Psychology

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Explore intricacies of the human mind as you seek to understand human behaviour—how people think, act, and feel.

Why study Psychology at UBC’s Okanagan campus?

Career Opportunities

Build a broad foundation with a globally recognized UBC degree. Career options include behavioural analysis, public relations, and human rights promotion.

Access to Professors

Visit your prof during office hours or volunteer to assist with a research project on criminal deception, the benefits of cannabis, or the secret to happiness—just a few of the topics renowned UBC faculty researchers are exploring.

BROAD RANGE OF KNOWLEDGE

UBC Okanagan’s liberal arts degree prepares students for global citizenship by integrating foundational knowledge with interdisciplinary opportunities in social justice, sustainability and Indigenous content. Students who earn a BA degree graduate with a broad range of knowledge and the ability to think critically, be creative, problem solve and communicate effectively.

Co-op Experience

Co-op helps you to gain beneficial skills such as how to build your resumé, apply for jobs, expand your professional network, and earn money to pay for tuition.

what you need to know

Get your UBC degree in psychology, the study of human and animal behaviour. Psychology explores diverse topics, from the factors involved in social interactions among individuals and groups, to the processes underlying the nervous system, to moral development in children and what gives us a sense of well-being.

A psychologist might assess and treat mental or behavioural problems, use observation and experimentation to research psychological processes, or advise corporations interested in increasing employee motivation and productivity.

At UBC Okanagan, you can complete either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) in psychology. Bachelor programs offer a major or a general studies BA with a concentration in psychology.

Students enrolled in the BA psychology program and the BSc psychology program take the same required psychology courses. The difference lies in the electives associated with the degree requirements of completing a BSc or BA. Generally, if you prefer arts courses, the BA is the best fit, and if you prefer science courses, the BSc is the best choice.

UBC Okanagan’s psychology program offers a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses that cover topics such as personalities, abnormal behaviour, stress, and memory.

Sample courses:

  • PSYO 121 — Introduction to Psychology: Personal Functioning
  • PSYO 230 — Biopsychology of Behaviour
  • PSYO 353 — Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality I

Browse psychology courses and descriptions

The following links take you to psychology program details in the Okanagan Academic Calendar, a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services, and academic policies at The University of British Columbia:

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Communications and Rhetoric Certificate

Students can receive a Certificate in Communications and Rhetoric by completing 15 credits through courses from four thematic interdisciplinary and relational clusters, and a final capstone project. This is an add on to any major; some credits can be double-counted.

Planning

Plan your academic journey by exploring the undergraduate academic planning guide designed for Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences students.

Learn about graduate studies in psychology.

For your application to be considered, you will need to:

  • meet general requirements (e.g., graduate from secondary school)
  • demonstrate a certain level of English competency
  • meet specific requirements for the degree you’re applying to

Then, UBC will take a closer look at your application. We’ll read your Personal Profile to get a sense of who you are and what you’ve achieved. We’ll also look at all of your Grade 11 (junior level) and Grade 12 (senior level) courses, paying special attention to the courses that relate to the degree you’re applying to.

Find your specific requirements at you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc.

WHEN TO DECLARE YOUR MAJOR

Declaring helps you plan your program more effectively, build your education, and stay connected.

Students are encouraged to declare their major in psychology at the end of their first year in order to take the prerequisite second-year courses (i.e., PSYO 270 and 271); refer to the Academic Calendar for those admission requirements: BA in psychology, BSc in psychology. Learn more about declaring your major.

Application Deadlines

Plan ahead to ensure you meet important deadlines and other target dates listed at you.ubc.ca.

Tuition Fees

UBC Okanagan’s fees compare favourably with universities of the same high calibre. See Financial Planning for helpful resources, and add up your first-year costs with our Cost Calculator.

Apply to UBC at you.ubc.ca—there are just five steps in the application process. Soon you could be studying at one of the world’s top universities.

Check out the steps to apply to UBC, and be sure to choose “Okanagan campus.”

Or let our Student Recruitment & Advising experts guide you: call 1.877.807.8521.

Your Career Options

Build a broad foundation and great career potential with undergraduate psychology studies. Earn a UBC degree respected by employers around the globe. Job opportunities exist in such diverse disciplines as behavioural analysis, public relations, and human rights promotion.

  • Addictions support worker
  • Behavioural analyst
  • Child and youth care worker
  • Correctional officer
  • Crisis intervention support worker
  • Labour relations specialist
  • Marketing and public relations professional
  • Mental health worker
  • Parole/probation officer
  • Residential support worker
  • Youth and family support worker
  • Governmental departments and organizations
  • Community, social, and correctional services
  • Regional health authorities
  • Advertising, human resources, marketing, and research organizations

Learn and earn with Co-op, a paid opportunity for students to enrich their education with work experience. At UBC’s Okanagan campus, sign up for Co-op to:

  • build your resumé with professional experience
  • learn valuable tips on how to successfully apply for jobs
  • expand your network of industry contacts
  • earn money to pay for tuition

Inquire about Co-op by phone at 250.807.9623 or by email.

