UBC’s International Scholars Program offers four merit-based, need-based grants. The information in the application will be used to decide which award or awards a student is eligible for when they are nominated for the International Scholars Programme.
- Host Country: Canada
- Host Institute: University of British Columbia
- Study Level: Undergraduate
- No. of Scholarships: 50
- Scholarship Type: Need-and-merit-based
- Opening Date: 15 September
- Closing Date: 15 November

The University of British Columbia established the International Scholars Program for exceptional international students who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree there. The program offers a variety of academic and social activities in addition to a welcoming environment for international students in order to enhance their academic achievement and cultural acculturation.
Students must be admitted to UBC, have a history of community service, show leadership, participate in extracurricular activities, and achieve great academic results in order to be eligible for the program. Except for students from the United States and Canada, all students are eligible to participate in the program.
University of British Columbia
The institution of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research institution with campuses in Kelowna and near Vancouver. Founded in 1908, it is the oldest university in British Columbia. It is among the top three universities in Canada.
Eight Nobel laureates, 74 Rhodes scholars, 65 medal-winning Olympians, 10 fellows of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the Royal Society, and 273 fellows of the Royal Society of Canada have all been affiliated with UBC. UBC educated three Canadian prime ministers, including Kim Campbell, the nation’s first female leader, and Justin Trudeau.
International Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia
Among other benefits, the International Scholars Program offers its participants priority registration for courses, mentorship opportunities, and access to exclusive academic and social events. Program members have access to a specialized academic advisor and receive additional support with graduate school applications, study abroad possibilities, and career development.
Eligibility Criteria for the International Scholars Program
Through UBC’s International Scholars Program, exceptional international students can improve their academic experience and form strong relationships with mentors and peers.
- You must be an international student with a valid study permit in order to study in Canada.
- You must be transferring from your first year of a post-secondary college or another university, or you must be coming to UBC from an accredited secondary school.
- You must have received your high school diploma before the start of the academic year for which you are applying.
- Your application for your first undergraduate degree must be submitted.
- Evidence of your academic achievement, such as all As or standards comparable thereto, must be presented.
- The English Language Admission Standard is one of the requirements for admission to UBC, along with general and Evidence of your academic achievement, such as all As or standards comparable thereto, must be presented.
- In addition to general and degree-specific criteria, the English Language Admission Standard is one of the prerequisites for admission to UBC.
- You must prove that you are unable to attend UBC to pursue a degree because of your financial circumstances. UBC automatically considers all international students for the merit-based Outstanding International Student Awards and International Major Entrance Scholarships, which have a combined annual maximum value of $35,000 each. You may apply for the International Scholars Program if this sum is not enough to pay for your tuition and other essential living expenses.
Timeline for International Scholars Program
- Your application for the International Scholars Program must be filed by November 15th.
- The deadline for UBC admissions online applications is December 1. Only your first-choice degree will be taken into consideration for an International Scholars Program scholarship, even if you may specify two degree alternatives in your application.
- For direct admission to UBC, you must fulfill the English language admission criteria by January 31st. If you have applied to a Vantage One program and wish to be considered for the Vantage One Excellent Award, you must also fulfill the English language requirement for UBC Vantage College.
How to apply
To apply for the International Scholars Program, go to this website.
Select the course of study you wish to pursue and the campus you wish to visit.
You must submit a reference from an academic referee and be nominated by your school or nonprofit organization in order to be eligible for the International Scholars Programme.
See if you can be nominated by your school or nonprofit. For UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College) and UBC Okanagan, a single high school, college, or university may submit up to three students and one student, respectively. Only high school students who are actively associated with the nonprofit organization are eligible to be nominated. The addition of this nomination will raise the total number of nominations that a student’s school is permitted to submit by one.
They will be better prepared if you let them know that you plan to apply to the International Scholars Programme and that the deadline is November 15. You should have an academic referee who is familiar with you and your work, like a professor in your field. Your nominee should be your school counselor or another suitable individual.
Compile the required financial information and record any honors and extracurricular activities.
To apply for the International Scholars Program, complete the application and send it in by November 15th.
Before December 1st, submit your application for admission to UBC.
- Note: Applications for the International Scholars Program open in September each year.
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