UBC Sauder Commerce admission requirements: English, Advanced Functions and a personal profile

UBC's tool lists two Grade 12 courses for Ontario students: English (ENG4U) and Advanced Functions (MHF4U). Calculus and Vectors isn't on the list. BC students need English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12, plus Pre-Calculus 12.

Everyone needs to graduate from high school with at least 70% in Grade 11 or Grade 12 English. UBC recommends six Grade 12 courses and looks at all your academic Grade 11 and 12 marks, with special attention to courses tied to the degree.

UBC suggests language arts, math and social studies courses such as economics, law or psychology. In IB, Math Applications and Interpretations SL doesn't meet the Commerce math requirement.

UBC's tool shows no recommended grade range for Commerce. UBC doesn't publish a Commerce admission average, so be careful with numbers you see elsewhere.

UBC reads your grades together with your personal profile. You can still check your Ontario average with our Top 6 average calculator.

High school students applying to UBC write a personal profile as part of the online application. Each answer is a short essay of about 50 to 500 words. You list up to five activities and give two referees, one of them a school official.

Commerce adds three questions. How did you respond to a problem or an unfamiliar situation, and what did you learn? How are you having a positive effect on your community? And how do you plan to use your UBC Sauder experience to build on that?

UBC contacts your referees directly after offers go out.

The application for September 2027 opens in early October 2026. Apply by December 1, 2026 if you want to be considered for UBC's major entrance awards, such as the Presidential Scholars Award. The deadline to apply is January 15, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

Decisions for high school applicants come on a rolling basis from November 2026 to June 2027.

The BCom covers business basics and management skills. You can pick from specializations such as Accounting, Business Technology Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Operations and Logistics, and Real Estate. There are optional concentrations in Business Analytics, Business Law, International Business, and Sustainability and Social Impact.

UBC says Commerce students can study abroad at one of 61 partner business schools in 30 countries.

Sauder has an optional, year-round co-op program for paid work. You apply in September of second or third year. You need at least three work terms, and co-op usually adds two terms to your degree.

Entry depends on your marks and fit, and on how many placements are available. Being accepted doesn't guarantee a job. Co-op program fees are charged for each work term, plus a one-time workshop fee.

For 2026-27, Canadian students pay $6,200.70 for a full first year of Commerce (30 credits). In Years 2 to 4 the rate rises to $9,188.40 for a full year.

International students starting in 2026 or later pay $66,678.30 in first year. These amounts are tuition only.

The Presidential Scholars Award is UBC's most prestigious entrance award for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It includes a one-time award of about $5,000 and renewable awards of up to $80,000 on the Vancouver campus, paid over four years.

To be considered, finish every part of your UBC application by December 1, including the fee, and answer "Yes" in the Awards section. UBC judges you on your first-choice degree using your academic and personal profiles. It does not assess second-choice degrees for this award. Most winners hear by April 27.

The Centennial Scholars Entrance Award is separate, and you can apply for both. It is for strong students who need financial support. You send a separate Entrance Award application by December 1, with a statement about your situation, a reference and, if you were in high school in the past 48 months, a parent or guardian form. Most recipients hear by May 15. Only successful applicants are contacted for either award.

Many first-year students qualify for UBC's First Year Guarantee for Winter Session residence, September to April. To get it, apply for residence by May 1. UBC says if you wait for your admission offer before applying, a room is not guaranteed.

Most first-year students live in Orchard Commons, Place Vanier or Totem Park, which require an All Access Dining Plan. UBC puts a typical first-year room and meal plan at about $12,000 to $14,500 for the eight-month year, with a range of $10,300 to just over $15,000. Once you get a residence offer, you have seven days to accept and pay the first instalment. Residence is not guaranteed after first year.

One UBC application lets you name a first and second choice degree, on the same campus or on two campuses. You can change those choices until January 15. Include your full name and UBC reference number with the request.

Think before you switch. If you change your first choice after December 1, the new choice won't be considered for a Presidential Scholars Award. If Commerce is your goal, list it first and apply by December 1.

UBC's minimum for transfer students is a C average (60%), or 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, usually on the most recent 30 credits you attempted. UBC says meeting that minimum does not guarantee admission, since many degrees are competitive and need a higher average.

If you have fewer than 24 credits, UBC looks at your final high school grades and your partial post-secondary work, so you still need to meet the high school course requirements. Second-year applicants should ideally have 30 credits. UBC may also ask transfer applicants for a personal profile.

UBC Okanagan offers guaranteed admission to its Bachelor of Commerce for transfer students who meet set conditions, including a 2.8 GPA on their most recent 8 to 10 transferable courses.

UBC is one of the few big business schools with no published average. That makes the personal profile matter. Your child should start it early and pick referees who know their activities.

For Ontario students, Advanced Functions is the key math. An adviser can help compare UBC with Ontario business schools.