How to Apply

Securing the interest of a prospective faculty supervisor is a vital step in the PhD, MSc and MASc application process, and interest must be confirmed before you submit the online application.

Using the prospective supervisor list, carefully review faculty members whom you consider to be the best match with your research interests. Make a short-list of prospective supervisors and contact them to see if they are accepting new students. Remember that faculty members receive many inquiries, so generic e-mails may not receive a response! Make your correspondence stand out: tell potential supervisors about your background and interests and how this relates to their research area.

As part of your conversation with a prospective supervisor, it is important to discuss funding. UBC Forestry requires that supervisors have a minimum funding package planned for the student prior to an Offer of Admission being issued.  

Your online application should only be submitted after a prospective supervisor has confirmed to you that they are interested in reviewing your application.

Be sure to choose the correct degree credential (PhD, MSc or MASc in Forestry) from the drop-down menu of degrees.  An application fee is required.

Apply Online – Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

You must scan and upload one digital copy (.pdf) of each of your official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended or taken courses at.
PLEASE READ THE TRANSCRIPT SUBMISSION PROCEDURE CAREFULLY:

• Transcripts must be scanned front and back. All pages of one transcript, front and back, should be uploaded as a single file (rather than a separate file for each page).
• Transcripts must be uploaded as a .PDF file – no other formats accepted.
• Naming format of each uploaded transcript file must be: LastName_FirstName_FRST_Credential_Transcript_NameofPostSecondaryInstitution
  • Example #1: Smith_John_FRST_BEng_Transcript_UnivofToronto
  • Example #2: Smith_John_FRST_MSc_Transcript_BeijingForestry
• If you have transcripts that are issued in a language other than English, then in addition to uploading digital copies of the documents in their original language, you must also upload a certified literal English translation of your transcripts from your home university’s translation service or certified English translator.

DO NOT SEND OFFICIAL PAPER COPIES OF YOUR TRANSCRIPTS TO UBC DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS.   Forestry will use the digital copies to evaluate your application. If you are offered admission to Forestry, you will not be allowed to register in the program until one set of all required official academic records are received and validated by UBC.  Submission instructions for transcripts will be included in your Offer of Admission package.
Current and former UBC students – You do not need to submit UBC transcripts as part of your graduate application, as this data is already available through the student database system. However, be aware that you are still responsible for submitting transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions that you have attended (e.g., exchange year, transfer year, etc.).

We require three (3) references from academic sources. These should be individuals who can report on your academic ability and qualifications. If one of your referees knows you in a professional context, this is also acceptable if they are able to provide an assessment of your strengths and academic potential in your proposed research area. References are submitted directly by the referee to the online application system. There are three possible formats for references.

You (the applicant) will input each of your referee’s contact information into the online application system. The referees will then receive an auto-notification with instructions on how to upload their references only after you have completed the rest of your online application, paid your application fee, and submitted it online. Your prospective academic supervisor(s) in Faculty of Forestry cannot also act as a referee.

It is therefore VERY important that you complete and submit your online application with enough time to ensure your referees have sufficient time to submit references and for our office to receive their documents before the Forestry admissions deadline.

Applicants whose prior degree is from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide official results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your program application and the results must be sent to UBC directly from the testing agency.
Ensure your language test score meets our minimum requirements:
Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Applied Science or Master of Science
TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL, PTE are considered acceptable tests; you may refer to the UBC Grad Studies (G+PS) page for a complete list of acceptable testing agencies.

Provide a brief letter (1-2 pages) that describes your research interests and academic and career goals. Refer to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website for tips on writing your letter of intent.
This document must be uploaded to your online application as a .PDF file. Please use the following naming format:
Letter of Intent Naming Format: LastName_FirstName_FRST_LetterOfIntent

Provide an up-to-date CV that summarizes, in the following order, your education (degrees, diplomas, continuing education); academic and professional awards; achievements, honours, or other distinctions you have received; work experience; professional certifications; volunteer experience; recreational pursuits.
This document must be uploaded to your online application as a .PDF file. Please use the following naming format:
CV Naming Format: LastName_FirstName_FRST_CV

The following materials are required for a Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) application:

• A complete PhD application file to the Faculty of Forestry graduate program by February 1 (through online system)
  • Please note that references can be submitted up until February 10.
• Brief Research Statement (1 page maximum) from the prospective student.
  • Identify the context, research questions, proposed methodology (including any plans for collaboration as relevant), and societal importance of the issue you would like to explore in your doctoral research.
  • NOTE: this is different from the more personal, “Letter of Intent” that is part of the general application process.
  • Formatting requirements:
    • 1 page maximum (single-spaced, 12-point font, 2.5 cm margins)
    • Page limit does not include references
    • Include full name on top right-hand corner of each page.
  • Please use file naming convention: SURNAME_First Name_4YF_Research Statement
• Supervisory Statement (1 page maximum). Prospective supervisors, please summarize the fit, scholarly environment, professional development opportunities, and synergies with the faculty as pertain to the applicant. Please include the applicant’s full name at the start of the statement.

Both the Brief Research Statement and the Supervisory Statement must be emailed to forestry.grad@ubc.ca by February 1. Please note that the prospective student is responsible for following up with the supervisor to ensure the February 1 deadline is met.

While 4YFs are adjudicated once annually in Feb/March, with recipients notified in March. Recipients with their supervisor’s approval can request to change their program start date (and retain their funding) to the following January or May.

It is to your advantage to complete your application as early as possible. If you are an international student, we strongly encourage you to apply early so that you have more time to secure your Canadian Study Permit, if you are offered admission. Late applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the prospective supervisor and the graduate program office.

Applications will not be considered until a full application package is received.

Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to UBC.

All applicants: MASc / MSc minimum admission requirements

All applicants: PhD minimum admission requirements

International applicants: in addition to our minimum requirements, you must check that you meet UBC’s specific requirements based on the country in which you completed your prior degree.

International applicants: View country specific requirements

When your application file is complete, it will be reviewed and an admission decision made by the Forestry Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, as well as by the faculty member(s) who will be supervising your research.

If you will be moving to Vancouver to attend UBC, we strongly encourage you to apply for on-campus housing. Because demand is high, it is recommended to apply at the same time you submit your Forestry program online application. (The UBC Housing online application system is separate from our Forestry program online application). UBC Housing accepts applications year round; you do not have to wait for an offer of admission from Forestry to apply to live in residence.
If applicable, we also strongly encourage you to apply for UBC Child Care Services well before you arrive at UBC. Prospective UBC students who are pregnant or have children can apply to daycare before they have been accepted to UBC, or even before they have submitted, their application to UBC. All prospective parents need for the childcare application is the child’s last name and the expected due date.

Apply to live in residence

Childcare information