Admissions

The application deadlines for the 2023-2024 academic year have passed. We do take late applications for certain Category 2 programs if spots are unfilled. Please contact the Enhanced Skills Coordinator Lindsay Gowland to inquire about late submissions.

Please note that our Category 1 Programs, with the exception of the Clinician Scholar Program, are matched via the CaRMS selection process. For timelines, please visit the CaRMS Family Medicine Enhanced Skills match page.

If you are applying to our current Category 1 opening in Obstetrical Surgical Skills, please follow the instructions below in the 'Category 2 Programs' section.

The Clinician Scholar Program will not be matched via CaRMS. Please see application form.

The first round of selection for our Category 2 programs is currently underway. We have opened up our selection process for a second round of applications in specific areas which were under subscribed in the first round, as follows: Indigenous Health, Palliative Care, H2SUM, GP Oncology, Global Health, Gender & Sexual Health, and Self Designed. If you are interested in applying to any of these programs for the 2024-25 year, please follow the instructions below:

Timeline:

Applications open: November 15, 2023

Applications close: January 15, 2024

Acceptance notification:  By January 30, 2024

Deadline for acceptance: February 7, 2024

Application requirements:

1. Completed Enhanced Skills Application Form, which includes:
   • Current Curriculum Vitae
   • Personal Statement, stating reasons for desiring enhanced skills, the skill area desired, the amount of training time requested, and identification of specific community need
2. 3 Letters of Personal Reference in support of the requested training (should emailed directly to the Enhanced Skills Coordinator from the referee)
3. Letter of Community Support (from hospital Chief of Staff, Chair of the CHC etc.) identifying the need and confirming the willingness of the community to utilize the skills of the physician once acquired. This letter is helpful but not absolutely required.

Please have all supporting letters sent via email to Lindsay Gowland, Enhanced Skills Coordinator.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based upon their personal merits, commitment to their community, and ability to meet community needs. Letters of support from members of the community (regional health board, hospital CEO, etc.) and local physicians, confirming the need and affirming support for the candidate in pursuit of these skills are an optional addition to the application package.

Please note that interviews are not held for our Category 2 Programs unless there are an extraordinary number of applicants. This means that you may not hear from us until notifications are sent out in December.

Please note the following Category 1 programs are matched via the CaRMS selection process: Family Practice Anaesthesia, Care of the Elderly, Obstetrical Surgical Skills, Sport & Exercise Medicine, Palliative Care (year long program). For timelines, please visit the CaRMS Family Medicine Enhanced Skills match page.

IMG Applicants are eligible to apply to Category 1 programs once they are completing their Return of Service. Please note the following requirement:

• Letter of Approval from Ministry of Health Return of Service Program giving approval to defer or pause their Return of Service commitment for the duration of the training. This letter must be attached in addition to any other required documentation on the CaRMS application

BC Applicants: To request approval and for all other questions regarding the specific IMG requirements, please contact the Ministry of Health: ReturnofService@gov.bc.ca 

Regular Application Cycle - For IMG applicants in UBC Family Practice Residency Program

IMG Applicants from UBC can apply during the regular Category 2 timeline. Training in these positions must occur in the first 12 weeks following graduation from their R2 program, prior to the start of their Return of Service. However - please note that there is limited capacity at training sites in the July to September period which may impact the number of positions available.

Timeline:

Applications open: July 1, 2023

Applications close: October 1, 2023

Acceptance notification:  By November 15, 2023

Deadline for acceptance: December 4, 2023

Application requirements:

1. Completed Enhanced Skills Application Form, which includes:
   • Current Curriculum Vitae
   • Personal Statement, stating reasons for desiring enhanced skills, the skill area desired, the amount of training time requested, and identification of specific community need
2. Letter of Approval from Ministry of Health Return of Service Program giving approval to defer or pause their Return of Service commitment for the duration of the training. All IMGs interested in applying may contact the Ministry of Health at ReturnofService@gov.bc.ca to request approval
3. 3 Letters of Personal Reference in support of the requested training (should emailed directly to the Enhanced Skills Coordinator from the referee). If a letter of community support is included, it can be considered as one of the 3 letters of reference.
4. Letter of Community Support (from hospital Chief of Staff, Chair of the CHC etc.) identifying the need and confirming the willingness of the community to utilize the skills of the physician once acquired. This letter is helpful but not absolutely required.

