A UBC International Scholars application is how talented international high school students with financial need compete for the University of British Columbia’s most generous undergraduate awards, including the well-known Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award. This guide covers who can apply for September 2027 entry, the four award categories, the nomination, the financial and essay sections, and the 15 November 2026 deadline. The key facts are also on our UBC International Scholars Program 2027 listing.
We checked every detail on 27 October 2026 against UBC’s official Undergraduate Programs and Admissions pages. Where UBC does not give a detail, we say so.
UBC International Scholars Program at a glance
| University | University of British Columbia, Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, Canada |
| Level | First undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree, starting September 2027 |
| Who can apply | International secondary school students who graduated in June 2026 or later, with all As or equivalent and significant financial need |
| Awards | Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow, Donald A. Wehrung International Student, International Impact, Vantage One Excellence |
| Value | Based on financial need; Vantage One awards range up to the full cost of programme and living expenses |
| Nomination | One nominator plus a different teacher referee |
| Deadline | 15 November 2026, 11:59 pm Pacific time |
| Results | By early to mid-April 2027 |
The four award categories
You do not pick an award. UBC’s team considers you for every category you are eligible for:
- Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award for students with superior academic achievement and leadership that supports and empowers others through collaboration, empathy and active listening, shown through school and community service.
- Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award for outstanding students from impoverished or war-torn areas who achieved academic excellence in challenging circumstances and could not attend university without significant financial help.
- International Impact Award for students who show leadership on sustainability and climate change, natural resource conservation, social justice, equity and inclusion, or societal health and wellness. Priority goes to first-generation learners and students from diverse lived backgrounds.
- Vantage One Excellence Award from UBC Vantage College for academically outstanding students who do not yet meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard for direct entry.
What International Scholars receive
UBC does not publish a fixed amount for the program. Each award is based on a financial assessment of your family’s gross income, expenses and assets, and UBC says Vantage One awards range up to the full cost of a student’s programme and living expenses. Beyond the money, Scholars get dedicated program advisors for their whole degree, skill-building workshops and retreats, and the option to take part in exchange and co-op. UBC says more than 680 International Scholars from over 111 countries have joined since 2001.
Who can apply
UBC says there are no exceptions to its eligibility rules. You must:
- be an international student who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit;
- enter UBC directly from an accredited secondary school, having graduated no earlier than June 2026;
- be applying for your first undergraduate degree;
- show superior academic achievement (all As or the equivalent) and meet UBC’s general and degree-specific admission requirements;
- meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard, or apply to Vantage College; and
- prove significant financial need with official documents, meaning you could not study at UBC without meaningful financial help.
Some degrees are excluded: Nursing (both campuses), Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Science, the Bachelor + Master of Management, dual degrees and joint degrees. Applying to this program also means you will not be considered for UBC’s merit-based awards, such as the International Major Entrance Scholarship, so compare both routes before you decide.
UBC International Scholars application deadlines for 2027
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 5 October 2026 |
| Nominator and referee forms | A few days before 15 November 2026 |
| Apply to UBC and submit the award application | 15 November 2026, 11:59 pm Pacific time |
| Admission documents and English proof | 31 January 2027 |
| Video interviews (if invited) | January to March 2027 |
| Award results | Rolling, February to April; by early to mid-April 2027 |
| UBC Housing application deadline | 1 May 2027 |
In Pakistan (PKT), 11:59 pm Pacific time on 15 November is 12:59 pm on 16 November. The 31 January document deadline replaces the date in your ‘next steps’ email from UBC Admissions. UBC advises waiting for award decisions before applying for residence.
What the application asks for
- Your UBC admission application, submitted first; the award form asks you to confirm it.
- A nominator such as a guidance counsellor, principal or administrator who can speak to your goals and character. A school or registered non-profit can nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver (including Vantage College) and one for UBC Okanagan.
- A teacher referee who knows your work in your chosen area of study. The nominator and referee must be different people.
- Family financial information: annual income and expenses, wealth and assets, dependents and school fees, and other sources of support. UBC’s cost estimator helps you calculate your need.
- Extracurricular activities and awards.
- Four essays of about 150 to 250 words each.
- Admission documents and English proof by 31 January 2027.
How to apply, step by step
- Pick your programme and campus. You are considered for your first-choice programme, but still list a second choice.
