About Master’s Program,
UBC Psychology follows an apprenticeship model of graduate training, where each graduate student collaborates with a faculty member. Our department is strongly research-oriented and graduate students are expected to engage in research from the start of their studies. Prospective applicants are therefore advised to review research interests of our faculty members and identify the best match(es) in potential supervisors. The primary aim of the program is to provide students with the skills necessary to conduct psychological research that is publishable in leading journals.
Our graduate program is a unitized MA-PhD program, only admitting applicants who intend to complete the PhD program. Note that transition to the PhD program is not automatic for students completing the MA program; the programs are stand-alone and MA students are required to apply for admission to the PhD program.
Applicants with only a BA/BSc in Psychology are not eligible for the PhD program and must apply to the MA program first. To be eligible for our PhD program, applicants must have completed a thesis-based MA/MSc degree in Psychology. Thesis-based MA/MSc degrees in related disciplines such as Neuroscience or Cognitive Science may be accepted at the discretion of the potential supervisor, Area Coordinator, and the Graduate Advisor.
The MA program is a 24-month program, which is typically followed by an average of four-five years to complete the PhD program. There is one intake per year (September) and our department typically accepts approximately 10-15 graduate students each year.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
The MA program is a 24-month program, which is typically followed by an average of four-five years to complete the PhD program. There is one intake per year (September) and our department accepts 10-15 graduate students out of over 500 applicants each year. Sometimes strong applicants are not successful; this is often due to (but not limited to) match in research interests with intended supervisors or funding availability. With the high volume of applications received, we are unable to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.
TOEFL and IELTS test takers can request electronic submission of scores to universities. We accept electronic delivery directly from the test centre to UBC only. For all other tests an official paper test score report ordered from the testing agency is required. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
Entering MA students are automatically considered for a Graduate Entrance Scholarship (GES); no separate application is required. Nominations are submitted directly by the potential supervisors. The Graduate Admissions Committee adjudicates these nominations based on all information available in the application for graduate studies, including academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and research productivity.
Successful applicants will receive a GES worth $27,000 for the first year of their MA studies. Applicants who have successfully secured both the CGSM (see below) and GES will receive their CGSM award during the first year, and the GES will be deferred to the second year of MA study.
Application Requirement,
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
Graduate Records Examination (GRE)
Proof of English Language Proficiency
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2025
Application Fee,
Canadians (and Permanent Residents, Refugees, Diplomats): (CDN) $116.25
International Applicants: (CDN) $168.25
