BSN Advanced Standing — University of British Columbia (Vancouver)

SpaceCat Fit Notes

CASPer: Yes — CASPer is one of three equally weighted components (~33% each for GPA, supplemental application, and CASPer). SpaceCat’s very high CASPer score is a major advantage here. At ~33% weight, a top-quartile CASPer score could substantially offset a lower GPA, effectively compensating for one full tier of academic weakness.
GPA window & upgrading strategy: The GPA is calculated on the most recent 30 completed transferable credits (~10 courses). If SpaceCat takes 10 new courses with strong grades, she can fully reset her effective GPA for UBC admissions. A year of strong coursework (e.g., 80%+) would completely replace her existing GPA calculation. This is one of the most favorable GPA windows for someone willing to upgrade.
Experiential / written advantage: The supplemental application includes a 600-word personal statement about reasons for pursuing nursing and how past experiences influence interest in UBC’s program. SpaceCat’s shelter work and writing skills can shine here — this is one of three equally weighted pillars (~33%), giving her experiential profile direct impact on the admission decision.
Out-of-province: Ontario resident. - No BC residency requirement. Out-of-province Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply on equal footing with BC residents. The UBC Academic Calendar states “Canadian residents (citizens and Permanent Residents) will be given preference…
Overall assessment: Strong fit — UBC is one of SpaceCat’s strongest fits. The combination of (1) a resettable 30-credit GPA window, (2) high CASPer weight (~33%), and (3) a supplemental application where her shelter work and writing skills can shine means all three evaluation pillars work in her favor with strategic preparation. The main considerations are relocation to Vancouver and the out-of-province move.

Quick Facts

Institution: University of British Columbia, School of Nursing
Program name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) — Advanced Standing
Degree granted: BSN
City, Province: Vancouver, British Columbia (Point Grey Campus)
Program type: Advanced Standing / Second-Entry (students enter at Year 3)
Duration: 20 months (5 consecutive academic terms)
Delivery format: In-person
Full-time / Part-time: Full-time only. In-person program; attendance required.
Language of instruction: English
Start date(s): September (one intake per year)
Intake frequency: Annual
Application deadline(s) (September 2026 intake — now closed):
UBC Initial Application (online): December 8, 2025
Nursing Supplemental Application: January 16, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST
CASPer Assessment (last sitting date): January 18, 2026
Interim Transcript: January 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST
HAP courses & Final Official Transcript: May 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST
Anticipated September 2027 deadline: UBC initial application due ~December 1, 2026 (specific nursing supplemental and CASPer dates TBD)
Application system: UBC Undergraduate Admissions Application via you.ubc.ca (new applicants) or Applicant Service Centre (current/former UBC students). Supplemental application accessed through the Applicant Service Centre after Step 1.
Program URL: https://nursing.ubc.ca/undergraduate/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-bsn
Accredited: Yes — CASN (Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing) accredited member. Program approved by the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Source

Admission Requirements

GPA

Minimum GPA: 70% average or 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, based on the most recent 30 non-nursing, university-transferable credits completed at the undergraduate level.
Competitive GPA: The minimum 2.8/70% is the eligibility floor only. Per the official site: “Due to enrolment limitations, the academic standing required for admission is much higher than the above average and is subject to change each academic year.” Historical admission averages from the UBC Nursing Admission Tips site:
2015: 80%
2019: 82%
2022: 86%
2023: 82.4%
2024: 80.8%
Estimated competitive ranges: 78-80% = top 50% of applicants; 83-85%+ = top 25%
GPA calculated on: Most recent 30 completed transferable credits up to December of the year of application, including any failed and repeated courses. When counting back 30 credits lands mid-term, the academic average of that full term is used for the remaining credits to reach 30.
GPA scale used: Percentage / UBC 4.0 scale

Source: Admission Requirements | Source: GPA Calculation | Source: Academic Calendar

Prerequisites

All prerequisites must be completed by May 31 of the admission year. No specific minimum grade for individual prerequisites is published beyond the overall 70%/2.8 GPA requirement across the most recent 30 credits. CR/NCR and P/F acceptance is not addressed in available materials. No information was found explicitly confirming or denying whether online courses are accepted for prerequisites – applicants should contact admissions directly.

Course	Subject Area	Credits	Required / Recommended	Details & Notes
English Composition / Writing	English	3 UBC credits	Required	UBC WRDS 150 or 151 recommended. Any first-year or higher university-transferable English composition course accepted. Alternatively, a completed university degree where English was the primary language of instruction satisfies this requirement.
Human Anatomy & Physiology	Anatomy & Physiology	6 UBC credits (minimum)	Required	UBC BIOL 155 recommended. Must cover ALL of the following body systems: cardiovascular, muscular and skeletal, digestive, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, immune, respiratory, integumentary, and urinary. Must be HUMAN anatomy/physiology (not cell or animal). Must have minimum 75-78 hours of contact time. Must be completed within 5 years of program start (e.g., for Sept 2026 entry: completed Sept 2021 - Sept 2026). If courses combine credits from different institutions, predate the window, or are not on the approved list, a Prior Learning Assessment (PLAR) application is required.

