Picking your program (major, minor, or specialization) can be a daunting process. It might feel like the first life-altering decision you have to make.
Some students come to university with a strong idea of what they want to study. Others may change programs – or even faculties – during their time here. If you’re unsure what program is right for you, UBC is a great place to explore diverse learning experiences and expose yourself to new topics. You may discover a path you had never considered when you started your degree.
We asked Arts alumni how they chose their program and a few tips emerged. Many students found their program in unexpected ways.
Use your passions and interests to guide you
What are you passionate about outside of your studies? Do you volunteer or participate in extracurricular activities? Look for a program that offers you an opportunity to dive deeper into these topics or disciplines.
“I chose to do an honours degree in Sociology and minor in Critical Studies in Sexuality at UBC because I had profound questions about social inequalities in our world I wanted answers to. Doing an honours degree allowed me to work with two professors (who are leaders in their field) to hone my own research and analytic skills to do original research that is now being published in a peer-reviewed journal.”
~ Andy Holmes, BA ‘19, GRSJ & Sociology
“I always knew I wanted to go into the performing arts. I participated in theatre and music in high school and in the community, both on and off stage. When I graduated high school, I knew more or less what I wanted to do, it was just about picking where. Originally, I did one year of Interdisciplinary Performance at UBCO, but soon realized I was missing the technical side of theatre. The next year, I did a certification in Audio Engineering, and the following year I moved to Vancouver to complete my BFA in Theatre Production and Design at UBC.”
~ Kate De Lorme, BFA ‘15, Theatre & Film
“It was an easy decision to make, for two reasons. First, I’m personally fascinated by history as a subject matter in general. Second, I didn’t know what I wanted to pursue for a career post-university, so I figured that I might as well study in an area that genuinely interested me.”
~ Will Kruger, BA ‘11, History
Tap into your student community, instructors, or advisors
Get to know Arts students in other disciplines through residence, events, or clubs – they might expose you to programs you didn’t know existed. Work with Arts Academic Advising or make an appointment with your instructors during office hours to help you find the right program fit.
“Starting off as a general Arts student, I began attending UBC with the intention of declaring a BA double-major in English Literature and Psychology. However, after my first year in Residence Life, I learned more about the Interdisciplinary Studies program from my colleagues. Upon further research, I decided the Interdisciplinary Studies program offered the perfect solution for me. With the flexibility of classes available within the Interdisciplinary Studies program, where you can choose your own destiny so-to-speak, I was able to pursue both of my passions.”
~ Victoria Lansdown, BA ‘17, Interdisciplinary Studies
“I started my September semester doing general Arts electives in the hopes that I would discover a new direction for myself. After several meetings with Academic Advising, I was directed towards the newly established Bachelor of Media Studies. Over the four years in that program I became very good friends with everyone and the connections I made because of my degree path have turned out to be indispensable.”
~ Graeme Wheeler, BMS ‘18
Choose a program based on your favourite classes
Take a variety of classes in your first year and reflect on those that have had the most impact on you. Are there classes you looked forward to attending each week? Which classes challenged you and helped you to grow?
“When I started at UBC, I initially thought I was going to go into commerce and pursue a career in marketing. However, I found I enjoyed all of my Arts classes, particularly philosophy, far more than the economics and other commerce-oriented classes I was taking, so I decided to pursue a Bachelor of Arts instead. I loved the thinking and writing aspects of my philosophy classes, and the way they taught me to be willing to challenge my own views and see issues from all sides. From there, proceeding on to a law degree felt like a good fit.”
~ Leah Manson, BA ‘04, English & Philosophy
“I took international politics with Prof. Allen Sens, and was introduced to the world of international relations for the first time. I loved the experience, the intricacies of interstate relations and especially how diverse the field is, ranging from environmental sustainability to preventing nuclear proliferation. It also allowed me to keep a broad scope for jobs afterwards and grad school.”
~ Lina Zdruli, BA ‘14, International Relations
“I started my UBC studies enrolled in various first-year science courses. However, by the end of the first semester, I felt unmotivated as I struggled to understand the greater purpose of my education. After failing first-year chemistry, I decided to consider an Arts degree. I enrolled in Dr. Tina Loo’s Global Environmental History course. The course was a watershed moment for me, where I eagerly awaited every lecture to learn about pressing issues like climate change, agriculture, energy, and cities. My mind buzzed with excitement and creativity as I hungered for a worldly perspective. I turned to geography and urban studies to reconcile my deep concern for the welfare of the world and to better understand the importance of sustainable development.”
~ Victor Ngo, BA ‘13, Geography
Find a program that offers the right learning environment for you
Do you learn best in a small cohort environment or prefer larger classes? Do you enjoy reading and writing or is spending time in a studio space more appealing to you?
“Great professors that are passionate about their work and genuinely care about their students. Its international focus and the small class sizes. After graduating from a high school in India with students from 80 different nationalities I was looking to continue my education in a similarly diverse environment.”
~ Cristina Blanco Iglesias, BIE ‘17
“In one (very significant) sense, the writing I was able to do during this program was my favourite part. It was a gift to have so much dedicated time to write, as well as being challenged to do more work and better work by my classmates and instructors. Those classroom connections also proved to be among the best, most lasting benefits of the program. Having brilliant, trusted writer friends (spread across the world though they are) makes me feel more safely rooted in the arts world, free to try ambitious things – free to fail, too.”
~ Natalie Morrill, MFA ‘13
“I enjoyed how small the class of my specialization was. There were only five of us in my intake of the BFA in theatre design & production, and we had all our core classes together, we worked together on productions, and we hung out together. The chance to grow close to a small group of like-minded students was very special. While in the program I worked in some capacity on every mainstage production, in addition to numerous studio and classroom projects. We were totally immersed in theatre production for three years.”
~ Alan Brodie, BFA ‘89
Remember, many students come to UBC without knowing exactly what they want to study, and most majors don’t have to be declared until second or third year. Your first couple of years are meant to help you discover your interests. Take your time, as this “major” decision is one you’ll want to carefully consider.
Want to browse the 70+ majors, minors, and specializations offered in UBC Arts? Explore our programs
