This page is to serve as a starting point and general guide for students looking to apply to First Nations and Endangered Languages at UBC. If you have any further questions please explore our Program menu to the left or send an email to cis.program@ubc.ca.
How much is tuition?
Tuition for undergraduate students is calculated on a per credit basis. For more information, visit UBC’s pages on undergraduate tuition.
How do I apply as an undergraduate?
Click here for information on undergraduate admissions.
Where can I find out about undergraduate First Nations and Endangered Languages courses?
Undergraduate First Nations and Endangered Languages courses are posted here.
Where can I find out about courses in First Nations and Indigenous Studies?
Undergraduate First Nations and Indigenous Studies courses are posted here.
Are there any graduate studies available?
Learn about our graduate course offerings on our "Courses" page here.
What types of financial assistance are available?
Undergraduate students can visit UBC’s page on Awards & Money Management.
What is FNEL? First Nations and Endangered Languages (FNEL) is a program housed within the Institute for critical Indigenous Studies (CIS). FNEL offers courses in First Nations languages, as well as methodology classes on language documentation, conservation and revitalization. In partnership and collaboration with First Nations and Indigenous communities and their cultural institutions, staff, scholars and students in our program conduct research with speakers of endangered languages and help to develop educational materials in British Columbia and beyond.
What can I expect to get out of FNEL?
FNEL provides transformative learning environments that value and model ethical
community engagement and collaborative partnerships. We equip students to apply the skills they develop through our courses in language documentation, conservation, reclamation and revitalization in relevant and sustainable ways.
We regularly offer hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Musqueam Salish) at introductory and intermediate levels, and generations of FNEL students have benefitted from learning various other First Nations languages, including Cree (Plains Algonquin), Kwak̓wala (Northern Wakashan), Nɬe’kepmxcin
(Northern Interior Salish), Dakelh Dene (Carrier Athapaskan), Dene Zāge’ (Kaska Athabaskan) and Nuu-chah-nulth (Southern Wakashan). We are always exploring new language opportunities and partnerships.
Our students can customize their program with an array of interdisciplinary experiences, including personalized directed studies courses, community collaborations, electives and travel abroad.
How do I get into the Program?
Potential students who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree with a specialization (Major or Minor) in First Nations and Endangered Languages must first gain admission to the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Arts in Vancouver. This can be done online once you have created your own Campus-Wide Login (CWL) account. Potential students should check to see if they meet UBC’s general admission requirements before applying. For all information related to gaining admission to UBC, please visit: http://you.ubc.ca/
Tip: If you are a high school student, your school’s guidance counselor is a great resource to utilize if you are thinking about pursuing a post-secondary education.
I have been accepted to UBC! What should I do now?
Congratulations on your acceptance to UBC Vancouver! The next step towards completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in First Nations and Endangered Languages is building your personal timetable and registering for prerequisite FNEL courses. Please take a look at the current Major and Minor requirements to see which courses you will need to take in order to graduate with a specialization in FNEL. For all information related to course registration and enrolment, please visit: http://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/courses/registration
Tip: Academic Advisors in the Faculty of Arts are available to assist and guide students through building a timetable and registering for courses. If you have any further questions please contact cis.advising@ubc.ca.
I have registered for my courses, now what?
Once you are registered in courses it’s time to begin your transition to UBC life. If you are not from Vancouver and are looking for a place to live you may want to consider applying for student residence on-campus. There are also Orientation Programs specifically designed for UBC newcomers! Be sure to review the many opportunities that are exclusive to new students and participate if you choose to.
As a new student of First Nations and Endangered Languages, feel free to introduce yourself to the Program’s welcoming faculty and staff.
