Comparison·Canada· 8 min read

UBC vs SFU vs UVic: Comparing British Columbia's Universities

A neutral comparison of UBC, SFU and UVic by program focus, campus setting, co-op and admission style to help you choose where to apply via EducationPlannerBC.

Last updated 24 June 2026

Key facts

UBC: Vancouver (plus Okanagan campus in Kelowna)
SFU: Burnaby Mountain, Metro Vancouver (plus satellite campuses)
UVic: Greater Victoria, Vancouver Island
Apply via: EducationPlannerBC (separate fee per institution)

Three distinct BC research universities

The University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the University of Victoria (UVic) are three of British Columbia's main public research universities. All three offer a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs, welcome international students, and are reachable through the EducationPlannerBC portal.

None is universally "better" than the others — they differ in size, setting, program emphasis and feel. The right choice depends on your program, the kind of campus and city you want, and how each university's admission process fits your profile. Compare them on official sources and, where possible, attend virtual info sessions.

UBC, SFU and UVic are major BC public research universities
All three are applied to through EducationPlannerBC
No single one is "best" — fit depends on your goals
Use each university's official program pages to compare

Location and campus setting

UBC's largest campus sits in Vancouver (with a second campus in Kelowna, in BC's Okanagan), placing many students in or near a large coastal city. SFU's main campus is on Burnaby Mountain in Metro Vancouver, with additional locations including downtown Vancouver and Surrey. UVic is in Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island, a smaller-city setting reached from the mainland by ferry or short flight.

Setting affects cost of living, commute, climate and lifestyle. Think about whether you want a big-city campus, a mountaintop campus near a metro, or an island-city campus, and factor housing availability into your decision.

UBC: Vancouver (plus an Okanagan campus in Kelowna)
SFU: Burnaby Mountain in Metro Vancouver, with satellite campuses
UVic: Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island
Setting shapes cost of living, commute and lifestyle

Program strengths and academic style

All three are comprehensive universities, so most fields are available somewhere — but each has areas it is especially known for. Rather than relying on reputation alone, look up the specific department, degree structure and available specializations for your intended major on each university's official site.

Also compare practical details that differ by program: whether the degree is offered at the campus you want, entry requirements for international students, and how flexible the program is in your first year (some let you explore before declaring a major; others admit you directly into a faculty).

All three are broad, comprehensive universities
Check the exact department and specializations for your major
Compare international entry requirements per program
Note first-year flexibility vs direct-entry faculties

Co-op and work-integrated learning

Co-operative education (co-op) — alternating study terms with paid, full-time work terms in your field — is a major feature at BC universities, and UBC, SFU and UVic each run co-op programs. Availability differs by faculty and program, and not every degree includes co-op.

If gaining Canadian work experience during your studies matters to you, check whether co-op is offered in your specific program at each university, how competitive entry is, and how it fits the degree timeline. International students should also review how working during studies and any co-op work permit work — and verify the current rules on the official Government of Canada website.

UBC, SFU and UVic all offer co-op options
Co-op availability varies by program and faculty
Check if co-op exists in your specific intended degree
Review co-op work-permit rules on canada.ca (rules change)

How to decide where to apply

Because you apply through one EducationPlannerBC account, you can apply to more than one of these universities — but you pay a separate fee per institution, so apply where there is a genuine fit.

Shortlist by working through your priorities: Is my exact program offered, at the campus I want? Does the setting and cost of living suit me? Is co-op available if I want it? Do I meet the international entry and English-language requirements? Decide on facts from official pages, not rankings alone.

You can apply to more than one via EducationPlannerBC
Each institution charges its own application fee
Match program, campus, setting, co-op and entry requirements
Base the decision on official information, not reputation alone

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best university — UBC, SFU or UVic?

None is universally best; they differ in size, location, program focus and campus feel. The right choice depends on your specific program, the city and campus you prefer, whether you want co-op, and how each admission process fits your profile. Compare them on official program pages.

Where is each university located?

UBC's main campus is in Vancouver, with a second campus in Kelowna (the Okanagan). SFU's main campus is on Burnaby Mountain in Metro Vancouver, with additional locations such as downtown Vancouver and Surrey. UVic is in Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island.

Do all three offer co-op programs?

Yes, UBC, SFU and UVic each offer co-operative education, but availability depends on the specific program and faculty, and not every degree includes co-op. Check your intended program on each university's official site, and review co-op work-permit rules on canada.ca.

Can I apply to more than one of them at once?

Yes. You apply through EducationPlannerBC and can submit applications to several BC institutions from one account, though you pay a separate application fee for each. Apply where you have a genuine fit with the program and entry requirements.

How do I compare their programs fairly?

Look up your exact intended major on each university's official department page and compare degree structure, specializations, campus availability, international entry requirements and co-op options — rather than relying on overall rankings, which don't reflect program-level fit.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: University of British Columbia — official site; Simon Fraser University — official site; University of Victoria — official site; EducationPlannerBC — official BC application portal.

Last verified: 24 June 2026.