Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
Applications are now open for the 2027 University of British Columbia (UBC) International Scholars Program. The UBC International Scholars Program is for international students who have demonstrated leadership qualities, exceptional contributions to their communities, have outstanding academic performance, and require meaningful financial support to attend UBC. By bringing together Scholars from diverse countries and cultures, the program fosters a vibrant and globally connected learning community.
As a UBC International Scholar, you will
- Get dedicated advising and support
- Earn a globally recognized degree at a top university
- Study with the brightest students in the world
- Get access to unique learning opportunities
As a Scholar, you’ll get to participate in skill building workshops and retreats and have the option to participate in exchange and co-op. While you work on your degree, you’ll have additional support from dedicated International Scholars Program advisors who will encourage your academic, personal and career development.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet all of these requirements to be eligible for the program. There are no exceptions to the eligibility criteria.
Educational background
- You are an international student who will be studying in Canada on a Canadian study permit.
- You are entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school.
- Applicants for 2027 Winter session must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026.
- You are applying for your first undergraduate degree.
Significant financial need
- You can prove a significant level of financial need. It would be impossible for you to pursue a UBC degree without meaningful financial help. You will be required to submit official documents that demonstrate your financial need.
- Your family is not able to afford a significant level of your educational costs and does not have access to external funding.
- Financial need may be different for each applicant. The financial need estimation is the amount that represents how much financial support you would require to live and study at UBC after all your resources have been accounted for. Review UBC’s merit and entrance-based award options first to determine which award program is right for you. Applicants may only be considered for either our merit-based or financial need-based award program.
Admission requirements
- You meet UBC’s admission requirements, including general and degree-specific requirements.
- You demonstrate superior academic achievement (achieve all As or equivalent standard).
- You meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard. If you do not satisfy this requirement for direct entry, you may be eligible for Vantage College and the Vantage One Excellence Award.
- The following degrees are not eligible for UBC International Scholars Program awards: Bachelor of Nursing degree (Okanagan and Vancouver), 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.
Application Procedure:
1: Mid- September: Decide on your academic program/campus
Decide on the academic program you want to study, and which campus you want to choose. For the awards, you will be considered for your first choice program. You should still select a second choice program.
2: Late September: Discuss the nomination with your school
You’ll need one nominator (guidance counsellor, principal, administrator, etc.) and one teacher referee. The nominator and teacher referee must be different people.
Nominator: Your nominator should be able to speak to your educational goals and your character. A high school or registered non-profit organization may nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College), and one student for UBC Okanagan. A student may be nominated by a non-profit organization if the non-profit acts as an educational institution in place of a high school, or where it offers an educational, leadership development, and mentorship program to high school graduates from less fortunate backgrounds. This option is typically reserved for applicants applying from war-torn, politically unstable, or economically disadvantaged areas of the world where no other option for education exists.
Teacher referee: Your referee should be someone who is familiar with you and your work in your chosen area of study.
Confirm that your high school is able to nominate you and you meet the eligibility requirements for the International Scholars Program before proceeding with the next steps.
3: Early October: Apply to UBC
Submit your UBC Admissions application. This is required for your International Scholars Program application. You must have completed your admissions application to UBC before starting your award application. The award application will request confirmation of UBC application submission. Apply to UBC early so you can then access the award application.
4: Early October: Discuss your nomination and create an account
Let your nominator and teacher referee know the following:
- You will send them an email asking for them to provide their recommendation (you’ll need their contact information)
- Your first choice campus and program
- There is a limit of nominations for each campus (see step 2 for nomination details)
- The nominator and teacher recommendations need to be completed and submitted a few days before November 15
After, start your award application by creating an account. Invite your nominator and referee to complete their forms. Follow up with them to make sure they’ve received the invitation. Please note, you cannot complete your award application until both the nominator and teacher referee form have been completed and submitted.
5: Mid-October: Gather relevant information for your application and complete your sections of the award application
You’ll be asked for information like:
- Annual income and expenses
- Family wealth and assets
- Dependents and annual school fees
- Sources of financial support
- Calculate your family contributions and financial need using the cost estimator
- Extra curricular information
- Awards
- 4 essay questions (approximately 150-250 words)
This will be a very in-depth process, so make sure you give yourself time to gather your financial information and time to fill out the application itself.
6: By November 15: Submit your completed application
The International Scholars Program application is due November 15. It’s recommended to submit well in advance of November 15 in case of technical difficulties.
7: By January 31: Submit required documents
Several weeks after you apply to UBC, you will receive an email with the subject line “Your UBC Application – Next Steps” from the UBC Undergraduate Admissions Office. Follow the instructions in that message to submit any documents required to evaluate your application. As a UBC International Scholars Program applicant, your document deadline is January 31 and not the date listed in the “Your UBC Application – Next Steps” email. If your required transcripts/ high school academic certificates are not available by January 31, submit them as soon as they are available.
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