University of British Columbia International Scholars Program.
The University of British Columbia International Scholars Program is a prestigious scholarship opportunity for outstanding international students who want to pursue an undergraduate degree in Canada.
The programme is designed for students who combine exceptional academic performance with leadership, community involvement and a demonstrated need for significant financial support. Unlike many international scholarships that focus primarily on academic grades, UBC considers the applicant’s overall achievements, leadership qualities, financial circumstances and potential to create positive change.
For international students from countries such as Nigeria, the programme can provide a pathway to studying at one of Canada’s leading universities with substantial financial assistance.
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University of British Columbia International Scholars Program
The UBC International Scholars Program brings exceptional international undergraduate students to the University of British Columbia.
The programme is intended for students who have:
- Outstanding academic performance
- Significant extracurricular involvement
- Strong leadership qualities
- A commitment to positive social or global change
- Demonstrated financial need
- The potential to contribute meaningfully to their communities
Successful International Scholars receive dedicated support throughout their undergraduate studies, including academic, personal and career development support.
UBC has welcomed more than 560 International Scholars from over 108 countries since the programme began.
Is the UBC International Scholars Program Fully Funded?
The International Scholars Program provides need-and-merit-based financial support that can be substantial, but applicants should not simply assume that every award automatically covers every university and living expense.
UBC determines the financial support required based on the student’s demonstrated financial need and available resources.
The university evaluates factors such as family income, expenses, assets, dependants and other sources of financial support.
This makes the programme different from a simple fixed-value tuition scholarship.
The actual financial package depends on the circumstances of the successful applicant and the award they receive.
What Awards Are Available?
The International Scholars Program includes four major award categories.
Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
This award is designed for international undergraduate students with exceptional academic achievement and outstanding leadership.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate leadership that supports and empowers others through collaboration, empathy and active involvement.
School projects, community service, leadership initiatives and extracurricular achievements can all contribute to a strong application.
Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award
This award is intended for outstanding international students from impoverished or war-torn areas.
The award recognises students who have achieved academic excellence despite difficult circumstances and who would be unable to attend university without significant financial assistance.
International Scholars Program Awards
UBC’s International Scholars Program encompasses a group of need-and-merit-based awards rather than requiring students to select a particular award category themselves.
Applicants are assessed automatically for the awards for which they are eligible.
This means you should concentrate on presenting a strong overall application rather than trying to select the award you think will provide the largest financial benefit.
Who Is Eligible?
The eligibility requirements are strict.
For the 2027 intake, applicants must generally meet all of the programme’s requirements.
You must be an international student who will require a Canadian study permit.
You must also be entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school and applying for your first undergraduate degree.
Applicants for the 2027 Winter Session must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026.
Academic achievement is another major requirement. UBC expects International Scholars applicants to demonstrate superior academic performance, described by the university as achieving all As or an equivalent standard.
You must also satisfy UBC’s general admission and programme-specific requirements.
Financial Need Is Extremely Important
One of the biggest differences between the International Scholars Program and UBC’s merit-based entrance scholarships is financial need.
You must demonstrate that you have significant financial need and that attending UBC would be impossible without meaningful financial assistance.
UBC may require official financial documentation showing your family’s income, expenses, assets and other financial circumstances.
The university assesses the amount of support you would require after considering the resources available to you.
Applicants should therefore provide accurate financial information.
Trying to exaggerate financial hardship or provide inaccurate information could seriously affect your application.
Can Nigerian Students Apply?
Yes.
Nigerian students can apply for the UBC International Scholars Program if they meet the programme’s international student, academic, financial and admission requirements.
A Nigerian applicant should be prepared to demonstrate excellent secondary-school results as well as strong leadership and community involvement.
Examples of activities that may strengthen an application include:
- Student leadership
- Community development projects
- Volunteering
- Youth mentorship
- Entrepreneurship
- Academic competitions
- Technology or innovation projects
- Environmental initiatives
- Social impact projects
- Sports or creative leadership
The strongest applications do not simply list activities. They explain the applicant’s contribution and the difference their work made.
Which Courses Are Eligible?
The International Scholars Program is available for many undergraduate programmes at UBC.
However, there are specific exclusions.
The current programme excludes degrees such as:
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Dental Science in Dental Hygiene
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
- Bachelor + Master of Management
- Certain dual degrees
- Certain joint degrees between UBC campuses
- Joint degrees with other post-secondary institutions
Applicants should therefore check the eligibility of their intended programme before preparing a scholarship application.
What Academic Standard Is Required?
UBC expects International Scholars applicants to demonstrate superior academic achievement.
For the current eligibility requirements, the university states that applicants should achieve all As or an equivalent academic standard.
However, academic excellence alone is not enough.
The programme also evaluates leadership, extracurricular involvement, community contributions and financial need.
A student with excellent grades but little evidence of leadership or community involvement may not necessarily be competitive.
Similarly, a student with significant leadership experience but insufficient academic performance may not satisfy the programme’s academic requirements.
