At UBC Extended Learning (ExL), you can earn a certificate, award of achievement or micro-certificate. Designed with adult learners in mind, these programs offer you a focused yet flexible path for you to upskill or reskill, or explore new directions for your career.
Discover programs that are thought-provoking, relevant and ever-evolving, with content that bridges real-world practice and theory, at one of Canada’s top universities. Demonstrate to employers and colleagues your commitment to your personal and professional development.
Our Programs At-a-Glance
| Credential Type | Approximate Number of Courses |
Minimum Hours of Learning Activities |
| UBC Certificate | 4-6 | 150 hours |
| UBC Award of Achievement | 4-6 | 120 hours |
| UBC Micro-certificate | 1-3 | 50 hours |
Certificate Programs
If you want to reskill to position yourself for a new career or future educational or accreditation opportunities, consider a UBC Certificate. Learn in-depth about a topic or discipline over 150 hours or more of learning activities. UBC Certificates are approved by the UBC Senate, and are held to the same standards as degrees, specializations and courses.
Some certificate programs accept one group of students at the start of the program (called a cohort) that progresses through the program together, which affords you an opportunity to forge professional connections and friendships. To be awarded a UBC Certificate, a student must demonstrate proficiency in the certificate’s learning outcomes and meet attendance and participation requirements.
For some certificate programs, you apply and are accepted into the program. For others, you register and successfully complete courses one-by-one that can be applied toward a certificate. Most of our certificates are part-time.
Explore:
- Artificial Intelligence in Digital Media, UBC Certificate Program
- Biomedical Visualization and Communication, UBC Certificate Program
- Cloud and Technology Transformation, UBC Certificate Program
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, UBC Certificate Program
- French Language and Culture, UBC Certificate Program
- Indigenous Health Administration and Leadership, UBC Certificate Program
- Intercultural Studies, UBC Certificate Program
- Key Capabilities in Data Science, UBC Certificate Program
- Managing@UBC Intercultural Stream, UBC Certificate Program Program
- Organizational Coaching, UBC Certificate Program
- Spanish Practical and Business, UBC Certificate Program
Award of Achievement Programs
UBC Award of Achievement programs are shorter than certificates, and comprise a series of courses that deepen your skills in one subject area. Programs are designed to be flexible – in most (but not all) of our award of achievement programs, you can take courses in any order and choose from a group of electives. Some require an application or a letter of intent.
Explore:
- Business English for International Professionals, UBC Award of Achievement
- Chinese, UBC Award of Achievement
Micro-certificate Programs
UBC Micro-certificates comprise short-duration, competency-based learning opportunities that align with labour market or community needs and can be assessed and recognized for employment or further learning opportunities. Through 1-2 integrated courses (or more), micro-certificates can be taken as a standalone credential or, depending on the program, can be stacked into more comprehensive learning opportunities. You don’t need to apply to a micro-certificate program – simply register for the courses.
Explore:
- Analytics for Leaders in Ocean Management, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Anti-Racism, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Artificial Intelligence Cloud Solutions Strategy, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Climate Action Planning: Foundations, Finance and Implementation, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Cloud Transformation and Technology Infrastructure Strategy, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Attackers Methods, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Cybersecurity Strategy and Risk Management, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Diversity and Inclusion, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Equitable Systems Design, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Health Data Analytics: Opportunities and Applications, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Regulatory Affairs in the Life Sciences, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Writing and Communication Skills for the Workplace, UBC Micro-certificate Program
- Writing Skills for Digital Content, UBC Micro-certificate Program
Are your courses and programs for credit?
Like many other continuing education and continuing studies and university extension programs, ExL courses and programs are non-credit. This means that, at this time, ExL courses cannot be applied toward a UBC degree or for-credit programs.
If you’re applying for credit programs at other universities or colleges, institutions may consider your non-credit ExL courses in assessing your educational background. UBC Certificate, Micro-certificate and Award of Achievement programs can equip you with the skills and knowledge – and confidence – to apply for such programs.