Master's Degree

In general, applicants to a Master's degree program must hold a four-year Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from a recognized institution, with a Cumulative GPA equivalent to at least 3.00 (B) at UNBC.

Canadian Credentials

For applicants with a credential from an institution in Canada, admission GPA is calculated based on 3rd and 4th year level university coursework.  This means that any 3rd or 4th level course you have completed for credit will be counted towards your GPA (including College courses that are University transferable).  If your primary degree (e.g. Bachelor's Degree) is from an international university, your GPA is calculated using the international credential method as outlined below (cumulative total degree).  Subsequent coursework completed in Canada is not reported as a function of your cumulative GPA for admission, but may be considered by the Program. You must still meet the minimum country requirement for admission even if you have completed coursework subsequently in Canada. 

International Credentials

Specific minimum admission requirements for graduates with credentials completed at an institution outside of Canada are determined by country and are listed on our website.  We assess academic performance based on an international applicant's cumulative GPA in the degree that determines admissibility. For full information on country GPA and degree requirements, consult this section of our website.

Admission to a Doctoral Degree

Admission to a Doctoral program requires a Master's degree (or equivalent). Additional entrance standards, such as GPA requirements, are set by individual Doctoral programs.Our PhD Natural Resources and Environmental Studies program requires a 3.33/B+ GPA and the PhD Health Sciences program currently requires a 3.67/A- GPA (cumulative in the graduate degree used to determine admissability to the doctoral program).

Canadian Credentials

For applicants with a credential from an institution in Canada, admission GPA is based on the Cumulative GPA in the relevant graduate-level credential.

International Credentials

Specific minimum admission requirements for graduates with credentials completed at an institution outside of Canada are determined by country and are listed on our website.  We assess academic performance based on an international applicant's cumulative GPA in the relevant graduate-level credential that determines admissibility. For full information on country GPA and degree requirements, consult this section of our website.

Admission to a Doctoral Degree without a Master's degree

There is no pathway to apply into our doctoral degrees directly if you do not hold a Master's degree (or equivalent).

We may approve admission of an applicant to a Doctoral program without a Master's degree if the applicant has received a Baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution with a Cumulative GPA of at least 3.67 (A-) and has completed at least two semesters of a Master's degree program at the University of Northern British Columbia with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.67 (A-).

If you are interested in pursuing a doctorate at UNBC and do not hold a Master's degree (or equivalent), you would first need to apply to the relevant Master's degree and complete two semesters. We recommend discussing your options with your prospective supervisor.