Studying in Canada is a big dream for many international students, and the University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of the top places to make that dream come true. Known for its strong academic reputation, beautiful campus, and diverse community, UBC attracts students from all over the world who want a high-quality education and better opportunities for their future.
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of Canada’s premier research universities, and for international students pursuing graduate studies, the International Tuition Award is a powerful form of support. These awards help offset the high cost of international tuition for master’s and doctoral students in research-based programs at UBC’s Vancouver campus. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know: what the award is, who is eligible, how much it’s worth, how it is distributed, and tips for maximizing its impact.
Value of the Award
The International Tuition Award at UBC is modest but meaningful:
- Value: Up to CAD $3,200 per year.
- Duration: The award is typically renewable each academic year, as long as you remain in a full-time, eligible research program.
- Application: The award is automatically credited toward your student account—there is no separate application for most students.
- Disbursement: Funds are applied to your student account after registration is confirmed, reducing the amount of tuition you must pay out-of-pocket.
Because the award specifically targets tuition, it does not cover living expenses, health insurance, or other non-tuition fees. Many graduate students must pair it with other funding sources (assistantships, fellowships, external scholarships) for a sustainable financial plan.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for UBC’s International Tuition Award, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- Citizenship / Fee Status: You must be classified as an international student for tuition purposes.
- Program Type: You must be enrolled in a research-oriented graduate program (either master’s or doctoral) at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
- Enrollment Requirement: Full-time registration in your graduate program is required; part-time students are not eligible.
- Conflict with External Funding: If you receive external funding that fully covers (or exceeds) your international tuition, UBC may reduce or waive the International Tuition Award accordingly.
- Automatic Assignment: In many eligible programs, you do not need to apply separately for this award. UBC’s Graduate School assigns it automatically to qualifying students.
Application Process
Here is how the International Tuition Award is awarded and administered:
- Admission Application: When you apply to a qualifying UBC graduate program (master’s or PhD), your admission application is also used to assess your eligibility for this award.
- No Separate Scholarship Application: Because the award is integrated into UBC’s admission process for eligible programs, you generally do not need to fill out a separate scholarship form.
- Assignment and Timing: The award is assigned approximately two weeks before the term begins for eligible, registered full-time students. If you were not yet registered at that time, you may not receive the award initially. In that case, you should register full-time swiftly and contact Graduate Awards to request that the award be applied.
- Disbursement: Once awarded and your full-time registration is confirmed, the funds are credited to your student account. Award payments are applied first to outstanding tuition charges. If there is any credit balance (i.e., money left after covering tuition), the surplus is refunded to you. The payment schedule aligns with UBC’s academic terms: funds are typically disbursed shortly after the “Drop / No-Show” (DNE) deadline at the start of the term.
- Special Situations: If you haven’t set up a Canadian bank account by the time of your award, you can still accept the award. The funding will be held as a credit in your LFSM account until you set up direct deposit. If you plan to defer admission, do not accept the award immediately in your LFSM account. Graduate Awards will adjust the award to reflect your new start date once your deferral is processed.
Visit the official scholarship website for more details.
Advantages of the International Tuition Award
- Reduced Financial Pressure: The award helps with a portion of your international tuition, making living in Vancouver and studying more financially feasible.
- Automatic Consideration: No separate scholarship form reduces administrative burden for students.
- Flexible Funding: Since the award is not a full tuition waiver, it integrates well with other forms of funding (assistantships, fellowships).
- Stable Support: As long as you maintain eligibility (full-time, continuing program), the award can renew each year.
- Accessible to Many: By not requiring citizenship-specific criteria, the award is broadly accessible to international students.
Risks and Limitations to Consider
- Partial Coverage Only: At up to $3,200 per year, the award does not significantly reduce the full cost of international tuition, especially in large or expensive programs.
- Reliance on Full-Time Status: If you drop to part-time, you risk losing the award.
- Competitive for Some Programs: Even though the award is automatic, departments may have limited quotas for how many they can allocate.
- External Funding Impact: If you receive a large external scholarship, your UBC award may be reduced — or you may be deemed ineligible.
- Not for All Fees: The award only applies to tuition, not ancillary fees like health cards, student union fees, or U-Pass.
How to Maximize Your Likelihood of Receiving or Using the Award
- Apply to a Research-Based Program: Only thesis/research-oriented master’s and doctoral programs qualify. Before applying, check whether your intended program is eligible.
- Submit a Strong Admission Application: Since award consideration is built into the admission process, ensure all parts of your application (transcripts, references, research statement) are polished and complete.
- Verify Full-Time Enrollment: Make sure to register for a full-time course load. Failure to do so may disqualify you from the award for that term.
- Clarify Other Funding Sources: If you have external scholarships or fellowships, understand how they interact: large external awards may reduce or cancel your International Tuition Award.
- Plan Financially for Shortfall: Because the award does not cover all tuition or other costs, prepare a financial plan that includes possible research assistant income, TA/RA wages, or additional scholarships.
- Communicate with Your Department: Ask your prospective supervisor or graduate program office about how tuition awards are distributed and whether prior students typically receive them.
- Check Your Award Status in LFSM / Workday: Log into UBC’s LFSM (Living Financial Services / Student Module) or the Graduate Awards portal to confirm your award offer, see how it’s being credited, and request refunds if there’s a credit balance.
Why the International Tuition Award Matters
Pursuing a graduate degree in Canada as an international student can be financially daunting. International tuition rates are significantly higher than domestic rates, and many prospective students worry about covering costs while focusing on research, coursework, and academic growth.
UBC’s International Tuition Award addresses part of this challenge. Offered by UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, this award helps ease the burden of tuition for full-time international students enrolled in research-based master’s or PhD programs. By doing so, it allows students to commit more fully to their academic and research goals, reducing the financial stress that can interfere with productivity and innovation.
Conclusion
The 2026 International Tuition Award at UBC is a valuable resource for incoming international graduate students. Though it only offers up to $3,200 per year, its automatic assignment and renewability make it a dependable piece of any funding strategy. Because the award offsets a portion of the high international tuition costs, it allows students to redirect financial energy toward research, academics, and career-building.
By combining this award with departmental funding — such as assistantships, other scholarships, or guaranteed minimum funding — many international students can build sustainable financial packages that support them through the full duration of their graduate studies.If you are applying to UBC for a research-based master’s or PhD program, make sure to confirm your eligibility, register full-time, and keep a close eye on your award status in UBC’s LFSM or Graduate Awards portal. Brand your application strongly, plan your budget, and use this award as a launching pad to achieve your research goals at one of Canada’s premier institutions.
