Indigenous Admissions
The Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy and the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program have a dedicated admissions pathway policy regarding applicants who identify as Indigenous:
- Up to eight (8) of the 94 seats within the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program are prioritized for qualified Indigenous applicants.
To be eligible for one of the prioritzed seats, applicants must:
- Meet all of the admissions requirements.
- Self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) via the application portal and provide supporting documentation uploaded via the application portal.
- Undergo the admissions Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process.
Acceptable proof of Indigenous identity includes:
- Indian Status Card or Treaty Card
- Tribal Enrolment Card
- Citizenship Card from a verified Métis registry or membership card from a Métis Settlement General Council community
- A copy of a valid Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number, or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities
- Or other forms of supporting documents that are deemed acceptable by the MOT Admissions committee in consultation with the UBC Indigenous Initiatives office of the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
The term “Indigenous” refers inclusively to status and non-status First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of Canada, in accordance with section 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982.
Indigenous applicants must be aware that proof of Indigenous identity does not guarantee admission to the UBC MOT program. The UBC MOT program has the right to verify any Indigenous identity documentation provided.
Applicants who do not have the proof of Indigenous identity listed above must contact the MOT Student Service Manager, no later than December 15, by emailing mot.admissions@ubc.ca
Indigenous Advisor & Indigenous Coordinator
Indigenous students within the Master of Occupational Therapy program have access to a dedicated Indigenous Advisor to support them throughout their time in the program.
MOT North students also have access to an Indigenous Coordinator to support them throughout their time in the program. Indigenous applicants who are interested in the MOT North cohort may also reach out to the Indigenous Coordinator for more information about the program and profession.
As advisors and coordinators are for current MOT students, prospective students should reach out to mot.admissions@ubc.ca for any questions regarding the program.
Current MOT students wanting to book an appointment can do so using the
Indigenous Advisor Booking link
.
Fieldwork Opportunities
In response to the need to support Occupational Therapy within Indigenous communities, and as an act towards reconciliation, Indigenous students are welcome to attend placements that are available within their Indigenous territories and communities, as requested by both parties.
UBC MOT will make every effort to pair students with a placement that meets their learning goals and ensure there is a plan in place that will satisfy educational and clinical requirements.
Indigenous Awards, Scholarships, and Bursaries
Financial support for UBC students is available, there are people and resources to help you manage your money and develop a financial plan. We recommend that you read through the UBC Financial and Awards Planning website and watch the Awards 101 video produced by the Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health as good starting points in your financial planning journey.
Internally Distributed Awards (UBC)
Center for Excellence in Indigenous Health
The Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health offers several awards and grants to Indigenous students at UBC training to become health care practitioners and health researchers.
Indigenous Graduate Fellowships
Each fellowship provides a stipend of $16,175 per year for Master’s students, including students in professional and coursework-only Master’s programs. IGF recipients are eligible to receive tuition funding. Tuition funding will not exceed the current value of standard doctoral or Master’s degree tuition fees.
Externally Distributed Awards (Non-UBC)
The Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society
The Society offers three Award programs for students pursuing post-secondary education in BC. They are available to students who identify as Indigenous, defined as First Nations (status or Non-Status), Métis or Inuit. All are renewable in order to provide sustained funding over multiple years.
Indspire Scholarships & Bursaries
Full and part-time studies in college, university, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and technology programs. Only one application will be considered for all applicable bursaries, scholarships, and awards.
Canadian Physiotherapy Association Indigenous Student Award
The Indigenous Student Award is an educational grant open to all Canadian Indigenous students (First Nations status or non-status, Inuit, or Métis) enrolled in an accredited Canadian post-secondary physiotherapy program. Eligible programs include accredited diploma programs and graduate degrees of at least two academic years.
The RBC Indigenous Student Awards Program
The RBC Indigenous Student Awards Program was launched in 1992 to assist Indigenous students in completing post-secondary education and provide an opportunity for RBC® to strengthen its relationship with the Indigenous community. Selected students are awarded up to $4,000 each academic year for two to four years to use towards tuition, textbooks, supplies and living expenses.
BC Housing Education Awards Program
The Education Awards Program helps residents in a household directly receiving subsidy from BC Housing, or receiving rental assistance through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP). The bursaries and awards are for post-secondary education and training programs. BC Housing offers five education awards and bursaries.
The New Relationship Trust Foundation
Post-secondary scholarships and bursaries are available to all First Nation students from BC who plan on attending an accredited post-secondary institution full-time.
HSA Bursaries for Indigenous Students
The Health Sciences Association provides two $1,500 bursaries to Indigenous students from BC who are continuing or proceeding in any HSA-related field.
Sponsorships & Other Funding
Some UBC students have a portion of their UBC fees paid by a sponsor, such as an Indigenous community, employer, or government agency. This is called sponsorship billing.
To have an organization sponsor your studies at UBC, they must meet the required criteria and apply before the start of the term.
Please visit UBC’s sponsorship website for additional details on how to set up sponsorship billing.
Indigenous OT Profiles
Holly, MOT Grad 2019
Read Holly’s Story
Justin, MOT Grad 2017
Read Justin’s Story
UBC Indigenous Learners Resources
- Academic Resources (First Nations House of Learning)
- Accessibility, Childcare & Housing
- Graduate Pathways to Success (for all learners)
- Indigenous Career Fair
- Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing Program (counselling services)
- Indigenous Mentorship Network of the Pacific Northwest
- Indigenous Student Collegium (student space)
- Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement Initiative (SAGE)
MOT North Resources