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    UBC Urban Studies Mini School: Shaping Future Cities
    In-person Program

    UBC Urban Studies Mini School: Shaping Future Cities

    by UBC Future Global Leaders

    UBC’s urban studies mini school explores how cities work through real planning cases, interactive learning and conversations with urban professionals.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    UBC Urban Studies Mini School 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

    $2,110 CAD; $2,855 CAD

    Duration

    2 weeks; 45 class hours

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    GeographySocial Sciences
    Accommodation: Optional single room; shared bathrooms
    Meals: Weekday lunch; full board with residence
    Certificate / Outcome: Letter of Completion
    Tutors / faculty: UBC instructors; practicing urban planners
    Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday, 9am-noon and 1:30-3pm
    Campus experience: Classes, dining and recreational activities

    UBC Urban Studies Mini School summary

    An introduction to how cities develop, operate and make decisions, connecting urban planning with geography and public policy.

    Students analyze real planning cases, meet urban professionals and explore UBC research through interactive learning.

    It suits students who want to test an interest in city-making before choosing a university subject or career direction.

    What is UBC Urban Studies Mini School: Shaping Future Cities?

    UBC Urban Studies Mini School: Shaping Future Cities introduces the processes that shape cities and suburbs. Offered through UBC Future Global Leaders by UBC’s planning school and Department of Geography, it examines urban development, governance and decisions about the future of cities.

    Students learn through interactive activities and real planning cases from around the world. Teaching connects UBC planning and geography expertise with practicing urban planners, research projects and conversations about urban careers.

    Why Succeed highlights UBC Urban Studies Mini School

    • Real planning and development cases connect academic questions to decisions that affect communities.

    • UBC instructors and practicing planners offer complementary research and professional perspectives.

    • Exposure to UBC urban research helps students see how geography and planning are investigated at university.

    • Urban career guidance gives students a practical way to compare related professions.

    Who is UBC Urban Studies Mini School for?

    Best for

    Students curious about urban planning, geography or community development who enjoy examining real situations from several perspectives.

    Not ideal if

    You want a narrowly technical architecture or engineering course, or expect participation to secure university admission.

    Is UBC Urban Studies Mini School worth it?

    This mini school offers useful subject exploration if you want to understand how cities are shaped before committing to a university direction. Its strongest feature is the combination of real planning cases, university research and access to practicing professionals.

    The value depends on how actively you engage with those cases and career conversations. It is introductory study rather than a professional qualification, and the residence supplement adds substantially to the family budget.

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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

    $2,110 CAD; $2,855 CAD; includes 45 hours of mini school classes., Weekday lunch in the residence dining hall., UBC Recreation Card for swimming and drop-in sports., Weekday afternoon campus activities., Residence add-on: single room and breakfast, lunch and dinner daily., Residence add-on: airport transfers within designated service windows., Residence add-on: evening and weekend activities., Residence add-on: local medical insurance for international residence students..

    Accommodation

    Optional single room; shared bathrooms

    Meals

    Weekday lunch; full board with residence

    Provider details

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

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; 45 class hours; 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 UBC Urban Studies Mini School need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to substantial daily engagement.

    Best started

    Begin family and travel planning several weeks before a future session starts, allowing longer for visa arrangements.

    Main challenge

    Connecting urban systems, governance and development rather than studying them separately.

    Typical preparation

    • Choose a local planning decision and identify the people affected by it.

    • Prepare questions about urban careers and university study.

    • Set up the Family Account in advance and allow time for the required information package.

    • Discuss commuter travel or residence arrangements, dietary needs and accessibility support with your family.

    Useful if

    You want to test an interest in an urban profession.

    What do students do on UBC Urban Studies Mini School?

    You investigate how cities work through case-based and interactive learning. The experience connects planning decisions with university research and professional practice.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore what cities are and how they develop.

    2. 2

      Work through urban planning and development cases from around the world.

    3. 3

      Examine how urban systems function, are governed and change.

    4. 4

      Learn about urban research projects happening at UBC.

    5. 5

      Meet urban professionals and discuss university and career pathways.

    UBC Urban Studies Mini School dates and deadlines

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

    Programme dates

    3-14 August 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • High school students ages 15-18.

    • Completed grade 10 or equivalent.

    • Canadian and international students may participate.

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

    • English learners: recommended IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or equivalent.

    • No transcripts or proof of English required.

    How much does UBC Urban Studies Mini School cost?

    Mini school fee

    $2,110 CAD; $2,855 CAD — 2026 Canadian/permanent resident and international fees, respectively.

    Funding or discounts

    • Optional residence: $2,650 CAD — 2026 add-on covering accommodation, full board and residence activities.
    • 2026 deposit: $500 CAD — Part payment toward the program fee.
    • UBC President Bursary: Needs-based support — For eligible British Columbia grade 11 students demonstrating financial need.

