University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university with campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. was founded in 1908, and is the oldest university in British Columbia. The initial proposal for a provincial university was made by Superintendent of Education John Jessop in 1877, just six years after British Columbia joined Canada. However, it took another 31 years for the university to become a reality.

The first meeting of the new university's senate was held in Victoria in 1908, but it failed to reach a quorum when some members from the mainland failed to attend. This reflected the political rivalry between Vancouver Island and the mainland at the time.

In 1910, the provincial government announced that the university would be located on Point Grey, a peninsula on the southwest side of Vancouver. The university's first classes were held in temporary buildings in 1915, and the first permanent building, the Main Library, was opened in 1925.

UBC grew rapidly in the years after World War II. In 1945, there were just over 2,000 students enrolled at the university. By 1960, the enrolment had increased to over 10,000 students.

In the 1960s and 1970s, UBC experienced a period of significant expansion. New faculties and schools were established, and new buildings were constructed. The university also began to offer more graduate programs.

Today, UBC is one of the leading research universities in North America. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is home to over 68,000 students from 140 countries around the world. UBC is also a major economic driver for British Columbia, and its alumni network includes many notable individuals.

UBC is known for its excellence in teaching and research. Its faculty members are world-renowned experts in their fields, and its students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources. UBC's research programs are highly funded, and the university has made significant contributions to a wide range of fields, including medicine, science, engineering, and the humanities.

In addition to its academic excellence, UBC is also known for its beautiful campuses and vibrant student life. The Vancouver campus is located on the Point Grey peninsula and offers stunning views of the city and the Pacific Ocean. The Kelowna campus is located in the Okanagan Valley, a region known for its wine, lakes, and mountains.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, University of British Columbia is positioned as the #38 top university in the world, which makes it the #3 top university in Canada. The university's global rank decreased by 4 points from last year.