The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers the International Scholars Program, which provides prestigious need-and-merit-based awards for international students. These awards recognize exceptional academic achievement, leadership skills, commitment to sustainability and social justice, and financial need.
1. Overview of the International Scholars Program
The International Scholars Program at UBC offers four categories of awards to international undergraduate students. These awards are:
| Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award | This award recognizes prospective international undergraduate students who demonstrate superior academic achievement and exemplary leadership skills. The recipients of this award should support and empower others through collaboration, empathy, and active listening. |
| Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award | This award is for outstanding international undergraduate students from impoverished or war-torn areas. It recognizes students who have achieved academic excellence under challenging circumstances and would be unable to attend university without significant financial assistance. |
| International Impact Award | This award is offered to exceptional students who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to sustainability, 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 backgrounds. |
| Vantage One Excellence Award | This award is offered by UBC Vantage College to academically outstanding international students who do not yet meet the English Language Admission Standard for direct admission to UBC. |
2. Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the International Scholars Program at UBC, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be an international student studying in Canada on a Canadian study permit.
- Enter UBC from a recognized secondary school or transfer from the first year at a post-secondary college or university.
- Have graduated from high school no earlier than the month of June two years prior to the academic year they are applying to.
- Apply for their first undergraduate degree.
- Demonstrate superior academic achievement.
- Demonstrate a level of financial need that would otherwise prevent them from pursuing a UBC degree.
- Meet UBC’s admission requirements, including the English Language Admission Standard.
For the Vantage One Excellence Award, the additional eligibility criteria include not meeting UBC’s English Language Admission Standard, meeting the UBC Vantage College admission requirements, coming directly from high school, and beginning undergraduate studies at UBC in the UBC Vantage One Program.
3. Scholarship Value and Duration
The value of the UBC International Scholars Program is proportional to the financial need of the students. Financial need is determined by totalling tuition, fees, and living costs, and subtracting the financial contribution the student and their family can make each year. A standard needs assessment is based on the financial information provided by the student and their family.
The scholarship may be renewed for up to three additional years of undergraduate study or until degree completion, whichever comes first. This is provided that the student maintains satisfactory academic standing in their faculty, continues to demonstrate financial need, and maintains their Canadian study permit (student visa).
Application Process
To apply for the International Scholars Program, students must be nominated by their school or a non-profit organization. They also need to submit a reference from an academic referee. It is essential to confirm that the school or non-profit organization is able to nominate the student and inform the nominator and academic referee about the student’s intention to apply for the program.
When submitting the application, students do not need to select a specific award. UBC will automatically consider them for the awards they are eligible for. The application deadline for the International Scholars Program is usually on November 15th, and the admissions application to UBC must be submitted by December 1st. Additionally, students must meet the UBC English Language Admission Requirement by January 31st.
Online Application
To access the online application form, simply click on Apply Now below:
