UBC Okanagan’s sustainability program offers a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses that develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of students, enabling them to take action and solve problems in sustainability matters on both a local and global scale.

Sample courses:

• CHEM 334 — Green Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 336 — Green Inorganic Chemistry
• SUST 301 — Methods in Solving Wicked Problems
• CHEM 338 — Organometallic Chemistry
• CHEM 463 — Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Browse courses within the Green Chemistry concentration.

The following link takes you to sustainability program details in the Okanagan Academic Calendar, a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services, and academic policies at The University of British Columbia:

Bachelor of Sustainability (B.Sust.)

For your application to be considered, you will need to:

• meet general requirements (e.g., graduate from secondary school)
• demonstrate a certain level of English competency
• meet specific requirements for the degree you’re applying to

Then, UBC will take a closer look at your application. We’ll read your Personal Profile to get a sense of who you are and what you’ve achieved. We’ll also look at all of your Grade 11 (junior level) and Grade 12 (senior level) courses, paying special attention to the courses that relate to the degree you’re applying to.

Find your specific requirements at https://you.ubc.ca/

WHEN TO DECLARE YOUR CONCENTRATION

Students take a set of core integrative courses specific to sustainability along with a set of advanced courses in one of four concentrations. Upon admission, students are required to declare one of these areas of concentration.

Application Deadlines

Plan ahead to ensure you meet important deadlines and other target dates listed at you.ubc.ca.

Tuition Fees

UBC Okanagan’s fees compare favourably with universities of the same high calibre. See Financial Planning for helpful resources, and add up your first-year costs with our Cost Calculator.

Apply to UBC at you.ubc.ca—there are just five steps in the application process. Soon you could be studying at one of the world’s top universities.

Check out the steps to apply to UBC, and be sure to choose “Okanagan campus.”

Or let our Student Recruitment & Advising experts guide you: call 1.877.807.8521.

CAREER POSSIBILITIES

• Recycling specialist
• Waste management specialist
• Water resources management
• Environmental assessment analyst
• Environmental or sustainability auditor
• Environmental consultant
• Compliance and regulatory affairs (provincial and federal agencies, or private sector)
• Environmental health and safety
• Quality assurance in manufacturing (food, paper, chemical, plastics)
• Energy transition specialist
• Clean technology or clean energy analyst

The Bachelor of Sustainability program is designed to prepare you for employment in a variety of sectors. Depending on the concentration you follow, your degree can open a range of public and private sector opportunities.

Examples of potential employers

• Provincial, federal, and local environmental and natural resource agencies
• Indigenous governments and organizations
• Project management and consulting
• Finance
• Transportation
• Urban, rural, and regional planning
• Creative and cultural industries
• Community leadership
• Non-governmental organizations
• Advocacy

The Bachelor of Sustainability degree can also provide a strong foundation for pursuing a graduate degree. Graduates of the program may pursue graduate studies (MA or MSc) in sustainability or related fields.

Learn and earn with Co-op, a paid opportunity for students to enrich their education with work experience. At UBC’s Okanagan campus, sign up for Co-op to:

• build your resumé with professional experience
• learn valuable tips on how to successfully apply for jobs
• expand your network of industry contacts
• earn money to pay for tuition

Inquire about Co-op by phone at 250.807.9623 or by email.

UBC Okanagan offers an Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS) program in which students may choose to explore the theme of Sustainability. Our graduates go on to become proven leaders in their chosen professions.

• See the world through Go Global, a UBC program for exchange and study with more than 150 international partner institutions. Experience university life abroad as a resident, or earn academic credit while participating in summer group-study courses led by UBC profs.
• Travel to conferences or competitions with financial assistance made available through the Tuum Est Student Initiative Fund, which provides financial support up to $3,500.
• Take part in Research Abroad and experience different cultures while developing new research skills and accessing equipment and resources beyond what might be offered at UBC.

Follow your ideas, jump-start your career and gain valuable research experience:

• Pursue innovative and original research
• Volunteer as a research assistant
• Pursue directed studies opportunities

• Co-op puts your classroom learning to the test, allowing you to explore career options while earning money. Inquire about Co-op by phone at 250.807.9623 or by email.
• Learn through doing, create strong connections, and develop professional skills with a campus job arranged by UBC’s Work Study Program.
• Meet a community need and get practical experience by volunteering for a Community Service Learning project—a life-changing experience.

• Get a glimpse into life on UBC’s Okanagan campus at you.ubc.ca.
• Take a virtual tour of our state-of-the-art labs, modern facilities, campus residences.
• Visit the campus for a personal guided tour led by a student ambassador.
• Tour the campus, city and lake with this interactive 360-degree Kelowna From Above* video.
  * Best viewed in Chrome and Firefox 

On the first day of university, faculties offer “Meet the Faculty” sessions where you can get to know the Dean, professors, and the staff who provide student support. It’s all part of UBC Okanagan’s new student orientation: CREATE.

Attend an orientation tailored to your needs as an aboriginal student, domestic student, international student, or student living in residence. You can even register your parents for an orientation that includes a workshop and campus tour.

• Peer mentors are a great resource — ask questions and learn from students who’ve been there, done that.
• Navigate your studies with the help of a professor, your Program Advisor.
• Use the library which offers print, audiovisual and electronic research materials, a leisure-reading collection and loaner laptops. It also offers research consultations, instruction and workshops.
• The library’s Writing and Resource Centre can help you articulate your ideas. Pursue your research in a range of subject areas and scholarly genres, including essay writing, grammar, presentation skills, punctuation, thesis development, and coursework.
• Familiarize yourself with resources designed to help you succeed. Student Services offers a variety of academic supports, from study sessions to tutoring and writing workshops.

Take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved and stay active—from workout space in the new Hangar Fitness Centre, to athletic courts, intramurals, fitness classes, and varsity athletics.

Learn more at Sports and Recreation, which includes links to fitness facilities, sport clubs, intramurals and recreation programs, as well as the nationally ranked UBC Okanagan Heat varsity teams that compete in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association.

Branch out, get involved in student life, and have fun by joining various campus clubs.

Meet new people while living in a study-oriented environment with easy access to academic and personal support.

UBC Okanagan offers modern residence living surrounded by hiking and biking trails. One of the newest residences, Purcell, includes a rooftop patio that offers a panoramic view of the campus and the Okanagan Valley.

Find out more about living in residence.

UBC’s Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people—the fourth fastest growing population in Canada. In fact, the Okanagan Valley is rated one of the best communities in Canada to grow your business.

More than 160 buses travel daily from campus to key locations such as Kelowna’s cultural district and thriving downtown waterfront. The campus is two minutes from the Kelowna International Airport, one of the Top 10 busiest airports in Canada.

UBC Okanagan is situated within the First Nations territory of the Okanagan Nation, whose spirit of stewardship for the land is reflected in the university’s respect for sustainability.

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards and orchards, and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan Valley features sweeping stretches of lakeside and endless mountain trails for biking and hiking.

Explore the Okanagan lifestyle at you.ubc.ca.