International Scholars

International Scholars

Applications for the 2026 school year are now closed.

Find your community, build your skills, and get support.

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.

As a UBC International Scholar, you will

  • Earn a globally recognized degree at a top university
  • Study with the brightest students in the world
  • Get access to unique learning opportunities
  • Get dedicated advising and support

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 for the Program

You must meet all of these requirements to be eligible for the program. There are no exceptions to the eligibility criteria.

As part of our evaluation process, we do a financial assessment. This includes reviewing documents outlining your family’s gross income, expenses, family assets, etc.

If you apply to the International Scholars Program, you will not be considered for merit-based awards.

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.

How to apply for the International Scholars Program

Applications for 2026 are now closed. Check back in the summer for more information about awards for September 2027.

Award categories

There are four categories of prestigious need-and-merit-based awards available through UBC’s International Scholars Program.

You won’t select which award you wish to receive when you submit your application – our team will automatically consider you for the awards that you are eligible for.

This award recognizes exceptional prospective international undergraduate students who demonstrate superior academic achievement and exemplary leadership skills that support and empower others through collaboration, empathy and active listening. It recognizes students who have made a positive impact through their involvement in various school and community service projects and initiatives, and attained notable achievement in other academic or extra-curricular pursuits.

This award recognizes outstanding international undergraduate students from impoverished or war-torn areas who have achieved academic excellence under challenging circumstances, and who would be unable to attend university without significant financial assistance. Students should demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.

This award is offered to exceptional students who have demonstrated leadership as well as commitment to and solutions for sustainability and climate change, natural resource conservation and management, social justice, equity and inclusion, or societal health and wellness. Priority is given to first generation learners and those from diverse lived backgrounds.

This award is offered by UBC Vantage College for academically outstanding international students who do not yet meet the English Language Admission Standard for direct admission to UBC. The awards range in value up to the full cost of a student’s academic program and living expenses. Students should demonstrate leadership skills, impactful involvement in student affairs and community service, and notable achievement in other academic or extra-curricular pursuits.

Meet UBC's International Scholars

Get to know a few of our International Scholars.

  • “I am very grateful for this award as it put an incredible financial burden off my family’s shoulders and provided me with a strong support network and opportunities for growth. Many of my closest friends at UBC come from the same scholarship cohort.”

    Andrej | Slovakia | Commerce
    Read his story
  • “The community of scholars has become the best support system I could have asked for. We started as friends, and now, we are almost like family. The programming associated with this award equips us with a comprehensive set of skills necessary for success. From job applications and navigating the career ladder to developing leadership abilities, the support is thorough and multifaceted. We help each other and push one another toward success, fostering an environment where everyone thrives. This collaborative spirit has undoubtedly opened doors to numerous opportunities, both academically and professionally.”

    Nane | Armenia | Physics
  • “My education has propelled me into the world of renewable energy, and continues to aid my development as I navigate through a variety of fields such as construction, global sustainability, and change management. My time at UBC gives me a unique approach when looking into problems I am presented with. I’ve always aspired to bring positive change to the world, and my degree with UBC gave me a direction in which to seek such change.”

    Shriya | Tanzania | Mechanical Engineering
  • “My undergraduate studies dotting across Chemistry, Biology, and Computer Science, contributed to my flexible and broad-level thinking, curiosity, and strong conceptual ability in connecting different topics. These attributes are some of the necessary ingredients towards achieving my career goals. Most impactful, the full scholarship offered to me by UBC enabled me to move out of my home and pursue my path in Science…[without] which I would have otherwise been unable to.”

    Guilherme | Mozambique | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • International scholar Larita headshot

    “This award for me has been a life-changing experience. I have been able to make so many meaningful connections both on and off campus…I have met some of the best people whom I can call friends. I have also had the opportunity to get my hands on so many things while learning such as community involvement, clubs, competitions, and internships. All these are possible due to the wholesome support the Scholars community has given me but also the trust they have that I can make the right call. I have also been able to make an impact and give back to my community back home through involvement with empowering programs.”

    Larita | Kenya | Electrical Engineering
  • “This award allowed me to pursue a world-class education, meet the most amazing people, and learn that it really is, mine. I am extremely grateful that I was chosen to be a part of such an excellent cohort of people, and I hope to make the International Student Initiative proud as I undertake my next endeavors.”

    Marco | Uganda | Political Science
  • International scholar Rielle headshot

    “I have this award to thank for the endless opportunities that I’ve been able to experience at my time at UBC. Without [it], I wouldn’t have been able to travel to Canada and pursue my passion. This award allowed me realize the potential I have not only in writing, but in other fields as well.”

    Rielle | Philippines | Creative Writing
    Read Rielle's story
  • “…my university years were the most critical and fundamental years of my life—they set me on the right path for the career and life that I have come to appreciate so much…The level of support and infrastructure available to you as students, especially International Scholars, are second to none.”

    Dhira | Thailand | Mathematics (BSc), Economics
  • International scholar Hammad headshot

    “This award has opened up opportunities beyond what I would have imagined. First, it has helped me grow personally and professionally. The award’s support and resources have enabled me to develop new skills and knowledge, discover my potential, and shape my personal growth. The experiences I’ve gained, the memories I’ve made, and the people I’ve met have each positively impacted who I have become.”

    Hammad | Palestine | Geography
    Read Hammad's story
  • “This award has allowed me to reach my full potential and has constantly challenged me to improve and better myself, whether it’s academically, pursuing greater endeavours, or by providing me with constant support and a sense of community. Having the opportunity to interact and learn from my fellow scholars is always an inspiring and rewarding experience that has helped me better myself time and time again.”

    Mahshid | Iran | Applied Animal Biology
  • 560 +

    International Scholars since 2001

  • 108 +

    countries represented among International Scholars

  • 200 +

    hours of developmental workshops and one-on-one support available to Scholars over the course of their degree

  • 560 +

    International Scholars since 2001

  • 108 +

    countries represented among International Scholars

  • 200 +

    hours of developmental workshops and one-on-one support available to Scholars over the course of their degree

Contact us

If you have questions about UBC’s International Scholars Program.