Introduction to Business Foundations
    In-person Program

    Introduction to Business Foundations

    by UBC Future Global Leaders

    A beginner business course exploring marketing, finance, accounting, human resources and strategy through real brands, team challenges and university preparation.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Introduction to Business Foundations at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    High school; completed grade 10

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-18

    Location / Region

    UBC Vancouver campus, Vancouver, Canada

    Cost

    $1,940 CAD; $2,620 CAD

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Business & EconomicsFinance
    Class size: Small classes
    Accommodation: Optional single-room campus residence
    Meals: Commuter lunch; residence full board
    Certificate / Outcome: Letter of Completion
    Campus experience: University preparation and recreation
    Tutors / faculty: UBC Sauder School of Business instructors
    Sessions / cadence: Weekdays: 3-hour classes, 1.5-hour workshops

    Introduction to Business Foundations summary

    Introduction to Business Foundations connects marketing, finance, accounting, human resources and strategy so students can understand how organizations operate.

    Familiar brands, practical activities and team challenges make the subject approachable, while university preparation workshops broaden the experience beyond business.

    It suits students exploring business as a possible study direction and those who want to understand the companies behind everyday products.

    What is Introduction to Business Foundations?

    Introduction to Business Foundations is a beginner-friendly course offered by the UBC Sauder School of Business within Future Global Leaders. It introduces marketing, finance, accounting, human resources and strategy through examples from recognizable brands.

    Students practice business decisions, investigate why companies succeed or fail, and solve challenges in teams. Morning academic classes are paired with afternoon university preparation workshops, with commuter and campus residence options.

    Why Succeed highlights Introduction to Business Foundations

    • Connecting five core business functions helps beginners understand the whole organization before choosing a specialty.

    • Real brands and team decisions give students concrete ways to test their interest in business.

    • UBC Sauder instructors bring academic and professional perspectives to the teaching.

    • University preparation workshops add practical guidance on applications, study habits and life after high school.

    Who is Introduction to Business Foundations for?

    Best for

    Students curious about business, entrepreneurship or economics who enjoy collaborative challenges and want a broad introduction.

    Not ideal if

    You want advanced specialization or a direct route to university admission; the focus is introductory exploration and preparation.

    Is Introduction to Business Foundations worth it?

    This course is worth considering if you want to test your interest in business through practical decisions and teamwork. Combining subject teaching with university preparation can make the experience useful even if you later choose another field.

    Its breadth is also its limitation: you explore several functions rather than specialize deeply in one. Treat the Letter of Completion as recognition of participation and good standing, and weigh the optional residence experience against your family's budget.

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    Founder, Succeed

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $1,940 CAD; $2,620 CAD; includes Morning academic classes and afternoon university preparation workshops., Weekday lunch in the residence dining hall., UBC Recreation Card with swimming and drop-in sports., Afternoon campus activities., Residence add-on: single room and daily full board., Residence add-on: airport transfers within designated service windows., Residence add-on: evening and weekend activities., Residence add-on: local medical insurance for international students., Residence add-on: two laundry loads with detergent..

    Accommodation

    Optional single-room campus residence

    Meals

    Commuter lunch; residence full board

    Provider details

    Review the UBC Future Global Leaders provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; UBC Vancouver campus, Vancouver, Canada.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Introduction to Business Foundations need?

    Effort level

    Moderate, with a structured weekday learning schedule.

    Best started

    Several weeks before a confirmed session, with longer lead time for residence, travel or visas.

    Main challenge

    Connecting different business functions while contributing to team decisions.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose a familiar company and think about its customers, products and competitors.

    • Discuss commuter or residence arrangements with your parent or guardian.

    • Prepare separate parent and student email addresses for the Family Account.

    • Set aside time immediately after registration to complete the information package within 48 hours.

    Useful if

    You want to explore business before choosing a university subject.

    What do students do on Introduction to Business Foundations?

    You explore how businesses operate through recognizable brands and hands-on activities. Team challenges let you practice decisions and leadership, while university preparation workshops address the transition beyond high school.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore marketing, finance, accounting, human resources and strategy.

    2. 2

      Use real business examples to connect these functions.

    3. 3

      Make decisions and analyze why companies succeed or fail.

    4. 4

      Solve business challenges collaboratively.

    5. 5

      Attend university preparation workshops and take part in campus activities.

    Introduction to Business Foundations dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Introduction to Business Foundations — Session 1, 2026

    6-17 July 2026

    Weekday classes and university preparation workshops.

    Reference date

    Introduction to Business Foundations — Session 2, 2026

    20-31 July 2026

    Weekday classes and university preparation workshops.

    Reference date

    Introduction to Business Foundations — Session 3, 2026

    3-14 August 2026

    Weekday classes and university preparation workshops.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • High school students ages 15-18.

    • Completed grade 10 or equivalent.

    • Canadian and international students may participate.

    • Recommended academics: 78%, 3.5 GPA, B average or IB 5+.

    • Recommended English: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or equivalent.

    • No transcripts or proof of English required.

    How much does Introduction to Business Foundations cost?

    Course fee

    $1,940 CAD; $2,620 CAD — Canadian/permanent resident; international.

    Funding or discounts

    • Optional residence: $2,650 CAD — Single room, full board and residence benefits.
    • Registration deposit: $500 CAD — 2026 part-payment option, credited toward the fee.
    • UBC President Bursary: For eligible BC grade 11 students demonstrating financial need.

