Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for answers? Type in a keyword using the search bar below to search through our frequently asked questions.

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We cannot allow students to return gowns later than 1 hour after your ceremony is over. Gowns are packed up and shipped back to Winnipeg at the end of each day. Any unreturned gowns and hoods will be charged to students at their full replacement cost so please be sure to return the gown after you have finished taking pictures with your friends and family.

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We offer a number of products throughout the store made from recycled or eco-friendly resources. We actively seek out and purchase locally-made or Canadian-made products to reduce our carbon footprint. In the Corner Store, we have sourced sandwiches and salads from small, local businesses.

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As an ethical buyer, the Bookstore responds to any reports of labour rights violations as follows:

  • If we receive a report, that we consider credible (examples might include reports from a non-governmental organization, labour organization or media source), that a vendor or subcontractor has violated the Vendor Code of Conduct contained in this policy, the Bookstore will inform the vendor of the specific complaint. The vendor will have 30 days from the date of the notice to respond to the allegation on behalf of itself and its subcontractors. If the vendor acknowledges the allegation is wholly or partially correct, it must provide a detailed rectification plan acceptable to us outlining a program of  how it will rectify the problems within a year
  • We can request an inspection of a vendor’s facilities by a third party to determine if a violation occurred or to establish whether the violation has been addressed. The cost of this inspection is borne by the vendor
  • In the event that violations are found, whether they are acknowledged by the vendor or verified in an inquiry by an independent inspector, remedial action by the vendor must include, as a minimum, the reinstatement of any worker found to have been unlawfully dismissed, as well as compensation for lost wages
  • If the vendor does not respond to the report of a violation, fails to cooperate with an inspection or fails to provide a rectification plan acceptable to us, we will terminate without notice or penalty any contract and will not conduct any future business with the vendor.

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Our textbooks area is located in the back of the UBC Bookstore. Go to one of our book list terminals and print off your alphabetical book list. Circle the items you would like to purchase and give the list to one of our helpful staff who will be happy to find your book(s) for you.

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Vancouver – Faculty gowns can be rented online on the Grad Gown Rentals page.

Okanagan – Visit us in person at the UBC Okanagan Bookstore or send us an email to okanagan.bookstore@ubc.ca.

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Custom imprint pricing is always quantity-dependent so the higher the quantities, the lower the per-item pricing.

In addition to quantity:

Clothing pricing is driven largely by:

  • Imprint type (screenprint vs. embroidery)
  • Design complexity (more colors = higher pricing)
  • Number of imprints (e.g., front of shirt, back of shirt, sleeve, etc.)

Giftware pricing is driven largely by:

  • Design complexity
  • Number of imprints

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For all graduation schedules including current and future dates, as well as day-of timelines for both UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, please, visit: https://graduation.ubc.ca/schedule/

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Yes – the UBC Bookstore will buy your books back from you! Students can sell their used textbooks back in-store during our textbook buyback period at the beginning/end of each term. Our next buyback period for the Winter 2023/24 term is from December 4th - January 13th.

How do I find out if my book is being bought back? How much will I get for my book?
You can check if we're currently accepting a particular book as well as the sellback price by entering the ISBN on our Buyback Search page. We recommend checking the sellback price online prior to bringing in your books to avoid any disappointment!

If your textbook is being used for a UBC course this term, you will be offered up to 50% of the new retail price for your book. We also work with a wholesale partner to allow us to take back a larger selection of books beyond what is currently being bought back for UBC. If your book is bought by our wholesale partner, you will receive the value established by them for the North American marketplace.

What course materials can I sell back?
Whether or not we are able to buy a textbook back is determined by current demand for it as well as the condition of the book. We can only accept textbooks in good, reusable, legible condition, with no water damage, stains, or torn/missing covers or pages. Normal wear with some markings/notes and highlighting is okay, provided that it is not excessive and none of the print is obscured. We are unfortunately unable to accept loose-leaf textbooks or books that come packaged with a required access code or online component as these cannot be resold.

Are there any items you don't accept?
While we'd love to give each and every used book some new life, unfortunately not every item can be resold and there are a number of reasons a book might not be eligible for buyback.

Some common reasons we might not be able to buy a book:

  • It is not being used for the upcoming semester at UBC or by one of our partners
  • There isn't currently enough demand for your title or we have already reached our supply quota for it
  • It has been replaced by a newer edition
  • It is a loose-leaf (binder ready) or unbound coursepack format
  • It is a digital-only material (eText or access code)
  • The book came with a required access code component that has already been used/redeemed (access codes are normally offered in a single subscription format which expires after a set time period, so they cannot be registered more than once)
  • Liquid damage, stains, damage to the spine or cover, torn/missing pages, or significant wear that impedes the books legibility, such as excessive highlighting or notes that obscure the text
  • The book is incomplete or missing required components/materials that it originally came with (ex: study guides/workbooks)

How does the in-store buyback work?
You can sell back your textbooks in-store at both our Vancouver and Okanagan campus locations by bringing the books you'd like to sell to our front cashiers. Buybacks can be done anytime during our opening hours during the start of term buyback period. Once we've confirmed that your books are eligible, the value will be returned to a debit or credit card of your choosing.
Pro tip! While you can check the buyback price in-store, we recommend using our handy Buyback Search in advance to save yourself any unnecessary trips (and arm workouts!).

Can I sell back my textbooks year round?
Afraid not, folks! To allow us to anticipate demand and ensure that we are able to offer as many options as possible to students at the start of term, our buyback program isn't available year round. Textbooks can only be sold back to us during our special buyback dates at the beginning of each term, so please plan accordingly! Our next buyback period will be from December 4th - January 13th.

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Canvas refers to materials that are integrated into your course site. If a course material includes “Canvas” in the name, this indicates that there is a digital component accessible within Canvas that is included with your purchase. Your instructor will give you more instructions in class.

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You are welcome to come and shop in person or you can order your books online using our Sponsored Students Order Form: https://bookstore.ubc.ca/sponsored-students/

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Each custom course pack has been handpicked and given hours of dedication to put together. As such (and to comply with Copyright law), we ask that you don’t photocopy, scan or reproduce these for use other than for yourself. Please and thank you.

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Staples Business Advantage and Staples.Ca are two separate divisions of Staples. UBC’s contract for supplies and copy paper, with Staples Business Advantage, includes special services like

Environmentally friendly delivery with smaller Campus Mail trucks, reducing greenhouse gases and carbon taxes for UBC.

Streamlined Workday/EWAY procurement processes.

Special UBC reporting to meet regulatory requirements. 

These special services, included in the price of the Workday items, help UBC to save money, time and the environment.

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Unfortunately, no. All gowns can only be picked up 1 hour and 30 minutes prior to the ceremony you are attending. Gowns are boxed by ceremony number and are not unpacked until right before each ceremony. We are not able to retrieve any gowns in advance.