University of Northern British Columbia: A University Born of the North, For the North
The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is a testament to the power of grassroots community action. It was not founded by distant legislators or bureaucratic decree, but through the collective will of 16,000 citizens who paid $5 each as part of a public appeal in the late 1980s. Their demand for a university in the north led to the passage of enabling legislation in 1990 with all-party support. Four years later, on August 17, 1994, the Prince George campus was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II, with 1,400 students enrolled. Since then, UNBC has nearly tripled in size and has grown into one of Canada’s best small universities.
The university’s mission, to be “a university in the north, for the north,” is not just a slogan. It is a guiding principle that shapes its academic programming, research priorities, and community engagement. The main campus in Prince George is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, with additional regional campuses in Quesnel, Fort St. John, and Terrace. This connection to the land and its peoples is reflected in the university’s motto, ‘*En Cha Huná*’, a phrase from the Dakelh (Carrier) Elders that means “respecting all forms of life”. It serves as a constant reminder that all people have a voice and a viewpoint worthy of consideration. Buy fake Canada diploma online.
Academically, UNBC offers a comprehensive range of programs, from certificates and diplomas to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Its two academic colleges—Arts, Social and Health Sciences, and Science and Management—offer more than 60 programs. The university is one of British Columbia’s four research-intensive universities, with research concentrated around four key themes: Environment and Natural Resources; Community Development; Northern, Rural, and Environmental Health; and First Nations and Indigenous Studies. This focus has led to world-class research in areas like natural resources, rural health, and community sustainability. Partnerships with northern colleges and other institutions provide programs in Nursing, Environmental Engineering, and Medicine, ensuring that critical professional training is accessible to the region.
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UNBC’s commitment to a personalized, high-quality education has been consistently recognized. In the Maclean’s university rankings, it has placed in the top three in its primarily undergraduate category in 18 of the past 19 years, including a fourth consecutive second-place finish in 2025. The university ranked first in the entire country for its student-faculty ratio, with just 13 students for every faculty member. Its students have won the most per capita national academic awards for three consecutive years. With a total enrollment of 3,819 students in the 2023/24 academic year, including 3,060 undergraduates and 763 graduate students, the learning environment is intimate and supportive. The student body is notably diverse, with 22% international students and 500 self-declared Indigenous students.
UNBC is also Canada’s Green University™, leading the way in environmental leadership and sustainability. This commitment is woven into the fabric of the institution, from its teaching and research to its campus operations.
From its remarkable grassroots origins to its current status as a nationally recognized, research-intensive university, UNBC remains a unique institution. It is a place where a sense of ownership, purpose, and adventure is instilled in every member of its community. For students seeking a transformative education in a spectacular natural landscape, UNBC offers an experience that is truly unparalleled.