Nº 2716 University of British Columbia logo

University of British Columbia Logo

The University of British Columbia logo uses 3 primary colors. Its dominant color is Coyote Wild (#B19672, closest Pantone 10405 C). University of British Columbia operates in the Education industry.

Color family
orange
Industry
Education
Brand popularity
Top 27% of indexed brands
Website
ubc.ca

Design analysis

The primary mark is a traditional heraldic coat of arms granted by the College of Arms in 1915, not a contemporary logo. It comprises a quartered shield bearing a sun in splendour (first quarter), an open book on a blue field (second), a fir tree (third), and a stag's head (fourth), surmounted by a helm with gold mantling and a demi-sun crest. The bilingual wordmark "The University of British Columbia / Université de la Colombie-Britannique" sits to the right in a modified serif face. This construction follows centuries-old academic convention, signalling permanence and degree-granting authority. At small sizes the quarterings, mantling, and crest collapse into noise; the shield alone functions as a favicon but loses the sun charge clarity below 16 px. In the Canadian higher-ed landscape, peers such as Toronto (oak leaf) and McGill (martlets) have adopted simplified symbols for digital use, leaving UBC's full achievement less adaptable for app icons or social avatars without a secondary mark system.

Quartered heraldic shield with sun, book, fir tree, stag chargesDemi-sun crest rising from gold mantlingBilingual English/French wordmark in serif typeGold-dominant field unusual for Canadian university marks

Logo colors, measured

Colors extracted from the logo image itself (background removed), with share of the mark each color covers.

Click a chip to copy its hex code.

The palette codifies academic heraldry: #004685 (deep blue) provides the field for the book charge and conveys research rigour; #B19672 (metallic gold) dominates the shield field, mantling, and crest, reflecting the blazon's "Or" tincture and denoting excellence; #FFFFFF reserves contrast for the book pages and sun rays. Gold leading by surface area (20.3%) is atypical—most Canadian universities lead with blue—but is faithful to the 1915 grant. The trio meets WCAG AA only at sizes above 18 pt; smaller reproductions require a two-colour blue/gold or monochrome lockup to retain legibility.

Variations & downloads

Color variants generated from the vector source — free to download for identification, editorial and research use.

University of British Columbia logo, primary version
Primary SVG PNG
University of British Columbia logo, white version for dark backgrounds
White SVG PNG
University of British Columbia logo, black monochrome version
Black SVG PNG

Visually similar logos

Nearest neighbors in visual embedding space — marks that share shape and structure with the University of British Columbia logo, regardless of color or industry.

Brand web palette

Colors University of British Columbia uses across its website — the broader brand system around the logo.

About University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a leading educational institution renowned for its excellence in teaching, learning, and research. With campuses in Vancouver and the Okanagan in Canada, UBC offers a wide range of comprehensive programs and services. Since its founding in 1915, UBC has been dedicated to providing opportunities for individuals who possess curiosity, drive, and a vision to shape a better world. As one of the top 20 public universities globally, UBC is committed to fostering innovation and transforming ideas into meaningful actions. UBC's Vancouver campus is home to various faculties and schools, while its Okanagan campus offers exceptional facilities and resources. The university prides itself on its world-class rankings, recognizing its commitment to outstanding teaching and research. UBC values collaboration and is in service to the world, working alongside partners to build a more just and sustainable society. Whether you're a prospective student, current undergraduate or graduate, faculty member, or alumni, UBC provides a vibrant community and exciting opportunities for growth and development. To learn more about UBC and its global impact, explore their website or contact them directly. Regardless of your aspirations, UBC is a place of inspiration and discovery, where academic excellence meets real-world application

Questions about the University of British Columbia logo

Why does UBC still use a coat of arms instead of a modern logo?

The coat of arms is the university's legal corporate seal, required on degree parchments, official transcripts, and government documents. It was granted by the College of Arms in 1915 and carries statutory weight that a designed logo cannot replace. UBC maintains a separate simplified "UBC" monogram and shield-only mark for digital and merchandise applications where the full achievement is impractical.

Can the crest be reproduced in single-colour blue?

Yes. UBC's brand guidelines provide approved monochrome versions in #004685 (blue), #B19672 (gold), black, and white (reversed). The single-colour blue version is standard for fax headers, watermarks, and low-contrast backgrounds. Gold-only reproduction is reserved for premium applications such as embossed stationery and signage where metallic ink or foil is specified.

What color is the University of British Columbia logo?

The dominant color of the University of British Columbia logo is Coyote Wild (hex #B19672). The closest Pantone match is 10405 C.

How many colors does the University of British Columbia logo have?

The University of British Columbia logo uses 3 primary colors: #B19672, #004685, #FFFFFF.

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The University of British Columbia logo is a trademark of its owner, shown here for identification and design research. Color data is measured from the public mark by LogoLabs; analysis is editorial commentary. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.