Tuition and fees

Note: Tuition fee structures vary by program, and some programs have program-specific or credit-based fees. You should consult this webpage for details: Graduate program tuition and fees.

Tuition instalments

If you are enrolled in a graduate program with instalment-based tuition, this information will help you understand how fees work. 

Graduate students pay tuition in instalments, based on the total cost of the degree. Once the regular tuition instalments have been paid, domestic students transition into continuing registration fees (as well as international students admitted before September 2022). Some programs have a special tuition structure (the MBA and MEng programs).

  • Full-time Domestic Master's degree graduate students are required to pay 6 instalments prior to transitioning into the continuing registration fee. International Master's degree students admitted prior to September 2022 also transition to continuing registration fees after 6 semesters.
  • Full-time International Master's degree graduate students pay the full-time instalment rate for the duration of their enrolment.
  • Part-time Domestic Master's degree graduate students are required to pay 12 instalments prior to transitioning into the continuing registration fee. There is no part-time International student rate.
  • Domestic PhD students are assessed 9 instalments prior to transitioning to continuing registration fees. International PhD degree students admitted prior to September 2022 also transition to continuing registration fees after 9 semesters. However, provided a student is maintaining satisfactory academic standing, maintaining satisfactory progress and meeting program requirements (including the candidacy examination timeline), the Doctoral Tuition Award will be applied against tuition for a total of 12 semesters.
  • International PhD students pay the full-time instalment rate for the duration of their enrolment. However, provided a student is maintaining satisfactory academic standing, maintaining satisfactory progress and meeting program requirements (including the candidacy examination timeline), the Doctoral Tuition Award will be applied against tuition for a total of 12 semesters.

Minimum Instalments Required For Graduation

Full-time Master's degree students generally complete their program within 6 semesters and part-time students within 12 semesters. However, if a student finishes their degree requirements early, a minimum number of instalments must be paid in order to graduate.

  • Full-time Master's degree students must pay a minimum of 3 full-time instalments.
  • Part-time Master's degree students must pay a minimum of 9 part-time instalments.
  • PhD students must pay a minimum of 9 instalments  , and from 12 to 9 for part time students.

Examples

  • A full-time Master's degree student finishes their degree in 4 semesters. No tuition will be owed at the point of graduation provided all 4 instalments are paid in full.
  • A full-time Master's degree student finishes their degree in 2 semesters. They will owe 1 instalment of tuition in order to graduate (the minimum cost of the degree).
  • A part-time Master's degree student finishes their degree in 7 semesters. They will owe 2 instalments of tuition in order to graduate (the minimum cost of the degree).

Continuing Registration Fees

Important note: Continuing registration fees apply only to Domestic students and International students admitted prior to September 2022

The minimum instalments required for graduation does not change the total instalments a student is required to before transitioning to continuing registration status. The Calendar policy governs the total number of instalments paid prior to transitioning to continuing registration. With the exception of the MBA and MEng programs (which have their own payment structures), domestic full-time students will transition to continuing fees if their study extends beyond 6 semesters of registration and domestic part-time students past 12 semesters of registration. Domestic PhD students transition after their 9th semester.

Examples:

  • A full-time domestic Master's degree student is entering their 5th semester of study. Full-time tuition applies.
  • A full-time domestic Master's degree student is entering their 7th semester of study. Continuing registration fees will begin provided 6 instalments at the full-time rate have been paid.
  • A full-time international Master's degree student is entering their 7th semester of study. Continuing registration fees do not apply (the full-time instalment rate continues until graduation).

Should I register in the Summer semester?

The requirement to maintain continuous registration has been removed only for students in course-based degree programs where there is no course offering available in the Summer semester. Thesis, project, and dissertation students should maintain registration continuously unless on an approved leave. Students in programs terminating in a major paper, comprehensive examination, portfolio or practicum who are working on their capstone in the summer semester should also register.

How does this policy impact graduation?

Effective September 1, 2021, if you finish a relevant program early you will not incur additional tuition charges provided the minimum number of instalments have been paid in full. Full-time students must have paid 3 instalments and part-time students must have paid 9 instalments (inclusive of the final semester of registration. However, it is important to understand that you will continue to pay the full-time or part-time instalment for the required period (6 semesters full-time or 12 semesters part-time). This impacts only students completing degree requirements early.

If you have any questions, please contact grad-office@unbc.ca.