Bachelor Programme
Interdisciplinary Studies
Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST) at UBC Vancouver is a Bachelor of Arts program in which students design their own cross-disciplinary course of study as an alternative to a department-based major, drawing on two of four categories: humanities, social sciences, creative and performing arts, and sciences. Students build a primary and a secondary focus in one category plus upper-level work in a second category, with the program chair's approval; co-op is available, but IDST cannot be combined with another major, minor or honours. This is not a direct-entry program: students are admitted to the Bachelor of Arts and apply to IDST once they reach third-year standing.
University
University of British Columbia
Country
Canada
Level
Bachelor
Field
Interdisciplinary Studies
Duration
4 years
Language
English
Campus
Vancouver
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST) program
Intake
September
Application Deadline
January 15, 2027 (international scholars: November 15, 2026)
Tuition Information
2026/27 first-year tuition: CAD 51,530.40 per year for international students (Arts rate, CAD 1,717.68 per credit x 30 credits) and CAD 6,200.70 for Canadian students (CAD 206.69 per credit x 30 credits). Fees for students starting in 2027/28 have not yet been published. Tuition only; student fees, health insurance and housing are extra.
Admission Requirements
- Apply online with third-year standing (at least 54 BA credits by the start of Winter Term 1), good academic standing with at least a 60% average, and the Arts Writing Component completed
- Approval depends on a coherent proposed course plan and application responses, at the discretion of the IDST Program Chair; starting late may mean more than 120 credits
- BC high school: English Studies 12 (or English First Peoples 12)
- IB: no specific courses beyond UBC's general admission requirements (Faculty of Arts)
- English language proof, if required, is due February 15, 2027 (see English Language Requirements below)
English Language Requirements
International applicants must satisfy UBC's English Language Admission Standard.
IELTS Academic
6.5 overall, no band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
90 overall
PTE Academic
65 overall
Duolingo English Test
125 overall
CAEL
70 overall
Cambridge English
180