Ubc International Scholars Program 2027 In Canada: Fully Funded Support For Outstanding International Students

UBC International Scholars Program 2027 in Canada: Fully Funded Support for Outstanding International Students

The University of British Columbia (UBC) has opened applications for the UBC International Scholars Program 2027 for international students who want to begin an undergraduate degree in Canada in September 2027. This is one of Canada's most competitive need-and-merit-based scholarship programmes for students entering university directly from secondary school.

The programme supports international students who have shown outstanding academic achievement, leadership qualities, and exceptional contributions to their communities, and who require meaningful financial support to attend UBC. Successful scholars also join a globally connected learning community, with dedicated advising, skill-building workshops and retreats, and opportunities for exchange and co-op.

Scholarship benefits and funding

The UBC International Scholars Program offers four categories of prestigious need-and-merit-based awards across UBC's Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Applicants do not choose a specific award category; UBC automatically considers each applicant for the awards they are eligible for.

Funding is based on assessed financial need, and some awards can cover up to the full cost of a student's academic programme and living expenses. Scholars also receive dedicated International Scholars Program advising to support their academic, personal and career development.

Please note: If you apply to the International Scholars Program, you will not be considered for UBC's merit-based awards in the same application cycle. Applicants should review UBC's merit and entrance-based award options first to decide which route is right for them.

Who can apply? Eligibility requirements

You must meet all of the following requirements. UBC states there are no exceptions to the eligibility criteria:

- 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.

- For the 2027 Winter Session, you must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026.

- You are applying for your first undergraduate degree.

- You can prove significant financial need. It would be impossible for you to pursue a UBC degree without meaningful financial help, and your family is not able to afford a significant level of your educational costs and does not have access to external funding.

- You meet UBC's general and degree-specific admission requirements.

- You demonstrate superior academic achievement, achieving all As or an equivalent standard.

- You meet UBC's English Language Admission Standard. If you do not yet meet the standard 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 (Okanagan and Vancouver), Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor + Master of Management, dual degrees, joint degrees between UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver, and joint degrees with other post-secondary institutions.

Available courses and fields of study

The programme is for a first undergraduate degree at UBC, subject to the exclusions above. Applicants are considered for their first-choice programme, and should also select a second-choice programme. Choose your academic programme and campus carefully before you apply.

Required documents and information

Applicants should prepare:

- A completed UBC admissions application

- A school nomination and a separate teacher referee recommendation

- Academic transcripts and high school certificates, as required by UBC Admissions

- English language test results, where required, received by UBC by 31 January 2027

- Family financial information, including annual income and expenses, family wealth and assets, dependants, annual school fees, and sources of financial support

- Extra-curricular information and awards

- Four essay questions of approximately 150-250 words each

- A possible video interview, if invited, between January and March

How to apply: step-by-step

1. Decide on your academic programme and campus. You will be considered for your first-choice programme.

2. Discuss the nomination with your school. You need one nominator (such as a guidance counsellor, principal or administrator) and one teacher referee, and they must be different people. A high school or registered non-profit organisation may nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College) and one student for UBC Okanagan.

3. Apply to UBC. Submit your UBC Admissions application first, because you must have completed it before starting your award application.

4. Create an account for the award application and invite your nominator and teacher referee. You cannot complete your award application until both the nominator and teacher referee forms have been completed and submitted. UBC recommends these be submitted a few days before 15 November.

5. Gather your financial information and complete your sections of the award application, including your essays and financial need calculation using UBC's cost estimator.

6. Submit your completed International Scholars Program application by 15 November 2026. UBC recommends submitting well in advance in case of technical difficulties.

7. Submit required admission documents by 31 January 2027, and meet UBC's English Language Admission Standard by the same date.

8. If invited, complete the video interview within one week, and check your email regularly. Results will be released on a rolling basis from February to April, and by early to mid-April UBC will let you know if you have received an award.

Application deadline

- International Scholars Program application deadline: 15 November 2026

- Admission documents and English language requirements deadline: 31 January 2027

- Housing application deadline, if applicable: 1 May 2027. UBC advises award applicants to wait until award decisions are released before applying for residence.

Official application link and source

Apply and read the full official details here:

https://you.ubc.ca/financial-planning/scholarships-awards-international-students/international-scholars

Always verify the current requirements on the official UBC page before you submit, as deadlines and programme details can change. Start early, especially for the nomination, because applications started shortly before the deadline are less likely to be successful.