    What's included

    45 hours of mini school classes., Weekday lunch in the residence dining hall., UBC Recreation Card for swimming and drop-in sports., Weekday afternoon campus activities., Residence add-on: single room and breakfast, lunch and dinner daily., Residence add-on: airport transfers within designated service windows., Residence add-on: evening and weekend activities., Residence add-on: local medical insurance for international residence students.

    How to apply to UBC Urban Studies Mini School

    1. 1

      Review FGL eligibility and the commuter or residence refund policy.

    2. 2

      Have a parent or guardian create a Family Account using their email address.

    3. 3

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

    4. 4

      Select the mini school session and commuter or residence option, then add the student and complete checkout.

    5. 5

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

    6. 6

      Follow the student's emails to set up their student account and Campus-wide Login.

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    What does UBC Urban Studies Mini School cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    How cities develop

    Explore what cities are, where they come from and how suburbs fit into urban development.

    Urban systems and governance

    Examine how city systems function, are governed and respond to decisions about their future.

    Planning and development cases

    Work through real cases from around the world using an interdisciplinary perspective.

    Research and urban professions

    Discover UBC urban research and discuss study and career pathways with urban professionals.

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

    What is a typical day on UBC Urban Studies Mini School?

    A typical day during the program.

    Subject classes

    Monday-Friday, 9am-noon, with three hours of urban studies classes.

    Lunch and classes

    Lunch runs noon-1:30pm, followed by mini school classes from 1:30-3pm.

    Campus activities

    The student-life timetable lists campus activities, study time and free time from 3:30-5pm.

    Residence activities

    Residence students have social activities, study time or free time from 7:30-9pm.

    Who teaches on UBC Urban Studies Mini School?

    Students learn from UBC planning and geography instructors and practicing urban planners. Named instructor Wes Regan is a UBC planning PhD candidate whose career includes urban policy work at the City of Vancouver and a senior policy role at Vancouver Coastal Health.

    Where do students stay on UBC Urban Studies Mini School?

    Residential plan

    • Single-room accommodation: Stay in a furnished UBC residence room without a roommate.
    • Full board and transfers: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included daily, with airport transfers within designated windows.
    • Student life support: Resident student life assistants provide 24/7 support with a 10-to-1 student-to-staff ratio.
    • Evening and weekend activities: Join residence social activities and excursions to Vancouver destinations such as Grouse Mountain and Stanley Park.

    Non-residential plan

    • Day-student option: Arrange your own accommodation and transportation to weekday classes at UBC Vancouver.
    • Lunch and campus recreation: Weekday lunch, a UBC Recreation Card and optional afternoon campus activities are included.

    Residence rooms are on mixed-gender floors with shared bathrooms; commuter supervision is limited to classroom attendance checks.

    What happens after UBC Urban Studies Mini School?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

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

    Explore university study in urban planning and geography.

    Consider pathways into architecture, landscape architecture and civil engineering.

    Learn about urban community development and related professions.

    Gain advice on university admissions and urban career choices.

    Participation does not provide a direct pathway to UBC or another university.

    Where does UBC Urban Studies Mini School take place?

    Classes take place at UBC’s Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada. Commuters can use buses serving the central UBC Bus Loop or campus pay parking; Vancouver International Airport is about a 30-minute drive away.

    Residence airport pickup and drop-off operate within designated Sunday arrival and Saturday departure windows.

    UBC Urban Studies Mini School FAQs

    It explores how cities and suburbs develop, how urban systems function and are governed, and how decisions about their future are made. Students work through real urban planning and development cases.

    Mini school students take subject classes in both the morning and afternoon. Regular FGL courses combine morning subject classes with afternoon university preparation lectures; mini school students can review those lecture materials independently.

    Yes. Commuter students arrange their own accommodation and transportation, receive weekday lunch and a UBC Recreation Card, and can join afternoon campus activities.

    Students have a single room without a roommate on a mixed-gender floor with other participants and student life assistants. Bathrooms are shared, and rooms include a twin XL bed, desk, chair, lamp and bedding.

    Commuters receive weekday lunch; residence students receive breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cafeteria menus include vegan, vegetarian and Kosher options, and families should identify allergies or other dietary needs in the information package.

    Student life assistants live in residence and are available 24/7, with a 10-to-1 residence student-to-staff ratio. Staff have first aid, CPR-C and AED certification and complete criminal records checks.

    Students can receive a Letter of Completion if they remain in good standing with program and conduct expectations and miss no more than one class without approval.

    No. Future Global Leaders is not a direct pathway to UBC or another university, although it offers experience of university life and opportunities to develop academic and social skills.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content 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.

    View author page

    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
    • Suggested Packing List for Students Staying in a UBC Residence
    • UBC Pre-University Programs Sample Menu
    • 2026 MarComm Schedule
    • Pre-University Summer Program Code of Conduct and Rules
    • UBC Urban Studies Mini School: Shaping Future Cities | 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

    • Named session verified

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Fee categories checked

    • Residence arrangements reviewed

    • Bursary eligibility reviewed

    • Completion requirements checked

    • Refund 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.