Studying in Canada can be expensive, especially for international students who must pay international tuition and cover living costs. Fortunately, the University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students include several awards designed to help outstanding students reduce the financial burden of studying at UBC. Some opportunities are aimed at new undergraduate students, while others are available to continuing students or graduate researchers.
For the 2027 intake, UBC has updated scholarship and award information, including the International Scholars Program, International Major Entrance Scholarships, UBC Okanagan awards, graduate funding, and tuition support. UBC states that it provides more than $35 million annually in awards, scholarships, and other financial support for international undergraduate students.
This guide explains the major University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students, who can apply, what the awards may cover, how undergraduate and graduate funding differs, important deadlines, and how to begin an application. It also explains what international applicants should prepare before applying.
What Are University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students?
University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students are scholarships, awards, fellowships, and other forms of financial support available to eligible students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
UBC offers funding at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, the eligibility rules are different depending on the scholarship, degree level, academic program, student status, and financial circumstances.
For undergraduate students, UBC offers merit-based awards as well as need-and-merit-based awards. The International Scholars Program, for example, is intended for international students entering their first undergraduate degree who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, leadership, community involvement, and significant financial need.
Graduate students have access to a different funding structure. UBC’s Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies administers numerous scholarships, fellowships, tuition awards, and other funding opportunities for eligible master’s and doctoral students.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that one scholarship application covers every opportunity at UBC. Different awards can have different application procedures and deadlines.
University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students at Undergraduate Level
International undergraduate applicants have several potential sources of funding at UBC. The most important opportunities include the International Scholars Program, International Major Entrance Scholarships, and awards associated with specific UBC campuses and programs.
1. UBC International Scholars Program
The UBC International Scholars Program is one of the university’s major opportunities for exceptional international students entering an undergraduate degree.
The program is designed for students who demonstrate:
- Exceptional academic achievement
- Leadership qualities
- Significant community involvement
- Positive contributions to their communities
- Financial need
- Strong potential to make an impact through their education
UBC currently identifies four award categories under the International Scholars Program. These include the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award and the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award, among others. UBC determines which award an eligible applicant is considered for rather than requiring applicants to select a particular award themselves.
This distinction is important because the program is not simply an academic scholarship. Financial need is part of the assessment, and applicants may have to provide information about family income, expenses, assets, and their financial circumstances.
Who Can Apply?
For the 2027 intake, UBC states that applicants must generally:
- Be international students who will study in Canada on a study permit.
- Enter UBC directly from an accredited secondary school.
- Be applying for their first undergraduate degree.
- Meet the program’s academic requirements.
- Demonstrate significant financial need.
- Demonstrate leadership and meaningful community involvement.
Applicants also need to work with their secondary school during the nomination process. UBC indicates that applicants need a nominator, such as a school counselor, principal, or administrator, as well as a teacher referee.
2. International Major Entrance Scholarships
The International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) is another important UBC opportunity for exceptional international undergraduate students.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, UBC lists IMES awards at $10,000 to $25,000 per year. The scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years, subject to the relevant requirements and available funding.
To be considered, applicants generally need to:
- Be new to UBC.
- Enter directly from secondary school.
- Be international students studying under a Canadian study permit.
- Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement.
- Show intellectual promise.
- Demonstrate extracurricular and community involvement.
- Apply to UBC by the applicable admissions deadline.
An important distinction is that students nominated for a need-and-merit-based International Scholars award are not considered for the IMES.
3. UBC Okanagan International Awards
International students considering the UBC Okanagan campus may also find scholarships connected specifically with the campus.
UBC’s international student funding information includes awards such as:
- UBC Okanagan Global Elevation Award
- UBC Okanagan International Welcome Award
- UBC Okanagan Bachelor of Commerce International Launch Award
The exact eligibility requirements and values can vary by award and intake, so applicants should check the current requirements when preparing their application.
University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students: Graduate Programs
UBC graduate students have access to a broad range of funding opportunities.
Graduate funding can include:
- Scholarships
- Fellowships
- Tuition awards
- Graduate funding packages
- Research assistantships
- Teaching-related funding
- Program-specific awards
- External scholarships
UBC encourages prospective graduate students to begin looking for funding while preparing their admission application rather than waiting until they have started their program. Major graduate award competitions often have deadlines between September and December.
International Tuition Award
The International Tuition Award is particularly relevant to international graduate students.
For the current information published by UBC, eligible international students in qualifying research-oriented master’s and doctoral programs at the Vancouver campus can receive an award of up to $3,200 per year toward tuition. Eligible students are automatically considered and do not normally submit a separate application for this award.
This means applicants should distinguish between scholarships that require a separate application and awards for which UBC automatically considers eligible students.