No other specific prerequisite courses are required (no statistics, no microbiology, no social sciences/humanities beyond what is captured in the 48-credit requirement).

Prereq source URLs: - https://nursing.ubc.ca/bsn-admission-requirements - https://nursing.ubc.ca/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/admission-requirements - https://vancouver.calendar.ubc.ca/faculties-colleges-and-schools/school-nursing/bachelor-science-nursing/admission-criteria

Prior Degree / Credit Requirement

Minimum credits required: 48 non-nursing, university-transferable credits that are part of a program of study recognized by UBC. A completed bachelor’s degree is not required — 48 credits (~1.5-2 years of full-time study) suffices.
Degree field restrictions: Any field other than Nursing. Transfer students from other nursing programs are not eligible.
Specific undergraduate courses required beyond prereqs: No (only English and HAP above)

Supplementary Requirements

CASPer: Required. All applicants must complete the Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) — Canadian Nursing stream — and request results be sent to UBC School of Nursing. “Applicants who do not complete the CASPer assessment will not be considered for admission.” CASPer is offered on multiple dates from September through January. Results are valid for one year; applicants who completed it in a previous cycle must retake it. Source
GRE: Not required
Interview: Not required
Personal statement / written component: Yes — the Nursing Supplemental Application includes:
Personal Statement (600 words max): “A brief personal statement that details your reasons for deciding to pursue a career in professional nursing, including how any past experiences and knowledge of nursing may be influencing your interest in the UBC-Vancouver BSN program.”
Additional Learning and Accomplishments: A section where applicants list certifications (e.g., First Aid, CPR, Mental Health First Aid) and other relevant accomplishments. (Exact format confirmed from forum reports.)
Resume / CV: Not explicitly required as a separate document
References: Not required
Volunteer / work experience: No stated minimum. Healthcare experience is not required. Per the admission tips site: “retail…develops communication, conflict-resolution, teamwork” — transferable skills from any background are valued.
Language proficiency: UBC English Language Admission Standard applies for non-native English speakers
Other: Non-refundable supplemental application processing fee (amount TBD each year; was $134 in 2022/2023)

How Applications Are Evaluated

Admission decisions are based on three components, scored on a 1-4 scale (1 = top 25%, 2 = top 50%, 3 = top 75%, 4 = bottom 25%):

Academic standing (GPA) — as calculated by UBC Undergraduate Admissions on the most recent 30 credits
Nursing Supplemental Application score — assessed by the BSN Program
CASPer results

Per the UBC Nursing Admission Tips site (created by former students), these three categories are equally weighted. No official published weighting exists from UBC itself.

“The minimum 2.8 GPA / 70% average is the required minimum in order to be eligible to apply to the BSN program, and does not reflect what a competitive average may be for the year of application.”

“Canadian residents (citizens and Permanent Residents) will be given preference in the final selection process.”

Source: Academic Calendar

Who Cannot Apply

International students (Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, and persons with Refugee status only)
Transfer students from other nursing programs
High school direct-entry students

Out-of-Province Considerations

Residency restrictions or quotas: No BC residency requirement. Out-of-province Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply on equal footing with BC residents. The UBC Academic Calendar states “Canadian residents (citizens and Permanent Residents) will be given preference in the final selection process” — but this refers to preference for Canadian citizens/PRs over international applicants, NOT preference for BC residents over other-province Canadians. There is no province-based preference. Per forum reports, approximately 10-20 out of 150 students per cohort are from out of province. Source: UBC Academic Calendar | Source: Nursing admissions
Out-of-province tuition differential: None. BC does not charge differential domestic undergraduate tuition by province. Source

Cost

Tuition

Tuition per credit (2026/2027): $206.69 per credit (domestic)
Annual tuition (30 credits): ~$6,201
Total tuition (20-month program, ~60 credits): ~$12,400 (domestic)
In-province vs out-of-province: No differential for domestic students

Source: UBC Academic Calendar 2026/27 | Source: Nursing Resources page (listed $6,079.20 for 30 credits in 2025/2026)

Additional Program Costs (estimated for full program)

Based on the Additional Estimated Program Costs PDF (2022/2023 figures — subject to change):

