The University of British Columbia Spends Over $35 Million on International Student Scholarships Every Year

Let’s start with a number most people don’t believe the first time they hear it.

The University of British Columbia allocates more than $35 million annually in awards and scholarships specifically for international undergraduate students.

That’s not spread across all students. That’s for international students alone.

And yet, every year, thousands of qualified applicants miss out — not because they weren’t good enough, but because they didn’t understand how UBC’s scholarship system actually works.

Because here’s the thing most scholarship articles won’t tell you: UBC runs multiple scholarship tracks, and choosing the wrong one can disqualify you from the others.

That one detail changes everything. Let’s break it all down.

The Scholarship Most Applicants Get Considered for Without Knowing It

When you apply for admission to UBC by the deadline, you’re automatically considered for two merit-based entrance awards. No extra form. No separate application.

Most applicants don’t even realise they’re in the running.

International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)

This is UBC’s flagship merit award for international undergraduates.

Worth $10,000 to $25,000 per year
Renewable for up to 4 years (depending on conditions and funding)
For students entering directly from secondary school

That renewal is the part people underestimate. At the top end, you’re looking at up to $100,000 across your degree — from a single scholarship you didn’t even have to apply for separately.

Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award

This is a one-time entrance award — not renewable, but still substantial.

Worth $10,000 to $25,000
Available to students entering from secondary school or transferring from another post-secondary institution

If you’re a transfer student, pay attention. Most Canadian university scholarships shut the door on transfers. This one doesn’t.

Now, both of these awards sound straightforward. Apply for admission, get considered automatically. Simple.

But there’s a timing detail that catches people off guard.

The Timeline Detail Most Applicants Miss

UBC reviews admissions and scholarships as separate processes.

That means getting admitted doesn’t automatically mean you’ll hear about a scholarship at the same time. Scholarship decisions for merit awards are typically made between mid-February and the end of April, and here’s the part that stings — UBC usually only contacts successful recipients.

If you don’t hear anything, you probably didn’t get it.

No rejection email. No “better luck next time.” Just silence.

Knowing this saves you weeks of anxious waiting and lets you plan around other options if needed. Most guides don’t mention it.

The “Full Scholarship” — And Why It Comes With a Catch

When people say “full scholarship at UBC,” they’re usually talking about the International Scholars Program.

This is the university’s most comprehensive award. It considers academic excellence, leadership, community contribution, and financial need. For students who qualify, it can cover a significant portion — or all — of their costs.

But here’s the catch most applicants discover too late:

If you apply to the International Scholars Program, you are automatically excluded from consideration for IMES and OIS awards.

Read that again.

You cannot be considered for both tracks. You have to choose. And once you choose, there’s no going back.

This means a student with a strong academic profile but moderate financial need might actually receive more total funding through the automatic merit awards than by entering the International Scholars Program — where competition is fiercer and the financial need assessment is rigorous.

There’s no universal right answer. But understanding the tradeoff is what separates informed applicants from everyone else.

What the International Scholars Program requires

This is not a quick form. The application involves:

A nominator (someone who knows your work and can speak to your impact)
A teacher referee (academic reference)
A detailed award application covering leadership, community contributions, and financial circumstances
A completed UBC admissions application as part of the package

The program also changes each cycle. For example, applications for the 2026 intake were already closed at the time of writing — so if you’re planning for the next cycle, start preparing your profile now, even if the application window hasn’t opened yet.

One more thing: certain degree programmes are not eligible under this program. Always verify your intended programme on the official page before building your entire strategy around it.

The UBC Okanagan Awards Nobody Talks About

Most international students only think about UBC Vancouver. That’s a mistake.

UBC’s second campus — UBC Okanagan — has its own automatic tuition awards, and they’re surprisingly easy to access.

Global Elevation Award

$8,000 applied to tuition
Renewable for up to 4 years
Paid in two instalments ($4,000 per term)
Automatic — no separate application needed once you accept your offer and enrol

International Welcome Award

$5,000 toward first-year tuition
For students who list a UBC Okanagan programme as their first choice, get accepted, and enrol
Also automatic once you accept and register

Here’s why this matters strategically.

A student who chooses UBC Okanagan as their first choice could receive both the Global Elevation Award and the Welcome Award — that’s $13,000 in year one before even being considered for IMES or OIS.

