UBC Physical Therapy Mini School - Centre for Aging SMART

UBC Physical Therapy Mini School: Empowering Movement, Inspiring Futures

This mini school is part of the UBC Future Global Leaders on-campus program for high school students ages 15–18. With 45 hours of class time, mini schools provide a comprehensive introduction to a program area and include information on learning pathways and career opportunities.

July 6-17, 2026

Visit the Future Global Leaders site to register

The UBC Physical Therapy Mini School gives you a hands-on taste of what it’s like to study and work as a physical therapist. Through interactive lessons, you dive into human anatomy, physiology and medical terminology—all with a focus on real-world physical therapy applications.

But this isn’t just classroom learning. In the UBC Physical Therapy Mini School you:

Practice physical therapy techniques in a supportive, hands-on environment
Work through real patient case studies in areas like sports injuries, pediatric care, stroke recovery, and chronic disease management
Learn directly from UBC professors and practicing physical therapists who are passionate about their work

You also:

Tour the UBC Department of Physical Therapy and explore cutting-edge research labs
Meet professionals working in hospitals, clinics and with sports teams
Get insider tips on university admissions and career pathways in health sciences

Curious about a career that combines science, problem-solving and helping people optimize their movement and physical abilities? This mini school is your chance to explore a future in physical therapy where you truly make a difference. Physical therapy is also ranked as one of the best and most in-demand professions in health care.

This is an excellent choice for anyone interested in medicine, health care, including physical therapy, sports medicine and kinesiology, and health sciences.

Costs

Fees per two-week mini schools**	Residence Option	Commuter Option
International students	$5,505CAD	$2,855CAD
Canadian students (including permanent residents)	$4,760CAD	$2,110CAD

What's included	Residence option	Commuter option
Accommodation in a UBC campus residence (single occupancy)	X
Airport pick-up and drop-off services	X
Breakfast, lunch and dinner weekdays and weekends	X
Lunch only weekdays		X
Weekday workshop and activities	X	X
Weeknight and weekend activities	X
UBC Recreation Card (includes free swimming and drop-in sports)	X	X

*All fees are subject to change.

Commuter option means you have or will provide your own accommodation and commute to campus.
Residence option means you need or want to live on the UBC Vancouver campus.
Local medical insurance is provided for all international students living in residence.
Custodianship is available for international students if required for a visa.

A $500 CAD deposit is required when you register, or pay in full. Full payment is due on or before May 1, 2026 or at registration if registering after May 1, 2026.

Bursaries for British Columbia grade 11 students 

The UBC President Bursary program was set up to support grade 11 British Columbia high school students who can demonstrate financial need and who meet UBC Future Global Leaders eligibility requirements. Find out more.

How to register

A Family Account is required to register a high school student in a UBC Future Global Leaders on-campus course or other pre-university on-campus program. For support, read step-by-step instructions on setting up a Family Account and registering for a course.

If you are located in Russia, you will need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to create a Family Account, register for a course, fill out the information package and complete payment. If you do not have a VPN or need assistance, please contact us.

How to register:

Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. Please read carefully our refund and cancellation policies. 
Add a Future Global Leaders course or mini school to your cart. Select domestic or international student and the residence or commuter option. Select to pay a $500 CAD deposit, or pay in full. (Full payment is due on or before May 1, 2026 or upon registration if registering after May 1, 2026).
When you check out, you’re asked to create a new Family Account or log in if you already have a Family Account. A parent or guardian needs to set up the Family Account with their primary email address. After the account is created, the parent/guardian adds the student as a family member to their Family Account using the student’s primary email address, which cannot be the same as the parent/guardian email address.
In the cart, add the student to the course session and complete the checkout process. The parent/guardian will receive a confirmation email with the receipt. The student will receive emails to set up their student account and UBC Campus-wide Login (CWL).
After completing the checkout process, and while logged into your Family Account, select Applications to access the UBC Future Global Leaders information package. Please do not fill out the information package until you have registered for a course or mini school.
The information package does not need to be completed immediately, but please aim to complete it within five days of registering.
To complete the required information package , you’ll need:
- A recent digital or digitized photo of the learner, from the shoulders up
- Consent forms signed by a parent or guardian

You will not be able to attend the program if you do not submit your completed information package. You may partially complete the information package and return to it at any time within your Family Account.

After you submit your information package

Once you submit your information package, we will send the parent/guardian a confirmation of registration that includes:

Your course selection
Accommodation details (if you choose the residence option)
Information you need to book travel and plan your summer

If you are applying for a visa, the confirmation of registration can be used to support your application.

Student account and Campus-wide Login (CWL)

Finally, make sure the student sets up their student account and UBC Campus-wide Login (CWL) as instructed in the earlier email. They will need the CWL to access important materials prior to and during the program.

"From competing in sports growing up to researching the effects of exercise on aging, I’ve seen how powerful movement can be across the lifespan, which ultimately led me to pursue physiotherapy. The program has been incredibly hands-on, challenging, and fun, and what surprised me most is how it truly feels like one big, supportive community. Although I've just started the program, I am excited for the wide range of career paths available after graduation, from clinical practice to research to community-based work."

Kat, current UBC MPT student