Graduate Support Initiative
The Graduate Support Initiative (GSI) provides funding through mechanisms such as entrance scholarships, multi-year funding packages, tuition awards, and scholarship top-ups.
UBC reports that approximately $6.5 million in GSI funding is awarded each year across its graduate programs. The program is available to international and domestic students, although eligibility varies by graduate program.
Four Year Doctoral Fellowship
Doctoral students may also benefit from UBC’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF).
Beginning September 2026, UBC states that the 4YF provides recipients with $24,000 in stipend funding plus tuition per year for up to four years. The fellowship can be held by both international and domestic students.
This makes graduate funding particularly important for international students considering research-intensive doctoral study at UBC.
University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students Compared
The following table summarizes several major opportunities:
| Scholarship/Funding | Study Level | International Students | Main Focus | Funding/Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Scholars Program | Undergraduate | Yes | Academic achievement, leadership and financial need | Major need-and-merit-based support |
| International Major Entrance Scholarship | Undergraduate | Yes | Academic excellence and extracurricular achievement | $10,000–$25,000/year for 2026/27 |
| UBC Okanagan International Awards | Undergraduate | Yes | Campus/program-specific achievement | Varies by award |
| International Tuition Award | Master’s/PhD | Yes | Eligible research-oriented graduate programs | Up to $3,200/year |
| Graduate Support Initiative | Graduate | Yes | Graduate funding packages and awards | Varies |
| Four Year Doctoral Fellowship | Doctoral | Yes | Doctoral study and research | $24,000 stipend + tuition/year |
Award amounts, eligibility rules, and deadlines can change between academic years, so applicants should verify the current intake information before submitting an application.
Who Is Most Likely to Meet the Requirements?
There is no single academic profile that guarantees a UBC scholarship. However, successful applicants should generally be prepared to demonstrate more than good grades.
Strong Academic Performance
Academic achievement is an important part of many UBC scholarships. Applicants should present strong academic records and, where relevant, demonstrate challenging coursework and intellectual potential.
For competitive awards, simply meeting the minimum admission requirement may not be enough to make an applicant competitive.
Leadership and Community Involvement
For awards such as the International Scholars Program, leadership and community involvement are important.
Leadership does not necessarily mean holding a formal title. It can include:
- Organizing community projects
- Helping other students
- Volunteering
- Leading school activities
- Creating social initiatives
- Supporting community development
- Participating in meaningful extracurricular activities
The important point is to demonstrate real impact rather than simply listing activities.
Financial Need
Financial circumstances are particularly important for the International Scholars Program.
Applicants may need to explain why studying at UBC would be financially difficult without substantial assistance. UBC’s assessment can involve information about family income, expenses, and assets.
Applicants should therefore prepare accurate financial documentation rather than relying on a general statement that tuition is expensive.
What Documents Should International Students Prepare?
Preparing documents early can make the scholarship process much easier.
Depending on the specific scholarship, applicants may need some combination of:
- Academic transcripts
- Secondary school records
- Passport or identification information
- Proof of international student status
- Personal essays
- Leadership information
- Extracurricular activity details
- Community service information
- Financial documents
- References or referee information
- School nomination information
- English-language test results where applicable
- Program-specific admission documents
Not every scholarship requires every document.
For the International Scholars Program, UBC specifically describes a process involving the student’s school nomination, family and financial information, essays, and potentially a video interview.
Important UBC Scholarship Deadlines for the 2027 Intake
International applicants planning to begin undergraduate study in September 2027 should pay close attention to deadlines.
UBC’s current admissions calendar shows that applications for the 2027 Winter Session opened in early October 2026. The deadline for international applicants who want to be considered for International Scholars Program awards is November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. The general application deadline for the Winter Session is January 15, 2027, unless an exception applies.
This creates an important distinction:
Do not assume that the general UBC admission deadline is also the scholarship deadline.
For an applicant seeking the International Scholars Program, the scholarship-related deadline comes earlier.
2027 Undergraduate Timeline
| Stage | Approximate/Published Date |
|---|---|
| UBC 2027 application opens | Early October 2026 |
| International Scholars Program deadline | November 15, 2026 |
| General Winter Session application deadline | January 15, 2027 |
| International Scholars applicant updates/decisions | Beginning in 2027 |
UBC advises applicants to begin the International Scholars process early because the application involves several components.
How to Apply for University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students
The application process depends on the specific scholarship.
For undergraduate applicants, a practical approach is:
Step 1: Choose Your UBC Program
Before focusing entirely on scholarships, identify the degree and program you want to study.
Consider:
- Program requirements
- Campus
- Academic prerequisites
- Career objectives
- Tuition costs
- Admission requirements
Step 2: Apply for UBC Admission
Many UBC scholarships are connected to the undergraduate admission process. Therefore, international applicants should not wait until after admission to begin thinking about scholarships.
