Admissions
Can I use two exercise physiology courses to meet the 6 credits Human Physiology prerequisite requirement?
No. We will only accept 3 credits of exercise physiology towards the prerequisite. The other 3 credits must come from a course or courses in overall Human Physiology course, such as UBC’s CAPS 301, with an additional 3 credits of Human Physiology, such as an exercise physiology course.
What counts as an advanced Human Physiology course?
Advanced physiology credits are university level exercise physiology courses, or an upper-level (300,400, or above) human physiology course examining human physiological systems.
Can I use an advanced physiology and an exercise physiology to meet the 6 credits for the Human Physiology prerequisite requirement?
No, we will only accept 3 credits of advanced or exercise physiology toward this prerequisite. The other 3 credits must come from a course that covers basic/introductory physiology. Joint human anatomy and human physiology courses usually fulfill this requirement provided they cover the required content and the applicant has taken both courses.
If I have more than one course that meets the prerequisite requirement, how will the admissions department determine which course to use?
You will indicate on the prerequisite form which course you would like to use, the number of credits the course has been granted, the course title, the University where the course was taken, the completion date and the final grade received. These courses will be used to calculate your admissions GPA, as long as the courses selected meet the program’s prerequisite requirements.
If I retake a prerequisite course, will the two grades be averaged?
We will use the course and session indicated on the prerequisite form, including retaken courses, as long as the course meets the MPT program requirements. However, the original course may be included in your overall admissions GPA calculation if falls within the 30 credits of upper-level courses.
What if my prerequisite course is not completed by the December 31st deadline? Will my application still be considered?
No. If you are missing any prerequisite courses, the application will not be considered for an interview offer.
Do prerequisite courses ‘expire’?
No, courses do not expire.
What happens if I list a prerequisite course that is not accepted on the Supplemental Applicant Form e.g. biomechanics, technical writing, and/or sport psychology?
If a prerequisite course is deemed unacceptable, the admissions team will review all official transcripts to look for acceptable alternate courses. The admissions team will use the course with the highest grade when there are several alternate courses to choose from. Applications with no acceptable alternate courses to choose from will not be considered further and will not be invited to interview.
Does the department provide individual advising?
Admission to this program is extremely competitive. Due to limited staffing and the high number of applicants, unfortunately, the Department of Physical Therapy cannot provide individual advice either through email, phone, or in person. Please thoroughly review our detailed website for all admissions-related questions. If you feel your question is not answered by our website, please email your question to mpt.admissions@ubc.ca. While we will respond as promptly as possible, please be aware that there may be a significant delay in replying to your email during busy periods.
Can I have my qualifications, transcripts, and other documentation evaluated in advance of an official application being submitted?
No. The department will only review transcripts, qualifications, and other documentation once an applicant has submitted an online application during the admissions period
Do I mail in transcripts to the department?
No, at no point should applicants send official transcripts to UBC or the Department of Physical Therapy. Applicants must request official paper or official electronic transcripts be sent to themselves. Applicants MUST then upload an official copy of your transcript(s) for each post-secondary institution you have attended, your proof of residency documentation and your prerequisite form onto your online application.
If you are offered a place in the MPT program you will then be required to send official copies of your transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended (excluding UBC) directly to the UBC Faculty of Graduate and Post-doctoral Studies prior to commencing the program.
Where can I find the online application?
All applicants apply through the online application provided by the UBC Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Applications will typically open up every year on October 1st and will be closed by January 5th. Each application cycle of October 1st through January 5th will be for the following September. For further details please see the Overview and Timeline section of our website.
Can one of my academic references be from High School?
No. Your academic references must be able to speak to your academic performance and abilities while you were studying at a post-secondary academic institution. References received from high school teachers, Principals, or guidance counsellors will not be accepted for any reason.
Where can I find the Practical Experience Reference Form?
You can download the Practical Experience Reference Form from the Required Application Documents section of our website. Applicants should give the form to the individual who is prepared to provide a report on their 70 hours of volunteer/paid work practical experience working with individuals with physical, emotional or cognitive disabilities.