- Talk to your school. Confirm it can nominate you and that you meet every rule.
- Apply to UBC as early as possible so you can open the award application.
- Create your award account and invite your nominator and teacher referee; follow up so they receive the emails.
- Gather financial documents and complete the financial section carefully.
- Write your four essays and list your activities and awards.
- Submit by 15 November 2026. You cannot finish until both recommendation forms are in.
- Send documents by 31 January 2027 and watch your email, including spam, for a video interview invitation.
Tips for a strong application
- Start now. UBC says applications started shortly before the deadline are less likely to succeed, and the financial section takes time.
- Show impact, not just titles. Explain what changed because of your leadership; our guide on how to stand out in your scholarship application has examples.
- Brief your referee. Share your activities and goals early; see how to get strong recommendation letters.
- Prepare for video questions about your education and leadership with our scholarship interview tips.
Other scholarships in Canada
If you are applying to Canadian universities, also look at the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto, our overview of fully funded scholarships in Canada and the list of scholarships closing in November 2026. For later study, UBC also offers the UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the UBC International Scholars award?
There is no fixed amount. Awards are based on your financial need, and UBC says Vantage One Excellence Awards range up to the full cost of the programme and living expenses.
What is the deadline for September 2027 entry?
Apply to UBC and submit the International Scholars award application by 15 November 2026 at 11:59 pm Pacific time.
Do I apply separately for the Karen McKellin award?
No. One International Scholars application considers you for all four award categories you are eligible for.
Can university transfer students apply?
No. You must enter UBC directly from secondary school, have graduated no earlier than June 2026 and be seeking a first undergraduate degree.
Who can nominate me?
A guidance counsellor, principal or administrator at your school, or in some cases a registered non-profit. Schools can nominate up to two students for UBC Vancouver and one for UBC Okanagan.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
You must meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard by 31 January 2027, or apply to Vantage College if you do not yet meet it.
Can I also get UBC merit scholarships?
No. Applicants to the International Scholars Program are not considered for UBC’s merit-based awards.
When are results announced?
On a rolling basis from February to April, with all applicants told by early to mid-April 2027.
Where to apply
Start on UBC’s International Scholars page, check the dates and deadlines and compare merit awards on the scholarships for international students page before you submit by 15 November 2026. Our UBC International Scholars Program listing keeps the key facts in one place.
Scholarships with the nearest deadlines
| Scholarship | Funding | Stipend | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| US–Pakistan Knowledge Corridor PhD Scholarships 2027 | Fully funded | Not stated on HEC's programme page (see the HEC advertisement) | 30 Oct 2026 |
| Honjo International Scholarship 2027 in Japan | Partial | 230,000 yen a month (degree of 1 to 2 years), 210,000 yen a month (3-year degree) or 180,000 yen a month (degree longer than 3 years) | 31 Oct 2026 |
| European Parliament Schuman Traineeships 2027 | Partial | Monthly grant paid; amount not stated on the official source | 31 Oct 2026 |
| University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 in Australia | Fully funded | 41,100 Australian dollars a year (2027 rate), plus a full fee offset | 31 Oct 2026 (expected) |
| Australian Government RTP Scholarships 2027 in Australia | Fully funded | 2027 full-time RTP stipend: base rate 35,550 Australian dollars a year, maximum 55,537 Australian dollars a year | 31 Oct 2026 (expected) |
| DAAD EPOS Scholarship 2027/28 in Germany | Fully funded | 992 euros a month for graduates; 1,400 euros a month for doctoral candidates | 31 Oct 2026 (expected) |
| One Young World Leading Scholarship 2026 in South Africa | Partial | See the scholarship page | 31 Oct 2026 |
| UNU Junior Fellows Internship 2027 in Tokyo, Japan | Partial | Monthly stipend; amount not stated on the official source | 1 Nov 2026 |
| Open Doors Russian Scholarship Project 2026–27 in Russia | Partial | Tuition-free study; a monthly allowance is possible only with grant support for Russian-taught programmes | 1 Nov 2026 |
| Max Planck Computer Science Summer Internships 2027 in Germany | Fully funded | Monthly stipend (amount not stated on the official source) | 1 Nov 2026 |
This list updates itself from our scholarships page. Stipend figures are shown where the provider publishes them. See all scholarships.
