Navigating success: Student support services at UBC Engineering

Starting university is an exciting journey – a time of growing independence and exploration. But it can also bring challenges that require support and guidance.

As a UBC Engineering student, you have access to a comprehensive range of student services designed to help you thrive academically, socially and personally.

These include academic advising, free tutoring, mental health resources, accessibility services, and dedicated support for Indigenous and international students. Whether you need help with course planning, wellness, or simply want to connect with peers, student services are here to help you make the most of your university experience.

This article focuses on services at UBC Vancouver; UBC Okanagan also offers a full suite of student services.

Engineering Academic Services

As an engineering student you have a dedicated team of professionals to support you on your journey. The Engineering Academic Services (EAS) team can help you with course registration and selection, degree planning (including minors and dual degrees), and program placement. You can drop in to the office or set up an appointment to talk with an advisor. Your advisor can also help you connect with other resources that might help you out, such as tutoring.

Head to Engineering Academic Services for:

First-year registration
Course planning
Program placement
Academic advising
Exam issues

Engineering Academic Services

Academic support

Looking for tutoring or extra help? Wondering how to better manage your time? There are many academic support resources on campus. These range from drop-in tutoring sessions to more structured academic support. The Engineering Undergraduate Society hosts workshops before midterms and final exams for most first-year courses. In addition to getting insight from upper-year students, there’s usually free pizza and snacks too!

You can also make use of the academic support services available to all UBC students.

This includes the Math Learning Centre, Physics Drop-In Centre, and the Chapman Learning Commons, where you can get peer to peer support on things like time management, goal setting, well-being and communication.

Check out the academic support page for links to:

Engineering Undergraduate Society tutoring
Math
Physics
Chemistry
Writing and communications
AMS tutoring
Chapman Learning Commons
Other online learning resources and tools

academic support

Mental health

Your mental health is important to your overall well-being. UBC offers a range of mental health supports, from self-directed online tools and resources to on-campus counselling and group sessions.

Mental health and well-being

Indigenous students

Engineering Academic Services has a designated Academic Advisor for Indigenous students in the Engineering program. Indigenous students can make use of šxʷta:təχʷəm, a dedicated space for students to study and relax on campus with other Indigenous students.

šxʷta:təχʷəm student space

International student advising

International students can take advantage of all UBC student services, as well as a few other resources specific to their needs. Dedicated International Student Advisors are available by phone, email, video call and in person to answer questions about visas, study permits, work permits, health insurance, transitioning to life in Canada and more.

The International Student Guide pulls together a lot of useful information on the major questions you might have.

Finally, our Study Permit Concierge Service can guide you through the application process

International Student Advising

Study Permit Concierge Service

Centre for Accessibility

The Centre for Accessibility is the place to go if you have a disability that requires an accommodation. It also has information about other supports for students with accessibility concerns, including the UBC Accessibility Shuttles and accessible housing.

Centre for Accessibility

Other first year supports

If you’re living in residence, your Residence Advisor is a great person to talk to about life on campus, as well as recreation and social opportunities.

For students not living in residence, UBC Collegia offers lounge-like spaces across campus where you can study or hang out with friends between classes. In addition to study spaces with desks and lamps, the collegia spaces include kitchen facilities, showers and lockers, and a social area with board games and cards.

UBC Collegia

A strong start before you start

Once you accept your admissions offer at UBC, you’ll be invited to the Get Set for UBC Engineering on Canvas. This is a series of online modules released over the summer that provide information about the many resources available to support you throughout the year.

Consider signing up for Jump Start. This is a multi-day orientation that happens on campus in the days before university officially starts. You’ll be put in groups with other students from the Faculty of Applied Sciences and get to take part in a range of fun activities designed to get you familiar with the campus, your faculty and student life.

Get Set for UBC Engineering on Canvas

Jump Start Vancouver

Thrive at UBC

UBC has a wealth of resources and dedicated staff to help students thrive. Whether you want to chat with someone about something on your mind, connect with an upper-year peer to make sense of an upcoming midterm, or work with your advisor to plan out your degree in the way that’s best for you, there are resources and assistance available to support you.

Finally, remember that an important part of your university experience is learning how to grow in independence and build a well-balanced life. Recognizing when you need extra assistance and seeking it out is part of this important process.