Failed Year
Failed Year
At the end of each academic year, the BCom program at UBC assesses students' academic performance. If your sessional average for the Winter Session falls below the required 60%, you will be assigned a "failed year" standing.
First Failed Year
If you have been assigned a failed year standing after your first year, it means that your academic performance did not meet the BCom program’s minimum standards. As a result, you will be required to discontinue from the BCom program for a period of at least one year. During this time, you will not be enrolled in the program, but after the break, you may apply for re-admission. Please note that re-admission after a first failed year is not granted.
Please ensure you review the 'Additional Information for All Students' section below.
Second Failed Year
If you have experienced a second failed year, you will be required to withdraw from UBC for at least one year. After this period, you may apply for re-admission, but you must meet specific academic requirements for re-entry, including the completion of required courses and achieving the necessary grades.
It’s important to note that re-admission after a second failed year is not granted, and students who have been required to withdraw twice from the BCom program will not be re-admitted.
Please ensure you review the 'Additional Information for All Students' section below.
Additional Information for All Students
Sessional Average Calculation: Averages are not rounded, so if your Winter Session average is below 60% (e.g., 59.9%), you will be considered to have failed the year.
Re-admission: Students who are required to withdraw will receive instructions about eligibility for re-admission, and these instructions will be sent via email and letter mail in early June.
International Students: Being required to discontinue the BCom program or withdrawing from UBC for a year may affect your study permit and legal status in Canada. If you are an international student, it is crucial to review the International Student Advising website and seek advising from an International Student Advisor who are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs
Workday Academic : Please note that regardless of whether you are discontinuing the BCom program after your first failed year or withdrawing from UBC after your second failed year, your Workday profile will reflect the status "Required to Withdraw" for both situations.
If you have questions about your situation or need support, consider reaching out to an Academic Advisor at the UGO or consulting other on-campus resources related to health, wellness, and financial planning during your break from studies.
Appeal for permission to continue
- The requirement to withdraw from the Bachelor of Commerce can be appealed but requires significant evidence that the issues causing the failed year have been resolved, including proof that you have connected with appropriate professionals (health, wellness, financial aid, etc.) to seek help. Please see below for instructions on how to submit your appeal to the Undergraduate Office via the permission to continue appeal form.
- The deadline for submitting the form is May 20, 2024. You may still submit an appeal after this date, but your response may be delayed and we cannot guarantee that a decision will be made before registration opens.
Requirements for submitting an appeal:
- Letter of appeal – Download and complete the following appeal form:
- Supporting documentation – If possible, provide doctors’ notes, official medical documentation, or other evidence that supports the grounds of your appeal.
- Reference campus services – If you have accessed campus services such as academic advising, peer programs, Counselling Services, the Centre for Accessibility, etc., please include this in your appeal. If you did not make use of campus resources, but intend to do so moving forward, please make specific reference to the resources you plan to use. There are fields in the appeal form to include this information.
Please collate all your documents into one PDF file and email the complete PDF file to the Undergraduate Office or to your academic advisor. It is important to note that you must submit your complete appeal in one submission; that is, all of the circumstances that you would like to be considered with all supporting documentation. Once a decision has been made on your appeal, you will not be able to submit additional information or documentation unless it refers to a situation or condition that was unknown to you at the time of your original appeal (e.g., a new medical diagnosis).