Scholarships
and awards for international students
The diversity
that international students contribute to our community enriches it
immeasurably. UBC recognizes the academic achievement of outstanding students
from around the world by devoting more than $10 million CAD annually to awards,
scholarships, and other forms of financial support for i
nternational
undergraduate students.
Merit-based
awards
International
Major Entrance Scholarship
Each year,
International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES) are awarded
to exceptional international students entering undergraduate programs at
UBC. Students receive their scholarships when they enter their first year at
UBC, and the scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years
of study.
The scholarship
totals up to $40,000 CAD, payable at up to $10,000 CAD per year for
four years. The exact number and level of scholarships varies each
year, depending on available funding.
Am
I eligible?
To be considered
for the IMES, you must
- be a
new student to UBC, entering directly from secondary school - be an
international student who will be studying at UBC on a Canadian study
permit (student visa). (Changes to your citizenship status will
affect your IMES eligibility.) - demonstrate
exceptional academic achievement, intellectual promise, as well as
impressive extracurricular and community involvement - apply
to UBC by January 15
Outstanding
International Student Award
The Outstanding
International Student (OIS) Award is a one-time merit-based entrance
scholarship awarded to qualified students when they are offered admission to
UBC. Grades and the Personal Profile
are reviewed for consideration for the award. OIS amounts range from $2,500 to
$10,000 CAD.
Am
I eligible?
To
be considered for an OIS Award, you must
- be new
to UBC, entering directly from secondary school or post-secondary
(university or college) - be an
international student studying at UBC on a Canadian study permit
(student visa). (Changes to your citizenship status will affect your
scholarship eligibility.) - demonstrate
outstanding academic achievement and strong extra-curricular involvement - apply
to UBC by January 15
I’ve applied to UBC. But what about
the OIS and IMES?
You probably have
some questions about how the OIS and IMES are awarded, when you’ll hear from
UBC about them, and when you’ll get the money. Here are some answers:
Do I need to
apply for admission by a certain date to be considered for OIS and IMES?
You must submit your
UBC application for admission by January
15 in order to be considered for the OIS and IMES.
How will I
be considered for OIS or IMES?
All international
students are automatically considered for the OIS and/or IMES as soon as they
have received an offer of admission to UBC. After you have received an offer of
admission, your UBC application will be reviewed a second time – for OIS and
IMES consideration. If you are selected for an award, you will be notified
no more than three weeks after being offered admission to UBC.
When are OIS
and IMES decisions made?
Decisions are made
on a rolling basis, beginning in February. You will be notified of your OIS or
IMES status sometime between February and mid-April, depending on when you
receive your offer of admission to UBC.
How will I
be notified about the scholarship/award?
Students who are
selected to receive the OIS and/or IMES will be notified by email between
February and April.
I was
awarded both the OIS and the IMES. Will I only get one, or can I receive both?
Depending on merit,
you may receive the OIS only, the IMES only, or both the OIS and the IMES. If
you are eligible for both, you will receive the OIS in first year, and you will
receive the IMES over the course of your four-year degree.
Three weeks
have passed since my status on the SSC was updated to “admitted,” and I still
have not heard about OIS or IMES. What does that mean?
If it has been three
weeks or longer since your SSC status was updated to “admitted,” then it has
been determined that you are not eligible for OIS or IMES.
When will I
receive my OIS and/or IMES funds?
You must complete
course registration starting in June. The funds are then applied directly
toward your tuition and fees in two scheduled installments – one in September
and one in January.
Can I apply
for scholarships and awards while I am a UBC student?
Yes, international students in excellent standing at UBC may apply for and
receive small financial awards for their second, third, and fourth years of
study. However, it is important to know that these awards are very selective,
are given only one year at a time, and cover a small fraction of your overall
tuition fees. They will not cover the full costs of studying and living at UBC.
Merit- and need-based awards
International
Scholars Program
UBC’s International
Scholars Program offers significant support for outstanding
international undergraduate students through the International Leader of Tomorrow
Award and the Donald A. Wehrung International
Student Award. Learn more about these awards, including how to be
nominated.
The
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC
The MasterCard
Foundation Scholars Program at UBC provides academically talented yet
economically disadvantaged young people from Sub-Saharan Africa with access to
quality and relevant university education at UBC. Learn more about the MasterCard Foundation
Scholars Program at UBC, including howto be nominated.
Vantage
One Excellence Award
This award is
offered to students beginning their undergraduate studies at UBC in the Vantage
One Program who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. Learn
more about the Vantage
One Excellence Award, including eligibility requirements.
Scholarships
and awards for current international students
UBC continues to
support international students through a variety of in-program scholarships and
awards. Scholarship and award amounts will vary, as will their renewability –
the largest amount is currently $5,000 per year. To find out about the
scholarships and awards that are available to current international UBC
students, visit:
