The University of British Columbia knocks up to CAD 3,200 a year off international graduate tuition through the International Tuition Award, and it does so without a form: every eligible international master’s and doctoral student at the Vancouver campus is considered automatically. Indian students assessed international tuition fees are inside that group.
UBC’s own award page for the International Tuition Award was checked today; the value, eligibility rules and payment schedule below come from it, not from an aggregator.
UBC International Tuition Award: quick facts
Quick facts2026-27
| Scholarship from | University of British Columbia (UBC), Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Vancouver campus |
| Last date to apply | No application form – UBC lists the award timing as “likely in December 2026” and assigns it automatically |
| Official website | grad.ubc.ca/awards/international-tuition-award |
What the award is worth
The International Tuition Award is worth up to CAD 3,200 per year. It is a tuition award, not a stipend: the money is applied to the tuition fees of international graduate students registered full-time in research-oriented master’s and doctoral programs at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
- Value: up to CAD 3,200 per year.
- Levels: research-oriented master’s programs and doctoral programs.
- Campus: UBC Vancouver.
- Payments: three equal instalments, one at the start of each term.
Who is eligible
UBC applies four conditions, and the first one decides most cases: you must be assessed international tuition fees. If you are assessed domestic fees, the award does not apply, and once you become a permanent resident your award is pro-rated to the end of the last term for which you were charged international fees.
- You must be charged international tuition fees.
- You must be registered full-time in one of the graduate programs UBC includes in the award – the amount per program is listed under “Tuition & Financial Support” in the Graduate Degree Programs listing.
- You are not eligible if external funding covers your tuition at or above the award’s value (for example a home-government award or a Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship).
- If your external tuition funding is lower than the award, the International Tuition Award is reduced by that amount.
- Staff tuition waiver holders cannot receive the award.
How the award is assigned and paid
There is no application. UBC says all eligible international students are considered automatically, and awards are assigned on Workday once you register for courses in the upcoming term. Students then accept the award online in Workday.
Payment comes in three equal instalments – one at the start of each term. The September and January instalments are assigned in late August each year, and the May instalment in late April. If the award has not appeared by the start of term and you believe you qualify, UBC asks you to contact the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies with your student number.
What you actually have to do
- Apply for admission to a UBC Vancouver research master’s or doctoral program and accept the offer.
- Register for courses in the coming term – UBC’s system needs that registration before the award can be assigned to your Workday account.
- Check Workday for the award, and accept it online.
- If you hold external tuition funding, report it: it reduces or removes the award depending on its size.
That registration step is the one students miss. An admitted student who has not registered has no award assigned, and UBC’s own instruction is to contact Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies rather than wait.
The award it is often confused with
The International Tuition Award is not the Four Year Doctoral Fellowship. The 4YF pays CAD 24,000 a year plus full tuition for up to four years of PhD, DMA or MDPhD study and is nominated by the graduate program. The tuition award is a much smaller, automatic tuition credit available to research master’s students as well. Read about the UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship if you are applying for a PhD.
Frequently asked questions
Up to CAD 3,200 per year, paid in three equal instalments at the start of each term towards your tuition fees.
No. All international students who are eligible are automatically considered, and the award is assigned on Workday once you register for the upcoming term.
Yes, if you are assessed international tuition fees and are registered full-time in an included research master’s or doctoral program at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
There is no application deadline. UBC lists the award timing as “likely in December 2026” and assigns it automatically; the practical requirement is that you register for courses in the term.
Yes. If external funding for your tuition is equal to or higher than the award, you are not eligible; if it is lower, the award is reduced by that amount.
Yes. It covers research-oriented master’s and doctoral programs at UBC Vancouver, unlike the Four Year Doctoral Fellowship which is for doctoral study only.
Official links
- UBC International Tuition Award – official award page
- UBC Graduate Degree Programs and per-program award amounts
- All UBC graduate awards
Browse more: Study Abroad Scholarships | Post Graduation Scholarships | International Scholarships
Related scholarship posts
- UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship: CAD 24,000 Stipend Plus Full Tuition
- UBC Outstanding International Student Award 2027
- Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2027