For rising Grade 11 high school students in BC looking to apply to UBC’s Vancouver campus in the fall of 2026 (or later), there were some BIG changes announced last week that could greatly impact course selections. UBC has simplified or eliminated its Grade 11 requirements to match those already in place at their Okanagan campus.
UBC removed its foreign language requirement for ALL programs at the Vancouver campus. This means that BC high school students have NO foreign language requirement for applying to UBC for fall of 2026.
UBC has further eliminated all of its Grade 11 math requirements. Of course, for those students applying to Commerce, Engineering, or Science programs (among others), Grade 12 math requirements will remain in place, and students will need to complete the Grade 11 requirements to progress to Grade 12 courses. The primary change here is for students applying to the faculties of Arts or Fine Arts, as they are no longer required to complete a certain Grade 11 math course.
All Grade 11 science requirements will remain in place for students applying to the faculties of Engineering, Science, Land and Food Systems, or Forestry.
Of course, UBC employs a holistic admissions process, meaning that they look way beyond requirements when admitting students – considering aspects such as how much challenge and rigor a student puts into their high school curriculum as well as their extra-curricular and community involvement. Therefore, choosing to include Grade 11 foreign language and math courses, and even Grade 12 courses in these areas, will not only provide stronger preparation for university study in ALL majors but also can present a stronger overall academic profile, boosting one’s chance for UBC admission.
Deciding what to take in Grades 11 and 12 and creating a strong academic profile depends on so many factors, from a student’s individual interests and strengths to their unique challenges and experiences. Our consultants are here to help you explore what these UBC changes might mean for you in your own individual situation. One size DOES NOT fit all when it comes to university admissions.
To read more about UBC’s recent changes, check out their blog post↗ on the topic as well as this page↗ outlining each program’s specific requirements.