The UBC Okanagan Arts Career Apprenticeship Program (UBCO ACAP) connects upcoming arts, humanities and social sciences graduates from the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies with Okanagan-based employers for one-year, paid, early career opportunities.

The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers a CPA-accredited graduate program in clinical psychology and a graduate program in psychological science.

UBC Okanagan also has an innovative Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies (IGS) program in which students may have a psychology department faculty member as their primary supervisor.

Gain Valuable Experience

Learning experiences beyond the classroom help prepare you for a career and life after university. Expand your horizons while studying abroad, conducting meaningful research, or working in the community with your UBC colleagues.

  • See the world through Go Global, a UBC program for exchange and study with more than 150 international partner institutions. Experience university life abroad as a resident, or earn academic credit while participating in summer group-study courses led by UBC profs.
  • Apply for a Psychology Travel Subsidy (up to $500), awarded to undergraduate and graduate students presenting at a conference practically anywhere in the world.

Follow your ideas and jump-start your career:

  • Pursue innovative and original research as part of the  Undergraduate Research Awards.
  • Volunteer as a research assistant or pursue directed studies or honours opportunities, some of the many opportunities for undergraduate students to gain valuable research experience.
  • Participate in a psychology research study conducted by UBC investigators; sign up at your convenience using the online Sona tool.

Get a financial boost to start your research experience. Pay for travel and other expenses. Win merit-based cash awards that look impressive on your resumé.

  • Undergraduate Research Awards: The URA offers an $8,000 salary plus a maximum of $1,500 for research expenses, for a total of up to $9,500 per student. For international students, the IURA offers a $9,000 salary plus a maximum of $1,500 for research expenses, for a total of up to $10,500 per student.
  • NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards: Minimum $7,500
  • Co-op puts your classroom learning to the test, allowing you to explore career options while earning money. Inquire about Co-op by phone at 250.807.9623 or by email.
  • Work on campus in the field of psychology as a teaching assistant—deliver labs, tutorials, and even lectures.
  • Learn through doing, create strong connections, and develop professional skills with a campus job arranged by UBC’s Work Study Program.
  • Meet a community need and get practical experience by volunteering for a Community Service Learning project—a life-changing experience.

WELCOME TO UBC’S OKANAGAN CAMPUS

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. In the psychology program at UBC’s Okanagan campus, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally respected university while studying in a close-knit learning community.

  • Get a glimpse into life on UBC’s Okanagan campus at you.ubc.ca.
  • Take a virtual tour of our state-of-the-art labs, modern facilities, campus residences.
  • Visit the campus for a personal guided tour led by a student ambassador.
  • Tour the campus, city and lake with this interactive 360-degree Kelowna From Above* video.
    * Best viewed in Chrome and Firefox 

On the first day of university, faculties offer “Meet the Faculty” sessions where you can get to know the Dean, professors, and the staff who provide student support. It’s all part of UBC Okanagan’s new student orientation: CREATE.

Attend an orientation tailored to your needs as an Indigenous student, domestic student, international student, or student living in residence. You can even register your parents for an orientation that includes a workshop and campus tour.

  • Peer mentors are a great resource — ask questions and learn from students who’ve been there, done that.
  • Navigate your studies with the help of a professor, your Program Advisor.
  • Use the library which offers print, audiovisual and electronic research materials, a leisure-reading collection, and loaner laptops. It also offers research consultations, instruction and workshops.
  • The library’s Writing and Resource Centre can help you articulate your ideas. Pursue your research in a range of subject areas and scholarly genres, including essay writing, grammar, presentation skills, punctuation, thesis development, and coursework.
  • Familiarize yourself with resources designed to help you succeed. Student Services offers a variety of academic supports, from study sessions to tutoring and writing workshops.

Take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved and stay active—from workout space in the new Hangar Fitness Centre, to athletic courts, intramurals, fitness classes, and varsity athletics.

Learn more at Sports and Recreation, which includes links to fitness facilities, sport clubs, intramurals and recreation programs, as well as the nationally ranked UBC Okanagan Heat varsity teams that compete in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association.

  • Make friends with similar interests, attend events, and explore career options with the Psychology Course Union.
  • Branch out, get involved in student life, and have fun by joining various campus clubs.

Meet new people while living in a study-oriented environment with easy access to academic and personal support.

UBC Okanagan offers modern residence living surrounded by hiking and biking trails. One of the newest residences, Purcell, includes a rooftop patio that offers a panoramic view of the campus and the Okanagan Valley.

Find out more about living in residence.

UBC’s Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people—the fourth fastest growing population in Canada. In fact, the Okanagan Valley is rated one of the best communities in Canada to grow your business.

More than 160 buses travel daily from campus to key locations such as Kelowna’s cultural district and thriving downtown waterfront. The campus is two minutes from the Kelowna International Airport, one of the Top 10 busiest airports in Canada.

UBC Okanagan is situated within the First Nations territory of the Okanagan Nation, whose spirit of stewardship for the land is reflected in the university’s respect for sustainability.

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards and orchards, and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan Valley features sweeping stretches of lakeside and endless mountain trails for biking and hiking.

Explore the Okanagan lifestyle at you.ubc.ca.