Manage your application
As of August 15, 2023, starting with applications for Spring (May) and Fall (September) 2024 admissions, applicants can track outstanding items required for their application and will receive their admission decision in our applicant dashboard.
Please note: if you are applying to start your program Winter (January) 2024, this process will not apply.
Accessing the applicant dashboard
Step 1: Activate your UNBC account
With a few days of submitting your application, you will receive an email from UNBC (noreply@unbc.ca) with the subject line Activate your UNBC Account to the email address you provided in your application. This account is required to track your application items and receive your admission decision. Once you have finished the sign up process, you will receive a UNBC email address (e.g. teststudent@unbc.ca). You can find more information about your UNBC account on our website.
A UNBC email address is required to create an Applicant Dashboard account. Additionally, we will communicate with you regarding your application to this UNBC account. Make sure you check it frequently. You may wish to consider setting up email forwarding to an email address you do check regularly. Visit the email forwarding Knowledge Base article for instructions. Note that we will expect you to reply from your UNBC email account, particularly when you are sending attachments.
If you are using an agent:
Applicants who are using agents to apply must ensure they enter their own email address (not an agent provided email address) in their application. Signing up for a UNBC account or Applicant Dashboard must be done with an email that belongs to the applicant. Failure to do so can result in your application being voided or rejected.
Step 2: Sign up for the applicant dashboard
Following submission of your application, your file enters a queue for review. Once an initial review is completed, you will receive an email with instructions to your @unbc.ca email address on how to sign up for the Applicant Dashboard. The timing of this message will vary. During peak application submission times (for example, right before an application deadline), you may not be given access to check on the status of your application for a couple of weeks.
To sign up for your Applicant Dashboard, you MUST have an active UNBC email address (see step 1). Instructions on how to sign up will be included in the email you receive in your UNBC account. If you submitted your application more than 14 days ago and have not received an invitation to the dashboard, email FutureGradStudents@unbc.ca.
A note about unsubscribing:
In the emails you receive from us, you may see an option to unsubscribe at the bottom of the message. Please note, choosing to unsubscribe will mean that you do not receive further communications from our office (including an update on when your admission decision is ready).
Application tracking
When you submit your application online, most of your application requirements will be included at the point of application. However, your application will not be complete until all your references are received (for programs requiring references). We may also determine that you are missing a specific requirement. You should regularly check your Dashboard to ensure all items required for your application are received.
If you have been notified that we are missing information, please email the missing documents/information to graduate-admissions@unbc.ca.
A note about references:
Shortly after submitting your application, we will send your referee a link to a web form for completion. Once your referee completes their reference, your Applicant Dashboard will be updated with a received date. If your Dashboard is not showing a received date for a reference, you can follow up with your referee directly. Note that ALL references are due within 14 days of the application deadline.
Study Permits
Once you have received notice that your application has gone to program you need to begin your study permit process. It can take up to 6 months for the process. If you have any questions with regards to applying for your study permit, please email ie@unbc.ca.
Admission decisions
Once we have received your application, we complete an initial review and send it up to the Admission Committee in your program of application. The timing for receiving a decision varies widely. Some programs will complete cohort admissions and other programs admit on a rolling basis. For a Fall (September) start, we typically send out decisions in the Spring.
Your admission decision will be populated in your Applicant Dashboard once it has been processed. You can save your admission letter as a PDF. Please review your letter carefully. Admitted applicants to a program requiring a criminal record check will have instructions on how to complete the process and admitted doctoral students will have information about how to receive a tuition waiver in their letter.
A note for admitted international applicants:
If you are applying for a study permit, you will need to save a copy of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada letter of acceptance supplement that is linked within your admission letter. Clicking on the link will take you to a PDF document you can save to your computer. A screen shot from the admission letter is shown below:
Troubleshooting
I didn't receive an email to activate my UNBC account
If you have previously attended UNBC, are currently attending UNBC, work here or have previously applied to UNBC, you may already have an account. Try logging in to your email. If you can't remember your password, you can reset it here. If you are still unsure, email FutureGradStudents@unbc.ca for help.
I don't see any applications in my dashboard
If you've signed up with the wrong email address (e.g. not student@unbc.ca), you will not see your application. Likewise, if you've signed up with more than one email address, this will create issues. Please contact FutureGradStudents@unbc.ca for help if you are running into issues.
I didn't receive an email to sign up for my applicant dashboard
Note that this invitation will be sent to your @unbc.ca email address. Check that email first, if you have not yet done so recently.
During peak application periods, it can take up to two weeks to receive this invitation. If you applied longer than 14 days ago and still have not received an email in your @unbc.ca account, please contact FutureGradStudents@unbc.ca.
My reference is not showing as received
Start by checking with your referee to ensure they received a request to provide a reference. If they have not, email graduate-admissions@unbc.ca. If you provided an incorrect email address or made a typo in the email address for your referee at the time of application, it is possible they did not receive the web form link.
If your referee received a web form link and confirms to you that they have submitted their reference, wait for 24 hours and check your Applicant Dashboard again. It can take up to one day for this information to populate. If you are still having issues, email graduate-admissions@unbc.ca.
I am not receiving emails from UNBC about my application
We will communicate with you to your @unbc.ca email address. However, it is important to note that if you have unsubscribed from email communciation, you will not receive further updates about your application. If you think this may be impacting you, contact FutureGradStudents@unbc.ca.
