UBC Vancouver Nursing BSN: Admissions Guide 2026-2027

University of British ColumbiaNursingVancouver, British Columbia, Canada2026-2027 cycle

UBC Vancouver's in-person, advanced-standing Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a full-time program for eligible applicants with prior non-nursing university coursework. Admission requires the UBC application, a separate Nursing Supplemental Application, and Casper. Applicants must also meet the English, human anatomy and physiology, credit, and academic-standing requirements.

Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Credential: BSN
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Casper: Required · CSP-10202
Next deadline: December 4, 2026 (Initial UBC application and HAP PLAR application)
Length: 20 months

Casper Requirement for University of British Columbia Nursing

University of British Columbia Nursing requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.

Test to book: Canadian Undergraduate Health Sciences Casper · CSP-10202
Languages: English, French
Applicant ID to enter: UBC student ID number
Score distribution deadline: February 2, 2027

Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.

Casper is mandatory and valid only for the application cycle in which it is taken. Select UBC Vancouver BSN for score distribution and use your UBC student ID number when registering. UBC accepts English or French testing.

Casper format

Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.

Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.

University of British Columbia Nursing Application Deadlines 2026-2027

Apply through: EducationPlannerBC for new UBC applicants; UBC Applicant Service Centre for current or former UBC students
Applications open: Early October 2026
Application fee: UBC undergraduate application: CAD $78.50 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents; Nursing Supplemental Application processing fee: amount to be announced.

What	When
Initial UBC application and HAP PLAR application	December 4, 2026upcoming
Nursing supplemental application, 11:59 p.m. PST	January 15, 2027upcoming
Last day to sit Casper	January 17, 2027upcoming
Interim transcripts, 11:59 p.m. PST	January 31, 2027upcoming
Final official transcripts and HAP courses, 11:59 p.m. Pacific time	May 31, 2027upcoming

Select the Vancouver BSN program. After submitting the initial application, complete and pay for the Nursing Supplemental Application in the Applicant Service Centre. Current or former UBC students apply for a change of degree or readmission through that centre.

University of British Columbia Nursing Admissions Statistics

Admission is competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an offer.

Eligibility Requirements for University of British Columbia Nursing

Degree / credits: At least 48 non-nursing university-transferable credits applicable to a bachelor's degree recognized by UBC; a completed diploma or degree does not replace the credit requirement.
Citizenship: Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and persons with refugee status in Canada may apply. International students are ineligible.
Language proficiency: Meet UBC's English language admission standard.

Admission pathways

Advanced standing: Designed for students with prior postsecondary credits; the BSN builds on 48 transferable credits over two years.

Strategic applicants confirm all credits transfer via UBC's admission tools before applying. Review UBC's transfer credit database to ensure courses qualify.

Other requirements

HAP prior-learning assessment: Apply for PLAR if HAP courses are absent from the approved or equivalent-course lists, taken in a different combination, or outside the recency period; the PLAR fee is CAD $65.70.
Requirements after admission: Newly admitted students must complete a criminal record check, First Aid/CPR BLS certification, and N95 mask fitting; clinical participation also requires compliance with immunization requirements.

Selection Factors University of British Columbia Considers

Prerequisites

Course	Requirement
Non-nursing university-transferable coursework	At least 48 credits Credits must apply to a bachelor's degree recognized by UBC.
English composition or writing	3 UBC credits or equivalent First-year or higher; an English-medium university degree may satisfy this requirement.
Human anatomy and physiology	At least 6 UBC credits or equivalent Cover all body systems; see the approved course list and recency rules.

GPA

How it is calculated: UBC calculates the average from the most recent 30 completed non-nursing, university-transferable undergraduate credits through December of the application year, including failed and repeated courses. If the 30-credit cutoff falls within a term, UBC uses that term's average for the remaining credits.
Minimum: At least 70% or 2.8 on a 4.0 scale; this is an eligibility minimum, not a competitive-admission average.

Prioritize strong performance in recent terms.

Admissions tests

English proficiency (required for some applicants): Required if prior education was not in English; UBC assesses this during initial review.

