If you’re an ambitious international high-school or first-year university applicant who dreams of studying at a top Canadian university, the UBC International Scholars Program is one of the most powerful scholarships you can aim for. It’s a targeted, need-and-merit-based awards suite that helps outstanding students who also require significant financial support. Below, I map the full landscape — what the awards are, who should apply, exactly how to apply (checklists and timeline), and honest, tactical advice that increases your chances.
This guide is written to be readable and actionable: follow the steps, adapt the examples to your own story, and you’ll know exactly what to do next. For official details and application forms, start with the UBC page for the International Scholars Program. (UBC Admissions)
Quick snapshot — what the International Scholars Program offers
- Purpose: Support international students who show academic excellence, leadership, community impact, and have demonstrated financial need.
- Award types: The program includes multiple need-and-merit awards (UBC automatically considers eligible applicants across the four award categories). (UBC Admissions)
- Value: Awards vary. Some cover substantial portions of tuition and living costs (some scholarships across UBC for international entrants range into tens of thousands per year). Exact award amounts depend on the category and the student’s assessed need. (UBC Admissions)
- Who runs it: University of British Columbia (Vancouver campus primarily) — a world-ranked, research-intensive university located on the beautiful Point Grey peninsula.
Who should apply — the right candidate profile
You should strongly consider applying if:
- You are an international student (studying in Canada on a study permit if accepted), applying to an undergraduate program at UBC.
- You have top academic performance in your current education (typically grades at or near the top of your cohort).
- You have evidence of leadership, significant community contribution, or outstanding extracurricular achievements.
- You have demonstrable financial need that would otherwise prevent you from attending UBC.
Tip: If you are already being considered for other automatic merit scholarships (like IMES or OIS), double-check whether applying to the International Scholars Program is compatible — UBC notes you may not be nominated for both need-and-merit awards simultaneously in some cases. Read the official eligibility notes carefully. (UBC Admissions
Types of awards inside the program (what they look for)
UBC evaluates International Scholars candidates across several award categories that blend need and merit. While UBC does the matching (you don’t pick which specific award you’ll receive), they typically consider:
- Full or large partial scholarships for students with exceptional academic records and strong financial need.
- Partial awards that may cover significant tuition and/or living costs for multi-year study.
- Other targeted awards depending on applicant background or special circumstances.
Exact categories, value ranges, and the number of awards can vary year to year — historically, UBC has offered dozens of awards across the program annually. Always check the program’s official page for the current breakdown and amounts. (Ladder)
Deadlines & timeline — what to calendar (2025/26 cycle)
Deadlines are strict. For the 2026 intake cycle (which corresponds with the 2025/26 application season) the schedule generally looks like this:
- International Scholars Program application opens: Mid-September (check the year’s opening date on the UBC application portal). (Undergraduate Scholarships UBC)
- International Scholars Program application DEADLINE: November 15 (11:59 PM PST) — this is the scholarship application deadline. (Undergraduate Scholarships UBC)
- UBC admissions application deadline (for many programs): December 1 — you must also apply for admission to UBC by the admissions deadline. (Undergraduate Scholarships UBC)
- Document deadline for international scholars applicants: Many applicants will need to submit transcripts and supporting documents by January 31 (this is a specific document deadline referenced by UBC for scholars). (UBC Admissions)
- Decision timeline: Scholarship decisions are typically released between mid-March and the end of April, with exact dates depending on the award type. (UBC Admissions)
Action: Put these three dates in your calendar now — scholarship form (Nov 15), university application (Dec 1), supporting documents (Jan 31). Missing any of these can disqualify you.
Step-by-step application checklist (do this exactly)
- Confirm eligibility. Review UBC’s International Scholars Program eligibility notes on the official page. If you’re unsure whether your program is eligible (some joint/dual degrees or technical professional programs may be excluded), check the exceptions list. (UBC Admissions)
- Apply to UBC for admission by the admissions deadline (e.g., Dec 1). You can’t receive the award without an active admissions application. (Undergraduate Scholarships UBC)
- Start the International Scholars Program application early (opens mid-September). Gather documents: academic transcripts, a statement of financial need, a list of awards/activities, and begin essays. (Undergraduate Scholarships UBC)
- Secure a nominator and an academic referee.
