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The value of the UBC campus experience
February 1, 2023
If you’re looking to expand your horizons and transform your career, choosing UBC for your master’s degree has clear advantages. A world-renowned university that consistently places at the top of international rankings, UBC offers rich and diverse in-person experiences that create a transformative educational experience – the foundation for friendships, professional relationships, job opportunities and career advancement.
Learning within and beyond the classroom
The Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) and Master of Health Leadership and Policy (MHLP) degrees were designed to maximize the benefits of in-person learning.
This includes a pedagogical approach that emphasizes discussion and collaboration. Most courses use a flipped classroom format, which means that you are expected to review material before the class and come prepared to contribute to the discussion by sharing your own perspective on the readings and weaving in examples from your professional experience.
When a class ends, the opportunities for connection do not. Discussions spill over into the hallway and meeting areas. And after-class conversations with professors can open up new perspectives and clarify concepts.
An emphasis on group projects creates both collaborative learning experiences and informal opportunities for networking and socializing.
A designated space for MEL and MHLP students
MEL and MHLP students have exclusive access to a designated UBC studio that is available 24/7.
It’s a popular space for both group projects and catching up on individual assignments. A coffee maker and microwave make it easy to grab a snack between classes, and students regularly organize events in the space, from yoga sessions to pizza nights.
Industry events and conferences
In-person industry networking sessions are held throughout the year, creating opportunities to informally connect with leaders in your field. Conferences are another great way to expand your professional network and build career connections.
Many students and alumni have found employment opportunities through these events.
Read our article Grow Your Network to Create Opportunities and check out our guest speaker series.
A sense of community
MEL and MHLP alumni say the programs also foster social connections. “On-campus learning experiences have been great for me,” says MEL in Urban Systems graduate Varun Gupta.
“I met and interacted with people of different nationalities, ethnicities and backgrounds, and I made some new friends as well.”
MHLP in Seniors Care, alumna, Margaret Lin says: “In addition to the coursework, I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet and learn from each of my classmates. It was great to learn about their work, life experience and perspectives. Everyone had very unique knowledge and stories to share, regardless of specialty.”
Study in a spectacular setting
The UBC Vancouver campus is breathtaking, dramatically located on a peninsula just 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver, with majestic views of the ocean, mountains and city centre.
Many students choose to live on campus, either in student housing or in a rental apartment.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park surrounds the campus, with a network of 55 kilometres of trails popular with walkers and runners. Jericho Beach, just minutes from campus, is an incredible destination for a walk, run or bike ride. The campus itself is basically a small city.
You can find everything you need here, from a place to live to grocery stores, restaurants, gyms and fitness facilities, a world-class concert hall, museums and a botanical garden. And with more than 350 student clubs, there are countless opportunities to get involved no matter what your interests!
Parniyan Golkar lived on campus in 2021 while doing her MEL in High-Performance Buildings.
She says she was quickly able to build a supportive community of friends by joining a badminton league and dance group and through volunteering.
Vancouver’s eclectic neighbourhoods and communities are easily accessible through multiple transit connections and a vast network of bike lanes. If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, Vancouver’s north shore mountains are popular destinations for hiking, mountain biking and skiing.
Employment opportunities
British Columbia is a global leader in the industries covered by the eight sector-specific programs offered through the MEL and MHLP.
These are high-growth areas where local employers are actively seeking leaders who combine strong technical knowledge with business and leadership skills to guide projects and teams.
Choosing to do your master’s degree at UBC could be a stepping stone to employment opportunities in Metro Vancouver.
(Read how our alumni have used their degrees to find exciting and challenging jobs where they are using their skills to make a difference.)
Accelerating your career
As part of the MEL and MHLP learning community, you’ll be an integral member of a group of forward-thinking and ambitious professionals who want to make a difference in their fields.
Learning on the UBC campus in Vancouver is truly a transformative educational experience, giving you the foundation to successfully launch the next chapter of your career.
Application Deadlines
Get ready to apply!
Admissions for the 2026 intake will open on January 1, 2025.
How to ApplyFeatured Alumni
Justin Krzanowski
Seniors Care
Justin Krzanowski is integrating the leadership and health-care knowledge he acquired over the course of his MHLP in Seniors Care to lead a team tasked with developing and implementing discharge policies and procedures from the acute care setting.
Featured Faculty and Staff
DR. JUSTIN BULL
"It is rewarding to connect with students over the course of their studies and to see them thrive professionally after graduation. "