Experience and volunteer hours

Not required.

No volunteer or work-hour minimum is listed among the Vancouver BSN admission requirements. Applicants may describe relevant experiences in their Nursing Supplemental Application.

Supplementary application

Submit the Nursing Supplemental Application through the UBC Applicant Service Centre after the initial UBC application, and pay its separate processing fee. Both are required for application assessment.

How applicants are ranked

Admission decisions consider UBC-calculated academic standing, the School of Nursing's assessment of the Nursing Supplemental Application, and Casper results. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission; incomplete applications are not assessed.

Interview Format at University of British Columbia

No interview data is specified in the article; confirm via UBC's site for updates.

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Curriculum at University of British Columbia Nursing

Program length: 20 months
Structure: Full-time advanced-standing BSN beginning at third-year level, delivered over five consecutive academic terms. Classes and labs are in person at Point Grey; clinical practice takes place across Metro Vancouver.
Campuses: Point Grey Campus

The program prepares nursing leaders through rigorous clinical training, simulations, clinical placements, and competency-based assessments emphasizing leadership in nursing practice.

Campus and facilities

Point Grey Campus in Vancouver. Dedicated labs and simulation centers for in-person delivery. Clinical affiliations span Vancouver-area hospitals and community sites. Program culture stresses collaboration. The BSN Student Career & Academic Advisor, Sheryl Zentner, supports decisions on studies and career paths year-round. Current students describe a demanding yet supportive environment, with high competition fostering resilience.

What Applicants Are Saying

Students report intensive hands-on training, including simulations and clinical placements. Matriculated students from UBC's Faculty of Science background highlight how prior volunteering—at seniors homes or hospital gift shops—enhances clinical readiness. Current students describe a demanding yet supportive environment, with high competition fostering resilience. Recent grads note the program's intensity rewards proactive academic advising.

Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.

How to Prepare Your University of British Columbia Nursing Application

Confirm 48 transferable credits and the English prerequisite via UBC's admission tools before applying.
Book Casper well before the score distribution deadline and complete at least 50 practice scenarios; Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank offers 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Submit the UBC Undergraduate Application selecting BSN-Vancouver and include your UBC Number for Casper linkage.
Strengthen your profile with healthcare volunteering such as hospital or community service.
Connect with current students via forums or UBC events and apply to multiple BSN programs in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

More About University of British Columbia Nursing

Delivery: Fully in-person at Point Grey Campus
Advisor: BSN Student Career & Academic Advisor Sheryl Zentner supports studies and career paths year-round

Frequently Asked Questions About University of British Columbia Nursing

Is Casper required for UBC Vancouver Nursing BSN?

Yes. Complete Canadian Undergraduate Health Sciences Casper and select UBC Vancouver BSN for score distribution; UBC accepts English or French testing.

What GPA do I need for UBC Vancouver Nursing admissions?

The minimum is 70% or 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, calculated from the most recent 30 completed non-nursing transferable undergraduate credits. The minimum does not guarantee admission.

Does UBC Vancouver Nursing have interviews?

UBC lists academic standing, the Nursing Supplemental Application, and Casper as its admission-decision factors; its application instructions do not list an interview stage.

What are UBC Vancouver Nursing prerequisites?

At least 48 non-nursing transferable credits, 3 UBC credits of English composition or writing, and 6 UBC credits of human anatomy and physiology, or accepted equivalents.

How competitive is UBC Vancouver Nursing BSN?

Admission is competitive; meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an offer. UBC considers academic standing, the Nursing Supplemental Application, and Casper.

Is UBC Vancouver Nursing program in-person?

Yes, classes and labs are in person at Point Grey Campus, and clinical practice takes place across Metro Vancouver.

Can international students apply to UBC Nursing Undergraduate?

No. UBC Vancouver BSN accepts Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and persons with refugee status in Canada.

What is the application process for UBC Vancouver BSN?

Submit the initial UBC application, then the separate Nursing Supplemental Application and fee; complete Casper and submit required transcripts by the program's deadlines.

Sources

Last updated: September 26, 2026