Applications for the 2026 school year are now open.
Applications for the 2026 school year are now open.
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
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.
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.
Applications for 2026 are now open to apply to winter session (September 2026 – April 2027).
Mid- September: Decide on your academic program/campus
Decide on the academic program you want to study, and which campus you want to choose. For the awards, you will be considered for your first choice program. You should still select a second choice program.
Late September: Decide on a nominator/referee
You’ll need 1 nominator (guidance counsellor, principal, administrator, etc.) and 1 teacher referee. The nominator and teacher referee must be different people. Your teacher referee should be someone who is familiar with you and your work in your chosen area of study. Your nominator should be able to speak to your educational goals and your character.
A high school, college, university, or registered non-profit organization may nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College), and one student for UBC Okanagan. If the applicant is nominated by a non-profit the nomination will count towards the total nominations permitted from a student’s school.
Early October: Discuss your nomination and create an account
Let your nominator and teacher referee know the following:
After, create your application account and invite your nominator and referee to complete their forms. Follow up with them to make sure they’ve received the invitation. Please note, you cannot complete your award application until both the nominator and teacher referee form have been completed and submitted.
Early October: Start your UBC admissions application
Start your UBC Admissions application. This is required for your International Scholars Program application.
Mid-October: Gather relevant information for application and complete your sections of the award application
You’ll be asked for information like:
This will be a very in-depth process, so make sure you give yourself time to gather your financial information and time to fill out the application itself.
By November 17: Submit your completed application
The International Scholars Program application is due November 17. It’s recommended to submit well in advance of November 17 in case of technical difficulties.
By December 1: Apply to UBC
You must have submitted your online application for admission to UBC.
By January 31: Submit required documents
Several weeks after you apply to UBC, you will receive an email with the subject line “Your UBC Application – Next Steps” from the UBC Undergraduate Admissions Office. Follow the instructions in that message to submit any documents required to evaluate your application. As a UBC International Scholars Program applicant, your document deadline is January 31 and not the date listed in the “Your UBC Application – Next Steps” email. If your required transcripts/ high school academic certificates are not available by January 31, submit them as soon as they are available.
Mid- April: Check your email to learn if you have received an award
In mid-April, we will let you know if you have received an award. Be sure to check your email to find out. If you plan to apply for UBC Housing, please wait until our award decisions are released before applying for residence. The deadline to apply for housing is May 1.
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.
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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“…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.”
“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.”
“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.”
International Scholars since 2001
countries represented among International Scholars
hours of developmental workshops and one-on-one support available to Scholars over the course of their degree
International Scholars since 2001
countries represented among International Scholars
hours of developmental workshops and one-on-one support available to Scholars over the course of their degree
If you have questions about UBC’s International Scholars Program.