## [BSN Admission Requirements](/bsn-admission-requirements)
## BSN Admission Requirements
# UBC Vancouver BSN Eligibility & Program Details
- Who Can Apply?
- Program Overview
- What do I need to know?
##### Who Can Apply?
- Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada *\*See Note 1*
- Applicants who have completed a minimum of 48 transferable credits in a field of study other than Nursing that are part of or applicable to a bachelor's degree program of study recognized by UBC.
### Who is ineligible to apply?
- Transfer Students from other Nursing Programs
- International students *\*See Note 1*
- High School Direct Entry Students:
- For direct entry options see [UBC Okanagan](http://nursing.ok.ubc.ca/undergraduate-program-overview/)
- Explore [Nursing Programs Outside of UBC ](https://www.bccnm.ca/Public/becoming_a_nurse/Pages/study_to_be_a_nurse.aspx)
**\*Note - Only Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and persons with Refugee status in Canada may apply to the program.**
##### Program Overview
- Program Start: September
- Number of Intakes each year: One (1)
- Length: Full-time 20 months
- Mode of Program Delivery: In-Person
- Location: UBC Vancouver Point Grey Campus/ Clinical – Metro Vancouver area
##### What do I need to know?
- All UBC-V BSN graduates are eligible to apply for [RN registration](https://www.bccnm.ca/Public/Pages/TypesOfNurses.aspx)
- Transfer Credits for Nursing Courses are not available.
- There are no LPN to RN bridging options.
- If you are an internationally trained nurse, [learn more about your options](https://www.bccnm.ca/RN/applications_registration/how_to_apply/InternationalEN/Pages/Default.aspx) for registration with BCCNM.
- Admission deadlines are firm, and extensions normally not granted.
- Pre-evaluation of admissions prerequisites is not available.
### Course & Education Prerequisites for All Applicants
**There are 3 requirements to make students eligible to apply for the BSN Program:**
1. 3 UBC credits of first year or higher English Composition / Writing course
2. 6 UBC credits (or equivalent) of human anatomy & physiology
3. Admission to the program requires a minimum of 48 transferable credits in a field of study other than Nursing that are part of or applicable to a bachelors degree program of study recognized by UBC
---
#### **1. First-year or higher English (3 credits)** - *one of* the following options below meets this requirement:
1. UBC WRDS 150 or 151 (3 credits) or notation of "WRCM 1st (3 credits)" in your UBC Academic History or Academic Transcripts is also acceptable.
- To check if your courses are equivalent to UBC WRDS 150 or 151, please consult the [BC Transfer Guide](https://www.bctransferguide.ca/)
- "WRCM" means that UBC identified that you completed 3 credits of general first-year English “Writing/Composition” courses when your prior academic transcripts were reviewed at time of admission.
2. First year or higher level university transferable to UBC English composition course. A composition course is defined by the School of Nursing to include an analysis based approach to writing at the University level.
- To check if your courses is equivalent UBC ENGL 1st please consult the [BC Transfer Guide](http://www.bctransferguide.ca/)
3. Have a university degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction? You may meet the prerequisite for 3 credits of English composition with your degree completion.
#### **2. Human Anatomy and Physiology (minimum 6 credits):**
- UBC BIOL 155 or a direct equivalent is recommended
- Equivalent[](https://nursing.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2025-10/approved-hap-course-list-2026.pdf)[Human Anatomy and Physiology (HAP) course/courses](https://nursing.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/approved-hap-course-list-2027-updated-08.20.pdf)[](https://nursing.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2025-10/approved-hap-course-list-2026-1.pdf)will be considered as long as:
- They cover all body systems
- Have been completed 5 years from the time that the ***program starts*** (i.e., after September 2022).
- Please see "What HAP Courses Meet the Requirement?" for more detailed information.
#### **3. Want to find out if you have 48 non-nursing university transferable credits toward a bachelors degree (or equivalent) in another field of study?**
- Please review your academic transcripts from your prior learning for the credit value, subject, and level of completed courses.
- Most undergraduate university level coursework you are currently completing, or have completed will count toward this requirement, except any courses classified as nursing courses that are part of an approved undergraduate nursing program based on your institutions academic calendar.
- To be eligible for admission, applicants must have completed at least 48 non-nursing university transferable credits. These credits must be from courses that are recognized as transferable to a university degree program and do not include any courses classified as nursing within an approved undergraduate nursing program.
- **Note:**
Bachelor’s degrees completed with fewer than 120 credits or including non-UBC transferable coursework may not meet this requirement. The key criterion is the completion of 48 non-nursing university transferable credits, regardless of whether a degree has been conferred.
- To determine the transferability of your courses, please consult the BC Transfer Guide or your institution’s academic advisor.
