How to Apply

First: Check admission requirements

Fall semester requirements
Summer program requirements

Students accepted into the Fall Semester program will have completed their second year in biology, zoology or botany (or equivalent). Completion of introductory courses in ecology and statistics are required, and courses in introductory invertebrates and non-vascular plants are strongly recommended.

Students applying to take the Summer Program at the BMSC should have completed 2^nd year of an undergraduate degree program before the course start date. Each summer course also has one or more course-specific prerequisite(s). Check which prerequisite courses are required before you apply.

Second: Apply online to BMSC

2021 Fall application deadline: June 11, 2021 (to be eligible for scholarships).

For student applications to be considered complete, we must receive by 11:59 pm of the deadline date, your:

Online application form (applications are now closed)
Emailed official or unofficial transcripts
BMSC application fee

Student applications received past the application deadline, or incomplete applications, will be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis, and will not be considered for scholarships.

Acceptance to courses at BMSC is based on academic performance and a statement of interest. Priority will be given to degree program students registered at member universities, and those needing a field course as a degree requirement.
Other applications from qualified persons are welcome and will be considered on their individual merits.

The Director of BMSC has final authority in accepting students for courses.

Step 1 - Complete and submit the BMSC online application form and required documents below.

Fall 2021 – APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Fall application deadline (to be considered for scholarships): June 11, 2021

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

One set of transcripts for all post-secondary academic activities (official or unofficial).
A brief statement of interest (max 500 words) explaining the appropriateness of the requested course(s) to your own professional development.
Course specific additional documentation (if applicable, listed below).

You will be notified by e-mail when your application is complete.

Fall Program Directed Studies: You do not require any supporting documents. Fall Directed Studies projects will be discussed after you arrive

To use SCUBA during University Program courses:

Please see the Scientific Diving page

Questions?

Email the University Programs office
Phone: 250-720-3301 ext. 216 or 240

Step 2 - Pay the BMSC application fee.*

*Early bird application fee (before deadline): $50 CAD
*Application fee (After deadline): $75 CAD

Credit Card – Call the BMSC main office 250-728-3301 ext. 221 to pay by VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. The office is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
You may leave a voice mail after hours. If you do so PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY and include:
- Applicant full name
- Credit card number, expiry date, and 3-digit code on the back
- Full name as it appears on the credit card (if different from the applicant’s name)
- Email address
- Phone number

Cheque or money order – can be mailed to:

University Programs
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
100 Pachena Road
Bamfield, BC
V0R 1B0

*(refundable only upon course cancellation).

NOTE: if you apply by the deadline and call in to pay your application outside of business hours, your application will still be considered complete. Please leave a voicemail and your payment details, and we will contact you the next business day with confirmation. The voicemail is a dedicated line, locked in an office, and password protected (secure).

Step 3 - You will be notified by email of the course(s) you have been accepted to.

**The Director of BMSC has final authority in accepting students for courses.

A confirmation email will be sent once your application is complete. All students will be notified of their acceptance to courses by email. Students that are not accepted to courses will also be notified.

Third: You’ve been accepted! Next steps:

1. Pay course deposit to BMSC

Course deposits are applied toward BMSC fees.

Fall course deposits are non-refundable*. If you decide not to take a course after you have paid the deposit, you must notify the University Programs Coordinator at BMSC, in addition to withdrawing registration at your member university.

Fall deposit – $1500. Prior to July 9, 2021, you must pay a deposit to hold your place in the fall program.

Payment methods:

Credit Card – Call the BMSC main office 250-728-3301 ext. 221 to pay by VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. The office is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
You may leave a voice mail after hours. If you do so PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY and include:
- Applicant full name
- Credit card number, expiry date, and 3-digit code on the back
- Full name as it appears on the credit card (if different from the applicant’s name)
- Email address
- Phone number

Cheque or money order – can be mailed to:

University Programs
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
100 Pachena Road
Bamfield, BC
V0R 1B0

*(refundable only upon course cancellation)

2. Register for course(s) at the correct university

Your acceptance offer will contain the course registration numbers and instructions to register for the course at your university. Registration procedures vary, select the appropriate category below.

– Canadian undergraduate students:

Undergraduate student at a WCUMSS member university (UVIC, UBC, SFU, UAlberta, UCalgary)

Canadian undergraduate student at a WCUMSS member university

Undergraduate student at a non-WCUMSS member Canadian university

Canadian undergraduate student at a non-WCUMSS member university

– International undergraduate students:

International undergraduate student on exchange to a WCUMSS member university

International undergraduate student, on exchange to WCUMMS member

International undergraduate student on exchange to a non-WCUMSS member Canadian university

International undergraduate student at non-WCUMMS member university

International undergraduate student not on exchange to a Canadian University (attending university abroad)

International undergraduate student not on exchange

– Graduate students:

Graduate student at a WCUMSS member university (UVIC, UBC, SFU, UAlberta, UCalgary)

Graduate student at a WCUMSS member university

Graduate student at a non-WCUMSS member Canadian university that falls under the Western Universities Deans' Agreement (WDA)

Graduate student at a non-WCUMSS member Canadian university, WDA aggreement

Graduate student at a non-WCUMSS member Canadian university that does not fall under the WDA

Graduate student at a non-WCUMMS university, and not under WDA

– Non-Credit Option:

Auditing Student

Application procedures for persons who do not require credit, including those not registered at any college or university:

If you do not require credit for courses, it is not necessary to apply/register at a member university. Instead, you simply pay tuition to BMSC. This tuition is in addition to the BMSC fee that covers room and board. Audit tuition at BMSC is $500 for a three week course and $1000 for a six week course (subject change).

Note: Students must have permission from the instructor to audit or to take the course for no credit. Students taking courses for credit have priority over noncredit students.