What is the length of the program?
The MPT program is a full-time, 26-month program.
How many applicants typically apply and how many spots are available each year?
The MPT program accepts 140 students every year. The Vancouver campus welcomes 80 students, the UNBC campus in Prince George welcomes 20 students, the UVIC campus in Victoria welcomes 20 students, and the MPT-Fraser Valley cohort welcomes 20 students. We receive between 300-400 applications and we invite approximately 200 applicants to interview.
What are the important deadline dates for the Admission cycle?
Application dates and deadlines may vary from year to year. Please review the Welcome and Timeline section of our website for updated important deadline dates.
How is admission to the MPT program determined?
Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will have their applications evaluated for interview consideration. The MPT program is highly competitive and only qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. Fulfillment of the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. The selection of interview candidates is based on a review of an applicant’s overall application for admission as well as MPT admissions GPA ranking. If an applicant’s overall application and MPT admissions GPA is deemed to be competitive, they may be invited to participate in an interview. The overall admission decision will be based on a combination of an applicant’s overall application for admission and performance in the interview, which allows candidates to showcase their personal qualities and experience. All applicants who are interviewed are ranked on a combination of their MPT admissions GPA and their interview scores to determine a final ranking. This, in combination with an assessment of an applicant’s overall application for admission, will be used to determine which applicants are given a conditional offer of admission for the MPT program. Applicants offered admission to the program will be required to send official copies of their transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (except UBC or UBC-O) to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Final approval for admission will be granted by the Faculty of Graduate and Post-doctoral Studies.
What if I am accepted into the program and then wish to receive a deferral to the following year?
We do not grant admission deferrals. Applicants are advised to apply to the MPT program during the year that they are able to attend.
Is there a limit to how many times I can apply?
Re-applicants to the MPT program are welcome and evaluated the same way as first-time applicants. However, a maximum of 3 interviews may be offered over a lifetime. If after 3 interviews, an offer of admission is not made, applicants will no longer be offered an interview with the Department, regardless of the competitiveness of the admission GPA achieved.
What are the tuition fees and related costs for the program?
Please refer to this webpage for the most up-to-date information regarding program tuition fees.
Is there an acceptance fee required if I am offered admission into the program?
Applicants being offered admission must inform the department of their intention to accept and also pay a non-refundable deposit fee of CAD $1000.00 by the offer deadline date. This fee will be deducted from the tuition following registration and entry into the program. Applicants who are offered a spot in the program will be sent an email detailing their acceptance, as well as a deadline for when they must notify the department if they plan to attend. Applicants who do not respond by that deadline may have their offer rescinded and the spot offered to the next individual on the waitlist.
Can I use my courses from another professional program towards the program requirements?
No. The MPT program begins in the Fall of year one and continues over 26 months. All students must complete all courses and advance from term to term. There is no provision for transferring into the program or for the credit of previously studied courses
Does the program allow for part-time work commitments?
Yes. However, the MPT program is intensive and demanding. Students are expected to be available Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm. Each student has a personal method of time management and varying priorities. Most students in the program find it difficult to manage part-time employment.
Is there a GPA cutoff for admission to the MPT program?
While we do not technically have a cutoff GPA, we do have minimum admission requirements that must all be met to be considered for an interview. While an applicant’s calculated GPA is reviewed and included in the ranking, we do have a holistic approach to admissions, meaning that we look at all aspects of an individual’s application. Please note that admission to the MPT program is very competitive and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview.
Do UBC students have priority over those from other BC post-secondary institutions?
No. Applicants who have graduated from or who are currently attending UBC do not have priority or preference over applicants from other post-secondary institutions within British Columbia.
What is the definition of the term disability as used by the University of British Columbia?
