Established in 1906, the University of British Columbia is spread over Vancouver and Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. According to World University Ranking 2021, UBC is ranked among the top 40 universities in Canada. Also, it is ranked 2nd among the universities of Canada (only followed by the University of Toronto at 1st).

The university offers about 250 programs at the undergraduate level. A total amount of over 52,000 local and international students are a part of undergraduate programs at UBC. Out of these 52,000, about 18,000 are claimed to be international students with various scholarships.

The total sum of $30 million is devoted by UBC each year as scholarships and awards for international students. The scholarships are given based on both academic excellence and financial need.

Courses Offered by the University of British Columbia

UBC offers a vast number of fields for students all over the world. Given below are some of the programs that students can apply in;

• Business and Economics.
• Earth, environment, and sustainability.
• Education.
• Engineering and Technology.
• Media and Fine arts.
• People, Culture, and Society.
• Language and linguistics.
• Math, Chemistry, and Physics.
• Health and life sciences.
• History, Law, and Politics

The Vancouver campus of the university provides about 185, while the Kelowna campus offers degrees in only 72 courses. Collectively, both campuses offer nearly 250 programs for students worldwide. The details of all these courses can be explored on the official website of UBC.

University of British Columbia Scholarships and Awards

The University of British Columbia offers around 50 scholarships to students worldwide. The applicants are not allowed to pick a scholarship they want. The scholarships are chosen for the applicant by the university based on academic and other extra-curricular performances. UBC provides two major scholarship programs discussed here;

International Major Entrance Scholarship

International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) is provided to students during their first year at UBC. The scholarship can be renewed for three more years at UBC. The scholarship is offered to exceptional students getting into undergraduate programs at UBC.

The scholarship values up to 10,000 CAD (about 8,000 USD) per year, thus making a complete worth of 40,000 CAD for four years. These awards are changed every year according to available funding.

Outstanding International Students Award

Outstanding International Students Award (OISA) is a merit-based scholarship given to students showing academic excellence. The merit is on an intellectual basis and on activities outside the classroom. It is a one-time scholarship award and not given to students over a period of years. The total worth of this scholarship can be from 2,500 to 10,000 CAD. Further details of these scholarships can be explored on the official page of UBC.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria vary for scholarships. Following are some standard points for being eligible for application;

• The student should be international living in Canada on a study permit.
• Students should be new to UBC, i.e., entering directly from a secondary or post-secondary school.
• The applicant must show excellent academic performance.
• Involvement in extra-curricular activities can also boost the process.

How to Apply

The complete process of application is online. The application dates vary according to scholarships. If you want to be eligible for IMES or OISA, you should apply by January 15. The detailed process of application can be completed on the official website.