UBC - Future Global Leaders
UBC - Future Global Leaders
On Campus Program: July 19 - August 1, 2026
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Ages 15 -18
The courses offered at The University of British Columbia follow a single-subject academic format. This means that students enroll in one focused discipline and participate in an intensive learning experience centered exclusively on that subject. The program combines morning classes and afternoon pre-university workshops.
This structure allows for deeper academic immersion, consistent engagement with the topic, and close interaction with faculty and peers throughout the program.
To support your decision-making process, please find below a brief description of each course option available this year, outlining the academic focus and learning objectives of each program.
Crime and Society: Contemporary Topics
Investigate a range of contemporary topics, including the relationship between public order and violent crime, innovations in drug enforcement and forensic psychiatry. Study restorative justice, wrongful conviction, geographic profiling in hunting serial criminals, structural violence, advocacy and the law. Look at crime from the point of view of anthropology and sociology and learn to apply social science methods to better understand and address crime.
This course is ideal if you’re interested in criminology, anthropology, sociology, psychology, law, enforcement, mental health, forensic psychiatry or public policy.
Introduction to Engineering
Learn about the profession of engineering, and the disciplines of chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering. Prepare for success by practicing and developing key skills in technical problem solving and engineering design, ethical decision-making, teamwork and communicating to diverse audiences.
This course is ideal if you’re interested in engineering, architecture or applied science.
Note: students need to have completed Grade 10 to fully benefit from this course.
Introduction to Business Foundations
Business is everywhere, from the apps you use, to the clothes you wear, to the companies shaping what the future looks like. But how do businesses actually work behind the scenes? Who decides what products get made, and how do companies stay profitable or fail?
In this interactive beginner-friendly course, you explore the essential parts of every successful business: marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, and strategy. Through real examples from brands you know, and hands-on activities, you see how these functions work together to help companies grow, compete, and innovate.
You try your hand at making business decisions, analyzing why some companies win and others don’t, and thinking like a leader as you solve challenges in teams. By the end, you understand the “big picture” of how organizations run, and the skills that make great businesses thrive.
Perfect for students curious about business, entrepreneurship, economics, or simply wanting to understand how the companies around them shape everyday life.
Introduction to Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. It explores the intricacies of the human mind, and seeks to understand how people think, act and feel. Psychology has many sub-disciplines, including behavioural, clinical, cognitive, developmental, health, sports, organizational, social and personality psychology. Not only is it one of the fastest-growing professions, it’s also among the most popular undergraduate majors at UBC and other universities.
This course is an ideal choice if you’re thinking about majoring in psychology or planning to take a psychology course at university. It’s also an excellent choice for students interested in the social sciences, applied sciences or medicine.
Medicine and Health in Historical Perspective
This course explores the history of health, illness and medicine. We examine topics such as pharmacy, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology; changing ideas about bodies; the causes and effects of disease, disability and healing; and the rise of medical institutions like hospitals, asylums and health boards. We also look at how religion, science and politics shaped medical thought and practice and how medical breakthroughs – from dissection to vaccination – transformed the world. Students gain a deeper understanding of how today’s medical practices and healthcare systems developed over time.
This is an excellent course if you’re interested in the history of health and science or considering a career in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing or any of the health sciences. This course also appeals to students interested in law, where questions of medical regulation, malpractice and reproductive rights have long been central; in politics and public policy, where governments have grappled with epidemics, hospital systems and public health initiatives; in international relations, where medicine and disease have shaped global health diplomacy; and in journalism, where reporting on plagues, vaccines and medical ethics has influenced public opinion and political change.
Introduction to Global Politics
This course introduces students to the study of global politics. In this course you will:
- Examine basic concepts and approaches currently used in the study of global politics
- Develop your critical and creative capacities for understanding issues in world politics
- Develop your skills in formulating, organizing, integrating and articulating your ideas
Topics explored in this course include:
- Basic theories used to explain the global arena encompassing power, economics and morality
- Realist, liberal, Marxist and Feminist Constructivist perspectives of international relations
- Theories of globalization, human rights, nationalism/cosmopolitanism, global political economy, aid, terrorism and governance within global politics
This is not a course about current events per se, though an effort will be made to integrate contemporary events and issues as a way of understanding the world beyond our borders. The lectures and readings will be used to illustrate basic principles that are both historical and contemporary.
This is a great choice if you’re interested in political science, global politics or world affairs.
Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
Today’s biggest challenges such as climate change, inequality and sustainability call for new ideas and bold problem solvers. That’s where social entrepreneurship comes in.
In this hands-on course, you explore how businesses can create real social and environmental impact while still being financially successful. Using examples from well-known companies, you learn the basics of strategy, marketing and operations through the lens of purpose-driven business.
Working in teams, you design your own social enterprise idea and pitch it to the class. By the end, you’ll understand how business can be a powerful tool for change, and how young leaders like you can make a difference.
If you are thinking about business school or simply passionate about making a difference and want to learn how business can help solve real-world problems, this course is a great fit.
Humans and Technology
Examine the relationship between humans and technology and explore some of the central philosophical questions concerning the relationship between humans and technology, including: What is technology? What is a mind? How do technologies change us, as humans? What would it mean for a machine to have consciousness? What does it mean to “enhance” human nature? What makes a technology morally good or bad? Using concrete examples, we also examine how digital technologies in particular impact our daily lives and how we can design, develop and use digital technologies in ways that benefit us all.
By the end of the course, you have a good understanding of some of the central philosophical questions concerning the relationship between humans and technology and some of the major social, ethical, and political implications of emerging technologies. You also develop your critical thinking skills, including your ability to understand issues from multiple perspectives and develop creative solutions.
This is a good choice if you are interested in philosophical discussion, how technology impacts our lives and what the future relationship between humans and technology might look like. The skills you develop in this course will serve you well in any future academic program.
Introduction to Data Storytelling and AI
Data is all around us, from the music you stream to the brands you choose, and the most successful companies use it to make smart decisions. But data only matters when you can understand it, visualize it and turn it into a clear story.
In this hands-on course, you learn how businesses use analytics to spot trends, predict behaviour, and make better choices. You experiment with beginner-friendly AI tools that help organize information, create simple visualizations and uncover insights you might otherwise miss.
Through interactive activities, you work with real-world examples such as social media trends, customer preferences or sustainability data. You explore charts, dashboards, and visual storytelling techniques that make complex information easy to understand. Working in teams, you build and present your own mini data project, just like real analysts do.
This course is perfect if you’re curious about business, technology, design or the growing field of AI.
Introduction to Marketing and Influencer Culture
Marketing is all around you, from the brands you love to the creators you follow, and it helps shape trends, preferences and culture. But how do companies figure out what to say, who to target and how to stand out in a crowded digital world?
In this interactive course, you explore the foundations of modern marketing through real examples from major global brands and today’s biggest influencers. You learn how companies build strong brands, create stories that stick, and use social media to capture attention. You also experiment with beginner-friendly tools to develop simple content ideas, test marketing concepts and understand what makes an ad or campaign go viral.
Working in teams, you create and pitch your own mini marketing campaign. By the end, you understand how brands connect with audiences and how marketing shapes the products, messages and trends you see every day.
If you’re excited to explore how companies build great brands, tell compelling stories, and create marketing campaigns, this course is for you.