Programme dates
6-17 July 2026
In-person Program
Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Topics
Explore health, illness and healing through anthropology, with a focus on medical ethics, mental health and patients' experiences of care.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics 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
MedicineSocial SciencesEthics
Accommodation: Optional single-room campus residence
Meals: Commuter weekday lunch; residence full board
Certificate / Outcome: Letter of Completion
Campus experience: University preparation and recreational activities
Tutors / faculty: Dr. Dan Small, UBC medical anthropologist
Assessment style: No exams
Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday: 3-hour classes; 1.5-hour workshops
Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics summary
Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Topics examines medicine through culture, ethics and the lived experience of illness. It connects health sciences with the relationships between patients, families and health professionals.
The UBC Future Global Leaders course combines academic teaching with university preparation workshops and campus activities. It suits students curious about the human side of medicine, psychology, dentistry or pharmaceutical sciences.
What is Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Topics?
Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Topics is an academic course offered by UBC Extended Learning within Future Global Leaders. It examines health, illness and healing from a cross-cultural perspective, using anthropology to understand healthcare and the experience of illness.
Students explore medical regulation, genetics, cancer, addiction, medical ethics, mental health and the law. Morning teaching is paired with afternoon university preparation workshops, while commuter and residence options offer different ways to experience campus life.
Why Succeed highlights Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics
The cross-cultural approach helps students connect scientific medicine with patients' experiences and ethical questions.
Dr. Dan Small brings relevant experience in medical regulation, forensic psychiatry and community mental health.
The course pairs first-year university-level study with practical university preparation.
Commuter and residence options let families choose how much campus immersion they want.
Who is Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics for?
Best for
Students considering medicine or related health fields who want to understand culture, ethics and the human experience of illness.
Not ideal if
You mainly want a biology-focused course or a direct university admissions pathway, rather than an anthropological exploration of healthcare.
Is Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics worth it?
This course is a useful option if you want to test your interest in the human and ethical dimensions of healthcare. Its combination of medical anthropology and university preparation gives you material to reflect on when considering future study.
The value depends on whether that academic focus matches your goals and whether the campus experience justifies the family budget. The Letter of Completion recognizes participation, while the program explicitly provides no direct pathway to university admission.
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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., Afternoon campus activities., Residence add-on: single room and daily breakfast, lunch and dinner., Residence add-on: airport transfers within designated service times., Residence add-on: weeknight and weekend activities., Residence add-on: local medical insurance for international students..
Accommodation
Optional single-room campus residence
Meals
Commuter weekday 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.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics need?
Effort level
Moderate, with a structured weekday study routine.
Best started
Begin planning several weeks before a future session, allowing longer for residence, visas and accessibility arrangements.
Main challenge
Engaging thoughtfully with illness, death and complex healthcare relationships.
Typical preparation
Read an introductory explanation of medical anthropology and identify one topic you want to understand better.
Discuss commuter or residence plans with your parent or guardian and review the relevant refund policy.
Prepare separate parent and student email addresses, and allow time to complete the registration information package.
If you need academic accommodations, begin the Centre for Accessibility process soon after registration.
Useful if
You want to explore medicine through social and ethical questions.
What do students do on Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics?
You study contemporary medical anthropology and consider how illness affects patients, families and health professionals. University preparation workshops and campus activities broaden the experience beyond the academic classroom.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Attend morning classes exploring health, illness and healing through anthropology.
- 2
Examine topics including medical ethics, genetics, cancer, addiction and mental health.
- 3
Attend afternoon university preparation workshops on academic success and future study.
- 4
Join campus social and recreational activities alongside other participants.
- 5
Meet attendance and conduct expectations to receive a Letter of Completion.
Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Programme dates | 6-17 July 2026 | Local | 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 formal application, transcripts or proof of English required.
How much does Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics cost?
Course fee
$1,940 CAD — Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Funding or discounts
- International course fee: $2,620 CAD — International students.
- Optional residence add-on: $2,650 CAD — Single room, full board and residential student-life benefits.
- Registration deposit: $500 CAD — Part-payment option under the 2026 payment arrangements.
- UBC President Bursary: Needs-based support — For eligible grade 11 students in British Columbia.
What's included
Morning academic classes and afternoon university preparation workshops., Weekday lunch in the residence dining hall., UBC Recreation Card., Afternoon campus activities., Residence add-on: single room and daily breakfast, lunch and dinner., Residence add-on: airport transfers within designated service times., Residence add-on: weeknight and weekend activities., Residence add-on: local medical insurance for international students.
