UBC Scholarships for International Students
If you’re applying to the University of British Columbia (UBC) as an international student, you need to think about funding before you think about arrival.
Here’s the financial reality:
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Tuition: CAD $45,000–$60,000 per year (varies by faculty)
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Living costs in Vancouver: CAD $18,000–$22,000 per year
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Estimated 4-year total cost: up to CAD $250,000+
Scholarships are not bonuses. For many students, they determine whether enrollment is financially viable.
UBC distributes over $35 million annually in awards to international undergraduates. But the majority of applicants misunderstand how these awards work, and that misunderstanding costs them money.
Step 1: Understand the Scholarship Structure
UBC scholarships fall into three strategic categories. Your preparation depends on which category you are targeting.
Category 1: Automatic Merit-Based Awards (No Separate Application)
You are evaluated automatically when you apply for admission.
These include:
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International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)
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Outstanding International Student Award (OIS)
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Renewable | Separate Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) | Merit-based | $10,000–$25,000 per year | Yes (up to 4 years) | No |
| Outstanding International Student Award (OIS) | Merit-based | $10,000–$25,000 (one-time) | No | No |
What this means in practice:
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Your admission application doubles as your scholarship application.
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Your personal profile and activity list directly influence scholarship decisions.
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You cannot “fix” your scholarship chances after submitting admission.
Category 2: High-Value Need + Merit Awards (Separate Application Required)
The most competitive funding comes through the International Scholars Program.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Renewable | Separate Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Scholars Program | Merit + Financial Need | Can approach full cost of attendance | Yes | Yes (school nomination required) |
This program requires:
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Nomination from your school
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A separate scholarship application
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Proof of financial need
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Strong leadership record
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Academic excellence
Practical assessment:
If you are not among the top students in your graduating class with measurable leadership impact, this award is extremely competitive. Preparation should begin at least a year before application.
Category 3: UBC Okanagan Campus Awards (Automatic)
If you apply to UBC’s Okanagan campus, additional automatic awards may apply.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Renewable | Separate Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Elevation Award | Tuition credit | ~$8,000 per year | Yes | No |
| International Welcome Award | Tuition support | $5,000 (first year) | No | No |
Global Elevation Award details
International Welcome Award details
Strategic insight:
Applicant volume at Okanagan is typically lower than Vancouver, which may increase probability of receiving automatic awards.
What Selection Committees Actually Evaluate
Grades alone are not sufficient.
Evaluation criteria typically include:
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Academic performance relative to school context
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Course rigor (IB, AP, A-Levels, advanced national curriculum)
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Leadership with measurable outcomes
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Initiative (founded, improved, led something meaningful)
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Community contribution
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Long-term goals and clarity of purpose
Weak activity example:
“Member of five clubs.”
Strong activity example:
“Founded peer tutoring initiative, recruited 25 volunteers, improved math pass rates by 18%.”
Impact is more persuasive than participation.
Scholarship Application Timeline (Practical Version)
| Timeframe | What You Should Be Doing |
|---|---|
| 12–18 months before applying | Take leadership roles, document impact, prepare for nomination (if applicable) |
| August–October (Grade 12) | Finalize transcripts, secure recommendation letters, draft personal profile |
| November | Submit early admission application (critical for scholarship consideration) |
| December–January | Confirm scholarship nomination (if required) |
| March–April | Scholarship decisions released |
Missing early deadlines significantly reduces access to major entrance awards.
Common Mistakes That Reduce Scholarship Chances
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Applying at the regular deadline instead of early admission
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Submitting generic personal statements
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Listing activities without demonstrating impact
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Waiting too late to request school nomination
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Not applying to both campuses strategically
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Assuming admission guarantees funding
Can You Combine Scholarships?
Combination rules vary annually.
Some awards stack. Others replace smaller awards.
What If You Don’t Receive an Entrance Award?
Funding opportunities continue after first year:
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Continuing student awards
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Faculty-specific scholarships
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Research assistantships
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Departmental awards
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External Canadian scholarships
Do not assume first-year results determine your entire funding outcome.
FAQ (Practical Answers)
Are scholarships automatic if I’m admitted?
No. Admission and scholarship decisions are separate processes, even when scholarships are automatically considered.
How competitive are IMES and OIS?
Recipients are typically among the strongest academic performers in their cohort with clear leadership contributions.
Does financial need improve chances?
Only for specific programs like the International Scholars Program.
When are scholarship results announced?
Typically March–April after admission offers.
Should I apply to both Vancouver and Okanagan?
If funding probability matters, applying to both campuses can be strategically beneficial.
UBC scholarships are competitive but predictable in structure
Students who:
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Apply early
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Demonstrate measurable leadership
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Understand automatic vs. separate awards
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Align their application with evaluation criteria
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Track deadlines precisely
consistently perform better than equally qualified applicants who treat scholarships as secondary.