Please have all supporting letters, including those from the Ministry of Health, sent via email to Lindsay Gowland, Enhanced Skills Coordinator.

Late Application Cycle - For IMG applicants in any Family Practice Residency Program

IMG Applicants have an additional opportunity to apply for Category 2 training in their R2 year, after they have been matched to their Return of Service community. These training opportunities are not guaranteed to occur immediately after graduation (July), and will only be available if there is funding remaining after the initial Category 2 match. Applicants will need to request a letter of approval from the Health Authority where their Return of Service lies.

Timeline:

Applications open: November 15, 2023

Applications close: January 15, 2024

Acceptance notification:  By January 30, 2024

Deadline for acceptance: February 7, 2024

Application requirements:

1. Completed Enhanced Skills Application Form, which includes:
   • Current Curriculum Vitae
   • Personal Statement, stating reasons for desiring enhanced skills, the skill area desired, the amount of training time requested, and identification of specific community need
2. Letter of Approval from Ministry of Health Return of Service Program giving approval to defer or pause their Return of Service commitment for the duration of the training.
   BC Applicants: All BC IMGs interested in applying may contact the Ministry of Health at ReturnofService@gov.bc.ca to request approval.
3. Letter of Approval from Health Authority giving approval to defer or pause their Return of Service commitment for the duration of the training
4. 3 Letters of Personal Reference in support of the requested training (should emailed directly to the Enhanced Skills Coordinator from the referee). If a letter of community support is included, it can be considered as one of the 3 letters of reference.
5. Letter of Community Support (from hospital Chief of Staff, Chair of the CHC etc.) identifying the need and confirming the willingness of the community to utilize the skills of the physician once acquired. This letter is helpful but not absolutely required.

Please have all supporting letters, including those from the Ministry of Health and Health Authority, sent via email to Lindsay Gowland, Enhanced Skills Coordinator.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based upon their personal merits, commitment to their community, and ability to meet community needs. Letters of support from members of the community (regional health board, hospital CEO, etc.) and local physicians, confirming the need and affirming support for the candidate in pursuit of these skills are an optional addition to the application package.

Please note that interviews are not held for our Category 2 Programs unless there are an extraordinary number of applicants. This means that you may not hear from us until notifications are sent out in December.

IMG Applicants who have completed their family practice residency and are currently completing their Return of Service are welcome to apply during the regular Category 2 application process. These applicants require a letter from their Health Authority granting approval for the pause in their Return of Service commitment.

Timeline:

Applications open: July 1, 2023

Applications close: October 1, 2023

Acceptance notification:  By November 15, 2023

Deadline for acceptance: December 4, 2023

Application requirements:

1. Completed Enhanced Skills Application Form, which includes:
   • Current Curriculum Vitae
   • Personal Statement, stating reasons for desiring enhanced skills, the skill area desired, the amount of training time requested, and identification of specific community need
2. Letter of Approval from Ministry of Health Return of Service Program giving approval to defer or pause their Return of Service commitment for the duration of the training.
   BC Applicants: All BC IMGs interested in applying may contact the Ministry of Health at ReturnofService@gov.bc.ca to request approval.
3. Letter of Approval from Health Authority giving approval to defer or pause their Return of Service commitment for the duration of the training
4. 3 Letters of Personal Reference in support of the requested training (should emailed directly to the Enhanced Skills Coordinator from the referee). If a letter of community support is included, it can be considered as one of the 3 letters of reference.
5. Letter of Community Support (from hospital Chief of Staff, Chair of the CHC etc.) identifying the need and confirming the willingness of the community to utilize the skills of the physician once acquired. This letter is helpful but not absolutely required.

Please have all supporting letters sent via email to Lindsay Gowland, Enhanced Skills Coordinator.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based upon their personal merits, commitment to their community, and ability to meet community needs. Letters of support from members of the community (regional health board, hospital CEO, etc.) and local physicians, confirming the need and affirming support for the candidate in pursuit of these skills are an optional addition to the application package.

Please note that interviews are not held for our Category 2 Programs unless there are an extraordinary number of applicants. This means that you may not hear from us until notifications are sent out in November.