The UBC International Scholars Program is a need-based award for international undergraduates at the University of British Columbia in Canada. It is meant for students with very strong grades who could not otherwise afford UBC. The amount you receive is worked out against your family's actual finances, so two students in the same intake can get very different awards. You can check the full scholarship details on our listing before you read on.
My honest take: this award suits a Pakistani student with a near-top academic record whose family genuinely cannot cover Canadian tuition and living costs, and who can prove it on paper. It does not suit someone who is comfortable financially and just wants a merit prize, and it is a poor bet for anyone who has already decided they will only go if everything is paid for. It is not a guaranteed full-ride.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | University of British Columbia |
| Country | Canada |
| Level | Undergraduate (first degree) |
| Funding | Partial funding, amount varies by demonstrated need |
| Typically opens | Alongside UBC's fall admission cycle |
| Deadlines | Program application around November 15; UBC admission around December 1; supporting documents around January 31 |
| Official site | you.ubc.ca |
Why the award amount is different for every student
Most scholarships Pakistani students apply to have a fixed value. This one does not. UBC combines academic merit with demonstrated financial need, and the award is calculated against what your family can actually afford. The support goes toward tuition and living costs, but the exact amount depends on your need.
In practice that means the award may cover part of your costs, or, where need is severe, a larger share. Nobody can tell you in advance what you will get. Treat any figure you hear from friends or online groups as their number, not yours.
This is also why the financial paperwork matters so much. A weak or incomplete financial file can hurt you twice. It risks rejection, and it can shrink the award, because the calculation only sees what you documented.
The five conditions you have to meet
The eligibility list is short but specific. You need to be:
- An international student on a study permit
- Applying for your first undergraduate degree
- Holding a near-top academic average
- Able to show significant financial need
- Entering from secondary school, or transferring after one year of study elsewhere
The program is aimed at international students, but confirm eligibility for your nationality on the official UBC site before you build your plan around it. "Near-top academic average" is not defined as a fixed percentage, so check what UBC expects for your qualification (Matric/FSc, O and A Levels, or another system) when you apply.
If you already have a bachelor's degree, you are out. If you are partway through a degree in Pakistan, the transfer route only covers students who have done one year of study elsewhere, so check carefully if you have done more than that.
Programs that are not covered
The award applies to most UBC undergraduate programs. A small number are excluded, including Nursing and Dental Hygiene. If either of those is your first choice, this program is not the route for you. Check the current list of excluded programs with UBC, since the source information names these two as examples rather than as a complete list.
Three separate submissions, three different deadlines
This is where many applicants slip. The process is not one form. You make three separate submissions, and each has its own deadline:
- The International Scholars Program application, around November 15
- Your UBC undergraduate admission application, around December 1
- Your financial need documentation, around January 31
After that, UBC makes a combined decision on your admission and your award amount. All of these dates are approximate. Confirm the exact deadlines for your intake on the official portal, because missing the first one (the program application) can shut you out even if your admission application is strong.
Notice the order. The scholarship application comes before the admission deadline. Students who think of the scholarship as something to sort out after they are admitted will miss it.
The paperwork behind your application
UBC asks for three things:
- Your UBC undergraduate admission application
- Financial need documentation
- Academic transcripts
That list looks light, but the financial need file is the heavy part. It has to show your family's real situation clearly enough that UBC can calculate an award from it. Start gathering income and expense records early, and make sure what you submit is consistent across documents. For transcripts and any attestation questions, our documents checklist for international scholarships is a useful starting point.
A realistic timeline for a Pakistani applicant
The program usually opens alongside UBC's fall admission cycle. Working backward from the November program deadline, you want your transcripts in hand and your school or college aware of your plans well before then. Use the gap between the December admission deadline and the January financial documents deadline to finish and check your financial file, not to start it.
Because the award is partial and varies, plan your budget at the same time as you apply. Know how much your family could contribute and what you would do if the award covers less than you hoped. Canada will want to see that you can fund your studies when you apply for a study permit, so the money question does not go away once the scholarship result arrives. Our guide on bank statements and proof of funds covers that side.
Mistakes I would avoid
Underplaying or overplaying financial need is the biggest one. Be thorough and honest. The award is calculated directly against what you document, and inconsistent numbers create doubt.
Leaving it late is the second. With three submissions spread across November, December and January, a delay in one can sink the whole application. Apply well before each deadline.
The third is assuming it is a full scholarship. In cases of severe need it may cover a larger share of your costs, but it is labelled partial funding and the amount is not guaranteed. Have a backup plan, and look at other options in our list of all Canada scholarships.
Finally, do not apply if your intended program is excluded or if you already hold a degree. You will spend weeks on a file that cannot succeed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the UBC International Scholars Program a full scholarship?
Not guaranteed. The amount varies with your demonstrated financial need. It may cover part of your costs or, in cases of severe need, a larger share.
Can I apply if I already completed a year at another university?
Yes. Transfer applicants who have done one year of study elsewhere may be eligible, as well as students coming directly from secondary school.
Can I apply for a master's degree with this award?
No. It is for undergraduates applying for their first undergraduate degree.
Does it cover living costs as well as tuition?
It provides tuition and living cost support, but the exact amount depends on your demonstrated need, so it will not necessarily cover all of either.
Do I need to apply to UBC separately?
Yes. The scholarship application, the UBC admission application and the financial documents are separate submissions with separate deadlines. UBC then gives a combined decision on admission and award amount.
Check current dates and requirements on the official UBC website, and see our UBC International Scholars Program page for the full details.