For the International Scholars Program, UBC requires applicants to first apply for admission and then complete the relevant scholarship process.
Step 3: Prepare Your Scholarship Materials
Prepare your essays, leadership information, financial documents, references, and other required materials well before the deadline.
Avoid waiting until the final day.
Step 4: Complete the Appropriate Scholarship Application
Some awards require a separate application, while others automatically consider eligible students.
For example, the International Tuition Award for eligible international graduate students does not require a separate application, while competitive awards may require detailed applications.
Step 5: Monitor Your Application
After submitting your application, regularly check the relevant UBC application and scholarship systems for requests, updates, or decisions.
How to Apply — Quick Guide
If you are applying for an undergraduate scholarship, start by choosing your UBC program, preparing your admission documents, submitting your UBC application, and completing the required scholarship process before the applicable deadline.
Official scholarship application:
SUBMIT APPLICATION
For the 2027 intake, international applicants seeking International Scholars Program consideration should pay particular attention to the November 15, 2026 deadline.
Tips for Improving Your UBC Scholarship Application
Tell a Specific Story
Avoid writing an essay that simply says you are hardworking, passionate, and interested in studying in Canada.
Instead, explain what you have actually done.
For example, describe a project you organized, the problem you identified, what actions you took, who benefited, and what you learned.
Connect Your Achievements to Your Future Goals
A strong application should help the selection committee understand how your education at UBC connects with your longer-term goals.
Explain what you want to study, why the field matters to you, and how you hope to use your education.
Provide Evidence of Impact
Whenever possible, use measurable information.
Instead of:
“I helped my community.”
Explain:
“I organized a school tutoring project that supported 35 younger students over six months.”
Specific details make achievements easier to understand.
Be Accurate About Your Financial Circumstances
For scholarships that assess financial need, provide accurate information and supporting documentation.
Do not exaggerate your financial situation.
Start Early
Scholarship applications often require several stages, including references, nominations, essays, and financial documentation.
UBC itself recommends starting the International Scholars application early because applications started shortly before the deadline are less likely to be successful.
Can International Students Get Full Scholarships at UBC?
Some UBC scholarships can provide substantial financial assistance, but applicants should not assume that every scholarship covers the full cost of studying and living in Canada.
The International Scholars Program is designed to provide significant support to eligible international undergraduate students with substantial financial need, while other awards may provide a specified scholarship amount.
At the graduate level, funding can be considerably different. For example, UBC’s current PhD minimum funding policy requires full-time Vancouver PhD students to receive a minimum funding package of $40,000 per year for each of the first four years, effective from September 2026. The package can include internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships. UBC states that this policy applies to international as well as domestic students.
Therefore, students should evaluate the entire funding package, not just the name or headline amount of a scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UBC offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. UBC offers numerous scholarships, awards, fellowships, and other forms of financial support for international students. At the undergraduate level, UBC reports more than $35 million annually in international student financial assistance. Graduate students can also access scholarships, fellowships, tuition awards, program funding, and other forms of financial support.
What is the main UBC scholarship for international undergraduate students?
One of the major opportunities is the UBC International Scholars Program. It is designed for international students entering their first undergraduate degree who demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and significant financial need.
How much is the UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship?
For the 2026/2027 academic year, UBC lists the International Major Entrance Scholarship at $10,000 to $25,000 per year. The number and level of scholarships can vary depending on available funding.
Can international master’s and PhD students receive UBC funding?
Yes. International graduate students can access numerous UBC funding opportunities. Eligible research-oriented master’s and doctoral students may automatically receive consideration for the International Tuition Award, while other graduate awards require competitive applications. UBC also has graduate funding initiatives and doctoral fellowships available to eligible international students.
When should international students apply for UBC scholarships?
Students should apply as early as possible because scholarship deadlines can be earlier than general admission deadlines. For the 2027 undergraduate intake, UBC lists November 15, 2026 as the deadline for international applicants seeking consideration for International Scholars Program awards.
Conclusion: University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students
The University of British Columbia Scholarship Opportunities for International Students provide several pathways for talented students to obtain financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate education in Canada.
For undergraduate applicants, the International Scholars Program and International Major Entrance Scholarships are two important opportunities to investigate. UBC also offers international awards connected with specific campuses and programs. Graduate students have access to a broader funding ecosystem that includes tuition awards, fellowships, graduate funding packages, doctoral fellowships, and research-related support.
The most important step is to identify the scholarship that matches your academic level and circumstances, check its current eligibility requirements, prepare your documents early, and submit everything before the applicable deadline.
If you are targeting the 2027 intake, start preparing now rather than waiting for the final application period. Review your academic record, leadership experience, financial documentation, references, and personal statements carefully before submitting.
