Bachelor of Media Studies (Vancouver) at University of British Columbia

Programme overview

With competencies in theory, research, and application, the Media Studies program prepares you for a rewarding and dynamic career in media, whether your aspirations are academically- or professionally-oriented. Dissecting how meaning is represented and mediated, the program’s courses and expanded learning opportunities promote critical thinking, reflection, and analysis, equipping students to become socially engaged scholars and makers that use media to contribute to the greater good as creative agents of transformation.

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

The Media Studies program at UBC Vancouver is unique for its program structure that covers both a breadth and depth of relevant media topics, equipping students with concrete practical and collaborative skills as well as the theoretical knowledge and critical perspective that enable them to become ethical contributors and thrive both when they enter the workforce and throughout their career as the field demands shift. Graduates are well-equipped to flourish in collaborative environments, facilitate project vision and management, and work with teams within and between individuals, organizations, and communities.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Basic UBC admission requirements apply. Degree-specific requirements: Media Studies No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission Portfolio submission Strongly recommended: IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL. (IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, are not acceptable.)

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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