On this website, we will use the term disability to refer to a range of experiences of the human body/mind diversity. UBC’s Policy LR7 defines Person(s) with a “Disability” or “Disabilities” as persons who:
- have a significant and persistent mobility, sensory, learning, or other physical or mental health impairment;
- experience functional restrictions or limitations of their ability to perform the range of life’s activities; and
- May experience attitudinal and/or environmental barriers that hamper their full and self-directed participation in University activities
For more information about UBC’s Disability Accommodation Policy and key terminology, please visit: https://students.ubc.ca/about-student-services/centre-for-accessibility
Why should an applicant identify as a Disabled person or living with a disability chronic physical or mental health condition?
If you identify with the above, you may be eligible for accommodations in the application cycle. (For example, if you have a chronic health condition and experienced a flare-up of this condition which impacted your grades in a particular term or terms, or received a diagnosis and subsequent academic accommodations or medical intervention part way through your undergraduate degree).
We want to be sure that you are aware of the resources that may support you throughout the application process and within the program. However, you do not need to disclose a disability, and doing so will have no bearing on your application.
Where should I seek assistance?
You are advised to consult with the UBC Centre for Accessibility. The CfA’s Accessibility Advisors assess the accommodation needs for learners with disabilities. You can reach the CfA for more information by calling 604-822-5844 or emailing info.accessibility@ubc.ca. If you have further questions about disclosing your disability you may also contact the Assistant Dean, Equity Diversity and Inclusion for the Faculty of Medicine.
When should I seek assistance?
Please contact the Centre for Accessibility early and no later than December 1st. This will ensure enough time to process your request regarding any accommodation needs for the current admissions cycle.
Can I speak to someone about my questions regarding accommodations and support related to disabilities or chronic health conditions?
Yes, advisors at the UBC’s Centre for Accessibility work with students regarding accommodations, concessions, and strategies to address their disability-related access needs. The Centre’s advisors work with the MPT program team to facilitate equitable learning experiences for students with disabilities.
We strongly encourage you to proactively contact the Centre for Accessibility if you have a disability or chronic physical or mental health condition. They can have a confidential conversation with you to discuss your questions or concerns about your access in the program.
Please visit: students.ubc.ca/about-student-services/centre-for-accessibility
Email: info.accessibility@ubc.ca
Phone: +1 604 822 5844
How do I apply for disability-related considerations for the MPT application?
If you would like to apply for accommodations to your MPT application, please send the following to info.accessibility@ubc.ca with the subject line MPT admissions accommodation well before December 1st, 2021.
- A letter describing the circumstances leading you to apply for accommodation, including any specific relevant dates. For example, if you experienced a flare-up of a health condition in June-October 2018 that negatively impacted your grades, please indicate this and include your transcripts.
- Documentation of your disability/health condition. If applicable, this should confirm the dates/timeline described in your letter.
- If you are applying related to your GPA calculation, please include a transcript with the relevant grades highlighted (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
NOTE: any materials you send to the Centre for Accessibility are confidential and will not be shared with the MPT admissions team. Should you be eligible for Disability-related considerations, the CfA will send a letter to the MPT admissions team describing what those considerations are.
What documentation is required to apply as an Indigenous student?
You must be a Canadian citizen who self-identifies as Indigenous (Indigenous refers to non-status & status Indians, Treaty, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples of Canada. Acceptable proofs of ancestry include: a photocopy of an Indian Status Card or Tribal Enrolment Card, Métis Membership/Citizenship Card, Inuit or Inuvialuit Tribal Corporation Number or Inuit Registry; or a letter from an official representative of the applicant’s First Nations band, treaty, tribal or traditional council; Inuit land/territory organization; Métis settlement or community organization; or a recognized Aboriginal organization, or another form of identification that is deemed acceptable with consultation from the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health.
What if I do not have the documentation listed above?
If you do not have any documentation as listed above, you must contact the Physical Therapy program directly, at mpt.admissions@ubc.ca, to discuss this further.
Do BC applicants have priority over out-of-province students?
Yes. Primary consideration is given to residents of British Columbia, out-of-province applicants who have completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher in BC within the last five years, and applicants who are residents of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut.
When do the MMIs typically take place?
Multiple Mini-Interviews are usually scheduled during the first week of March. The exact date is usually posted in November on the Overview and Timeline section of our website.
What is the format of the interview?