The strongest candidate combines these areas.
How to Apply for the UBC International Scholars Program
The application process involves several stages.
Step 1: Choose Your UBC Programme
First, decide what undergraduate degree and campus you want to apply to.
UBC recommends deciding on your first-choice programme and campus early because International Scholars applicants are considered based on their programme choices.
You should also select a second-choice programme.
Step 2: Discuss the Nomination With Your School
Your secondary school must nominate you.
A high school can nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver, including Vantage College, and one student for UBC Okanagan.
You will need a nominator, such as a guidance counsellor, principal or school administrator.
You will also need a teacher referee.
The nominator and teacher referee must be different people.
Step 3: Apply to UBC
You must complete your UBC admission application before starting the International Scholars award application.
For the September 2027 intake, UBC’s application opens in early October 2026.
The International Scholars Program application deadline is November 15, 2026.
The general UBC undergraduate application deadline is January 15, 2027, but International Scholars applicants must complete their admission and scholarship application requirements earlier to be considered for the award.
Step 4: Complete the Scholarship Application
The scholarship application requires detailed information about your academic and personal background.
You may need to provide information about:
- Family income
- Family expenses
- Family assets
- Dependants
- School fees
- Sources of financial support
- Extracurricular activities
- Awards
- Leadership experiences
- Community involvement
You will also answer four essay questions, generally requiring responses of approximately 150 to 250 words each.
Step 5: Complete Recommendations
Your nominator and teacher referee must submit their respective forms.
Your scholarship application cannot be completed until the required recommendation forms have been submitted.
Applicants should therefore contact their chosen recommenders early rather than waiting until the deadline.
UBC International Scholars Program 2027 Deadline
For September 2027 entry, the International Scholars Program application deadline is November 15, 2026.
The UBC admission application must also be completed within the required timeframe for scholarship consideration.
After applying, International Scholars applicants have additional document requirements.
The current UBC timeline gives January 31, 2027 as the deadline for International Scholars applicants to submit required admission documents.
Some applicants may also be invited to complete a video interview between January and March.
Award decisions are expected to be released on a rolling basis from February through April.
What Makes a Strong Application?
A competitive applicant should build a complete profile rather than focusing exclusively on grades.
Start with academic excellence.
Then demonstrate meaningful leadership.
For example, if you organised a community project, explain the problem you identified, what you did, how many people benefited and what changed as a result.
Your essays should also demonstrate self-awareness.
Explain why your experiences matter, what you learned from them and how they influenced your goals.
Your financial information should be detailed and accurate because financial need is a central component of the programme.
Finally, choose recommenders who know your academic ability, character and leadership well enough to provide meaningful recommendations.
Is UBC International Scholars the Same as IMES?
No.
The International Scholars Program is a need-and-merit-based award programme.
UBC also offers merit-based scholarships such as the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) and Outstanding International Student Award.
These are different awards with different eligibility requirements.
For example, UBC’s IMES is based primarily on academic achievement, intellectual promise and extracurricular involvement, while the International Scholars Program specifically considers significant financial need.
Applicants nominated for the International Scholars Program are not considered for UBC’s merit-based entrance awards.
This distinction is important because students should determine which UBC funding route best fits their circumstances.
What Support Do International Scholars Receive?
The benefits go beyond financial assistance.
International Scholars receive dedicated advising throughout their undergraduate degree.
UBC also provides opportunities for skill-building workshops, retreats and personal and career development.
Scholars can participate in opportunities such as exchange and co-op, depending on their programme and circumstances.
The programme therefore provides both financial support and access to a broader community of international student leaders.
Important Advice for Nigerian Applicants
Nigerian students interested in the programme should start preparing well before the November deadline.
Speak with your school about the nomination process as early as possible.
Begin gathering financial documents before starting the scholarship application because the financial assessment is detailed.
You should also identify a teacher who can provide a strong recommendation based on genuine knowledge of your academic and personal achievements.
Do not wait until the final days to complete the essays.
The scholarship application asks questions that require reflection, so strong responses are more likely to come from applicants who have spent time thinking about their leadership experiences, community contributions and future goals.
Final Thoughts
The University of British Columbia International Scholars Program is an exceptional opportunity for international students seeking undergraduate education in Canada.
It is particularly suitable for students who combine outstanding academic performance with leadership, community involvement and significant financial need.
Nigerian students can apply if they satisfy the programme’s requirements, including the academic, financial, admission and nomination conditions.
For the September 2027 intake, applications for the programme open in 2026, with the International Scholars Program deadline set for November 15, 2026.
Because the programme is highly competitive, prospective applicants should begin early, secure their school nomination, prepare their financial documentation and develop strong essays that demonstrate not only what they have achieved but also the positive impact they have made.
Most importantly, applicants should remember that this is not simply a scholarship for students with high grades. UBC is looking for exceptional young people who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, financial need and a genuine commitment to creating positive change.
