Next steps for admitted students
From accepting your offer to building a budget, to choosing where you’ll live and registering for courses, learn what lies ahead.
Take care of your health and wellness
A healthy mind and body are a critical foundation for your academic success. As you navigate your first lecture hall, write your first midterm, and adjust to life with a roommate, ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ has the resources you need to stay active, feel good, and be at your best.
Next steps for admitted students
From accepting your offer to building a budget, to choosing where you’ll live and registering for courses, learn what lies ahead.
On-campus services
Health services
As a ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ student, you will have access to a wide range of health and wellness support services atÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýÌýshould you need medical attention, mental health support, or health information and advice.
Disability support
If you have a disability or medical condition, including mental illness, that could affect your full participation at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, reach out to the Ìý(ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Okanagan) orÌýÌý(ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Vancouver) before you arrive. You may be eligible for accommodations and initiatives designed to remove barriers to your academic success.
Health insurance
Your health coverage plan includes three main components:
- The BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). MSP covers medically required services provided by MSP-enrolled physicians, maternity care, and dental and oral surgery. It is run by the BC government and enrollment is not automatic. Ìý
- iMed temporary insurance for international students. iMed covers emergency hospitalization and medical services, including visits to the doctor for sickness or injury during your first 3 months in BC while you wait to be eligible for MSP. It is run by a private health insurance company and enrollment is automatic.
- Extended health and dental plan (ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½SUO or AMS/GSS plan). The extended health and dental plan provides extended health and dental coverage, beyond what’s provided by MSP. It is run by student unions at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Okanagan or ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Vancouver and enrollment is automatic.
All students
You will be automatically enrolled in the extended health and dental plan offered by theÌýÌýat ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Okanagan or theÌý at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ Vancouver when you register for courses – unless you’re an exchange student, in which case you must opt in. Review the healthcare fees listed in yourÌýÌýaccount to determine if you are covered.
You must always have basic insurance, such as MSP or iMED, in addition to the extended health and dental plan.Ìý
If you’re already covered by an extended health and dental plan, you may be able to opt out of the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½SUO or AMS/GSS plan until the third week of classes. For more information, contactÌýservice@studentcare.net.
Canadian students from outside BC
If you’re already covered by another Canadian provincial health plan, you do not need to apply for MSP. Ìý
If you do not have a Canadian provincial health plan, such as you are coming to Canada from abroad, you must as soon as you arrive in BC. You will need temporary insurance to cover your first 3 months in BC while you wait to become eligible for MSP, such as the . Ìý
Learn more about .Ìý
International students who are new to ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½
MSP is legally required for anyone who is planning to live in BC for longer than six months. Be sure to as soon as you arrive in BC. During the three-month period before your MSP coverage takes effect, you’ll be covered by temporary insurance. You will be automatically enrolled in iMED when you register for courses at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½. Ìý
Learn more about . Ìý
One-term international exchange students
As a one-term international exchange student, you are not required to apply for MSP. When you register for courses at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½, you will be automatically enrolled inÌý, which will cover you for the duration of your studies at ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½.