New to UBC Survey
Welcome to UBC! It’s great to have you as part of our community.
The New to UBC (NUBC) Survey helps us understand what new students need as they prepare to begin their studies. Your responses will help improve programs, services, communications, and supports for students during their transition to UBC.
The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Use this link or the link in your email invitation. You will be asked to sign in with your CWL and will be directed to the correct survey.
What is the New to UBC Survey?
The NUBC Survey is an annual survey for new students. It includes incoming undergraduate students at both campuses and graduate students at UBC Okanagan. The survey asks about topics such as transitioning to university, wellbeing, access to supports, and how prepared students feel to begin their studies.
Why Complete the Survey?
- Tell us about your expectations, questions, and concerns as you prepare to start at UBC.
- Help improve supports for new students.
- Make sure your experience is reflected in how UBC plans services.
- Participants will be entered into a draw to win one of two $500 UBC Bookstore e-gift cards.
Survey dates
In 2026, the survey will run from August 5 to September 8. Please complete the survey by September 8, 2026 to be entered into the prize draw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Newly admitted undergraduate students at UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver, and graduate students at UBC Okanagan.
No. The survey is optional, but your feedback is valuable and helps improve the student experience at UBC.
No. Your responses will not affect your admission, registration, or student record.
You will be asked about things such as your goals and expectations for university, how prepared you feel to start at UBC, and any concerns you have about beginning your studies.
The NUBC Survey provides valuable insights into the experiences, needs, and expectations of incoming students. Faculties and administrative units across UBC use these results to improve programs, services, communications, and the overall student experience.
Some examples of how NUBC results have informed change include:
- Improving student communications: Survey findings have helped Faculties refine communications with incoming students, develop new resources, and address common questions and concerns identified through the survey. For example, the Faculty of Arts updated its presentations and communications to better explain how Bachelor of Arts program specialization works after students expressed uncertainty about gaining admission to their desired program.
- Supporting strategic planning: NUBC data has informed initiatives within the Faculty of Arts Strategic Plan aimed at broadening and diversifying the student body while expanding how student success is defined and supported.
- Enhancing the new student experience at UBC Okanagan: NUBC findings helped inform UBC Okanagan’s Student Experience Strategic Plan, including the Transform the New-to-UBC Experience priority. This work has contributed to redesigning orientation, consolidating multiple welcome programs, creating a coordinated pre-arrival communications campaign, and improving students’ sense of belonging and academic readiness.
Use the survey link on this page or the link in your email invitation. Sign in with your CWL to access your survey.
Your responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate form.
No part of your survey response will become part of your student record.
Your information is collected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and will be used to plan and improve services for new students at UBC.
For questions about the collection of this information, contact institutional.research@ubc.ca.
If you need support completing the survey or have accessibility concerns, please contact us.
Everyone who completes the survey by September 8, 2026 will be entered into a draw to win one of two $500 UBC Bookstore e-gift cards. There will be two winners per campus. The gift card can be used online or in store.