This mini school is part of the UBC Future Global Leaders on-campus program for high school students ages 15–18. It is offered by the UBC School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) and the UBC Department of Geography.
The UBC Urban Studies Mini School provides introductory knowledge of, and experience with, a range of city-making processes. Through case-based and interactive learning, you examine the most essential questions about how cities (and suburbs) work from an interdisciplinary lens. You explore the complexity involved with understanding what a city is; where cities come from; how city systems function and are governed; and how decisions are made about the future of cities.
In the UBC Urban Studies Mini School, you:
- Work through real urban planning and development cases from around the world
- Learn directly from UBC planning and geography instructors and current practicing urban planners
- Get introduced to a range of urban research projects happening at UBC
- Meet professionals working in urban planning and development
- Get advice on university admissions and career pathways within the urban professions
Curious about how your career can be a part of helping to solve some of society’s most complex challenges? This mini school is an opportunity to start down that path by becoming part of the global community seeking to shape the future of cities. With all of the future population growth expected to be urban and many of the world’s cities rapidly expanding, there has never been a greater need for people deeply trained in the urban professions.
This is an excellent choice for anyone interested in working within the professions that shape cities including urban planning and development; urban geography; architecture, landscape architecture, civil engineering, and urban community development.
The UBC Urban Studies Mini School is offered by the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) and the UBC Department of Geography.
Course format
This mini-school is held on the UBC Vancouver campus.
On the first Monday of the session, you attend Orientation Day from 9am–3pm, which helps you build friendships, connect with your learning community, feel comfortable on campus and prepare for university life.
Starting on the first Tuesday of the session, you attend your mini school classes from 9am–12pm and 1:30–3pm on weekdays.
On-campus student life activities are scheduled for all students from 3-5pm on weekdays.
Instructors
This mini school is taught by professors and instructors from the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) and the UBC Department of Geography.
Residence and commuting options
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, weeknight and weekend social activities (e.g., trips to Grouse Mountain, English Bay and Robson Street), and UBC Recreation Card.
Who is eligible?
This course is for high school students ages 15-18 who have completed grade 10 or equivalent.
We also recommend students have:
- 78% average / 3.5 GPA / B average / IB 5 or higher
- IELTS of 6.0 / TOEFL 80 or higher (or equivalent) for students whose high school courses were taught in a language other than English.
Cost details
| Student type | Mini school fee* |
| Canadian and Permanent Resident | $2,175 CAD |
| International | $2,940 CAD |
Optional add-on
- Residence: $2,730 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.