Yes. Members of the UBC Psychiatry CaRMS Committee from each training track participate in the interview process in January 2027 and independently assess and rank applicants for their respective tracks. Upon completion of the selection process, each Distributed UBC Psychiatry Residency Program submits its own separate rank order list to CaRMS.

No. UBC does not accept late CaRMS applications to any Psychiatry Residency Program track. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to all UBC Psychiatry Residency Program tracks they are considering. This provides the opportunity to learn more about each program during the interview process and make informed ranking decisions afterward. Many applicants have noted that, after speaking with residents and faculty, they gained a greater appreciation for the unique strengths and training opportunities offered across the Fraser Health–Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Interior, and Prince George tracks.
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If matched to the UBC Fraser Health–Greater Vancouver track, residents complete their entire PGY1 year at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, one of British Columbia’s premier internship training sites. With more than 30 years of experience training PGY1 residents, Royal Columbian Hospital offers a well-established, highly regarded clinical learning environment and a strong foundation for residency training.
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• A collegial, caring, and close-knit culture with a strong focus on resident success
• Outstanding clinical training provided by highly regarded, award-winning faculty
• Innovative and high-quality academic programming
• Individualized, supervised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) psychotherapy training
• A commitment to educational innovation and excellence in patient care
• A diverse and continually expanding range of elective opportunities
• Exceptional leadership, scholarly, and research experiences
• Strong support for resident wellness and work-life balance
• The opportunity to live and work in one of Canada’s most vibrant, diverse, and desirable regions

To learn more about the program from the resident perspective, please view our Resident Testimonials.
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Applicants are assessed using a holistic review process that considers a range of academic, professional, and personal attributes, including:

• Demonstrated motivation to pursue a career in psychiatry
• Understanding of psychiatry as a specialty and profession
• Breadth and diversity of experiences
• Significant personal achievements or endeavours
• Academic performance and track record
• Creativity and interests outside of medicine
• Capacity for self-reflection and self-evaluation
• Interpersonal skills and ability to build meaningful relationships
• Open-mindedness, adaptability, and receptiveness to new perspectives
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Professionalism, maturity, and sense of responsibility
• Performance and evaluations during psychiatry training experiences

This comprehensive approach helps identify candidates who will thrive in residency training and contribute meaningfully to the profession of psychiatry.
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No, completion of a psychiatry elective is not required. However, as with any specialty, it is strongly recommended. Applicants are encouraged to complete at least one psychiatry elective to gain exposure to the field and to further explore their interest in psychiatry as a career.

No, completion of an elective at UBC Fraser Health–Greater Vancouver is not required to be considered for a residency position. However, an elective within the Fraser Health region provides an excellent opportunity for prospective applicants to become familiar with our program, work alongside our faculty and residents, and gain firsthand experience of the training environment and clinical opportunities available within the UBC Fraser Health–Greater Vancouver track.

The UBC Fraser Health–Greater Vancouver Psychiatry Residency Program serves communities throughout Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, encompassing many of the suburban municipalities surrounding Vancouver. The Fraser Health region extends from Burnaby, on the eastern border of the City of Vancouver, to Boston Bar, making it the largest health authority in British Columbia and home to a population of more than two million people. As one of the fastest-growing regions in the province, Fraser Health offers residents exposure to a diverse and dynamic patient population.

The program’s primary teaching sites are Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, located approximately 15 minutes from Vancouver, and Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, approximately 25 minutes from Vancouver. These major academic centres provide residents with exceptional clinical training opportunities across a broad range of psychiatric services and patient populations.
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Because all UBC Fraser Health–Greater Vancouver teaching sites are easily accessible by bicycle, car, and public transit, including the SkyTrain network, residents choose to live throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Common residential communities include Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Delta, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, White Rock, and many other surrounding municipalities. This geographic flexibility allows residents to select a community that best suits their lifestyle while maintaining convenient access to clinical training sites across the Fraser Health region.
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No. Our training sites are clearly defined, and all core residency rotations take place within our primary teaching hospitals and affiliated training sites, as outlined on this website. The program’s two main teaching hospitals, Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster and Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, are both located within close proximity to Vancouver, providing residents with access to outstanding clinical training opportunities while remaining connected to the Greater Vancouver region.

There are countless opportunities for recreation, culture, and outdoor activities throughout Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, offering something for every interest and lifestyle. To learn more about what residents enjoy most about living in the region, explore the resident-created ‘Top 5’ lists which highlight many of their favourite local attractions, activities, and experiences. In addition to the exceptional quality of life within the region, residents benefit from numerous program-sponsored social and wellness events held throughout the year, fostering a strong sense of community and connection among residents across all training levels.
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Call frequency during psychiatry rotations is standardized across all UBC Psychiatry residency training sites and varies by year of training. Depending on the residency level, call responsibilities typically range from a maximum frequency of approximately 1-in-7 to 1-in-10, ensuring a consistent experience across programs while supporting resident learning and well-being.

Resident health and well-being are fundamental priorities within the UBC Fraser Health–Greater Vancouver Psychiatry Residency Program. We are committed to fostering a culture of openness, collaboration, inclusivity, and mutual support, where residents feel valued and empowered to seek guidance when needed.

Dedicated faculty mentors are readily available to provide support and discuss any personal or professional challenges that may arise throughout residency training. In addition, residents have access to a wide range of wellness resources and support services through UBC, Doctors of BC, the Physician and Family Support Program (PFSP), and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.

Together, these resources help ensure that residents are supported in maintaining their well-being while thriving both personally and professionally throughout their training.
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Yes. The UBC Fraser Health–Greater Vancouver (UBC-FHGV) Psychiatry Residency Program is fully integrated with all other UBC Psychiatry residency tracks. Academic teaching sessions are delivered weekly via Zoom, with the option for residents to attend in person once per month.

In addition, all UBC-FHGV residents have access to the full range of academic rounds, social events, and clinical elective opportunities offered across the UBC Psychiatry Residency Program. These activities bring together residents and faculty from all UBC Psychiatry tracks, fostering collaboration, community, and a shared educational experience throughout training.
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Residents have approximately 15 to 18 months of elective time during their psychiatry residency, providing exceptional flexibility to tailor their training to their individual interests and career goals. Elective opportunities are available throughout the entire UBC Psychiatry Residency Program, and residents are not restricted to a particular geographic region within British Columbia. In addition to electives offered across the province, residents may pursue approved electives elsewhere in Canada or internationally, allowing them to broaden their clinical experience and explore specialized areas of interest in a wide range of settings.
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