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ScholarshipCanadaNeed-basedMerit-basedLeadershipCan cover full tuition

UBC (Canada): International Scholars Program, up to the full cost of study and living

UBC awards for international applicants with leadership, strong grades and financial need. Apply by 15 November; a nominator and teachers are involved.

The University of British Columbia· UBC International Scholars Program

At a glance

Amount

From partial aid up to the full cost of the programme and living expenses (based on financial need)

Deadline
15 Nov 2026

15 November 2026

Covers
TuitionLiving costs
Duration

Whole degree

Cycle: 2027-2028

About this grant

UBC's (Canada) International Scholars Program awards international applicants with leadership, community contribution, high grades and significant financial need. The amount ranges from partial help to the full cost of the programme and housing by assessed need. You must apply straight after school for a first higher-education degree.

A nominator and teachers take part in the application. UBC's own page gives the deadline as 15 November 2026; according to reference sources the application for autumn 2027 opens in October 2026, so check the current dates on the university's website.

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Who can apply

Citizenship
any
Education level
2nd year of Bachillerato
Languages
English: level C1
Other
International student entering UBC directly from secondary school for a first degree; leadership, community contribution, outstanding grades and significant financial need

How to apply

Where to go and what to do, step by step

Where to apply
The UBC admission application and a separate International Scholars Program application (you.ubc.ca)
https://you.ubc.ca/financial-planning/scholarships-awards-international-students/international-scholars/
Go to the application page
Who submits it
You yourself
Time needed
Several weeks: essay, recommendations and income data

Steps

  1. 1

    Check the conditions: you are an international student entering UBC straight from school for a first degree; leadership, community contribution, high grades and significant financial need are required.

  2. 2

    Submit the UBC admission application and the separate award application by 15 November (the date is given by UBC's page itself). Guides say the application for fall 2027 opens in October 2026 and documents can be added until 31 January (not on UBC's page).

  3. 3

    Ask your school to act as nominator and prepare a recommendation; teacher recommendations are also needed before the deadline.

  4. 4

    Write the essay and prepare family income data for the financial assessment.

  5. 5

    Wait for the decision: from partial aid to the full cost of the programme and housing (by assessed financial need).

Apply by:15 Nov 202615 November 2026

What exactly to submit

Documents and materials to attach to the application.

  • The UBC admission application and a separate award application by 15 November
  • A nominator's (school) recommendation and teacher recommendations
  • An essay
  • Family income data for the financial assessment

Example

Example (written by us): in October Ana asks her headteacher to be the nominator and two teachers to write recommendations, writes an essay on a community project, submits both applications before 15 November and attaches her family's income data.

An example we wrote to illustrate: it is not an official sample, replace the details with your own.

How applicants are chosen

Selection by leadership, community contribution, grades and financial need; the award may cover from part to the full cost of the programme and housing.

What happens after you apply

From partial aid to the full cost of the programme and housing (by assessed need). 15 November 2026 is the deadline per UBC's page.

Common mistakes

  • Missing 15 November: it is the deadline on UBC's page and it is close
  • Submitting only the admission application: the award needs a separate one
  • Delaying the nominator's and teachers' recommendations

Tips

  • We haven't re-checked the conditions by hand yet: compare amounts and deadlines with the official page before applying.

Official links

Guide checked against the official pages: 9 October 2026. Guide written from official sources. Details may change: check them on the application page.

A letter template and a checklist to review before sending. If a local model is running on your computer, the text reads more naturally.

Verbatim from the source

“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.”
Original in englishOfficial source

Reviews

Experience from people who have already applied. These are user opinions and are not verified by the organiser.

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This information is for guidance only. Conditions change every year — check them on the provider's official website before applying.

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