Bachelor of Arts (BA)
English professors engage students in research projects, labs and centres that range from indigenous studies and the study of animal ethics to digitized cultural history.
Mastery of the English language is a powerful political and philosophical tool to expand career options in the information age. Become an expert communicator in such occupations as speechwriter, editor and media producer.
English professors in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS) offer a wide variety of courses in areas such as indigenous literatures, postcolonial literatures, world literatures, media studies, ecocriticism, critical and cultural theory, and the digital humanities. Follow our English program on Facebook to keep up to date on events and connect with our community on campus and beyond.
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.
Put your classroom learning to the test with Co-op job placements throughout the region and beyond. 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.
Get your UBC degree in English, which involves the close study and analysis of complex texts. Our courses explore literature and culture across a full range of historical periods from medieval to contemporary in various national and global contexts.
Our faculty members conduct research and teach in a wide range of historical and contemporary areas, including indigenous and postcolonial literatures, Shakespearean drama, critical animal studies, women’s literary history, punk culture, critical theory, popular fiction, digital humanities, poetry and poetic sound archives, and children’s literary cultures.
You will gain an appreciation for language and its role as one of the most powerful political and philosophical tools in this information age.
Our degree programs include the B.A. English Honours and Major in English, as well as the M.A. in English. Undergraduates can also complete a Combined Major with another B.A. program or a General Studies B.A. with a concentration in English.
UBC Okanagan’s English program offers a wide variety of foundational and advanced courses that cover literature in historical contexts, children’s literature, screen-based media, composition, digital humanities, and more.
Sample courses:
View course descriptions for the current academic year. Browse all English courses and descriptions in the Academic Calendar.
Detailed information on the English program can be found 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) in English:
English undergraduates can complete a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English with a Major, Combined Major, Honours, or General Studies BA with a concentration in English.
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.
Learn about graduate studies
Learn about our Masters of Arts in English and our Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies program in Digital Arts and Humanities.
For your application to be considered, you’ll need to do three things:
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
Students are encouraged to declare their major in English at the end of their first year in order to take the prerequisite second-year courses. Refer to the Academic Calendar for required courses.
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’s Okanagan campus 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.
English Studies prepare students to live in a world where writing, reading, coding and decoding are skills in high demand. Earn a UBC degree respected by employers around the globe, and secure a career in marketing, advertising, publishing, or web design. Or continue your education to work in professions such as law, teaching, or social work.
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; and 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 Master of Arts (MA) degree in English at UBC Okanagan provides students with theoretical and practical tools of advanced literary studies in English.
Graduates of the MA program are prepared for a variety of professions that value strong communication skills and a facility in writing and textual analysis including education, journalism, professional writing, publishing, law, consulting, marketing and for pursuing a PhD degree.
There are two ways to fulfil the requirements for an MA in English: the Masters Coursework Option and the Masters Thesis Option.
The Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies program with a theme in Digital Arts and Humanities brings computing technologies and makerspace methods together to address such humanities topics as social justice, access, sustainability, ethics, labour, ecology, collaboration, interaction, making, pedagogy, and reading, as well as the ways in which the humanities can pose vital questions about computing technologies.
Our MA students will gain a host of skills that prepare them for careers in education, consulting, governmental and non-governmental organizations, industrial sectors, and more. With the research, teaching, making, and analytical skills they gain in the Digital Arts and Humanities theme, our PhD students will be prepared to pursue academic and alternative academic career paths.
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.
Get a financial boost to start your research experience and help pay for travel and other expenses. Merit-based cash awards also look impressive on your resumé.
Find out what students, faculty, and alumni have to say about the English program at UBC’s Okanagan campus: ourstories.ok.ubc.ca.
Students in our English program at UBC Okanagan talk about why they chose to take English courses and to pursue an English Major or English Honours for their Bachelor of Arts Degree.
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.
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 aboriginal 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.
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.
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 at you.ubc.ca.
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.
