The University of British Columbia

Students who wish to transfer from a Master’s program to a Ph.D. program must have completed one year of study in the Master’s program with:

• minimum of 18 credits
• minimum 80% average in twelve credits
• at least nine of these credits must be at the 500 level or above
• at least nine credits must be at 80% or above
• successful completion of a Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
• the student must also show clear evidence of research ability.

Transfer directly into a Ph.D. program should be accomplished after the first year of study and will not be permitted after the completion of the second year in a Master’s program. Transfers may not be retroactive. The transfer must be clearly justified by the student’s supervisor in a memorandum to Graduate Studies recommending the transfer.
If a student transfers from a Master’s program to a Ph.D. program without completing the Master’s degree, the commencement of the Ph.D. program will be from the date of first registration in the Master’s program.
Further information on transferring to a Ph.D. program is available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.