Kinesiology at UBC offers you a premier choice to start your professional career in the field of Kinesiology, active health, research, education, recreation, or sports. A Bachelor of Kinesiology (BKin) is also an excellent step on the way to a second degree in medicine, rehabilitation sciences, education and dentistry, among many others.
The undergraduate BKin degree program at the School of Kinesiology offers a core curriculum consisting of courses in active health, biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, motor learning, psychology and sociology. Students will specialize in one of three streams going into second-year: Neuromechanical and Physiological Sciences (NPSC), Social and Behavioural Sciences (SBSC), or Multidisciplinary Science (MDSC).
UBC BKIN INFO SESSIONS
If you are interested in the Bachelor of Kinesiology undergraduate program at UBC-Vancouver, we’d like to invite you to join us for our next UBC BKin Info Session to learn more about our program, the admissions process, timelines, requirements, and other key pieces of information. Ahead of this meeting, we recommend that you review our website for prospective students so that you come prepared. We’ll have Academic Advisors on hand to answer all of your questions.
Next BKin Info Session:
February 29, 2024 – 12:30-2pm (Pacific Standard Time)
Admission Requirements
UBC and the School of Kinesiology welcome students from Canada and around the world.
Curriculum Requirements
Kinesiology - specific requirements Select your province or territory from the list below to find out what the Kinesiology- specific requirements are for your high school curriculum.
- Yukon
- BC
- Alberta
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
At UBC, we recognize the value of AP courses. All AP courses are eligible for admission consideration and AP course grades may be combined with an approved high school curriculum to meet the University’s admission requirements.
Additional international countries are listed on you.ubc.ca
First-Year Credit
Many students in the School of Kinesiology are granted first-year credit for IB, AP or British A Levels. These credits can be used to meet the Kinesiology program or streams requirements. For details on what first-year credit you’re eligible to receive, find your program at the page linked below.
First-Year Credits
Entrance Awards
For scholarships offered by UBC for Canadian or International students entering the university – please visit their website for further details.
School of Kinesiology Entrance Awards for Aboriginal Students
Two awards of $1,000 each have been created by the School of Kinesiology for entering Aboriginal students who are enrolled in at least 24 credits of course work over the Winter Session. The awards may be renewed for one year only, subject to satisfactory completion of the first year and enrollment in a second year of study in the School of Kinesiology with at least 24 credits of course work. The awards are made on the recommendation of the School.
More information here.
About the Degree
Focused Learning in Action
The school’s teaching aspires to excellence, and is dedicated to providing you with a personalized and student-centred education. Kinesiology courses offer many opportunities to work in small groups and present your work to your peers. We support many of our courses with Connect & Canvas technology, so you have easy access to course notes and peer discussion groups outside of the classroom. You will also have the opportunity to experience hands-on work in our student laboratories and complete a directed study course in any of our Kinesiology research laboratories.
Degree Details
StreamsCourse OutlinesDual Degree optionsMinor options
Possible Careers
How would you like to shape your career path?
The goals of the various individuals and organizations working within the discipline of kinesiology are to improve people’s quality of life in a number of populations and settings through increasing physiological functioning and psychological health. A degree in kinesiology can lead to a number of careers in a wide range the fields such as education, fitness and recreation, sports management, medicine, physical therapy, and nutrition.
Graduates of kinesiology can be found in schools, universities, hospitals, military environments, hotels, recreation centers, sports clubs, aquatic facilities, health clinics, wellness centers, and other private and public agencies. Interested in seeing what some of our graduates have done with their degrees? See what they are doing now here.
Take a look at some possible career choices to see what courses you might need to help get you where you want to be.
Student Stories
At The School of Kinesiology, we bring you more than an exceptional interdisciplinary, international education – we bring you the world.
Canada is internationally recognized as a country that delivers the highest standards of education, and UBC is no exception. As a Kinesiology student, you will be part of a diverse community that is home to some of the brightest minds in the world, building relationships that will last a lifetime. Here are some of our Kinesiology Student Stories.
Drake, Clare (1928-2018)
Degree: BPE
Clare Drake is one of UBC Kinesiology’s most acclaimed graduates. A native of Saskatchewan, Clare, in 1947, chose to come to UBC because of its newly-created Kinesiology program – the first such program in Western Canada.
Watt, Norm
Degree: BPE
Norm Watt was one of the originals, that is, a member of UBC’s first graduating class in Physical Education (Kinesiology) back in 1949. He was also an athlete and although not tall, was a notable basketball player and played Varsity Thunderbird basketball during the late 1940s.
Budd, Brian (1952-2008)
Degree: BPE
Born in Toronto but growing up in Delta, Brian was an all-around athlete entering UBC in 1970. In his first two years at UBC Budd swam for the Thunderbird swim team under coach Jack Pomfret. In his second year he focused on soccer and for four years played on the Thunderbird soccer team. In fact in 1974, Budd scored the winning goal in the CIS final game giving UBC the national soccer championship.
Schrodt, Barbara ‘Bim’ (1929-2020)
Degree: BPE
Dr. Barbara Schrodt has the distinction of being one of a select group of UBC Physical Education (Kinesiology) graduates to be inducted as an individual into both the UBC and British Columbia Sports Halls of Fame.
MacFarlane, Dave
Degree: BPE
Dave Macfarlane is another example of the diversity in career paths taken by UBC graduates in Physical Education (Human Kinetics/Kinesiology). A 1989 graduate, Dave played Thunderbird hockey in 1984-85 under the coaching of Fred Masuch.
Brown, May (1919-2019)
Degree: MPE
For decades May has been an advocate for UBC sports particularly women’s field hockey and swimming both of which she coached at UBC during the late 1940s and early 1950s. She has reached such esteem that UBC has created the May Brown Trophy which is awarded annually to the Outstanding Graduating Female Athlete of the Year.
Jameson, Stephanie
Stream: BKin
Stephanie Jameson, a 2006 UBC Kinesiology graduate, experienced an exceptional Thunderbird athletic career as a field hockey player under coach Hash Kanjee. Not only was she a luminary in this sport but is also unique in that her mother, Sue Rich, was also a field hockey standout preceding Stephanie as a Physical Education (Kinesiology) graduate in 1973.
Shields, Ken
Degree: BPE
Bachelor of Physical Education, 1969 One of the best known names in Canadian basketball is 1969 UBC Physical Education (Kinesiology) graduate Ken Shields. Ken, along with his wife Kathy, both played Varsity Thunderbird basketball during the late 1960s with Ken quickly moving on to the coaching ranks co-coaching the UBC women’s Varsity basketball team in1969/70.
McKay, Roger
Degree: BPE
Prior to his 30 year career in teaching and coaching, Roger benefitted from UBC life, taking his courses from great teachers, being a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity plus playing briefly for the UBC Braves J.V. basketball team under the coaching of the legendary, colourful, Peter Mullins
Wilson, Gail
Degree: MPE
Gail Wilson joined the UBC coaching staff in 1977 and was the coach of the UBC Thunderbird Women’s field hockey team from until 1993. From 1977/78 until 1992/93, Wilson executed one of the most successful recruiting and coaching careers in UBC history. Gail’s UBC Women’s Field Hockey teams were Canada West champions in 1977, ’78, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83 and ’90 and were National Champions five times.
