- Who is eligible for degree conversion?
- How far back will the degrees be grandfathered?
- When will I receive my UBC degree?
- What does having a UBC degree mean to me?
- Will I be eligible for an ACard?
- Why should I convert my degree?
- Why are the BBA and BCIS degrees not eligible for conversion?
- My name has changed since I received my degree. Can my new degree be issued in my new name?
- Why is there a $100.00 fee for this service?
- Will my degree parchment be different from other UBC degrees?
- Do I have to submit my original degree parchment from OUC before I can receive a UBC degree?
- How should my resumé refer to my converted degree?
- Will the UBC transcript contain my complete OUC academic history?
1. Who is eligible for degree conversion?
Students holding degrees conferred solely by OUC in any of the following programs are eligible for a UBC degree:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Social Work
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Bachelor of Education
Students holding degrees jointly conferred by OUC and either UBC or UVic are not eligible for degree conversion.
2. How far back will the degrees be grandfathered?
OUC conferred eligible degrees between January 1998 and June 2005; however some jointly conferred degrees were also issued during this time and they cannot be converted.
3. When will I receive my UBC degree?
This depends on the number of requests received; however, once your eligibility is established and payment received, UBC’s goal is to produce degree parchments within three weeks.
4. What does having a UBC degree mean to me?
UBC will recognize you as a graduate and you will be an alumnus of the University of British Columbia.
5. Will I be eligible for an ACard?
Yes. All UBC alumni are eligible for an ACard which, among other benefits, acts as the equivalent of a UBC community borrower’s library card (valued at $120 a year). ACards are free to alumni and, in the Okanagan, can be picked up from the UBC Okanagan campus library with verification of alumni status.
6. Why should I convert my degree?
Converting to a UBC degree is a personal decision. Okanagan University College was a fine institution with a strong academic reputation. UBC recognizes OUC’s educational excellence and is proud to build on that heritage at its Okanagan campus. You may choose to keep your OUC degree in honour of that heritage. Alternatively, you may choose to convert to a UBC degree.
7. Why are the BBA and BCIS degrees not eligible for conversion?
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and the Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (BCIS) degrees are not eligible programs for degree conversion because when OUC ceased to exist, UBC Okanagan did not assume responsibility for them.
Note: while BBA students are not eligible for degree conferral by UBC, some currently enrolled BBA students are eligible to receive a degree that is co-conferred by UBC and Okanagan College.
8. My name has changed since I received my degree. Can my new degree be issued in my new name?
Your name can be changed if you provide official government documentation showing your correct or new name. Please contact UBC Okanagan’s Graduation Support Office at 1.250.807.8056 or visit Enrolment Services in the University Centre (UNC 322).
9. Why is there a $100.00 fee for this service?
Converting to a UBC degree requires verification of eligibility, creation of a student record, production of a parchment, and mailing. Furthermore, in many cases there will be changes to names and addresses which also require verification. The fee is intended to cover some of the cost of these services along with the cost of communicating with up to 2,385 students who are eligible. UBC does not expect that this fee will cover all costs associated with the service.
10. Will my degree parchment be different from other UBC degrees?
Yes, unlike other UBC degrees, your converted degree will include following statement:
Conferred by Okanagan University College: «month» «year»
Converted to a University of British Columbia degree: «month» «year»
11. Do I have to submit my original degree parchment from OUC before I can receive a UBC degree?
No, you can keep your OUC document. We will confirm your eligibility by checking a master list of all eligible OUC degree holders.
12. How should my resumé refer to my converted degree?
An example of how to reference your converted degree on a resumé:
Education
Bachelor of Arts
Okanagan University College, Kelowna, BC
Converted to University of British Columbia Bachelor of Arts
Graduation Date: May 2003
Conversion Date: October 2006
13. Will the UBC transcript contain my complete OUC academic history?
No, your UBC transcripts will contain the following statement:
By an act of the government of British Columbia, on July 1, 2005 Okanagan University College ceased operations and the academic programs offered by OUC were distributed to the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Okanagan College. This student initially graduated for Okanagan University College in a program that was adopted by the University of British Columbia. The University of British Columbia recognizes this academic achievement as approved by the UBC Okanagan Senate and has conferred a degree in the stated program based on the requirements satisfied at Okanagan University College. A complete academic record for this student is documented on the Okanagan University College transcript, available through Okanagan College.
Degree/Diploma:
Bachelor of (e.g., Arts)
Granted September 27, 2006