If UBC Okanagan offers your programme and you’re open to the campus, this is one of the most overlooked funding combinations in Canadian university scholarships.

The Pathway Option Most Students Write Themselves Off From

If your English proficiency doesn’t yet meet UBC’s direct entry requirements, most students assume they’re out of the running.

They’re wrong.

UBC has a programme called Vantage One — a pathway for academically strong international students who need additional English language support. Vantage One has its own scholarship awards with varying timelines and eligibility.

This matters because some students only become their strongest selves after stabilising their English, improving their grades, and building consistent involvement. If that’s you, don’t count yourself out. The pathway exists for a reason.

What UBC Actually Looks for in Scholarship Recipients

Let’s cut through the vague language you’ll find on most university websites.

For the automatic merit awards (IMES and OIS), UBC evaluates two things:

Strong academics — not just high grades, but consistency. A student with steady high performance across subjects stands out more than someone with one exceptional mark surrounded by average ones.

Real involvement outside the classroom — and “real” is the key word. UBC isn’t counting how many clubs you joined. They’re looking at depth, impact, and genuine contribution to your community. One meaningful activity where you made a difference carries more weight than five token memberships.

For the International Scholars Program, everything above applies — plus a thorough financial need assessment based on family income, expenses, and assets. The programme is built around students who have both exceptional profiles and genuine financial barriers.

How to Apply — Step by Step

Here’s the clean version with no confusion.

Step 1 — Apply for admission early, and do it properly.

For IMES and OIS, submitting your admission application by the deadline is what puts you in the running. There’s no separate scholarship form.

“Properly” means choosing your programme carefully, writing a personal profile that actually reflects who you are (not a generic template), and showing consistency across academics and activities.

Step 2 — Decide whether to pursue the International Scholars Program.

If you have both a strong profile and significant financial need, this programme could be your best path. But remember the tradeoff — applying here removes you from IMES/OIS consideration.

If you’re not sure, compare the maximum IMES award ($25,000/year renewable) against what the Scholars Program might offer given your financial situation. That comparison should guide your decision.

Step 3 — If you’re considering UBC Okanagan, make it your first choice.

The Welcome Award specifically requires UBC Okanagan to be listed as your first-choice programme. If you’re open to the campus, this unlocks additional automatic funding.

Step 4 — Watch your email between mid-February and late April.

Merit award decisions land during this window. International Scholars results come on a rolling basis, with notifications by mid- to late April.

And remember — if you don’t hear back on merit awards, that likely means you weren’t selected. No news is the news.

The Real Reason Most Strong Applicants Don’t Win Scholarships

It’s not their grades. It’s not their test scores.

It’s that they treat the application like a form to fill out instead of a case to build.

UBC’s personal profile section isn’t a box to check — it’s your opportunity to show the scholarship committee who you are beyond transcripts. Students who write generic, safe responses get generic results. Students who tell a clear, specific story about their impact and growth are the ones who stand out.

The difference between a $10,000 award and a $25,000 award often isn’t academics. It’s how well you communicated your value in the parts of the application that weren’t graded.

Take the time. Get specific. Make it count.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Can I get a full scholarship at UBC? The International Scholars Program can cover full costs for selected students. Merit-based awards (IMES/OIS) go up to $25,000 per year but are partial.

Do I need to apply separately for merit scholarships? No. Submitting your admission application by the deadline automatically enters you for IMES and OIS.

Can I apply for both merit awards and the International Scholars Program? No. These are separate tracks. Applying to the International Scholars Program removes you from IMES/OIS consideration.

Are transfer students eligible? Transfer students can be considered for the OIS Award. IMES is only for students entering directly from secondary school.

What about scholarships after first year? Yes — UBC offers in-programme awards for current international students, with amounts and eligibility varying by award and campus.

Does UBC Okanagan offer scholarships too? Yes — and they’re automatic. The Global Elevation Award ($8,000/year) and Welcome Award ($5,000) don’t require a separate application.

Start Before You’re Ready

The strongest UBC scholarship applicants don’t begin preparing when the application opens. They start months earlier — building their involvement, refining their personal story, and understanding which funding track matches their profile.

If you’re reading this now, you already have a head start on most applicants. The only thing left is to move on it.

Click Here to Apply — UBC Scholarships for International Students