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- The nominator is usually your school counsellor/administrator or a recognized non-profit/school authority. They submit a nomination on your behalf.
- The referee is typically a teacher or academic who knows your work and can write about your abilities.
Ask them early (at least 4–6 weeks before the deadline) and give a clear summary of your achievements to make their letters specific and effective. (O4af.com | Opportunities for Afghanistan)
- Complete the financial information section. Be honest, precise, and attach supporting documents where required — UBC expects details on sources of family support, income, and assets. If your country uses a different currency, provide local currency values and explain briefly. (UBC Admissions)
- Write strong personal essays. Focus on leadership, impact, obstacles overcome, and why UBC matters to your future. Use concrete examples with numbers where possible (e.g., “I led a 30-student recycling program that reduced waste by 40% at my school”). See essay tips below.
- Upload required documents (transcripts, certificates, ID) by the document deadline (Jan 31 or as specified). Double-check file formats and sizes. (UBC Admissions)
- Submit everything before November 15 for the scholars form and before December 1 for admissions. Deadlines are firm.
Essay & nomination strategy — writing that actually stands out.
Admissions committees read thousands of profiles. To make your application memorable:
- Be story-driven. Open essays with a short, vivid scene that captures your leadership or challenge (not a generic line). For example: “At dawn, I walked two miles to teach coding to girls at the community center — and watched them build their first app.” Then explain the impact.
- Show measurable impact. Numbers and outcomes matter: “Launched an after-school program; 60% of participants passed their exams after six months.” Metrics show real results.
- Demonstrate resilience and learning. Scholarship committees value students who learn from setbacks and show growth. Don’t hide failures; show what you changed and how you scaled.
- Connect to UBC. Explain why UBC is uniquely right for you: specific labs, professors, clubs, or Vancouver’s coastal environment that would help your goals. This shows you’ve done your homework.
- Coach your nominator carefully. Provide the nominator with a one-page summary of your achievements, impact metrics, and the angle you’d like emphasized. This makes letters more targeted and persuasive. (O4af.com | Opportunities for Afghanistan)
Common application mistakes (so you don’t make them)
- Late nominator/referee requests. Don’t leave references to the last week. Officials are busy, and your nominator/referee needs time to write a strong letter.
- Vague financial documentation. If you claim a need, support it with clear, verifiable documents — unclear statements raise flags.
- Generic essays. Essays that could be swapped between applications don’t impress. Specifics win.
- Not applying for admission or missing document deadlines. Remember the triple deadlines — scholarship form, admission, and documents.
- Overstating extracurriculars without proof. Be ready to provide certificates, photos of events, or letters confirming roles.
Example timeline for an ideal applicant (practical plan)
May–July (Before application opens)
- Start drafting essays and gather proof documents (certificates, photos, project reports).
- Identify nominator and referee; request commitment.
Aug–Sep (Application opens mid-September)
- Finalize essays and short answers.
- Confirm the nominator and referee submission process.
- Create a spreadsheet of all required uploads.
Oct (one month before deadline)
- Finish online form answers: do a full review.
- Ask a teacher or mentor to proofread essays.
- Remind nominator/referee and confirm they’ll submit by Nov 15.
Nov 1–15
- Submit International Scholars Program application (by Nov 15).
- Confirm submission of nominators/referees.
Dec 1
- Submit UBC admissions application (or ensure it’s already submitted).
Jan 31
- Ensure all transcripts/documents are uploaded to UBC’s portal.
March–April
- Watch your email for award decisions. Accept and follow the acceptance steps if offered. (Undergraduate Scholarships UBC
How UBC assesses financial need — what they look for
UBC combines your essays, financial documentation, and referee/nominator input to assess need. They want to understand:
- Whether attending UBC without the award would be financially impossible or severely limiting.
