UBC International Scholars 2027: Apply by 15 Nov

The UBC International Scholars Program is the University of British Columbia’s need-and-merit scholarship programme for international students entering an undergraduate degree in Canada. Applications for the September 2027 intake open in early October 2026, and the last date to apply is 15 November 2026.

This is one of the few full-support scholarships for international undergraduates in Canada that is based on financial need, so it rewards students who are academically strong but could not fund a Canadian degree on their own.

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UBC International Scholars Program 2027

Quick facts2026-27

Scholarship from	The University of British Columbia, Vancouver and Okanagan campuses (Canada)
Study level	Your first undergraduate degree, entering UBC directly from secondary school
Who can apply	International students who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit, with superior academic achievement (all As or equivalent) and proven financial need
What is covered	Four need-and-merit award categories that cover a significant part of tuition and living costs. UBC does not publish a fixed amount – the award follows the assessed financial need.
Last date to apply	15 November 2026, 11:59 pm PST (documents and English language requirement by 31 January 2027)
Official website	you.ubc.ca – UBC International Scholars Program

Go to official website

What the UBC International Scholars Program awards are

The official page explains that there are four categories of prestigious need-and-merit-based awards inside the programme. You do not choose one – UBC considers you automatically for the awards you are eligible for:

Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award – for exceptional prospective international undergraduate students who show superior academic achievement and exemplary leadership, including collaboration, empathy and active listening.
Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award – for outstanding international undergraduate students from impoverished or war-torn areas who have achieved academic excellence under challenging circumstances and could not attend university without significant financial assistance.
International Impact Award – for exceptional students who have shown leadership and commitment to sustainability and climate change, natural resource conservation and management.
Vantage One Excellence Award – 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.

UBC does not publish a rupee or dollar figure for these awards, because the value depends on your assessed financial need. Treat the programme as a significant but need-based package rather than a fixed full scholarship.

Who is eligible for the UBC International Scholars Program

UBC states that there are no exceptions to the eligibility criteria. To be considered you must:

Be an international student who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit.
Be entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school. Applicants for the 2027 Winter session must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026.
Be applying for your first undergraduate degree.
Prove significant financial need, supported by official documents covering your family’s gross income, expenses and assets. UBC runs a financial assessment.
Demonstrate superior academic achievement (all As or equivalent standard) and meet UBC’s admission requirements and English Language Admission Standard.

Two exclusions are important. If you apply to the International Scholars Program, UBC states that you will not be considered for merit-based awards, so pick the route that fits you. And some degrees are not eligible for these awards: the Bachelor of Nursing (Vancouver and Okanagan), the Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene, the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, the Bachelor + Master of Management degree, dual degrees, and joint degrees between UBC Okanagan and UBC Vancouver or with other post-secondary institutions.

What you need to submit for UBC International Scholars

The application is more detailed than a normal scholarship form, because UBC assesses both your academics and your family’s finances:

A completed UBC admissions application – you must finish it before you can start the award application.
A nomination: one nominator (guidance counsellor, principal or administrator) and one teacher referee, who must be different people. A high school or registered non-profit may nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College) and one student for UBC Okanagan.
Family financial information: annual income and expenses, family wealth and assets, dependents and annual school fees, and sources of financial support.
Four essay questions of approximately 150 to 250 words each.
Official documents to prove financial need, and official English test results if you do not meet the English Language Admission Standard for direct entry.

How to apply for the UBC International Scholars Program

UBC publishes an official step-by-step timeline, and each step has its own date:

Mid-September 2026: decide on your academic programme and campus. You are considered for your first-choice programme, but you should still select a second choice.
Late September 2026: discuss the nomination with your school and confirm that it can nominate you.
Early October 2026: submit your UBC admissions application, which is required before the award application.
Early October 2026: create your award application account and invite your nominator and teacher referee to complete their forms – they need to submit a few days before 15 November.
By 15 November 2026: submit the completed International Scholars Program application. UBC recommends submitting well before the deadline.
January to March 2027: applicants may be invited to a video interview, with one week to record the responses.
By 31 January 2027: make sure UBC Admissions has your official English test results and any other outstanding admission documents.

UBC International Scholars important dates 2027

September 2026	UBC advises starting the process and agreeing the nomination with your school
Early October 2026	Award applications open; UBC admissions application must be submitted
15 November 2026, 11:59 pm PST	Last date to apply to UBC and submit the award application
January to March 2027	Possible video interview stage
31 January 2027	Deadline for the English Language Admission Standard and admission documents
May 2027	Deadline to apply for UBC housing (wait for your award decision first)

What is the UBC International Scholars Program?

It is the University of British Columbia’s scholarship programme for international students entering their first undergraduate degree. It offers four need-and-merit award categories to students with strong academics who could not otherwise afford to study at UBC.

What is the last date to apply for UBC International Scholars?

The last date is 15 November 2026 at 11:59 pm PST, when you must have applied to UBC and submitted the award application. Documents and the English language requirement are due by 31 January 2027.

Do I need an admission offer from UBC to apply?

You do not need an offer, but you must have submitted your UBC admissions application before you can start the International Scholars Program application. UBC asks for confirmation that the admissions application has been submitted.

How much money does the UBC International Scholars Program give?

UBC does not publish a fixed amount. The awards are need-based, so the value depends on the financial need assessed from your family income, expenses and assets. There are four award categories, including the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award and the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award.

Can Indian students apply for UBC International Scholars?

Yes. The programme is open to international students from all countries, including India, as long as they will study at UBC on a Canadian study permit and meet the academic and financial need requirements.

Can I also apply for UBC merit scholarships?

No. UBC states that if you apply to the International Scholars Program, you will not be considered for merit-based awards. Applicants may only be considered for either the need-based or the merit-based award programme.

Which UBC degrees are not eligible for these awards?

The Bachelor of Nursing (Vancouver and Okanagan), the Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene, the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, the Bachelor + Master of Management degree, and dual or joint degrees are not eligible.

UBC International Scholars Program 2027 for International Students