Item	Cost
UBC Application Fee	$74.25
School of Nursing Supplemental Application Fee	$134.00
Student Fees (per year)	$1,205.29
Textbooks	$1,525.00
Uniforms (Uniform Central)	$160.00
BP Cuff	$45.00
Stethoscope	$140.00
Photo ID Fee (Artona)	$20.00
Student Accident Insurance (2 years)	$14.00
N95 Mask Fitting (2 annual fit tests)	$70.00
CPR HCP Level Course (2 years)	$170.00
Canadian Nursing Student Association Membership (2 years + processing)	$20.50
Criminal Record Check	$28.00
Immunization Review (UBC Student Health Services)	$167.00
NCLEX Prep Resources (average)	$399-$499
NCLEX Registration Fee (BCCNM/NCSBN)	$360.00
BCCNM Initial Annual Registration	$558.36
Estimated additional costs (excluding tuition)	~$5,090-$5,190

Estimated total cost of program (tuition + additional): ~$17,500-$17,600 (domestic, 2022/2023 dollars)

Competitiveness

Cohort size: Increased from 120 to 150 students/year starting 2022. 150 students were in the September 2024 intake.
Number of applicants: Approximately 500-600 per year (peaked at ~850 in 2021 due to pandemic spotlight on nursing)
Acceptance rate: Approximately 20-25% (120-150 spots out of 500-600 applicants)
Waitlist movement: Typically 30-35 additional acceptances come from the waitlist. Historical data suggests positions #34-38 have received offers between June and September.
Decision timeline: Historically first week of May

Source: UBC Nursing Admission Tips | Source: AllNurses forums

Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

Placements guaranteed? Yes (built into the 5-term curriculum)
Total required hours: Not published as a single number. The final consolidated practicum (NURS 427) alone is 312 hours. Clinical practice runs 2 days per week during Terms 1-4, with the final term being a consolidated practicum.
Placement settings / locations: Hospitals, clinics, patients’ homes, community settings, and simulated practice environments. Clinical placements span “the entire Lower Mainland,” including Vancouver, North Vancouver, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, and South Surrey.
Scheduling: Weekdays and weekends, daytime and evening hours. Students typically receive two days off per week (may not be consecutive). Clinical shifts vary by term and placement.
Can placements be done out of province? Not indicated; appears to be Lower Mainland-based
Transportation: Students must arrange their own transportation to assigned practicum sites
Pre-clinical requirements: Criminal Record Check (CRC), CPR-HCP certification, N95 mask fitting, immunizations compliant with Provincial Health Authority regulations, SPECO orientation completion, Student Accident Insurance
Interprofessional education: Integrated through UBC Health Collaborative Health Education with other health professional programs

Source: Undergraduate Placements | Source: BSN Program Page

Licensing & Career Path

Licensing exam: NCLEX-RN
Regulatory body: BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes (NCLEX-RN is accepted across Canada)
Any known issues with credential recognition? None
Specialty training note: Due to the accelerated nature of the program, UBC-V BSN does not offer specialty nursing training within the program. Students can concurrently take specialty nurse training at BCIT or apply to the Employed Student Nurse (ESN) program with a local health authority.

Reputation & Notes

UBC is consistently ranked among Canada’s top universities; the School of Nursing is well-regarded nationally and internationally
CASN-accredited; BCCNM-approved; Sigma Theta Tau International Xi Eta Chapter (est. 1994) for nursing scholarship
The program is genuinely accelerated — 20 months of consecutive full-time study with no breaks except August
Wide variety of class/lecture/assignment styles; instructors change between terms; expect group projects, quizzes/exams, and individual assignments
Strong clinical placement network across the entire Lower Mainland through partnerships with multiple health authorities
All academic backgrounds and faculties have equal admission chances — no preference for science degrees
CASPer requirement may be under review; some applicant discussions mention UBC possibly removing it in future cycles (unconfirmed)
Active applicant discussion community on AllNurses.com forums with annual threads for each entry year
A student-created Admission Tips site provides detailed guidance on GPA strategy, supplemental writing, and CASPer preparation
The Nursing Undergraduate Society (NUS) also provides applicant resources and peer support

Information Not Found

The following items could not be confirmed from available sources:

Whether online courses are accepted for HAP or English prerequisites — not explicitly addressed. Contact admissions at admin.support@nursing.ubc.ca or information@nursing.ubc.ca.
Minimum grade required for individual prerequisite courses — only the overall 70%/2.8 GPA on the most recent 30 credits is published.
Total cumulative clinical hours across the full program — only the 312-hour final practicum (NURS 427) is specified.
Exact supplemental application questions for 2026/2027 cycle — the personal statement (600 words) is confirmed; other sections may vary year to year.
Official evaluation weightings — the equal-weighting claim (GPA / Supplemental / CASPer) comes from the student-created tips site, not from UBC officially.