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
Scholarship applications much be attached, with the essay, to the VST Degree Program Application.
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 Affiliate Student Number is needed for students to create a CWL. Please see the instructions on how to create your CWL here. If you have any question about setting up your CWL, please contact service.helpdesk@ubc.ca with your UBC Affiliate Student Number. Please ensure you select “Affiliate Student” instead of “Basic Account” to access UBC library and link your U-Pass successfully.
UBC Student Recreation Center
Access granted for AMS Eligibility: Your profile with UBC Recreation is created after you login to the UBC rec system using your CWL. When this step is done, any eligibility memberships (like the AMS – Eligibility) will be assigned.
- Senior students have the AMS fee waived but still receive the “AMS – Eligibility” membership and qualify for the associated programs.
- Distance students do not pay the AMS fee and do not receive the “AMS – Eligibility” membership in their system and as such do not qualify for any of the associated programs. For more information regarding your eligibility for the associated programs, please see here.
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 are able to enter Nitobe Memorial Garden and the Botanical Garden for free, however the Treewalk will be an additional $9.45 (after tax).
UBC Museum of Anthropology
All UBC staff and students 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. Please see a FAQ 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:
Vancouver Public Library for employment and improving your language skills
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 https://www.ams.ubc.ca/your-building/ 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.
Click here for coverage details.
To see the current AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan FAQ, click here.
Click here to see how to create your member profile with Pacific Blue Cross.
Click here to see how to submit a claim online.
Click here to see the Pay Direct Card.
UBC Financial Planning Guide
Review the resources on UBC’s website that can help you with financial planning: https://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/finances/funding-studies/financial-planning
Chaplain
Get one-on-one pastoral or spiritual counselling and find opportunities to engage in a faith tradition by visiting https://students.ubc.ca/campus-life/religion-spirituality/chaplains
New Student Checklist
- If you are an international student, please refer to https://vst.edu/students/international-students/#section-5 for your arrival.
- Register for your courses on Populi. Check important dates and deadline including registration period and course change dates.
- Check your UBC affiliate student number on Populi under your profile.
- Apply for your UBC affiliate student card by filling out the form under UBC Forms. Distance students only need to fill out the form if you want to obtain a physical card. VST will mail it to you.
- Create your Campus Wide Login (CWL) by using your UBC affiliate student number to access UBC resources and benefits such as UBC Library, U-Pass and UBC Recreation Center.
- 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). You can navigate the Populi groups by https://vst.populiweb.com/router/groups/10/folders/157/show
- Update your Social Insurance Number for tax slips and your most current address for U-Pass eligibility on Populi by https://vst.populiweb.com/router/groups/10/folders/157/show
- Understand your eligibility for U-Pass by referring to Compass Card and U-Pass. Check your AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan by referring to https://studentcare.ca/plan/en-CA/UniversityofBritishColumbiaAMSGSS/understanding-my-coverage. If you start in May, you can self-enroll during the Change-of-Coverage Period and pay fees directly to the Student Care.