The University of British Columbia (UBC) International Scholars Program 2027 offers exceptional international students an opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree in Canada with significant financial support. The programme targets students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, meaningful contributions to their communities and substantial financial need. Applications for the September 2027 intake are open, providing eligible students with an opportunity to study at one of Canada’s leading universities while joining a diverse international community of scholars. The programme combines financial assistance with dedicated academic advising, leadership development, workshops and other learning opportunities designed to support students throughout their university experience. Overview of the UBC International Scholars Program 2027 Host institution: The University of British Columbia (UBC) Study destination: British Columbia, Canada Campuses: Vancouver and Okanagan Study level: Undergraduate Eligible applicants: International students entering university directly from secondary school Intake: September 2027 Application opening date: 5 October 2026 Scholarship application deadline: 15 November 2026 Supporting admission documents deadline: 31 January 2027 Programme benefits: Significant financial assistance, academic advising, workshops and developmental support Official website: https://you.ubc.ca/financial-planning/scholarships-awards-international-students/international-scholars/ What Does the Scholarship Cover? The International Scholars Program offers four award categories designed to recognise academic excellence, leadership and financial need. The programme assesses applicants and automatically considers them for the awards for which they qualify. The four award categories are: 1. Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award This award recognises international undergraduate applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership and contributions to their communities, alongside significant financial need. 2. Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award This award supports outstanding international students who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership despite challenging circumstances, including financial hardship or difficult personal situations. 3. International Impact Award This award recognises students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and a commitment to addressing important social, environmental or other global challenges. 4. Vantage One Excellence Award This award supports exceptional international students entering UBC’s Vantage College pathway, which provides an alternative route into undergraduate study for eligible students who need additional academic English-language preparation. The precise value of an award depends on the category and the applicant’s assessed financial need. Applicants should consult UBC’s official award information for the applicable funding arrangements and conditions. Eligibility Requirements Applicants must satisfy all the programme’s eligibility requirements. UBC states that exceptions to these criteria are not available. Educational background Applicants must: Be international students who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit. Enter UBC directly from an accredited secondary school. Apply for their first undergraduate degree. Have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026 for the 2027 Winter Session. Significant financial need Applicants must demonstrate that meaningful financial assistance is essential for them to pursue a UBC degree. Their families must be unable to cover a significant proportion of educational costs and must not have access to sufficient external funding. UBC conducts a financial assessment that may consider family income, expenses, assets, dependants, school fees and other available resources. Official supporting documents will be required. Applicants should note that those applying to the International Scholars Program will not be considered for UBC’s merit-based international awards during the same application cycle. Academic achievement and admission requirements Candidates must: Meet UBC’s general and degree-specific admission requirements. Demonstrate superior academic performance, typically achieving all As or an equivalent standard. Meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard or qualify for an eligible alternative pathway. Certain degrees are excluded, including Nursing, Dental Science in Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor plus Master of Management, dual degrees and specified joint-degree programmes. Applicants should verify the complete list of excluded programmes on the official website. How to Apply for the UBC International Scholars Program 2027 The application process involves several stages, and candidates should begin early. Step 1: Choose a degree programme and campus. Select a first-choice undergraduate programme and campus, as award consideration is based on the applicant’s first choice. A second-choice programme should also be selected. Step 2: Arrange a school nomination and teacher reference. Applicants need one nominator, such as a school principal, guidance counsellor or administrator, and one teacher referee. These must be two different people. Schools and eligible non-profit educational organisations are subject to nomination limits. Step 3: Apply for admission to UBC. Submit the undergraduate admission application before starting the scholarship application. The scholarship application requires confirmation that the admission application has been submitted. Step 4: Complete the scholarship application. Create an account through the official scholarship application portal and invite the nominator and teacher referee to submit their forms. Both recommendations must be completed before the award application can be finalised. Step 5: Prepare financial information and essays. Applicants should gather details about annual family income, expenses, assets, dependants, school fees and sources of financial support. The application also requests extracurricular activities, awards and four essay responses of approximately 150–250 words each. Step 6: Submit the scholarship application by 15 November 2026. Submit well before the deadline to allow time for technical problems and ensure both references have been completed. Step 7: Submit outstanding admission documents by 31 January 2027. Follow UBC’s instructions for academic transcripts, certificates and other required documents. Applicants who need an English-language test must ensure official results reach UBC by this deadline. Step 8: Prepare for a possible video interview. Between January and March 2027, some applicants may be invited to complete an online video interview. Invited candidates will have one week to record their responses. Award decisions are expected to be released on a rolling basis from February to April, with applicants notified by early to mid-April. How to Strengthen Your Application Applicants should demonstrate a consistent record of academic excellence, leadership and meaningful community involvement. Essays should explain their educational goals, personal experiences, leadership achievements and plans to contribute to their communities. Financial information must be accurate, complete and supported by official documents. Applicants should begin collecting financial records early and ensure that their nominator and teacher referee understand the requirements and deadlines. Candidates should also review their intended degree’s admission requirements and English-language requirements before submitting their applications. Why Apply for the UBC International Scholars Program? Since 2001, UBC reports that the programme has supported more than 680 International Scholars representing over 111 countries. Scholars can access more than 200 hours of developmental workshops and one-to-one support over the course of their degrees. For high-achieving students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, the programme provides an opportunity to access internationally recognised undergraduate education while developing leadership, academic and professional skills. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15 NOVEMBER 2026 VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.