MMI candidates move between 9 interview stations on a circuit. Each station is 6 minutes long and there is a 2-minute transition and reading break in between stations. Topics you may encounter include communication, collaboration, ethical and moral decision-making, self-evaluation, cultural sensitivity, health policy, critical thinking, awareness of social health issues in Canada and personal qualities.
At each station candidates will interact with a single interviewer. Trained interviewers include clinicians, Physical Therapy department faculty members and student physical therapists. Each applicant is awarded a global score per station which jointly results in a total MMI score. The MMI score is used in conjunction with an applicant’s admission GPA to determine an overall ranking for the selection of candidates.
Please note: The Admissions office is not able to address questions regarding MMI questions, procedures or review of evaluations associated with interviews.
How will I be notified if I receive an interview offer?
Those applicants who receive an interview offer will be notified as such by email in mid-February. They will be sent the date and time they have been scheduled to interview and will need to respond by a set deadline if they plan to attend.
Can I change my scheduled date and/or time?
No. The schedule is set and applicants must attend as scheduled by the Department of Physical Therapy.
How can I prepare for the interview?
Familiarity with the format is often cited by successful applicants as a way to feel more confident and relieve stress. The interviews do not test your specific knowledge of a subject. You might ask some friends or family members to create scenarios for you. This will allow you to get comfortable speaking on a topic for a few minutes and organizing your thoughts quickly.
What if I am sick or late?
The MMI runs on a very tight schedule, and there is no ability to have someone join the circuit after it has begun. In the event that you are late, we will try our best to accommodate you, but will only be able to do so if there is an empty spot or no-show in a subsequent group. The chances of this are extremely small, although we are of course willing to try.
How long is the interview process?
The interviews themselves will take 80 minutes. Candidates are given 2 minutes to read the question or scenario and to mentally prepare a response prior to entering the interview. Upon entering the station, the candidate will have 6 minutes to respond to the question. The candidate will receive a signal that it is time to move to the next station. With orientation and debriefing, please plan to be here for at least 2.5 hours.
If I interview and do not receive an offer of admission, can I receive my interview scores or feedback on performance?
No. The Department of Physical Therapy does not release Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) scores or provide individual feedback to previous applicants to the MPT program. This policy is to ensure that the MMI are held in a fair and unbiased manner for all applicants offered the opportunity to interview.
Distributed Sites
Does my site preference impact my application?
All cohorts (Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Prince George, Victoria) are part of the UBC MPT program. You must first be accepted to the UBC MPT program before being offered a seat in any of the cohorts. Your preference ranking will not impact your acceptance into the MPT program. It will be used in conjunction with your application package to determine your final cohort allocation. Applicants offered admission are allocated to sites based on their preferences. The majority of admitted students are offered their first choice, however, it is not always possible to allocate all successful applicants to their site of first preference and you may be offered a spot in your second or third choice.
When you are ranking your sites, do so according to your genuine preference of where you would like to live and study. Please consider all factors that may impact your choice (e.g. family situation/location, relationships, expenses, commute times, cohort size, etc).
We strongly encourage all applicants to read about each MPT distributed site before making their final site selection.
Will an instructor or assistant be available on site for help?
There are instructors, and Clinical Skills Assistants (CSAs) at all our sites. The ratio of instructors and CSAs to students will be proportionally equal to the class size of the site.
How will practical testing take place? Will the current instructor come to the site or will they be conducted via video?
Clinical skills are formally examined using an OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) format. All students will be assessed the same way, regardless of location – OSCEs will be delivered in person, not via video conference. Informal clinical skills assessment and learning will also be delivered in person.
What measures will be taken to ensure that both instructors and students are prepared to learn via video conferencing?
In addition to having full-time technical and classroom support staff at all sites for every lecture and lab, Instructors will be provided with training to teach in this format. The student experience is designed to be very similar to traditional non-distributed classroom learning, and minimal training will be required. Please note that the MPT Program has successfully delivered a distributed block of courses (linking classes at UNBC and UBC) since 2013. Additionally, the UBC Undergraduate Medical Program has been distributed across sites and using this technology/learning format for a number of years with great success.
