Bachelor of Arts in Asian Area Studies (Vancouver) at University of British Columbia

Programme overview

Asian Studies uses multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to study Asian societies and cultures, past and present. UBC’s Department of Asian Studies focuses on approaches to Asia based in the Humanities (language, literature, history, culture, religion, philosophy, gender studies, performance, visual culture) and features strong coverage of East Asia (China, Japan, Korea) and South and West Asia (India, Pakistan, and the Persianate world). An Honours option is available.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Duration: 4 years | Study mode: full-time; co-op optional | Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

Career pathways

As an Asian Studies graduate you will have a first-hand appreciation of linguistic and cultural difference, and a critically informed understanding of one or more cultures and civilizations of South or East Asia. These assets, along with strong research, writing, and critical thinking skills, set you up for other graduate and professional degrees; work in the Foreign Service, Canada Border Service Agency, and other branches of government; serve in NGOs and not-for-profit organizations; work as translators and interpreters in a variety of contexts; and employment in diverse educational, cultural, and media institutions.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Basic UBC admission requirements apply. Degree-specific requirements: Arts No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Undergraduate applications are for Winter Session (September 2027 to April 2028) or Summer Session (May to August 2027).

Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD): May 2027 intake.

Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD): September 2027 intake.

Online application for 2027 entry opens in early October 2026. Deadline to apply for Winter Session (September 2027 to April 2028) is January 15, 2027, 11:59 p.m. PST; the same deadline applies to Summer Session (May to August 2027) except for visiting, unclassified and Access Studies students.

International applicants who want to be considered for the UBC International Scholars Program must apply and submit an award application by November 15, 2026; Canadian citizens and permanent residents seeking Presidential Scholars, Centennial Scholars Entrance or Beyond Tomorrow Scholars awards must apply by December 1, 2026.

Undergraduate application processing fee for 2027S and 2027W: $78.50 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; $173.25 for applicants studying on a study permit presenting transcripts from institutions within or outside BC. Some programmes charge additional supplemental application fees (for example Education $80.00 / $120.75, Law $106.25, Nursing $144.50, Computer Science $104.00). Applications are made through the UBC online application (myapplication.ubc.ca).

Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD), May 2027 intake: applications open 16 October 2026; application deadline for Canadian applicants 8 January 2027; application deadline for international applicants 16 October 2026.

Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD), September 2027 intake: applications open 10 July 2026; application deadline for Canadian applicants 16 October 2026; application deadline for international applicants 10 July 2026.

Graduate application fee for 2027W and 2028S: $120.75 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; $168.25 for students on a study permit; $166.50 for master's-level business programmes (IMBA, MBAN, EMBA, MBA, PMBA, MM). The fee is non-refundable and required for each programme and intake.

Apply through the official page: https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/how-to-apply/

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