    What's included

    Morning academic classes and afternoon university preparation workshops., Weekday lunch in the residence dining hall., UBC Recreation Card with swimming and drop-in sports., Afternoon campus activities., Residence add-on: single room and daily full board., Residence add-on: airport transfers within designated service windows., Residence add-on: evening and weekend activities., Residence add-on: local medical insurance for international students., Residence add-on: two laundry loads with detergent.

    How to apply to Introduction to Business Foundations

    1. 1

      Review the course eligibility requirements and commuter or residence refund policy.

    2. 2

      A parent or guardian creates a Family Account using their primary email address.

    3. 3

      Add the student as a family member using a different primary email address.

    4. 4

      Add the course session and selected options to the cart, assign the student and complete checkout.

    5. 5

      Select New Application in the Family Account and submit the information package within 48 hours.

    6. 6

      Follow the student account and Campus-wide Login setup instructions sent by email.

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    What does Introduction to Business Foundations cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Marketing

    Explore marketing as a core business function through familiar brands.

    Finance and accounting

    Study finance and accounting within the bigger picture of business operations.

    Human resources

    Explore human resources and its connection to other business functions.

    Strategy and decisions

    Analyze company success and practice business decisions through team challenges.

    University preparation

    Attend workshops on university applications, study habits and student well-being.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Introduction to Business Foundations?

    A typical day during the program.

    Academic classes

    Three hours of business study each weekday.

    Lunch

    Eat with other students in the residence dining hall.

    University preparation

    Attend 1.5-hour workshops on university preparation.

    Campus and residence activities

    Afternoon campus activities, study or free time; evening activities for residents.

    Who teaches on Introduction to Business Foundations?

    The course names UBC Sauder instructors Conor Topley, an adjunct professor; Dr. Erika Wong, a sessional lecturer and entrepreneur; and Sabrina Rai, a lecturer and CPA. Their backgrounds span business fundamentals, strategy, entrepreneurship and accounting.

    The course assigns Conor to Session 1, Erika to Session 2 and Sabrina to Session 3.

    Where do students stay on Introduction to Business Foundations?

    Residential plan

    • Single furnished room: Stay in a private room on a mixed-gender floor with program participants and staff.
    • Full board: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily, including weekends.
    • Student support: Student life assistants provide 24/7 support with a 10-to-1 student-to-staff ratio.
    • Transfers and activities: Designated airport transfers and evening and weekend activities are included.

    Non-residential plan

    • Daily commuting: Arrange your own accommodation and transportation to campus on weekdays.
    • Lunch and recreation: Weekday lunch, a UBC Recreation Card and afternoon campus activities are included.

    Residence rooms have shared bathrooms and no air conditioning or supplied fan; commuter supervision is limited to daily in-class attendance checks.

    What happens after Introduction to Business Foundations?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop a clearer understanding of business study interests.

    Build business decision-making and collaborative problem-solving skills.

    Explore university applications, study habits and career planning.

    Receive a Letter of Completion when attendance and conduct criteria are met.

    Participation is not a direct pathway to admission at UBC or another university.

    Where does Introduction to Business Foundations take place?

    Classes take place at the UBC Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada, with regular bus services through the central UBC Bus Loop. Vancouver International Airport is about a 30-minute drive from campus.

    Residence airport transfers operate within designated Sunday arrival and Saturday departure windows.

    Introduction to Business Foundations FAQs

    The course explores marketing, finance, accounting, human resources and strategy. Students use familiar brands and hands-on activities to understand how these functions work together.

    Yes. It is designed as a beginner-friendly introduction, using recognizable businesses and team challenges to explain how organizations operate.

    Yes. Commuters receive weekday lunch and a UBC Recreation Card, and can participate in afternoon campus activities. Families arrange accommodation and daily transportation.

    It includes a single room, daily full board, designated airport transfers, and evening and weekend activities. International residence students also receive local medical insurance.

    Students receive a Letter of Completion if they meet program and conduct expectations and do not miss more than one class without approval.

    No. Future Global Leaders is not a direct admission pathway to UBC or another university. It provides subject exploration and preparation for university life.

    Student life assistants live in residence and provide 24/7 support, with a 10-to-1 residence student-to-staff ratio. Staff have first-aid, CPR-C and AED certification and undergo criminal record checks.

    Menus include vegan, vegetarian and Kosher options. Students should record food allergies and other dietary requirements in their registration information package.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Student life | Extended Learning
    • Information for parents and students | Extended Learning
    • UBC Future Global Leaders | Extended Learning
    • Future Global Leaders on-campus | Extended Learning
    • Refunds, cancellations and transfers | Extended Learning
    • StrongerBC future skills grant | Extended Learning
    • Financial assistance | Extended Learning
    • Registration technical support | Extended Learning
    • Eligibility, admissions and accommodations | Extended Learning
    • How to pay | Extended Learning
    • How to log in or create a Lifelong Learning Student Account | Extended Learning
    • How to register or apply | Extended Learning
    • How online courses work | Extended Learning
    • Registration info | Extended Learning
    • UBC Pre-University Programs Sample Menu
    • Pre-University Summer Program Code of Conduct and Rules
    • Introduction to Business Foundations | Extended Learning

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Official course page reviewed

    • Course session dates checked

    • Eligibility and recommendations reviewed

    • Fees and bursary reviewed

    • Residence and meals checked

    • Completion requirements checked

    • Family registration process reviewed

    • Refund and welfare policies reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.