Our Students

UNBC attracts students from across the province and around the world because of its small size, high-quality academic programs, and friendly atmosphere. They stay because of many enriching opportunities, such as being involved in research, working closely with professors and other students, playing on athletic teams, participating in student exchanges, and gaining employment skills through work terms and internships.

Quality Teaching

The delivery of academic programs and the creation of a positive learning environment matter at UNBC. “How we teach” and “what we teach” have a direct effect on students. The student experience is enhanced by opportunities for hands-on learning, international perspectives, a focus on student outcomes, instruction enriched by innovative research, the use of appropriate technology, and approaches to learning that are informed by multiple perspectives.

Classes at UNBC include practical sessions in advanced laboratories, field schools throughout northern BC, week-long intensive courses for students who may otherwise work full-time, web courses for ultimate flexibility, seminars in small groups, and lectures in state-of-the-art theatres.

Learning Through Technology

Building on the success of the Northern Medical Program, UNBC is exploring ways to further expand its technology-enabled learning capabilities. The NMP uses state-of-the-art equipment that allows medical students in Prince George to participate in lectures with students at UBC or the University of Victoria.

At the Forefront of Research

For its size, UNBC is among the most research-intensive universities in Canada and many faculty are international leaders in their fields. Much of UNBC’s research focuses on the social, economic, environmental, and cultural issues of the North. This has led to the establishment of world-class research in such areas as Natural Resources and the Environment; Rural, Remote, and Northern Health; and the Sustainability of Communities.

Research partnerships with the private sector and public agencies have strengthened UNBC’s role as a resource for communities. This includes research on the mountain pine beetle, local governance, indigenous languages, economic development, determinants of health, and climate change.

Leader in Research

UNBC has been successful in attracting government and private sector funding to establish a total of 13 endowed research chairs. The roster includes eight Canada Research Chairs who focus on topics related to the environment, rural communities, First Nations, climate change, and literature. UNBC also has research leaders working in BC's most spectacular environments, and industry-supported chairs conducting research related to mixed wood ecology and forest growth and yield.

Successful Alumni

No part of UNBC has grown more over the past decade than its number of graduates. Six students became the University’s first alumni in 1994. UNBC is now closing in on 10,000 graduates. Alumni include politicians, entrepreneurs, nurses, teachers, foresters, bankers, and community leaders of all types.

UNBC’s alumni are the University’s single-most important external constituency. As ambassadors, they are key to expanding UNBC’s profile around the world. As citizens, they are applying their UNBC education and experience to improving the social, economic, environmental, and cultural fabric of our communities.

* Source: BC University Student Outcomes 2010 Survey of 2088 Baccalaureate Graduates.

Employment and Earnings

UNBC participates in annual surveys of BC university graduates that illustrate high levels of alumni satisfaction, employment, and average earnings. UNBC grads from 2008 had an employment rate of 90%, two percentage points less than the provincial average. In addition, they earned an average of $50,611 per year, slightly higher than an average BC graduate of the same year.