Apply For University of British Columbia International Scholars Program 2024

The University of British Columbia is a global institute for research and teaching established in 1908. With campuses near Vancouver and Kelowna in Canada, it has consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world.

UBC spends about C$10 million annually on scholarships, grants, and other financial aid for international students. Every year, the University of British Columbia, via the International Scholars Program, offers full scholarships to outstanding students from around the world seeking to study for bachelor’s degrees at the institution.

Recipients are awarded aid based on merit or financial need as determined by tuition and fees. The Scholarship Program also contributes to living costs for a select group of international candidates.

UBC International Scholars Program

Four categories of scholarships are available under the University of British Columbia International Scholars program, and they are listed below.

Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award

This award recognizes exceptional prospective international undergraduate students who demonstrate superior academic achievement and exemplary leadership skills that support and empower others through collaboration, empathy, and active listening.

Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award

Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award recognizes outstanding international undergraduate students from impoverished or war-torn areas who have achieved academic excellence under challenging circumstances and would be unable to attend university without significant financial assistance.

International Impact Award

This award is offered to exceptional students who have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to solutions for sustainability and climate change, natural resource conservation and management, social justice, equity and inclusion, or societal health and wellness.

Vantage One Excellence Award

UBC Vantage College offers the Vantage One Excellence Award to academically outstanding international students who have not yet met the English Language Admission Standard for direct admission to UBC.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees at the University of British Columbia differ for graduate and undergraduate programs, but they are both expensive, which is why the institution provides scholarships to ease the financial burden.

For undergraduate programs, an international student is expected to pay an annual tuition fee of C$31,000 and C$80,259, depending on the course of study. In the case of graduate programs, an International student may have to pay a tuition fee of between C$9,500 and C$78,909 per year. Finally, for doctorate or PhD programs, the annual tuition fee an international student is asked to pay is usually between C$5,407 and C$52,900 (for specialized combination programs).

But for the 2025 academic year, the 12-month full-year program tuition fees are as follows:

C$32,267.40 or C$10,755.80 per installment for Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

C$64,830.72 or C$21,610.24 per installment for international students.

Eligibility Criteria

For an applicant to be considered for the University of British Columbia International Scholarship Program, you must:

• Be an international student studying in Canada on a Canadian study permit.
• You must enter UBC from a recognized secondary school or transfer from your first year at a post-secondary college or other university.
• Have graduated from high school no earlier than one gap year before the academic year you are applying to. For example, applicants for the 2025 Winter session must have graduated from high school no earlier than November 2023.
• Be applying for your first undergraduate degree.
• Demonstrate superior academic achievement (achieve all As or equivalent standards).
• Demonstrate a financial need that would otherwise prevent you from pursuing a UBC degree. (UBC automatically considers all international students for the merit-based International Major Entrance Scholarships and Outstanding International Student Awards. If these awards do not cover your needs for tuition and basic living expenses, you are eligible to apply for the International Scholars Program.)
• Meet UBC’s admission requirements, including general and degree-specific requirements and the English Language Admission Standard.

Scholarship Benefits

The value of the UBC International Scholars Program is proportional to each recipient’s financial need, and the amount covers tuition, other fees, and living costs minus the financial contribution the student and their family can make each year. If you specify two degree choices in your application, only your first-choice degree will be considered for the UBC International Scholars Program award.

UBC offers approximately 50 scholarships across all four categories every year. The value of the scholarship awarded to each recipient per year varies, but it can be as high as C$25,000. These scholarships can be renewed for up to three additional years of undergraduate study or to degree completion, provided the student achieves satisfactory academic standing in their faculty, continues to demonstrate financial need, and maintains their Canadian study permit (student visa).

Application Procedure

To be considered for the International Scholars Program, qualified candidates should;

1. Visit the application webpage for the UBC admissions and International Scholars Program.
2. Decide on the academic program you want to study and which campus you wish to choose.

• For the International Scholars Program awards, you will be considered for your first-choice program. You should still select a second-choice program, but only your first-choice program is eligible for award consideration.
• When selecting your degree, please note that the following degrees are not eligible for UBC International Scholars Program awards:
• UBC Okanagan Bachelor of Nursing degree, Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor + Master of Management degree, dual degrees, joint degrees between UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver, and joint degrees with other post-secondary institutions.

3. To apply for the International Scholars Program, you must be nominated by your school or non-profit and submit a reference from an academic referee.
4. Gather your required financial information and notes on any extracurricular activities and awards.
5. Submit an application for the International Scholars Program
6. Submit your admissions application to UBC before December 1 deadline

Deadline/Expiration: November 15, 2024

Find other scholarship programs currently open for application