How to apply to Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics
- 1
Review Future Global Leaders eligibility and the commuter or residence refund policy.
- 2
Have a parent or guardian create a Family Account using their primary email address.
- 3
Add the student as a family member using a different primary email address.
- 4
Select the course session and commuter or residence option, then add the student in the cart and complete checkout.
- 5
Select New Application in the Family Account and submit the information package within 48 hours of registration.
- 6
Follow the emailed instructions to set up the student's account and UBC Campus-wide Login.
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What does Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Health across cultures
Explore health, illness and healing from a cross-cultural anthropological perspective.
Ethics and regulation
Study medical ethics, medical regulation and connections between mental health and the law.
Contemporary health topics
Examine genetics, cancer, addiction and mental health within medical anthropology.
The experience of illness
Consider how patients, families and health professionals encounter illness and death.
University preparation
Attend workshops addressing applications, study habits, university expectations and well-being.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics?
A typical day during the program.
Academic classes
Monday-Friday, 9 am-noon: three hours of subject teaching.
University preparation
Monday-Friday, 1:30-3 pm: 1.5-hour university preparation workshops.
Campus activities
The student-life timetable gives 3:30-5 pm for activities, study or free time.
Residential social time
Residence students have 7:30-9 pm social activities, study or free time.
Who teaches on Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics?
The course names Dr. Dan Small, PhD, a medical anthropologist and Research Associate in UBC's Department of Anthropology. His experience includes 20 years in medical regulation, medical assessment, forensic psychiatry and community mental health.
Where do students stay on Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics?
Residential plan
- Single-room residence: Optional campus housing provides a furnished private room with no roommate.
- Full board: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily, including weekends.
- Residence support: Student life assistants provide 24/7 support with a 10-to-1 residence student-to-staff ratio.
- Activities and transfers: The add-on includes evening and weekend activities and airport transfers within designated service times.
Non-residential plan
- Day-student option: Commuters arrange their own accommodation and weekday transportation to campus.
- Lunch and recreation: Weekday dining-hall lunch and a UBC Recreation Card are included.
- Afternoon participation: Commuters can join afternoon activities until 5 pm; evening and weekend activities are residential only.
Residence rooms are on mixed-gender floors with shared bathrooms; no air conditioning or fan is provided.
What happens after Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Explore interests in medicine, health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, psychology or dentistry.
Experience first-year university-level academic study without exams.
Build familiarity with university expectations and application preparation.
Receive a Letter of Completion when attendance and conduct criteria are met.
Future Global Leaders is not a direct pathway to university admission.
Where does Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics take place?
Teaching takes place on the UBC Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada, where students can use campus recreation facilities and join student-life activities. Commuters can reach campus through the UBC Bus Loop; Vancouver International Airport is about a 30-minute drive away.
Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics FAQs
It studies health, illness and healing from a cross-cultural perspective. This course covers medical regulation, genetics, cancer, addiction, medical ethics, mental health and the law.
The course names Dr. Dan Small, a medical anthropologist and Research Associate in UBC's Department of Anthropology. His experience includes medical regulation, medical assessment, forensic psychiatry and community mental health.
Monday through Friday, academic classes run from 9 am to noon and university preparation workshops from 1:30 to 3 pm. Afternoon campus activities are also part of the wider student experience.
Yes. Commuter students arrange their own accommodation and travel, receive weekday lunch and a UBC Recreation Card, and can join afternoon activities. Evening and weekend activities are reserved for residence students.
The optional residence package includes a private room, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, airport transfers within designated service times, and evening and weekend activities. International residence students also receive local medical insurance.
Students can receive a Letter of Completion if they meet program and conduct expectations and miss no more than one class without approval.
No. Future Global Leaders provides university preparation and firsthand campus experience, but it is not a direct pathway to UBC or any other university.
Student life assistants live in residence and provide support 24/7, with a 10-to-1 residence student-to-staff ratio. Staff have first aid, CPR-C and AED certification and undergo criminal records checks.
Alternatives to Medical Anthropology Contemporary Topics
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources & 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
- Suggested Packing List for Students Staying in a UBC Residence
- Pre-University Summer Program Code of Conduct and Rules
- 2026 MarComm Schedule
- Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Topics | 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 checked
Course session verified
Eligibility recommendations reviewed
Fee options compared
Residence and meals reviewed
Refund and conduct 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.
Medical Anthropology: Contemporary Topics
by UBC Future Global Leaders
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