Applications are now open for the University of British Columbia (UBC) International Scholars Program 2027, a fully funded award for international students, with a closing deadline of November 15, 2026.
The programme targets international students who have demonstrated leadership qualities, made exceptional contributions to their communities, and show outstanding academic performance, but who require meaningful financial support to attend UBC. By bringing together Scholars from diverse countries and cultures, the programme builds a vibrant, globally connected learning community.
What Scholars Get
Award recipients at UBC gain access to dedicated advising and support, a globally recognised degree at a top-ranked university, and the chance to study alongside some of the brightest students in the world.
The package also includes unique learning opportunities such as skill-building workshops and retreats, with the option to participate in exchange and co-op programmes. Throughout the degree, Scholars receive support from dedicated International Scholars Program advisors focused on their academic, personal, and career development.
Eligibility Requirements (No Exceptions)
UBC is emphatic on this point: applicants must meet all of the criteria below, and there are no exceptions to the eligibility requirements.
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 the 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, meaning it would be impossible for you to pursue a UBC degree without meaningful financial help
- You will be required to submit official documents demonstrating your financial need
- Your family cannot afford a significant level of your educational costs and has no access to external funding
Financial need is assessed individually: the estimate represents how much support you would require to live and study at UBC after all your resources are accounted for. Applicants should first review UBC’s merit and entrance-based award options, since each applicant may only be considered for either the merit-based or the financial need-based award programme, never both.
Admission Requirements
- You meet UBC’s admission requirements, including general and degree-specific requirements
- You demonstrate superior academic achievement, achieving all As or the equivalent standard
- You meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard. If you fall short for direct entry, you may be eligible for Vantage College and the Vantage One Excellence Award
Degrees That Are Not Eligible
The following programmes do not qualify for International Scholars Program awards:
- Bachelor of Nursing (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
- Joint degrees with other post-secondary institutions
How to Apply: A Seven-Step Timeline
1. Mid-September: Decide on your programme and campus
Choose your academic programme and campus. Awards are considered for your first-choice programme, though you should still select a second choice.
2. Late September: Secure your nomination
You need one nominator (a guidance counsellor, principal, or administrator) and one teacher referee, and they must be different people. Your nominator speaks to your educational goals and character. A high school or registered non-profit may nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College) and one student for UBC Okanagan.
A non-profit can nominate a student where it acts as an educational institution in place of a high school, or runs an educational, leadership development, and mentorship programme for high school graduates from less fortunate backgrounds. This route is typically reserved for applicants from war-torn, politically unstable, or economically disadvantaged regions where no other option for education exists.
Your teacher referee should be familiar with you and your work in your chosen area of study. Confirm your school can nominate you and that you meet all eligibility requirements before proceeding.
3. Early October: Apply to UBC
Submit your UBC Admissions application, which is a prerequisite for the award application. You must complete your UBC admissions application before starting your award application, which will ask for confirmation of that submission. Applying early unlocks access to the award application sooner.
4. Early October: Set up your recommenders and account
Notify your nominator and referee that you will email them to request their recommendations (you will need their contact details), tell them your first-choice campus and programme, and remind them of the nomination limits per campus. Critically, their recommendations must be submitted a few days before November 15.
Then start your award application by creating an account and inviting your nominator and referee to complete their forms. Follow up to confirm they received the invitation, because you cannot complete your award application until both forms are submitted.
5. Mid-October: Complete your sections of the application
Expect to provide detailed financial and personal information, including annual income and expenses, family wealth and assets, dependents and annual school fees, and sources of financial support, along with your calculated family contribution and financial need using UBC’s cost estimator.
You will also supply extracurricular information, awards, and answers to four essay questions of approximately 150 to 250 words each. This is an in-depth process, so build in time to gather financial documents and complete the application itself.
6. By November 15: Submit your application
The International Scholars Program application is due November 15, and UBC recommends submitting well in advance in case of technical difficulties.
7. By January 31: Submit required documents
Several weeks after applying, you will receive an email titled “Your UBC Application – Next Steps” from the UBC Undergraduate Admissions Office. Follow its instructions to submit any documents required to evaluate your application.
One critical detail: as an International Scholars Program applicant, your document deadline is January 31, not the date listed in that email. If your transcripts or high school academic certificates are not available by January 31, submit them as soon as they become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the UBC International Scholars Program?
International students entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school for their first undergraduate degree, who graduated high school no earlier than June 2026, demonstrate all As or equivalent, prove significant financial need with official documents, and meet UBC’s admission and English language requirements.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The programme provides meaningful financial support covering the costs of attending UBC for scholars selected under either the merit-based or need-based award programme, though applicants may only be considered for one of the two.
Can students who already have a degree apply?
No. The programme is only for applicants pursuing their first undergraduate degree, entering directly from secondary school.
Which degrees are excluded?
Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Science, the Bachelor + Master of Management, dual degrees, and all joint degrees, including between UBC’s two campuses and with other institutions.
What is the application deadline?
November 15, 2026, for the award application, with recommenders’ forms due a few days earlier and required documents due by January 31, 2027.
Who can nominate me?
A guidance counsellor, principal, or administrator from your high school, or a registered non-profit acting in place of a high school in specific circumstances. Your school may nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver and one for UBC Okanagan. Your nominator and teacher referee must be different people.
What financial information will I need?
Annual income and expenses, family wealth and assets, dependents and annual school fees, and sources of financial support, used to calculate your family contribution and financial need with UBC’s cost estimator.
What happens if I miss the January 31 document deadline?
You should submit transcripts and certificates as soon as they are available if not ready by January 31, but the deadline for International Scholars Program applicants is January 31, overriding any later date shown in UBC’s generic follow-up email.
