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Welcome to our info and resource page for prospective students interested in UBC Physics & Astronomy.
Here you will find UBC Admissions, UBC Faculty of Science and Department of Physics & Astronomy information on the process for applying to UBC Science and electing a physics and/or astronomy degree. You will also find our more about our degree programs, Science Co-op, student research opportunities, and physics and astronomy careers.
Quick Overview: Prospective students first apply for admission into UBC Faculty of Science. They will take general science classes during their first year, including necessary undergraduate First Year Physics courses. At the end of their first year they will apply for a Physics & Astronomy degree program. Once admitted into our department, they will start their first year in one of our degree programs in their year 2.
Why Physics and Astronomy?: Physics and astronomy includes applications and competencies in maths, computer science, biology, chemistry and engineering, leading to multiple career options in Science, Business, Industry, Research, Law & Policy, Finance, and Education. Physics allows students to explore the beauty of mathematics and its relation to the structure of the universe, apply physics in creating new technologies, or to push the boundaries of genetics or engineering. Undergraduates can bring their studies, research and work experience into co-op and research positions and careers placements.
UBC Admissions
UBC Vancouver Programs and Admissions: UBC Vancouver Programs and Admissions - Canadian high school students requirements for B.C. students - Faculty of Science. \
Applying to UBC: Applying to UBC
Language requirement: English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements:
- Graduation from high school
- Minimum of 70% in Grade 11 or Grade 12 English (or their equivalents)
- At least six academic/non-academic Grade 12 courses (recommended, but not required)
UBC considers your grades in all academic Grade 11 and Grade 12 classes, paying special attention to courses that relate to the degree you’re applying to.
UBC Faculty of Science
UBC Department of Physics & Astronomy degree programs
Why choose physics and astronomy? Undergrad Prospective Students | UBC Physics & Astronomy
Tips for interested students:
- Physics & Astronomy careers are built on maths (vector calculus, linear algebra, basic differential equations) and computer science courses (coding and programming)
- You don't need higher education to get a good career but there are many great careers to be found if you are interested in continuing with higher education.
- All areas of Astronomy (Cosmology, Gravitational Waves, Astrophysics, etc.) require a strong physics background.
Find more information about our degree programs here: Undergrad Degree Programs | UBC Physics & Astronomy
UBC Science Co-op for Physics & Astronomy
UBC Science Co-op has a specific program for Physics & Astronomy students, offering opportunities for students to work in research, business, industry and universities.
We strongly recommend students consider taking co-op as part of their degree experience for gaining work skills, knowledge, maturity and building networks before graduation.
Science Co-op regularly profiles students on its Co-op Chronicles. Check here to view the bios of co-op students: . Find more bios and podcasts profiling students and employers on the Science Co-op Community page here.
Department of Physics & Astronomy Research Opportunities
The Department of Physics & Astronomy is pleased to offer summer research opportunities for outstanding undergraduate students through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the UBC Work Learn International Research Awards (WLIURA), the Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Awards and the Erich Vogt First Year Summer Research Experience (FYSRE) Award. Through these awards, award funds subsidize eligible professors to hire students to work on their research projects. The program creates interesting research-related jobs and gives students the opportunity to gain valuable research experience in an academic setting.
Click here to see a partial list of available Summer 2026 USRA projects hosted at UBC.
Click here to see comments from undergraduate students who completed summer research projects at UBC in previous years.
Physics & Astronomy Careers
Physicists and astronomers study the material world and the energy that drives it, from the smallest particles like neutrinos and Higgs bosons to the very largest structures in the universe, and ultimately the universe itself: from universal laws to energy, time and space.
We provide a great variety of learning experiences, which lead to a wide variety of careers in science. Our subject has a large overlap with mathematics, chemistry, biology and engineering and can be approached from each of these angles. For students interested in working outside of a lab or university, there are also opportunities in teaching, gaming, robotics, finance and law, medical careers and policy research.
Career Night Event
Interesting in meeting our student alumni working in different careers? Join us for our Career Night event:
- November 19th, 2025 from 5:30-7:30pm on ubc campus. See here on our events page. Registration is free.