Admissions

To be considered for admission to the MA program in full standing, an applicant should:

• Hold a four-year degree in sociology or a cognate field (i.e. a closely related field with significant sociological content)
• Attained first-class standing (80% at UBC) in their upper-level courses, especially their sociology courses
• Meet all Specific Requirements for UBC Sociology (see below)
• Meet all minimum requirements for admission to graduate studies at UBC set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

In deciding on admission to the Ph.D. program the Department of Sociology considers an applicant’s previous academic accomplishments and potential to pursue and complete original sociological research.

Students entering the Ph.D. program are required to have completed an M.A. degree in sociology or a related social science field (with significant sociological content). Applicants should also ensure that they meet all of the minimum requirements for admission to graduate studies at UBC set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

The language of instruction at UBC is English. Applicants who have not completed a degree at a university where English is the primary language of instruction must complete a foreign language aptitude test. Minimum requirements for the most common acceptable tests are below:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
  • Paper exam: 600
  • Computer: 250
  • Internet: 100 (minimum 25 on reading and writing sections; minimum 22 on listening and speaking)
• International English Language Testing Service (IELTS)
  • Overall score minimum 7.0; no less than 6.5 in any section

Results must be from the past 24 months. Scores should be sent to UBC using the institution code 0965.

For certain kinds of thesis or dissertation research, a student may require competence in a language other than their own. In that case, a requirement for language training will be incorporated into the student's program.

The Department of Sociology no longer requires the GRE for admissions.

Optional: Applicants without a prior degree from a Canadian university may choose to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination); the results must be from the last 24 months. Scores should be sent to UBC using the institution code 0965.

For more information, please visit the GRE website for details.

Domestic and international applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee payable to the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies. This fee can be paid by Visa or Mastercard via the online application.

The online application is open from September 1 to December 1 of the year prior to a program's start date. UBC Sociology has only one intake (in September) per year.

All supporting documents, application, referee letters, and official transcripts must be submitted via online by December 1. Late submission is not permitted.

Transcript Submission Guidelines

Applicants must upload scanned copies of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Transcripts must meet the following requirements:

• Be validated by the institution’s registrar and printed on official, secure university letterhead, or provided as a secure PDF by the institution.

• Uploaded as clearly labeled (First and Last name) PDF documents.

• Include the institution’s official grading scale or key.

• Be translated into English by a certified translator, if issued in another language.

• Applicants must obtain an official transcript for every post-secondary institution they have attended.
  • All attended post-secondary institution must be declared on the application (including transfer credits, exchange programs, non-degrees, incomplete degree/diplomas).

Important Notes:

• Transcripts that are unofficial online printouts, do not include a grading scale, or are in languages other than English or French (without certified translation) will not be evaluated.

• Applicants who are offered admission will be required to have certified official transcripts sent directly to UBC from the issuing institution’s registrar. Do not send official transcripts unless instructed to do so.

Please see here for: Transcript and Academic documents

Applicants should provide names and contact information for three academic referees via the online application system. Once the application fee is paid, the system will automatically generate emails prompting referees to complete the form and upload their letter.

Referees may only be contacted through institutional email addresses: @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, and other unrestricted email services may not use the online system.

Referees may choose to submit their letters via Interfolio. Please note: it may take 4 to 6 weeks for our office to receive these letters, as we do not manage the Interfolio system.

Statement of Academic Goals (500–1000 words)
Please submit a written statement outlining your proposed area of study for the M.A. or Ph.D. in Sociology. Your statement should address:

• The research questions that motivate your interest in sociology

• The theoretical tradition(s) likely to inform or guide your research

• Specific methodological skills you aim to develop and apply during the program

• Faculty members you are interested in working with, and how your research aligns with their expertise and the department’s broader research areas

Additional Requirement for Non-Sociology Backgrounds (≤500 words)
If your previous degree is not in Sociology, please include a short addendum (max. 500 words) describing your preparedness for graduate study in Sociology. This may include relevant coursework, sociological readings or thinkers that have shaped your interests, research experience, or other related background.

Writing Sample
Please submit a writing sample that demonstrates your academic research and writing skills. It does not need to match the topic described in your statement of academic goals.

• Ph.D. applicants: Submit a portion of your M.A. thesis or a major graduate-level research paper.

• M.A. applicants: Submit an upper-level undergraduate major paper or equivalent scholarly work.

A complete application package contains the following:

• Application form (online)
• All post-secondary transcripts (with English translation if necessary) including institution's  grade scale
• Official degree certificate if necessary (with English translation if necessary)
• Three reference letters from academic referees
• Prospectus
• Statement of sociological preparedness (if required)
• Curriculum vitae
• Writing sample
• Language proficiency test results from past 24 months (if required)
  GRE general test results from the past 24 months (optional)

You must scan and upload digital copies (.pdfs) of official required documents in the application system.  These uploaded copies of your official documents will be used for initial evaluation. Please scan the front and back of the transcript including your institution's grade scale.

Note: Each entry under the Academic History section of the application must include pdf copies of official, up-to-date, transcripts for all current and previous post-secondary study (see exception for current and former UBC students: Uploading Transcripts in the Application System.

Conditional admission offers may be made based on documents uploaded to the application system. However, admission offers will not be finalized and applicants will not be allowed to register in a graduate program until all required official academic records are received and validated by the University. Successful candidates will be asked for  official copies of transcripts, in sealed envelopes with the institution's stamp across the seal to be sent to the Sociology Graduate Office. For more information on "how to submit official academic documents." 

Applicants with transcripts from non-Canadian post-secondary institutions must obtain an official paper transcript for every post-secondary institution they have attended. Each transcripts should be scanned as an individual .pdf file and then uploaded to the application system as indicated. Please attend to any directions the specific graduate program may provide about naming your scanned document files. Otherwise, they should be named: "Applicant Full Name-Document Description.extension" Click here for instructions.

The online application form is electronically sent to the Sociology Graduate Secretary upon electronically submitting the application.

Below is the address for those documents that must be mailed:

Graduate Secretary - Admissions
Department of Sociology
University of British Columbia
6303 N.W. Marine Drive
Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z1
CANADA