Approximately what proportion of in-class learning will occur through distributed learning technologies compared to traditional in-person instruction?
The majority of the content will be delivered through distributed learning technologies. In courses with a greater emphasis on clinical skills, the format will often be similar to the following: a lecture will be delivered via VC, then sites will move into small groups to practice skills learned with in-person instructors and CSAs, then all sites will return to VC to discuss questions / receive additional lecture content.
How will the majority of lectures take place? Will they be in-person lectures or will they be live streamed mostly with the Vancouver class?
All lectures will be streamed so that students experience the same content/learning regardless of location.
Where is the MPT-North cohort located?
The MPT-N Program is taught at the UNBC campus in Prince George. Prince George is Northern BC’s largest city with an active cultural community and great opportunities for outdoor pursuits. The teaching and learning facilities at UNBC are modern and state-of-the-art spaces. These facilities feature a plinth lab and lecture theatre with videoconferencing technology, as well as breakout rooms and study space for students.
Will MPT-North students have access to UNBC amenities in Prince George?
Yes. MPT-North students will have the same access to university amenities and services as UNBC students.
Will I have access to UNBC housing resources as a UBC MPT North student?
Yes. MPT North students are eligible to apply for UNBC housing. Please visit UNBC’s website for more information: https://www.unbc.ca/housing
Are MPT-North students covered by UNBC’s Health and Dental Plan ?
Yes, MPT-North students are automatically enrolled in UNBC’s Health and Dental Plan. If you have existing coverage through a spouse or parent, you may choose to opt-out of health and dental coverage by contacting NBCGSS.
Where is the MPT-Fraser Valley cohort located?
The MPT-FV cohort is at the Surrey Memorial Hospital at City Centre 1, 201 – 13737 96th Avenue, 2nd floor, Surrey, BC. The Surrey campus facilities feature state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces, including plinth labs and lecture theatre with videoconferencing technology, breakout rooms, and study spaces for students.
The majority of class time will be at the Surrey campus. However, MPT-FV students should note they will occasionally have to commute to the Vancouver campus for certain program activities, such as immunization review and courses that utilize the gross anatomy lab (e.g. ANAT 392 and RHSC 420). Students can expect to travel to the UBC campus twice per week during their first semester (Block A) and on three separate occasions during their second semester (Block B). Other ad hoc activities may require students to commute to the Vancouver campus.
Where is the MPT-Victoria cohort located?
The MPT-Victoria cohort is taught at a University of Victoria site, the Vancouver Island Tech Park (4464 Markham St, Victoria, BC). The Vancouver Island Tech Park is located approximately 11 kilometres west of the University of Victoria. The facilities will feature a state-of-the-art plinth lab and lecture theatre with videoconferencing technology, as well as breakout rooms and study spaces for students.
The majority of class time will be at the Vancouver Island Tech Park campus. However, MPT-Victoria students should note they will occasionally have to commute to the UVic campus for certain program activities, such as immunization review and courses that utilize the gross anatomy lab (e.g. ANAT 392 and RHSC 420). Students can expect to travel to UVic campus twice per week during their first semester (Block A) and on three separate occasions during their second semester (Block B). Other ad hoc activities may require students to commute to the UVic campus.
Will MPT-Victoria students have access to UVic amenities at the Victoria campus?
Yes. MPT-Victoria students have the same access to university amenities and services as UVic students.
Will I have access to UVic housing resources as a MPT-Victoria student?
Yes. MPT-Victoria students are eligible to apply for UVic housing. Please visit UVic’s website for more information: https://www.uvic.ca/residence
Are MPT-Victoria students covered by UVic’s Health and Dental Plan ?
Yes, MPT-Victoria students are automatically enrolled in UVic’s Health and Dental Plan. If you have existing coverage through a spouse or parent, you may choose to opt-out of health and dental coverage by contacting UVic’s Graduate Student Society.
Clinical Placements
Please visit the Clinical Education page for frequently asked questions regarding clinical placements.