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UBC International Scholars Program 2027: Need-Based Undergraduate Awards in Canada

Offered by The University of British Columbia

Closes in 28 days — 15 Nov 2026

University of British Columbia Vancouver campus buildings among autumn trees at sunset, with scholarship poster text

UBC International Scholars Program 2027 offers need-based undergraduate awards in Canada. The award application deadline is November 15, 2026.

The University of British Columbia has opened applications for its UBC International Scholars Program 2027, a set of need-and-merit-based awards for international students starting a first undergraduate degree at UBC. Applications opened on October 5, 2026, and the award application deadline is November 15, 2026, according to the official UBC International Scholars page.

The program is aimed at strong students who could not attend UBC without significant financial help. It is one of the better-known undergraduate awards in Canada, and the process starts well before the deadline because you need a school nomination.

Awards under the UBC International Scholars Program 2027

You do not pick an award. UBC considers you automatically for the categories you qualify for:

  • Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award: for students with superior academics, leadership that supports others and community service.
  • Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award: for students from impoverished or war-torn areas who have excelled despite challenges and could not attend university without significant support.
  • International Impact Award: for students showing leadership in areas such as sustainability, social justice or health, with priority for first-generation learners and students from diverse backgrounds.
  • Vantage One Excellence Award: through UBC Vantage College, for academically outstanding students who do not yet meet the English Language Admission Standard. UBC says these awards range up to the full cost of a student's program and living expenses.

UBC's page does not list fixed amounts or the number of awards for each category. Award sizes are based on assessed financial need. Note that applying to the International Scholars Program means you will not be considered for UBC's merit-only awards.

Who can apply

  • International students who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit.
  • Students entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school, for their first undergraduate degree.
  • For the 2027 Winter session, you must have finished high school no earlier than June 2026.
  • Applicants with significant financial need and no realistic way to pay for UBC without help.
  • Students with superior grades (all As or equivalent) who meet UBC admission and English requirements.

Some programs are not eligible, including Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Science, the Bachelor + Master of Management, dual degrees and joint degrees.

Key dates

  • October 5, 2026: applications open.
  • Early October: apply to UBC and set up your award account.
  • A few days before November 15: nominator and referee forms should be complete.
  • November 15, 2026: award application deadline.
  • January 31, 2027: deadline for documents, including English test results.
  • January to March: video interviews for shortlisted applicants.
  • February to April: results released on a rolling basis.

Tips before you apply

Speak to your school now. A high school or registered non-profit can nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver and one for UBC Okanagan, so places are limited. Use UBC's cost estimator to work out your family contribution honestly, since the award is built around financial need. If you are comparing options, see our guide to the highest-paid Canadian scholarships for 2027.

How to apply

  1. Choose your first-choice program and campus (UBC Vancouver or UBC Okanagan).
  2. Ask your school for a nomination and choose a teacher referee (two different people).
  3. Submit your UBC admissions application first.
  4. Create an account on the International Scholars Program application platform and invite your nominator and referee early, since their forms must be in before you can finish.
  5. Complete the financial sections and four short essays (about 150 to 250 words each).
  6. Submit the award application by November 15, 2026, and send documents by January 31, 2027.

What you will need

  • Transcripts
  • Language test result
  • Recommendation letters
  • Personal statement
  • Other

Eligibility notes

Open to international students who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit, entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school and applying for a first undergraduate degree. For the 2027 Winter session, applicants must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026. Applicants must show significant financial need, superior academic achievement (all As or equivalent) and meet UBC's English Language Admission Standard (Vantage College is an option for some who do not). Excluded programs include Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor + Master of Management, dual degrees and joint degrees.

Questions about the programme: https://account.you.ubc.ca/s/ask-ubc (shown as the organisation published it — we do not handle applications).

Details can change without notice. Confirm everything on the organisation's own page before you apply — see our disclaimer. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.