MLA ADMISSIONS FAQS
Admission Questions
1. What are the admission requirements?
Applicants with Canadian or US credentials need to have completed or will complete a degree that is academically equivalent to a UBC 4-year Bachelor’s degree with at least a B+ average in their third and fourth year course work.
Applicants with credentials outside of Canada are required to meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ admission criteria for international students.
2. How many students does the program admit?
The program admits 18-20 new students a year.
3. How may people apply to the program?
Each year the program receives 75-80 new applications.
4. Does the program admit students in January?
The program only admits new students in September because all incoming students follow a set sequence of courses.
5. Am I eligible for Advanced Standing in the program?
Students with a UBC recognized undergraduate degree in Architecture, Environmental Design or Landscape Architecture may apply for admission to the 72-80 credit variant of the professional MLA program. All students seeking this variant must contact his or her advisor upon acceptance into the program. Advanced Standing is looked at on a case by case basis and is based on prior experience and a portfolio review.
6. Can I defer my admission to the program if I am accepted?
It is not possible to defer admission to another academic year. If you have to decline the program’s offer of admission, you may re-apply to the program by submitting a new on-line application and application fee.
Application Questions
7. Can you mail me an information package?
The program no longer mails out information packages. Our website provides detailed information about our programs, admissions, courses, and school events. If you have further questions please email the office at larc@interchange.ubc.ca
8. What is the application deadline?
The deadline to submit your online application and documents is January 6, 2012 for admission to the 2012/2013 academic year that starts September 2012.
9. Is there an application fee?
There is a non-refundable application fee of $91.80 CDN for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents and $153 CDN for international students. The application fee is payable online at the time when you submit your online application to UBC.
10. What is required for my application?
The following supporting documents are required for all applications:
Two Copies of Official Transcripts
Three Official Letters of Reference
Portfolio of Creative Works
Statement of Interest
Resume
Supplemental Departmental Application Fee of $60 CDN
TOEFL or Other Language Test Results [if applicable]
11. Where should I send my documents?
Please send your documents to the program office at the address below:
UBC Landscape Architecture Program
379-2357 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z4
Please note that all transcripts need to be sent to the program office in sealed and endorsed envelopes from the college(s)/universities you attended and Letters of Reference need to be come directly from your referees in sealed and endorsed envelopes.
12. Do I need to find a potential faculty supervisor before applying?
Students do not need to identify a potential faculty supervisor before applying to the program.
13. How can I check if my documents have arrived and my application status?
Once you submit an online application, an application checklist is available on the online application website. The checklist will list all the transcripts, references and documents you will need to submit in order to complete your application. The program updates the checklist daily. You may check the status of your documents and application by selecting the “Submitted Applications” tab and “Status” tab.
Portfolio Questions
14. What should I include in my portfolio?
Your portfolio is a collection of creative works. Each applicant is required to submit a portfolio of creative works which may include but are not limited to projects/work that you have designed, created or constructed (e.g., sketch, painting, sculpture, photography, art work, drawing, etc…). Applicants are advised to submit a range of work rather than a comprehensive selection of one type of work.
15. How big should my portfolio be?
Your portfolio should be no bigger than 9”x12” and securely bound in some fashion. Please do not submit a CD or other electronic forms for your portfolio.
16. How much does my portfolio count in comparison to the rest of my application?
The portfolio is used to gauge your ability to visualize three dimensional space, creativity and potential to learn design, design process and graphic representations which are at the core of landscape architecture. Your portfolio is evaluated alongside your academic history, reference letters, statement of interest and resume.
17. Can my portfolio be returned to me?
Please enclose enough return postage or a prepaid self-addressed envelope with your application if you would like your portfolio returned to you. Portfolios are usually returned in early May.