Undergraduate Academic Planning

Degree Planning Tips

• There are lots of choices, so have fun exploring your course options and selecting courses that are of interest to you.
• If you wish to complete a 120-credit degree in four years, then you would choose 30 credits per year. Alternatively, you may choose to register for fewer courses and extend the length of your degree or take courses during the Summer Session.
• To ensure you are meeting your BA degree foundational, program, and elective requirements reference the BA degree requirements on the Okanagan Academic Calendar.
• For program-specific requirements for majors, minors, and honours degrees, see the Academic Calendar.

BA degree requirements

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires a minimum of 120 credits, including 21 credits across five foundational focus areas: communication, critical thinking, creativity, scientific literacy or numeracy, and Indigenous content. These areas build essential skills in clear expression, rigorous analysis, imaginative thinking, informed decision-making, and reflective engagement with diverse ways of knowing. Alongside these foundational requirements, students complete the courses for their chosen majors, minors and have the flexibility to explore a wide range of electives, allowing them to shape a degree that reflects their interests, strengths, and goals.  

To better support student success and academic flexibility, we are updating the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree requirements, effective September 2026. Find out more about these changes. 

BA DEGREE Requirements in the Academic Calendar

Please note that if you joined the BA program prior to 2026, you have the choice of which version of the BA degree requirements you would like to complete. Connect with Academic Advising if you have questions about which version of the BA is right for you.

• Degree Requirements for students who entered the program in 2020/2021 or earlier
• Degree Requirements for students who entered the program in 2021/2022 to 2025/2026
• Degree requirements for students entered the BA program in 2026/2027 or later

Note: When you begin course planning, you may notice that some courses can satisfy both your program (major) requirements and the BA degree foundational/distribution requirements. This is called double counting. When double counting occurs, you must take an extra elective (coursework in any discipline, any level) to ensure that you meet the 120-credit requirement for your degree.

Plan your degree

Program Plans

The Program Plans help students navigate their UBCO experience at all stages. Whether you’re a first-year student or preparing to graduate, Program Plans can help you explore all areas of your degree. From academic endeavours to extracurricular activities, career explorations, or study abroad sessions, find out what opportunities are available to enhance your university experience.

First-Year course planning guide

Are you a first-year student and unsure of what courses to take? To help you plan and register for courses, consult the first-year planning guide for the Bachelor of Arts. This guide has been designed to help you identify and map out the first-year courses as required .

Sample course plans

See below sample first-year course plans to assist you in planning first-year courses to meet the BA degree requirements.

***Note: You may notice that some courses can satisfy both your program (major) requirements and the foundational/distribution requirements. This is called double counting. When double counting occurs, you must take an extra elective (coursework in any discipline, any level) to ensure that you meet the 120-credit requirement for your degree.

Your first-year in the BA Program

If you are entering the BA program, you will discover that your first-year is a time to try out different courses that interest you and a time to get to know just what you would like to study. Our varied course options give you the ability to explore your areas of talent and interest, and our exceptional faculty help to fine-tune and refine the focus of your learning experience.

Here are some examples of the amazingly wide range of majors a typical first-year BA student may work towards:

• Major in Anthropology
• Major in Economics (BA)
• Major in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies
• Major in Geography
• Major in History
• Major in Indigenous Studies
• Major in International Relations
• Major in Philosophy
• Major in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
• Major in Political Science
• Major in Psychology (BA)
• Major in Sociology

First-Year English

All students completing a BA degree must complete at least one first-year English course. We have provided information to help you choose the first-year English course(s) that are right for you.

Advising and Degree Planning

We are here to help. Our knowledgeable faculty members also work as Program Advisors and Coordinators, advising and mentoring for prospective and current undergraduate students. Academic & Career Advisors, and Program Advisors can explain the academic requirements for our undergraduate programs, and give practical advice on your degree progression.

We suggest you meet with a Program Advisor or Academic & Career Advisor to choose the courses you should be taking each year for your major.

Academic & Career Advising

The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has a dedicated Academic & Career Advisor for the programs and degrees that we offer.

The Academic and Career Advising office also has a number of knowledgeable and helpful staff to assist you with all of your questions about your degree.

Faculty Program Advisors

Program Advisors are faculty members who can help you with course selection, deciding on a major, ensuring you are meeting degree requirements, and even career advice. They serve as a valuable resource in helping you achieve your educational and career goals.

FIND YOUR PROGRAM ADVISOR

Declaring your Major

BA students must declare their major at the end of their second year (after completing a minimum of 48 credits) prior to registration for third year. However, there are exceptions. BA students wishing to declare a major in Anthropology, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology may do so once they are promoted to second year.

LEARN MORE

ACADEMIC SUPPORTS and resources

Academic concession forms

We understand life happens and things do not always go as planned. Explore our database for a list of forms that you may need to use while you are completing your program for the next few years.

FORMS

Student Learning Hub

Learning supports at UBC Okanagan provide students with a range of skills and strategies that encourage learning excellence and promote holistic development. Students are invited to access a wide variety of learning support resources that include support programs such as academic integrity matters, free tutoring in writing, research, math, and sciences, as well as help with study skills and learning strategies.

STUDENT LEARNING HUB

Disability Resource Centre

The purpose of an accommodation is to allow students to overcome disability-related challenges that impede their academic success. The Disability Resource Centre assists students by offering programs and services to foster an accessible and welcoming campus.

DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE

Awards and scholarships

UBC Okanagan is committed to supporting and encouraging our students to reach their full potential during their studies. Both the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and UBC offer a number of merit-based scholarships and awards to support our students during their studies.

FUNDING & AWARDS