- For detailed admission requirements, please refer to the [UBC School of Nursing Calendar](https://vancouver.calendar.ubc.ca/faculties-colleges-and-schools/school-nursing/bachelor-science-nursing/admission-criteria).
### What HAP Courses Meet the Requirement?
[**BSN 2027 Intake Approved HAP List** ](https://nursing.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/approved-hap-course-list-2027-updated-08.20.pdf)
Please note: for your course to meet the HAP prerequisite requirement, you must take the courses listed, in the combinations listed. The[ Approved HAP Course List](https://nursing.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/approved-hap-course-list-2027-updated-08.20.pdf) for 2027 Entry was updated on **August 20, 2026.**
**If you fall into one of the below categories, you are required to submit a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) application. PLAR applications are OPEN.**
- Completed HAP courses which do not appear on the [Approved List](https://nursing.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/approved-hap-course-list-2027-updated-08.20.pdf) or equivalent to UBC-V BIOL 155 on the [BC Transfer Guide](https://www.bctransferguide.ca/).
- Completed HAP courses listed in a different combination than the ones mentioned on the Approved List
- Completed HAP courses more than 5 years ago (before September 2022) for September 2027 entry
**If you are unsure if your HAP courses meet our requirements, first consult the** [**BC Transfer Guide**](https://www.bctransferguide.ca/) **or our** [**Approved HAP Course List**](https://nursing.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2026-08/approved-hap-course-list-2027-updated-08.20.pdf)**:**
UBC School of Nursing uses the BC Transfer Guide, a service maintained by the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfers, to assess course equivalency. To check if your HAP courses are equivalent, please consult the BC Transfer Guide: - On the BC Transfer Guide website, you will be able to search for your course(s) and to see if it is equivalent to UBC BIOL 155.
If you cannot locate your course(s) on the BC Transfer Guide, or [UBC’s Transfer Credit search](https://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/registration/transfer-credits/search-tool), you may also check this list of [approved HAP courses](https://nursing.ubc.ca/sites/default/files/2026-05/approved-hap-course-list-2027.pdf). If you have any questions, please contact
### Human Anatomy and Physiology Prerequisite – PLAR Assessment and Application
### **HAP courses which are not listed on the Approved List or BC Transfer Guide must meet the following criteria for PLAR assessment:**
1. The coursework must show at least 6 post-secondary/university level credits of HAP (at an accredited institution)
2. The course work must be at least 75-78 hours of contact time:
- 3 contact hours per week x 13 weeks over two (2) terms, or
- 6 contact hours per week x 13 weeks over one term
3. The course(s) must cover the anatomy and physiology of the following human body systems:
- Cardiovascular
- Muscular and skeletal
- Digestive
- Nervous
- Endocrine
- Reproductive
- Immune
- Respiratory
- Integumentary
- Urinary
4. The course(s) must cover HUMAN, not Cell or Animal Anatomy/Physiology content, and include both the STRUCTURE and FUNCTION of all body systems listed above.
5. The course outlines submitted with the PLAR application must be from the year when the courses were completed.
6. Course(s) must be completed within the last 5 years at the time of application.
- Applicants for September 2027 intake must present HAP course(s) completed 5 years from the time that the ***program starts*** (i.e., September 2022 until September 2027).
7. Applicants who have current and active work experience or registration as an allied health professional who have completed HAP courses outside the 5-year time limit:
- Must provide supporting documentation to show current knowledge of ALL human body systems.
- Must submit a current resume
- Must submit a letter of explanation addressed to the PLAR committee
- Must submit proof of your professional designation/license/registration
- Must submit transcripts/outlines for additional HAP courses taken since the course(s) was/were completed
- Other documentation they consider appropriate to support the application
- ***Please Note:** Applicants who might qualify for this category may also include internationally trained physicians, practicing massage therapists, and practicing doctors of naturopathy.*
8. The PLAR committee reviews PLAR applications and determines if the coursework meets the required HAP content.
- ***Please Note:** The committee does not grant transfer credit.*
The 2027 intake PLAR applications are OPEN**. PLAR Applications will cost $65.70. [https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV\_0MtgpfISYmr5EWO](https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0MtgpfISYmr5EWO)**
#### \*Applicants who complete a PLAR application will receive a response by January 2027.
### What is the Minimum Academic Standing for a Consideration to the BSN Program?
You must have **a minimum 70% average**, or grade point average of 2.8 (calculated on a 4.0-point scale) based upon the **most recent 30 non-nursing, university transferable credits completed at the undergraduate level.**
\*Please note: The minimum 2.8 GPA / 70% average is the required minimum in order to be eligible to be considered for the BSN program, and does not reflect what a competitive average may be for the year of application.