The UBC International Scholars Program: A Complete Guide

Is the UBC International Scholars Program Open to Indian and UAE-Based Applicants?

Yes, to both. UBC's scholarship programs are explicitly open to applicants of all nationalities worldwide, there's no restricted country list for either the International Scholars Program or UBC's other international scholarships.

What Is the International Scholars Program?

It's actually an umbrella covering four distinct named awards: the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award (for students demonstrating exceptional leadership through collaboration and empathy), the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award (specifically for students from impoverished or war-torn areas who achieved academic excellence under genuinely difficult circumstances), the International Impact Award (for students showing leadership and commitment to sustainability and climate solutions), and a fourth award category. You don't choose which one to apply for, UBC automatically considers you for whichever of the four you're eligible for based on your application.

An Important Structural Choice: You Can't Have Both

This is worth understanding clearly before you decide how to apply: if you apply to the International Scholars Program, you will not be considered for UBC's separate merit-based awards (IMES and OIS). Those merit-only awards don't factor in financial need at all and require no separate application, simply applying to UBC by the admission deadline gets you automatic consideration. The International Scholars Program is the right choice specifically if the automatic merit-based awards (worth $10,000 to $25,000 a year) wouldn't be enough to cover your actual cost of attending UBC.

Who Is Eligible for the International Scholars Program?

According to UBC's official guidance:

• An international student studying in Canada on a Canadian study permit
• Entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school, or transferring from your first year at a post-secondary college or university
• Graduated high school within the relevant window before your intended entry year (the exact cutoff shifts by cycle, generally within roughly one to two years, confirm the current cycle's specific date)
• Applying for your first undergraduate degree
• Superior academic achievement, essentially all A's or an equivalent standard
• Nominated by your school or a non-profit organisation, this is a hard requirement, you cannot apply without one
• A number of specific degrees are excluded from this program: Bachelor of Nursing (both campuses), Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, the Bachelor and Master of Management dual degree, and any joint or dual degree programs, whether between UBC's two campuses or with another institution.

Able to demonstrate a significant level of financial need, specifically that pursuing a UBC degree would be genuinely impossible without meaningful financial help, and that your family cannot afford a significant portion of your costs and has no access to external funding

Meeting UBC's admission requirements, including the English Language Admission Standard, though students who don't yet meet this may still be eligible through UBC's Vantage College pathway and its own Vantage One Excellence Award

What Does the International Scholars Program Cover?

The award value is proportional to your actual demonstrated financial need, calculated as your total cost (tuition, fees, and living costs) minus the financial contribution your family can realistically make each year, rather than one fixed amount for every recipient. It can cover the full cost of attendance for qualifying students. The award is renewable for up to three additional years of undergraduate study, or until degree completion, whichever comes first, provided you maintain satisfactory academic standing, continue to demonstrate financial need, and keep your Canadian study permit valid.

How Do I Apply for the International Scholars Program?

1. Secure a nomination from your school or a non-profit organisation. A single high school, college, or university can nominate up to three students for UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College), and one student for UBC Okanagan. A non-profit can only nominate a student it's directly involved with
2. Arrange an academic referee, typically a teacher familiar with your work in your chosen area of study, to submit a reference on your behalf
3. Start your UBC admissions application, this is a required prerequisite for the International Scholars Program application itself
4. Gather your financial documentation early, since UBC's needs assessment reviews detailed information including family gross income, expenses, and assets, this is a genuinely in-depth process worth starting well ahead of the deadline
5. Submit your International Scholars Program application by 15 November, and your UBC admissions application by 1 December, for the relevant intake year
6. Submit any required transcripts or academic certificates by 31 January, a separate deadline from the general "Next Steps" document request most applicants receive
7. You may be invited to complete a video interview, with about one week to record your responses through the online application platform
8. Await your decision, typically communicated by mid-April
9. Applications for the following year's intake typically open in September.

FAQs About the UBC International Scholars Program

Are Indian and UAE citizens eligible?

Yes. UBC scholarships are open to applicants from all countries, with no restricted eligibility list.

Can I apply for both the International Scholars Program and UBC's merit-based awards?

No. Applying to the International Scholars Program excludes you from consideration for the separate merit-only IMES and OIS awards.

Do I need a nomination to apply?

Yes. You cannot apply to the International Scholars Program without being nominated by your school or an affiliated non-profit organisation.

How much funding does the program provide?

It's proportional to demonstrated financial need rather than a fixed amount, and can cover the full cost of tuition and living expenses for qualifying students.

Can transfer students apply, or only students coming directly from high school?

Both. You can apply either entering directly from an accredited secondary school, or transferring from your first year at another post-secondary college or university.

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Sources: Official UBC Undergraduate Programs and Admissions website (you.ubc.ca), including its International Scholars Program and general international student scholarships pages.