University life can be a lot. But there’s a whole network of resources and people to give you the tools to make it manageable, empowering, and exciting.
UBC and your department/program will provide guidance throughout all stages of your study. However, a key to success in graduate education lies in your ability and willingness to be proactive – to take responsibility for your own graduate school experiences. We're available for any questions these resources don't make clear!
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Some how-to guides
Your student life cycle from applicant to alum is quite the process. There are several guides to demystify the process and in some cases provide some advice.
Application guides
Some helpful tips
Graduate School Application Guide
Applying for grad school is quite the process. UBC has made a guide to demystify the process and provide some advice.
Graduate game plan
This guides grad students through the key stages of your graduate education and provides advice for navigating your graduate program.
SCARP student handbooks
Once you’re a student here, here’s what you’ll need to know next. These documents may be updated and replaced here at any time.
Become a teaching/academic/research assistant
Many students have found opportunities as teaching assistants and research assistants. It represents funds and professional development. Read on to understand the expectations and process, as well as the distinction of your dual-roles as university student and university employee.
SCARP forms you'll need
Please download fillable forms before filling them in, as some browsers may experience difficulty filling fields or saving complete forms.
Assistance and support
Some students with differing needs or circumstances may benefit from support resources the university provides.
Awards and student funding
There are many student awards and funding opportunities available to SCARP students. Awards and/or funding sources are made available through SCARP, the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS), professional planning boards and/or other UBC departments.
Each award or funding source has their own eligibility, their own application requirements, and their own application deadlines. Many funding institutions do not determine exact application deadlines until soon beforehand. While staff will try to prompt students with reminders, please proactively stay apprised of upcoming opportunities and deadlines.
International student guide
UBC's International Student Advising is here to support international students throughout their entire student life cycle, including:
- Things to take into account before you start at UBC
- Resources while you're at UBC
- Immigration document support
- Answers to your questions
UBC's Centre for Accessibility
The University works to accommodate students with disabilities. If you have ongoing conditions that require accommodation, register with the Centre for Accessibility to initiate.
Students who are parents
If you are a student who is a parent, there are plenty of programs, resources and initiatives that can assist you. The students who are parents website offers information on community centres and family activities, support on campus, information on daycares and schools, and more
The printable resources for Graduate Students with Families document also includes information on housing, child care and schools, fun things to do as well as resources for settling in.
UBC Student Services' student support and resources
UBC Student Services houses its own hub of additional support and resources.
More learning resources
UBC is huge. At every level there are hubs, centres, and tools to help your learning process.
The Music, Art & Architecture Library
The library is one of those unsung heroes of any University, and an invaluable tool in the toolbelt of a student and a planner.
UBC Library is the second-largest research library in Canada and a high-ranking member of the Association of Research Libraries, and the Music, Art & Architecture Library houses the core planning collection and provides reference and instructional support, via the Architecture & Planning Liaison Librarian.
This resource will help you find community and regional planning related information including articles, books, standards, theses, images, videos, data and more; and Architecture and Planning Librarian Paula Farrar can help guide you in your search.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of planning, SCARP research and teaching are also supported by collections and services in the Koerner Library (social sciences, government publications, data and statistics), Woodward Library (health, engineering, forestry and land & food systems), David Lam Library (business and transportation), Xwi7xwa Library (Indigenous scholarship) and Law Library.
Ask a librarian
Book a one-on-one consultation
For subjects such as:
- NVivo
- GitHub, digital exhibits, Unix shell
- GIS, APIs, OSF
- Citation Management
Learn more about UBC Library consultations
Ask a librarian online
Can't get to the Library? All students, instructors, and researchers can ask a UBC Librarian online with the virtual AskAway service.
Open hours:
- Mon-Thu: 9am - 9pm
- Fri: 9am - 5pm
- Sat: 11am - 5pm
- Sun: 10am - 9pm
Research Commons
Located on the 4th and 5th floors of Koerner Library, the Research Commons offers consultations, workshops, and collaborative spaces for studying, research projects, and hosting presentations. There are open communal spaces for all to study, and private bookable rooms available to graduate students and faculty.
The Research Commons also includes a Digital Scholarship Computer Lab, and provides expertise on Data Analysis, Citation Management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and more. We are a community space that embraces both new and traditional exploratory scholarship and provides access to services and expertise for the advancement of research.
Scholarly Communications team
UBC has an expert team to support UBC faculty and students through workshops, guides and one-to-one consultations on a range of scholarly communication issues.
Centre for writing and scholarly communications
CWSC provides evidence-based writing consultations, workshops, seminars, and resources for UBC Vancouver community members. They welcome those with varying levels of English language proficiency, including multilingual speakers new to academic and professional English at a research university. The CWSC models best practices that support and promote linguistic diversity, expression, and identity in accord with UBC's decolonising, anti-racist, and inclusive pathway to excellence.
Learn more about UBC's Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communications
Student spaces
Dedicated space to study quietly, collaborate with peers on your own terms, or access student community is crucial to your academic experience. Luckily, this is UBC, and there’s no end of Third Places and student hubs.
Graduate Life Centre
About one block away from WMAX, UBC grad students can now find a hub and space meant just for them. It’s a true Third Place for grad students, and a physical resource, with event space you can book for events, smaller spaces for meetings or quiet study, professional development events offered to you, and far more.
Research Commons
Located on the 4th and 5th floors of Koerner Library, the Research Commons offers consultations, workshops, and collaborative spaces for studying, research projects, and hosting presentations. There are open communal spaces for all to study, and private bookable rooms available to graduate students and faculty.
The Research Commons also includes a Digital Scholarship Computer Lab, and provides expertise on Data Analysis, Citation Management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and more. We are a community space that embraces both new and traditional exploratory scholarship and provides access to services and expertise for the advancement of research.
Graduate Student Community Forum
The graduate student community is an online network for newly admitted and current UBC graduate students to meet, exchange ideas, discuss topics of mutual interest, and explore career and professional development opportunities.
Professional development
Learning at SCARP goes far beyond immersing in the theory of Planning. Begin your professional or academic journey here with us, and we’ll provide you with the insights, resources, and connections to enter hit the ground running and become known as an expert in your field before you even graduate.
Also keep an eye out on our Events Page for upcoming professional development webinars!
UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers
The Centre for Student Involvement & Careers supports students in knowing who they are, who they are becoming, and what they bring to the world. Through the work of the Centre for Student Involvement and Careers, UBC students have the opportunity to become engaged learners, able to actively influence the University, and become graduates ready for life and career.
Learn more about the UBC Centre for Student Involvement & Careers
Career resources for UBC grad students
UBC's Student Services portal includes (among its other resources) a suite of resources regarding career development for grad students.
UBC Graduate Pathways to Success program
This team provides (non-credit) workshops, seminars and other activities designed to complement your graduate program’s academic curriculum and mentorship experience.
LinkedIn Learning for UBC students
LinkedIn has an enormous archive of learning modules for thousands of professional skills, competencies, and industry knowledge. Being a degree-seeking UBC student gives you access to this system, where you can find free learning modules and streams of modules that speak to your professional journey, building skills, browsing career ideas, and achieving your personal goals.
Inclusive event planning
One important lens in the world of planning is accessibility, not only into physical spaces but of all considerations that determine whether someone is left behind in your plan. Here are some considerations when planning events.
Networking tips and tricks
Planning and professional development both depend on partnerships and networking-building. The ability to immerse yourself in groups, institutions, or communities, and to have a story of yourself as a professional and expert in your field, are core competencies of success when finding a job or building your career.
NCFDD professional development handbook
NCFDD produced a "handbook" in the form of a video mini-series with quick tips for success in a variety of areas across the academic sphere.
Topics include:
- Accountability Matters
- Creating Micro-goals
- Productivity Pick-me-ups
- The 5 D's" What to Do When All Your --- Don't Fit
- Advancing Your Strategic Plan
- How to Revise & Resubmit in No Time
- Promoting Your Publications
- Rethinking Self-care
- The Art of Saying 'Yes'
- Touchstone Teamwork
The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity is an independent professional development, training, and mentoring community of faculty, postdocs, & graduate students from over 450 colleges and universities.
Faculty of Applied Science's Experiential Learning Hub
UBC Applied Science’s Experiential Learning Hub (E-Hub) is designed to give students an edge in a constantly evolving job market through involvement in a variety of action-based programs and workshops.
Here, students can discover and connect with hands-on learning opportunities that allow them to forge professional networks, enhance written and verbal communication skills, and upgrade their emotional intelligence and inclusive leadership abilities.
Some assets may be particular to other schools in the Faculty of Applied Science, but many are of use to SCARP students as well.
