Application Deadlines
First Nation, Métis, and/or Inuit applicants who are domestic students may contact the program and receive a code to waive the program application fee. In order to make use of this offer, you will need the code before beginning your application file.
1. Find a supervisor
All applicants are required to identify and confirm a supervisor in the WACH program, prior to applying.
View prospective supervisors and their research interests on the Find a Supervisor page.
Please email supervisors directly and attach your curriculum vitae for their review and response.
When you have secured a supervisor, please inform the WACH Program Manager. We will organize a ‘Supervisor Agreement’ document to confirm their willingness and availability to supervise the applicant.
2. Organize required documents
The following documents are required for application to the WACH program:
1. Application form: Completed online application form, with application fee paid.
2. Letters of references:
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- Three (3) letters of reference are required.
- Referees should be able to comment on applicant’s strengths in academics, research, and/or professional settings.
- For PhD applicants, 1 reference must be submitted by the applicant’s Master’s supervisor.
- For MSc applicants, applicants should organize 1 reference from their research project supervisor, if one was completed in their undergraduate degree.
- Referees will be sent instructions to complete e-reference forms or upload reference letters to the online application system. Please note: the application system is unable to accept e-mails from Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, MSN or other free e-mail accounts.
- Sealed and signed/endorsed envelopes can be mailed to: Attn: WACH Program, C420-4500 Oak St, Vancouver BC, V6H 3N1.
3. Transcripts:
- High quality scan of front and back of official, up-to-date transcripts for all current and previous post-secondary studies.
4. Curriculum vitae (CV)
5. Writing sample: One (1) example of your scholarly writing, such as a term paper or a substantial scholarly paper.
6. Supervisor Agreement: Signed Supervisor Agreement from research supervisor (WACH faculty member). Please follow directions in step 1 to obtain this document.
7. English proficiency test scores: Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
The minimum English proficiency test scores for the WACH program are as follows:
| Test | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Listening | Overall Score |
| TOEFL | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 100 |
| IELTS | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
Visit www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/english-proficiency-requirements for a list of acceptable English proficiency tests, and submission instructions
If English testing services in your region have been interrupted, please contact the WACH Program Manager.
If an applicant is admitted to the WACH program, it is required that all final and official transcripts be received by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/transcripts-academic-documents
3. Complete online application
a. Create a UBC Campus-Wide Login, if you do not already have one: https://activate.id.ubc.ca/iamweb/
b. Complete the online application: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/apply-online
c. All supporting documentation and reference submissions must be received and/or uploaded by 2 weeks after the applicable deadline.
Application Deadlines
| For admission in: | Applications open | International applicant deadline |
Domestic applicant deadline |
| May 2025 | August 20, 2024 | October 24, 2024 | November 28, 2024 |
| September 2025 | December 3, 2024 | February 20, 2025 | March 27, 2025 |
| January 2026 | April 15, 2025 | June 19, 2025 | July 24, 2025 |
All supporting documentation and reference submissions must be received and/or uploaded by 2 weeks after the applicable deadline.
Deadlines are organized to support students in applying for study permits, etc. Anticipated acceptance dates are based on completion of all elements of the application, and will be communicated at that time.
For questions regarding documentation required for application, please contact the WACH Program Manager.