Varies funding · Study in Canada
International Scholars Program
Need-and-merit awards, including the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, covering tuition and living costs proportional to financial need, renewable for up to three further years
- Funder
- University of British Columbia
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Coverage
- Varies
About this scholarship
UBC's International Scholars Program is among the most generous undergraduate schemes in Canada, combining the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award and related awards to meet demonstrated financial need for exceptional students.
Awards scale to what each family can contribute, and renew across a four-year degree at either the Vancouver or Okanagan campus, making a top-30 world university viable for students who could not otherwise afford Canada.
🗓️ Deadline
Requires school nomination — internal deadlines typically fall in November, with UBC deadlines in early December
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- International student applying for a first undergraduate degree directly from secondary school (or transferring from a first post-secondary programme)
- Nomination by your school — direct applications are not accepted
- Outstanding academic record plus demonstrated leadership and community impact
- Demonstrated financial need, assessed through detailed documentation
- Meeting UBC's admission and English language requirements
How to apply
- Ask your school to nominate you — each school has a limited number of nominations
- Submit your UBC admission application by the early-December deadline
- Complete the scholarship profile and financial need documentation
- Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further information
- Decisions arrive in spring; awards are confirmed with your offer of admission
Studying in Canada
Affordable world-class degrees, a three-year work permit and clear routes to permanent residence. Post-study work: Up to 3 years (PGWP).
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One-time awards from C$3,000, and renewable major entrance scholarships worth C$3,000 to C$12,000 a year
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
Government of Ontario, administered by Ontario universities
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International Scholars Program: your questions, answered
What does the International Scholars Program cover?
Need-and-merit awards, including the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, covering tuition and living costs proportional to financial need, renewable for up to three further years. UBC's International Scholars Program is among the most generous undergraduate schemes in Canada, combining the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award and related awards to meet demonstrated financial need for exceptional students.
Who is eligible for the International Scholars Program?
Core requirements are: International student applying for a first undergraduate degree directly from secondary school (or transferring from a first post-secondary programme); Nomination by your school — direct applications are not accepted; Outstanding academic record plus demonstrated leadership and community impact; Demonstrated financial need, assessed through detailed documentation; Meeting UBC's admission and English language requirements. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the International Scholars Program deadline?
Requires school nomination — internal deadlines typically fall in November, with UBC deadlines in early December. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
Is the university placement service really free?
Yes, our service is 100% free. Counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer cost you nothing. There are no consultation fees and no agent fees, because we are funded by our university partners. The only cost you take on is the university’s own tuition or semester fees, which you pay directly to the university after you accept your offer.
What exactly do you help with?
Everything from start to finish: understanding your options, shortlisting the right programme, preparing your application and personal statement, submitting to the university, and guiding you through the offer, enrolment and visa paperwork, all with a dedicated counsellor.
Which universities can you place me into?
We place students into a range of UK and international universities, and we shortlist the best-fit options for your grades, budget and goals rather than pushing a single school. On some pages we run dedicated free placement drives for a specific partner university, and we are always adding more partners. Tell us your goals and your counsellor will map out your options.