UBC Career Centre
Through workshops, advising, work integrated learning, and industry and alumni connections, the UBC Career Centre helps students and graduates from all academic disciplines explore who they are and what they bring to the world.
UBC Careers Online portal
UBC hosts an online job and volunteer board for UIBC students and alumni. Here you can also sign up for career fairs, as well as attend career-building workshops.
SCARP's Planning career hub
Careers in Planning transcend across countless sectors and disciplines. While innovation and instinct in networking is key, here are some resources to help you find current opportunities and future connections.
Internships and co-ops with BC Public Services
Learn about paid internships, co-op placements and youth employment hiring programs.
Volunteer opportunities
Civic agencies help communicate community perspectives to Council and staff while advising on City priorities, projects, and initiatives. A few have specific decision-making authority.
Health and wellness
Prioritising your health and exercising self-care and balance can escape us sometimes, especially in difficult circumstances. UBC hopes to provide some resources to not face these challenges alone.
Student Health Service
Offers a range of health assessments and treatments provided by doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses. Appointments are available to students in British Columbia by phone, video, or in person.
Wellness Centre
Located in the UBC Life Building, the Wellness Centre is a peer-hosted space that offers many wellbeing programs for students.
Student counselling services
UBC Counselling Services offers virtual, phone, and in-person appointments for initial and follow-up appointments.
A dedicated counsellor for SCARP/APSC students
The Faculty of Applied Science, of which SCARP is a part, has an embedded counsellor, Gordon Lai, dedicated to provide support to students of all APSC schools. Gordon provides direct one-to-one support for students, whether through a short or ongoing counselling relationship, as well as delivers well-being programs for the faculty.
Gordon Lai is an alum of UBC and has previously worked at other post-secondary institutions providing counselling support to students. He is always excited to support you in your academic and personal success.
Here2Talk
Here2Talk is a free BC-wide counseling and referral service available to UBC students 24/7. Young people between the ages of 15-24 are more likely to have mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders than any other age group – as age group most UBC students fall into.
Services include:
- 24/7 access to chat with a trained counselor
- Speak to a trained counselor by phone
- Articles and resources to help you cope with the challenges of student life, health, living away from home, relationships and much more
Grad Student Support Group
This in-person support group is for graduate students to connect with each other in a non-judgmental and welcoming space to help navigate the unique challenges of grad school.
Topics are generated by participants so that relevant themes may be addressed.
Black Mental Wellness project
The Black Mental Wellness Project is an initiative led by the UBC Black Caucus, with support from the UBC Equity & Inclusion Office. The project seeks to better support mental wellness amongst Black students, faculty and staff at the UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan campuses. Through this project, Black students, faculty, and staff can access limited free counselling sessions with Black counsellors from within the community.
Student Employment
Pay Schedule
Like many institutions, UBC operates on a financial calendar that runs from April 1 to March 31.
There are a variety of important dates related to procurement, accounts payable, credit card programs, financial reporting, and other activities that it is important to be aware of — especially with regards to the end of the financial year (Fiscal Year End).
More student resource hubs
We've assembled here a lot of what you'll need to know and access to have an extraordinary student experience. While this includes assets and supports from other corners of UBC and beyond, each resource hub has their own lens and expertise to provide support. We encourage you to seek any avenues of support, insight, and community that speak to you.
UBC Student Services
A central and indispensable hub during your time as a UBC student, for applications, awards, exam schedules, fees, grades, registration, transcripts, technical support, and so much more. You'll spend a lot of time here.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies — Current Students section
Information about your status at UBC, including qualifying, unclassified and access students as well as senior citizens.
Graduate Student Society
The Graduate Student Society (GSS) is run by and for the 10,000 graduate students at UBC Vancouver. They promote and protect members’ academic, social and cultural interests.
SCARP Planning Students Association
The Planning Students Association (PSA) student council, run and elected by students to foster community and dialogue within SCARP. More than supporting various student projects and organising events, their mission is to promote your well-being, assist you in developing professional and personal skills, and act on your behalf on issues of concern.
Planning Institute of BC
PIBC is not only a crucial partner of UBC SCARP, but a valuable resource and hub for SCARP students. They maintain events, information on the planning field and how to thrive in the profession, a community of students and professionals, and far more.
Institute of Transport Engineers (and planners)
A hub for transportation engineering and planning students, faculty, and industry members at UBC and in the Greater Vancouver region. They provide students with opportunities to learn technical skills, discover new career opportunities, and network with experienced transportation professionals.