- 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, mini schools provide a comprehensive introduction to a program area and include information on learning pathways and career opportunities.
The UBC Physical Therapy Mini School gives you a hands-on taste of what it’s like to study and work as a physical therapist. Through interactive lessons, you dive into human anatomy, physiology and medical terminology—all with a focus on real-world physical therapy applications.
But this isn’t just classroom learning. In the UBC Physical Therapy Mini School you:
- Practice physical therapy techniques in a supportive, hands-on environment
- Work through real patient case studies in areas like sports injuries, pediatric care, stroke recovery, and chronic disease management
- Learn directly from UBC professors and practicing physical therapists who are passionate about their work
You also:
- Tour the UBC Department of Physical Therapy and explore cutting-edge research labs
- Meet professionals working in hospitals, clinics and with sports teams
- Get insider tips on university admissions and career pathways in health sciences
Curious about a career that combines science, problem-solving and helping people optimize their movement and physical abilities? This mini school is your chance to explore a future in physical therapy where you truly make a difference. Physical therapy is also ranked as one of the best and most in-demand professions in health care.
This is an excellent choice for anyone interested in medicine, health care, including physical therapy, sports medicine and kinesiology, and health sciences.
Course Advisor and Instructor
Dr. JANICE ENG, PT, PhD is a Professor in the UBC Department of Physical Therapy and a 2026 Recipient of the Order of Canada for her ground-breaking work in neurological physical therapy, specifically in stroke and spinal cord injury. She has developed treatments that are used in over 5000 sites in more than 40 countries around the world.
Instructors
Dr. TERESA LIU-AMBROSE, PT, PhD is a Professor in the UBC Department of Physical Therapy and is a Canada Research Chair in Healthy Aging.
MARC RIZZARDO, PT, MPE is a Clinical Associate Professor in the UBC Department of Physical Therapy. He has had numerous international roles, including Chief Therapist with the 2010 and 2012 Olympics, Chief Therapist 2007 Pan-American Games, and most recently worked as a physical therapist at the 2026 Olympics with the Canadian Ski Jumping team.
Dr. COURTNEY POLLOCK, PT, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the UBC Department of Physical Therapy and a qualified medical classifier for the International Paralympic Committee where she ensures athletes with disabilities are appropriately classified for fair sport competition.
Dr. MARIE WESTBY, PT, PhD is a Clinical Associate Professor in the UBC Department of Physical Therapy and was the recipient of the 2024 American College of Rheumatology Distinguished Educator Award.
Dr. BEV LARSSEN, PT, PhD has taught in the Pathology for Physical Therapy course in the UBC Physical Therapy curriculum and has worked as a physical therapist in private practice with musculoskeletal and neurological populations.
Dr. KAYA YOSHIDA, PhD, completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences. She has expertise in the biomechanics and brain neurophysiology of walking and has developed innovative physical therapy treatments for improving walking in people with disability.
Additional instructors will be confirmed by June 2026.
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. Bring your own laptop or tablet.
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.