Students
At VST we believe that to go deep in Christian faith is to go wide with our neighbours for the sake of the world that God so loves.
Prospective Students
Request for Information
Need some more information or have a question about a specific program, we can help you out.
Distance Education
VST has designed our Distance degree programming with quality intellectual and spiritual formation in mind.
International Students
Whether you are considering an education with Vancouver School of Theology or have already been accepted, this page has information that will help you settle into your new life as a student in Canada!
VST Life
If you are eager to learn and want to explore in and out of the classroom, you are in good company here!
UBC Life
VST is situated in a naturally beautiful area — especially good for running, cycling, walking on the beaches or in the woods.
Link: /ubc-life
Accommodations
There are many choices of short-term and long-term accommodation available in Vancouver. Having the right information will help you find a great place to live while completing your studies!
Educational Effectiveness
VST evaluates our educational effectiveness in a variety of ways.
Application
Apply to VST
VST is open to all who are qualified and interested in theological studies, both in the Christian traditions and in dialogue with inter-religious and Indigenous traditions, welcoming all denominations or religious backgrounds.
Tuition & Financial Aid
VST Financial Aid
VST offers several bursaries and scholarships as part of its generous financial aid package that can significantly help defray the cost of studies.
Scholarships & Bursaries
VST Scholarships
All applicants will be considered for a scholarship in their first year of a degree program at VST.
External Scholarships & Bursaries
VST students may be eligible to apply for scholarships and awards offered by other organizations.
Continuing Education
Continuing Education
Vancouver School of Theology has actively supported and promoted continuing education for almost three decades.
VST Academy
VST’s mandate propels us to provide offsite continuing educational opportunities to our wider community.
Certificates
View VST’s Continuing Education Certificates.
Link: https://vst.edu/students/continuing-education/#section-0
Summer School
ISP Summer School
The Indigenous Studies Program (ISP) Summer School is offered annually during two weeks in July. This is an opportunity for students who are often isolated from one another to gather, learn, and worship together.
VST Summer School
Each year, VST offers a Summer School which brings together religious leaders and teachers to offer both degree and continuing education programs in a wide variety of disciplines. During July, the faith, knowledge, skills, and insights of instructors from Asian, European, and North American seminaries, universities and other institutions enliven the campus.
Current Students
Populi Login
Theological Field Education
Theological Field Education is a mutual experience in which students, mentors, and the school’s faculty establish a teaching and learning network.
UBC Resources
How to Create Campus Wide Login (CWL)
A UBC Student Number is needed for students to create a CWL. You will receive your UBC Student Number once you have registered for three or more degree credits and paid the deposit. Once your number is ready, we will send it to you. Please see the instructions on how to create your CWL here. If you have any questions about setting up your CWL, please contact service.helpdesk@ubc.ca with your UBC Student Number. Please ensure you select “Affiliate Account” instead of “Basic Account” to set up your Affiliate CWL successfully.
UBC Student Recreation Center
Access granted for AMS Eligibility: Your profile with UBC Recreation is created once you log in to the UBC rec system using your CWL. When this step is done, any eligibility memberships (such as the AMS Eligibility) will be assigned.
As a UBC affiliate student paying the UBC AMS fee, you have free access to drop-in sports and the Aquatic Centre. For more information regarding your eligibility for the associated programs, please see here.
If you wish to access full student privileges for UBC Athletics and Recreation (A&R) Facilities and are eligible, you can opt into the A&R fee. This fee grants you access to UBC student rates for all recreation programs. Please email studentservices@vst.edu if you want to opt in to the A&R fee.
UBC Library
Please see the information regarding how to access the UBC library here.
UBC Student Health Services
Students enrolled at the Vancouver School of Theology are welcome to access the following Student Health and Wellbeing services here.
UBC Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication
VST students are expected to have full access to library e-resources and book lending privileges. Students would also be able to register for writing workshops and writing consultations with a valid CWL. If they have any difficulty registering for workshops and consultation services, please directly contact the CWSC by library.contact@ubc.ca to enquire about their workshops and consultation services or the UBC IT Help Desk to confirm their CWL. See details here.
UBC Botanical Garden
Students with a valid UBC card can enter Nitobe Memorial Garden and the UBC Botanical Garden for free. For more information, please visit the UBC Botanical Garden website.
UBC Museum of Anthropology
Students with a valid UBC card are offered free admission to MOA with a valid UBC ID. Click here to see more information.
Compass Card and U-Pass
The U-Pass BC program provides students with universal, accessible, and affordable access to public transit across the Metro Vancouver Region. The U-Pass BC Program is offered to students through a partnership between the Province of BC and Translink and under agreements in place between TransLink, UBC, and the AMS. Students pay for this through mandatory student fees collected by UBC.
U-Pass BC enables eligible students to receive a three-zone pass valid for all TransLink Bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus services throughout Metro Vancouver.
For the current U-Pass fee, please click here. For more details about the U-Pass BC and the Compass Card, please click here.
UBC Career Center
UBC Career Center is limited to UBC students and alumni. However, there are some career resources that can help you navigate the job-searching process:
AMS Student Nest
The AMS Student Nest is a campus hub for students to eat, shop, socialize, and study. Find informal study spaces on all 4 floors of the Nest, from casual tables on the ground floor, study aisles overlooking the campus, and quiet lounge spaces. Visit Your Building – AMS of UBC for more information.
AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan
The AMS/GSS Health & Dental Plan was designed by students for students to take care of expenses not covered by basic health care plans, such as British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP), equivalent provincial health care plans, and private basic plans. The comprehensive Plan covers prescription drugs, dental care, psychologist visits, travel health coverage, vision care, and much more. Below are links to additional information.
- Coverage Details.
- AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan FAQs.
- How to create your member profile with Pacific Blue Cross.
- How to submit a claim
- Pay Direct Card.
UBC Financial Planning Guide
Review the resources on UBC’s website that can help you with the Financial Planning page on the UBC Student Services website.
Chaplain
Get one-on-one pastoral or spiritual counselling and find opportunities to engage in a faith tradition by visiting the Chaplains page on the UBC Student Services website.
New Student Checklist
- If you are an international student, please refer to the Before You Arrive section on the International Students page for your arrival.
- Register for your courses on Populi. Check Key Dates for important dates and deadlines, including registration and payments.
- For the Fall term, UBC will begin issuing the student number in August, and in December for the Spring term, for degree students enrolled in three or more credits. We will notify you via email once your number has been issued. You will also be able to view the number on Populi under your profile.
- Create your affiliate Campus Wide Login (CWL) by using your UBC student number to access UBC resources and benefits such as UBC Library, U-Pass and UBC Recreation Center.
- All registered degree students at the Vancouver School of Theology, including distance students, are eligible for a UBC affiliate student card. Apply for your UBC affiliate student card by filling out the form at the following link: Student Online Application Form.
- Join our Populi groups! We have denominational groups, VST Student Association (for VSTSA events and updates), VST Student Resources (for VST and UBC Resources), VST Virtual Bulletin Board (for VST faculty, staff and students) and Housing for International and Non-Local Students (only for international and non-local students looking for housing). See How to Navigate Group Functions on Populi.
- Update your Social Insurance Number for tax slips and your most current address for U-Pass eligibility on Populi. See How to Update Your SIN and Address on Populi.
- Understand the eligibility for the U-Pass and AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan. Related information is available in the UBC Resources section, located in the upper-right area of this page.