UBC MEL MHLP Professional Leadership Master Degrees

How to Apply

Ready to apply for the UBC Master of Engineering Leadership or Master of Health Leadership and Policy? Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible for the program, here’s what you need to know about application deadlines (and why you should apply early), how to apply, what happens after you submit your application and the next steps if you’ve been accepted.

Application deadlines for the January 2025 intake

The online application portal is now open! There are two application rounds. We strongly recommend that you apply by the round one deadline of March 25, 2024.

Application Round Application Deadline Receive your admission decision on…
Round 1 March 25, 2024 May 1, 2024
Round 2 June 25, 2024 August 1, 2024

Apply Early

There are many benefits to applying in the first application round.

If you are accepted, applying early will give you more time to plan your transition to graduate school and a potential move to Vancouver. For international students, applying early will give you more time to apply for your study permit, receive your immigration documents and relocate to Canada.

The following video outlines some of the key benefits of applying early.

Your application must be fully complete by the application deadline. A complete application includes your letter of intent, resume, transcripts, three references, proof of residency and video interview. Depending on your specific situation, we may also require proof of English language proficiency and copies of your degree certificate(s). See our Application Checklist for more information about each of the elements required for your application.

Submit your application before the deadline

You should submit your online application form well before the application deadline so there is enough time for your referees to submit their references and for you to complete the mandatory video interview by the deadline. We recommend you submit your application 2-4 weeks before the stated deadline.

Once you submit your application and pay your application fee, we will automatically contact your referees and you will receive an email invitation to complete your mandatory video interview.

All three of your references and your video interview must be submitted by the application deadline.

How do I apply?

You apply for the MEL and MHLP through the UBC MyApplication portal. After you click Apply Now to begin your online application, you’ll be asked to sign in using your Campus-Wide Login (CWL) account.

  • If this is your first time applying to UBC, you’ll need to create an account.
  • If you have applied to or studied at UBC in the past, log in using your existing CWL. Do not create a new CWL as this will result in issues with your application.

Once you have logged in, choose the program you are applying to and begin working on your application. You don’t have to complete it all at once. Save your application at any point in the process and sign in again to continue working on it later.

You will be asked to fill in your contact information and provide information about your academic history, sources of funding and email addresses for three references. You will also be asked to upload documents that include your letter of intent, resume, transcripts and proof of residency. You may also be asked to submit proof of English language proficiency and your degree certificate(s). Please see the Application Checklist for more information on these elements of your application.

Kickstart your application! Sign-up now to receive a comprehensive, step-by-step guide directly in your inbox, ensuring clarity and ease at every step.

How do I submit my application?

Once you have uploaded all documents and completed your online application, click submit and follow the prompts to pay your non-refundable application fee. The application fee is C$112.00 for domestic applicants and C$168.25 for international applicants.

Can I apply to more than one program?

You can apply to more than one specialization or program. However, you must submit a unique application for each program and pay the application fee again. You may apply once per calendar year, per program.

What happens after I submit my application?

As described below in more detail, once you’ve submitted your application and paid your application fee, you will need to:

  • Add our contact information to your safe senders list
  • Complete your video interview
  • Make sure your referees have submitted their references

If you will be moving to Vancouver to complete the program, you should also apply for on-campus housing at this point, even before you find out if you have been accepted into the MEL or MHLP.

Watch this video to find out what to expect after submitting your application and paying the application fee.

Add our contact information to your safe senders list

To make sure that important communications from us do not end up in your junk email or spam folders, add the following email addresses to your contact list or safe sender list:

This will ensure you receive the invitation to complete your mandatory video interview and that we are able to reach you if we need any further information about your application.

Follow up with your references

We will automatically email your referees within 24 hours after you have submitted your application and paid your non-refundable application fee. Sign in to MyApplication at regular intervals to confirm that all your referees have submitted their references. You may want to send them a personalized reminder that they need to complete their reference by the application deadline.

Prepare for and record your video interview

Within 24 hours of submitting your application and paying your non-refundable application fee, you will receive an email invitation to complete an online video interview. You will generally have one week to complete your mandatory video interview and it must be submitted before the application deadline. The email invitation will include detailed advice on how to prepare for your video interview.

Apply for housing

If you want to live on campus in UBC Student Housing, apply now! Graduate student housing operates on a waitlist system, so the sooner you apply for housing the more likely you are to receive a space by the start of your program. Even if you plan to live off campus, we encourage you to apply for on-campus student housing as a backup option. Living on campus can often be more cost-effective than renting in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

It is never too early to apply for housing and get on the waitlist. In fact, you can apply for housing before you even submit your application as long as you have a Campus Wide Login account. Learn more about graduate student housing and apply now.

When will I receive an admission decision?

You will receive an admission decision by email approximately five weeks after the application deadline.

If you apply by the round one application deadline on March 25, 2024, you will receive an admission decision on May 1, 2024.

If you apply by the round two application deadline on June 25, 2024, you will receive an admission decision on August 1, 2024.

What happens if I am admitted?

If you are admitted into the UBC MEL or MHLP, you will need to meet the conditions of your admission within 30 days, such as formally accepting your admissions offer, providing official versions of the documents you included in your online application and paying a deposit.

If you are admitted, we will send you a series of emails that clearly explain your next steps, from meeting the conditions of your admission to registering in courses and relocating to Vancouver. Newly admitted students will also be offered an initial advising appointment with one of our Student Recruiter Advisors who can answer all your questions and support you as you get ready for a transformative experience at UBC.

Keep Reading: Application Checklist