- The gap between available resources and the cost of study (tuition + living costs).
- Whether the student has tried other options (local scholarships, part-time work) and why those options are insufficient.
Be candid and specific: if your family supports multiple dependents, describe household composition and verified income. If your country’s economic system uses informal income, explain with as much evidence as you can (e.g., letters from community leaders). Honesty and clarity win.
What happens if you receive an offer?
- If selected, your award letter will explain the value, whether it renews each year, and any conditions (minimum GPA, full-time status, etc.). Most large awards are renewable if you meet academic progress standards, but read the terms. (UBC Admissions)
- Accept the award within the deadline stated and complete any onboarding steps (immigration support, housing applications, scholarship acceptance forms).
- Use the award acceptance as an opportunity to connect with UBC offices (financial aid, international student services, student clubs) — early outreach opens support and community.
Realistic expectations — be ambitious but strategic
The International Scholars Program is competitive. UBC may only award a limited number of full scholarships each year and many partial awards. Don’t treat it as your only plan:
- Apply to multiple funding sources: UBC also automatically considers applicants for merit awards (IMES, OIS), and there are external scholarships (government, private foundations, country-specific funds). (UBC Admissions)
- Have a plan B: Consider smaller awards, campus jobs, and external loans/sponsorships if needed. Scholarships can change annually; always plan for contingencies.
Post-award tips — how to make the most of your scholarship experience
- Engage with the campus immediately. Join the international students’ office, academic clubs, and leadership opportunities. Many scholarship recipients are expected to be campus leaders — this continues the narrative for future awards or references.
- Manage finances wisely. Even generous awards might not cover all incidental costs. Make a basic monthly budget (rent, food, transit, academic costs).
- Document your impact. Keep records of projects you lead at UBC — these are powerful for future scholarship renewals, internships, and grad school references.
- Give back locally. Award programs appreciate scholars who commit to community service and helping other students — it’s part of the program’s spirit.
Where to find official information and apply
Start at UBC’s official International Scholars Program page and the undergraduate scholarships portal for the current cycle and forms. Those pages give you the official deadlines, eligibility notes, and the online application. I strongly recommend bookmarking the official resources and checking them regularly during application season. (UBC Admissions)
Official UBC International Scholars Program: https://you.ubc.ca/financial-planning/scholarships-awards-international-students/international-scholars/ (UBC Admissions)
Also, check the general scholarships and awards pages for parallel opportunities like IMES and OIS. (UBC Admissions)
Short checklist — before you submit (final pass)
- Nominator and referee confirmed and briefed. (O4af.com | Opportunities for Afghanistan)
- Essays proofread, quantified impact included.
- Financial documents gathered and attached (income statements, affidavits, etc.). (UBC Admissions)
- UBC admissions application submitted (Dec 1 or earlier). (Undergraduate Scholarships UBC)
- International Scholars Program form submitted (Nov 15 or earlier). (Undergraduate Scholarships UBC)
- All transcripts/documents uploaded by Jan 31 (if applicable). (UBC Admissions)
Finally, honest advice — beat the noise.
Applying for big scholarships is part craft, part storytelling, and part logistics. If you want one pointed, practical cheat-code:
- Start early. Most strong applications are the result of months of work (coaching recommenders, collecting documents, drafting essays).
- Be specific and measurable. “Led a club” is forgettable; “Founded a coding club with 80 students, 70% of whom increased test scores by 10%” is memorable.
- Get feedback from someone who has read scholarship essays. Teachers, mentors, or university counselors can help you cut jargon and make your narrative crisp.
No program will replace the work you put in. The International Scholars Program can open a life-changing pathway to UBC — but only if you show up as a clear, honest, and impact-focused candidate. I believe many applicants from resource-constrained backgrounds have the advantage of resilience and perspective — use those as your storytelling strengths.
Good luck — and if you want, I can help you draft a scholarship essay, prepare the nominator briefing page, or create a personalized application timeline based on your country’s academic calendar.