Academic Values

Since 1915, UBC’s West Coast spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo.

Over the last century, UBC has transformed from a bold new Canadian post-secondary institution into one of the world’s leading research universities.

Top-40 Research University

Our vision is to prepare students to become exceptional global citizens, promote the values of a civil and sustainable society, and conduct outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world.

Our entrepreneurial perspective encourages students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning.

We offer our more than 70,000 undergraduate and graduate students an unrivalled choice of degree programs at our two campuses and affiliated teaching hospitals. We provide a wide range of choices for learners at all stages of their careers, and our commitment to student engagement and success has made us a leader in applying learning research to improve teaching practice.

Global Reach + Impact

We attract more than $773-million in research funding each year, and are recognized as North America’s most international university.

Our researchers are constantly advancing new knowledge — leading to countless new products, treatments and services. Our faculty are internationally recognized; UBC students can learn from Nobel Laureates, Rhodes Scholars, Canada Excellence Research Chairs and 3M National Teaching Fellows.

With nearly 19,000 employees and a budget in excess of $3.4-billion, UBC is one of the largest employers in B.C., and is a complex, dynamic and constantly evolving institution.

The values that guide us

Academic freedom

The freedom to research, teach and study without constraint is the backbone of any university. We protect and promote an open environment in which to explore, question, discover and share knowledge.

Scholarly excellence

We foster excellence by recruiting and retaining the highest calibre of students and faculty, supporting innovative research, and creating a world-class student experience.

Equity + inclusion

By building community in diversity, we engage a full range perspectives. We recruit and support outstanding students and faculty from around the world, and advance educational opportunities with and for Indigenous people.

Resource responsibility

We see our entire campus as a living laboratory in which to learn about the environmental, economic and societal aspects of sustainability. We align our budget with our academic strategy to deliver top-tier education and world-changing research well into the future.

Transparency + accountability

UBC is a publicly supported university with responsibilities to many stakeholders. Open decision-making processes ensure we are accountable to all who have an investment here.

Leadership + development

Our community of scholars and students makes UBC an inspirational place of learning and discovery. We work closely with the deans to foster and reward excellence across our faculties.

Excellence by the Numbers

International Player

#1

North America's most international university, 2020 Times Higher Education international rankings


$773.7 M/yr

in research funding


#37

in the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings


1st

Canadian university to achieve Kyoto protocols


#7

public university in North America, 2022 Times Higher Education University Rankings

Outstanding Faculty

194

Canada Research Chairs


1 of 6

Killam research institutes


8

Nobel laureates


22

3M National Teaching fellows


289

Royal Society of Canada fellows


74

Rhodes scholars

Innovative Teaching

91%

student satisfaction with education, 2021 Baccalaureate Graduates Survey


150

courses transformed through flexible learning


17

MOOCs offered at UBC


6,397

co-ops placed in the 2020/21 academic year


19,413

international students from 148 countries


810+

Sustainability related courses

as of August 2022 unless otherwise noted

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UBC ranks among the world’s top 20 public universities.