The University of British Columbia (UBC) was ranked 45th in the world and third in Canada in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Its main campus is in Vancouver, between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and it also has a campus in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. It’s known for the sciences, engineering, forestry, business, medicine and the arts, and it’s popular with international students.
UBC looks at more than grades: every high school applicant also writes a personal profile. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on UBC’s own guidance and official Canadian government information.
1. Choose your campus and degree
You choose a campus, Vancouver or Okanagan, and a degree, such as Arts, Science, Applied Science (Engineering), Commerce (Sauder School of Business) or Kinesiology. You can list a first and second choice of degree on your application. Check the required subjects for each degree, because they’re different.
2. Apply by 15 January
For Winter Session 2027–28, which starts in September 2027, the deadline to apply is 15 January 2027 (11:59 pm Pacific time). If you want to be considered for UBC’s International Scholars Program, the deadline is earlier: 15 November 2026. Applications go through UBC’s online application on EducationPlannerBC. UBC dates and deadlines.
3. Write a strong personal profile
Every high school student applying to UBC must complete a personal profile as part of their application. You answer short questions about your experiences, achievements, interests and what you’ve learned from them, and UBC uses your answers alongside your grades. Use specific examples, explain your role and what you learned, and show how you’ve contributed to your school or community. See our 50 sample SOPs for ideas on how to write about yourself.
4. Meet the degree-specific subject requirements
Each degree requires certain senior-level subjects, such as mathematics, physics and chemistry for Applied Science, or mathematics for Commerce. UBC looks at your overall academic results and your grades in subjects relevant to your degree, so focus on these in your final years of school.
5. Meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard
If you need a test, UBC asks for IELTS Academic of 6.5 with no part below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT of 90 overall with at least 22 in reading and listening and 21 in writing and speaking (or 4.5 overall on the new 1–6 scale). You must reach the minimums in a single sitting, and for 2027–28 entry, scores must be from 1 January 2025 or later. There are also other ways to meet the standard, such as studying in English for four years. Practise with our free IELTS and TOEFL practice tests. UBC English requirements.
6. Apply for the International Scholars Program
UBC’s International Scholars Program offers need-and-merit-based awards for outstanding international students, including the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award and the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award. Some awards can cover up to the full cost of your programme and living expenses. You need a nominator from your school, such as a guidance counsellor or principal, and a teacher referee. For 2027 entry, you must apply to UBC first, and the scholarship application is due on 15 November 2026. Shortlisted students may have a video interview. If you apply to this programme, you won’t also be considered for UBC’s merit-based awards. UBC International Scholars.
7. Understand the fees
For 2026–27, first-year international tuition for a full course load in Vancouver was about CAD $51,530 for Arts, $53,082 for Science, $66,200 for Engineering and $66,678 for Commerce. For international students who started in 2026–27, UBC says tuition will rise by no more than 3% a year for the next four years. Vancouver is one of Canada’s most expensive cities, so budget carefully for housing.
8. Plan your housing
Residence places at UBC Vancouver are in high demand, so apply for housing as soon as you’re allowed to, and have a back-up plan for off-campus housing. If you’ve applied for the International Scholars Program, UBC suggests you wait for your award decision before applying for housing, and the housing deadline is usually 1 May.
9. Plan your study permit
If you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you’ll usually need a study permit. Most undergraduate applicants also need a provincial attestation letter (PAL), which UBC issues after you accept your offer, usually once you’ve paid a deposit. Since 1 January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public universities haven’t needed one. You must show that you can pay your first year’s tuition and living costs: for applications made from 1 September 2026, the government asks for at least CAD $23,448 a year for living costs for a single student, on top of tuition and travel. Rules change often, so check Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the latest advice.
10. Plan for work during and after your studies
During term, you can usually work up to 24 hours a week off campus. After a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD, you may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) of up to three years, if you meet the language requirement (CLB 7 in all four skills for university graduates). UBC’s co-op programmes in subjects such as engineering, science and commerce can help you gain paid work experience while you study.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at UBC?
Graduate programmes are run by UBC’s Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and individual departments, with deadlines often between December and February. You’ll usually need a strong first degree, references and a statement of interest, and some programmes ask for the GRE. For research degrees, it’s often essential to find a supervisor first. See our sample SOPs and free GRE practice tests.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
UBC’s popular degrees are competitive, so apply to other options too. Read our guides to McGill University, the University of Toronto, the University of Alberta and the University of Waterloo. Our guide to studying in Canada explains how the Canadian system works, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from the University of British Columbia’s official admissions, English language and fees pages, official Canadian government sources and the QS World University Rankings 2027, and checked in October 2026. Admissions rules, deadlines, fees and immigration rules can change, so always confirm the details on UBC’s admissions website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with the University of British Columbia.