The University of British Columbia has over a hundred years of experience in cultivating a culture that promotes excellence in teaching and research and global impact. It is a public university that thrives on the values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect, Academic Freedom, and Accountability. Constantly ranking high in global university rankings, the university has produced notable people who made significant contributions to Canada and the world, including eight Nobel Prize winners, three Canadian Prime Ministers, and 65 Olympic medalists from the school’s varsity athletes.
The University of British Columbia has two campuses in Vancouver and Okanagan, which collectively house over 65,000 students from over 140 countries. It offers a wide variety of University of British Columbia scholarships to Canadian and international students, who comprise a quarter of its student population. The UCB aims to provide a venue for students, faculty, and staff to convert ideas and initiatives into actions and innovations.
How do I apply to the University of British Columbia?
You must choose between Vancouver Campus and Okanagan Campus, indicate your country of origin, and select a degree for degree-specific requirements.
Interested applicants must also be able to acquire a Canadian Study Permit or student visa.
Since the university uses English as the medium of instruction, English proficiency is required. You may check out some ways to meet the English language admission requirement by visiting this link.
Ensure admission to your degree of choice to be eligible for the scholarships for international students. These scholarships are merit-based, so you must be able to present documents to support excellent academic achievement and extracurricular involvement in your high school. Most scholarships at the University of British Columbia also consider the applicants’ financial needs.
For undergraduate applicants, express your intention to apply for a scholarship to your school counselor, homeroom adviser, principal, or club adviser so they can provide supporting statements and documents for your chosen scholarship. Check and meet the application deadlines indicated at the bottom of this page.
For graduate school applicants, you may check more tips by clicking here.
University of British Columbia Scholarships
1. International Major Entrance Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: depending on the available funding
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate
The International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) provides financial assistance to excellent international students admitted to the UCB. This University of British Columbia scholarship amount varies depending on available funding, and the scholarship is renewable annually for up to three years or until the completion of the program.
2. Outstanding International Student Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: full tuition and fees for one year
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate
International students who successfully secure admissions to the UBC can receive a one-time merit-based scholarship called the Outstanding International Student Award. As the name implies, applicants must have outstanding academic records and extracurricular involvement to qualify for this scholarship.
Selection depends on the recommendation from the International Student Initiative Office.
3. Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: CAD14,000 – 34,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate
Applicants who show exemplary leadership potential or skills and active involvement in the student government in their high school have great chances to receive this scholarship at the University of British Columbia. To maintain this award for the duration of the undergraduate program, scholars must belong to the top 25% of their batch.
4. Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: up to CAD45,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate
Outstanding international students from developing or impoverished countries may apply for this scholarship. Like most of the scholarships at the University of British Columbia, scholars may renew this scholarship annually until the completion of the undergraduate program.
Applicants must have a recommendation or nomination from their school or a non-government organization.
5. Vantage One Excellence Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: Comprehensive
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate Degree in Arts, Science, or Engineering
Vantage One Excellence Award is for incoming UBC students who do not yet meet the English Language Admission Standard. It covers the cost of the scholars’ education, including the living cost. This scholarship at the University of British Columbia is renewable until the scholars finish the program. There is an annual review of the scholars’ academic performance and financial need to determine their eligibility for the extension of the award.
To check the additional admission requirements specific to this scholarship award, you may visit this page.
6. International Major Entrance Scholarship for Vantage One
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: up to CAD85,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate Degree in Arts, Science, or Engineering
The IMES for Vantage One provides up to CAD25,000 to selected scholars. The scholarship can be renewed annually, but the scholars are entitled to receive only CAD20,000 per year for the three remaining years.
7. Vantage One Entrance Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: up to CAD25,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate Degree in Arts, Science, or Engineering
Successful applicants may receive the non-renewable Vantage One Entrance Award based mainly on academic merit. The award depends on the UCB Vantage College recommendation.
8. Guaranteed Ph.D. Funding
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: minimum of CAD22,000 per year
- Degrees Offered: Ph.D.
All international students admitted into the Ph.D. programs at UCB are entitled to Guaranteed Ph.D. Funding for the first four years of their respective programs. Students can use the this University of British Columbia scholarships for university-related expenses such as tuition fees and general living costs.
9. International Tuition Award
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount: up to CAD3,200 for tuition fees
- Degrees Offered: Master’s Degree; PhD
This scholarship is awarded to full-time graduate students in research-based programs. To see the graduate programs eligible for this award, click here.
International students who receive external funding for tuition fees exceeding the value of the International Tuition Award are not eligible. Those who receive external funding, which is less than the value of the ITA will receive the award minus the amount of the external funding.
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Applicants to the Okanagan Campus of UBC can learn about more undergraduate scholarships at the University of British Columbia from this page. Those who are applying to the Vancouver Campus, please click here.
For more scholarships available to incoming international graduate program students, please check this link.
