UBC Mini School in Climate Science and Climate Change

  • In-Person
  • $2,110 - $5,505

This mini school is part of the UBC Future Global Leaders on-campus program for high school students ages 15–18. With 45 hours of class time, FGL mini schools provide a comprehensive introduction to a program area and include information on learning pathways and career opportunities.

The UBC Mini School in Climate Science and Climate Change offers early exposure to university-level pathways in climate and atmospheric science, environmental science, hydrology and water resources engineering, agriculture and food sciences, environmental policy, sustainability studies, disaster risk reduction, and Earth system science, preparing students to engage confidently with climate-related challenges in their future studies and careers.

Human activities such as land-use change and greenhouse gas emissions are reshaping Earth’s environment and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme events like floods, droughts, heatwaves and cold spells. These changes directly affect water availability and food production, making climate change one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Understanding these processes is essential for managing natural resources, reducing risks, and building a sustainable future.

Drawing on concepts from physics, hydrology, ecology, geography, and the social sciences, this mini school highlights the interconnected nature of climate, water, ecosystems and society. Through case studies, basic data analysis, discussion of current scientific findings and problem-solving activities, students explore how climate change influences floods, droughts, heatwaves and changing precipitation. Students also develop their analytical thinking and scientific communication skills.

This mini school is an excellent choice for students interested in geography, engineering, environmental science, food sciences, politics and policy and anyone interested in or concerned about climate change.

Course format

This mini-school is held on the UBC Vancouver campus. You attend class in-person 9am–12noon and 1:30-3pm, Monday through Friday.

Choose to live in a student residence on campus or commute daily to UBC Vancouver:

Commuter Option: includes lunch in residence dining hall, Monday through Friday, and UBC Recreation Card.

Residence Option: includes private room and full board, airport pick-up and drop-off, local medical insurance for all international students (and custodianship if required for visa), weeknight and weekend social activities (e.g., trips to Grouse Mountain, Granville Island and Robson Street) and UBC Recreation Card.

Cost details

Student type

Mini school fee*

Canadian and Permanent Resident

$2,110 CAD 

International 

$2,855 CAD

Optional add-on

  • Residence: $2,650 CAD

*All fees are subject to change.

To register

A Family Account in UBC’s Lifelong Learning registration system is required to register for UBC Future Global Leaders on-campus.

After you add the course to your cart and go to check out, you’re asked to create a new Family Account or log in if you already have a Family Account.

A parent or guardian needs to set up the Family Account with their primary email address. After the account is created, the parent/guardian adds the student as a family member to their Family Account using the student’s primary email address (the student’s email address cannot be the same as the parent/guardian email address).

Add the student to the course session in your cart and complete the checkout process.

After completing the checkout process, and while logged into your Family Account, select New Application to access the FGL information package. Your registration is not final until the information package has been completed and submitted. You may partially complete the information package and return to it at any time within your Family Account.

Available sessions

Available course sessions
Dates Days Time Format Tuition Description
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 09:00 am In-Person $2,110 - $5,505

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