Home / Opportunities / UBC International Scholars Program 2027 (Karen McKibbin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award, International Impact Award, Vantage One Excellence Award)
Canada · University of British Columbia
UBC International Scholars Program 2027 (Karen McKibbin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award, International Impact Award, Vantage One Excellence Award)
UBC's International Scholars Program is the university's flagship route for outstanding international students — combining academic merit, leadership and community impact with a serious financial-need assessment. Winners can study any eligible undergraduate degree at one of Canada's top research universities with funding scaled up to the full cost of the degree.
Why it is notable: the big-dollar awards (Leader of Tomorrow, Wehrung) are NOT the same as UBC's automatic merit scholarships — you must be nominated by your school and submit a separate award application by November 15, well ahead of the general admission deadline. Students who only apply for admission miss the awards track entirely.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Need-and-merit based. The Karen McKibbin International Leader of Tomorrow Award and the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award can cover up to the FULL cost of the degree (tuition + living costs proportional to demonstrated financial need). Partial awards are also made
the exact package is set after UBC assesses the family's financial need
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Higher secondaryfor Bachelors
This scholarship is offered for Undergraduate programs.
Who can apply
international students who will study at UBC on a Canadian study permit; entering their FIRST undergraduate degree (entering directly from secondary school; first-year post-secondary students may be nominated by their college/university or high school). No countries excluded — open to all nationalities. Must be nominated by their school guidance counsellor/administrator (up to TWO nominees per high school for UBC Vancouver incl. Vantage College; 1 for Okanagan — confirmed on the official UBC International Scholars page, read 2026-10-18), or by a non-profit organization (high school students only; for applicants from war-torn, politically unstable, or economically disadvantaged areas where no other option exists). Strong academic achievement + leadership + community engagement + demonstrated financial need. Applicants for the 2027 Winter session must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026 (official page, read 2026-10-18).
Experience
No experience required
Language Certificate
must meet UBC's English Language Admission Standard; English evidence/document deadline 31 January 2027 for Scholars nominees
Other Certificates
Degree certificates & transcripts
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
international students who will study at UBC on a Canadian study permit; entering their FIRST undergraduate degree (entering directly from secondary school;…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Language
must meet UBC's English Language Admission Standard; English evidence/document deadline 31 January 2027 for Scholars nominees
02
Qualification
international students who will study at UBC on a Canadian study permit; entering their FIRST undergraduate degree (entering directly from secondary school; first-year post-secondary students may be n
03
Documents
secondary-school academic transcripts (submitted via the UBC admission process); English proficiency evidence; award-portal sections: Nomination Form, Reference Form, Application Form, Program of Stud
Document checklist
01secondary-school academic transcripts (submitted via the UBC admission process)
02English proficiency evidence
03award-portal sections: Nomination Form, Reference Form, Application Form, Program of Study, Essays & Extracurriculars, detailed financial declarations.
Application fee
No fee — completely free
No separate scholarship application fee is published; confirm on the official page.
Visa, kept concise: After admission: apply for a Canadian study permit through IRCC.
Application Procedure
7 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Decide the academic program and campus (first
choice matters for the award).
→
02
Talk to the school in early fall
about the nomination; secure one nominator (principal/counsellor/administrator) and one separate academic referee (teacher/professor).
→
03
Submit the UBC undergraduate admission application (required
before starting the award application).
↓
06
Complete the student sections
Application Form, Program of Study, Essays & Extracurriculars — including detailed family financial information (household income, expenses, assets, liabilities, dependants' tuition), four short essays (~150–250 words ea
←
05
Invite the nominator (Nomination Form) and referee
(Reference Form) via the award portal early — their sections must be submitted for the application to be marked complete.
←
04
Register/log in on the UBC International Scholars
Program page and run "Check eligibility"; create the award application.
↓
07
Submit the completed award application by the deadline
submit admission documents/English evidence by 31 January 2027. (Shortlisted candidates may be invited to a video interview, Jan–Mar 2027.)
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official University of British Columbia platform.
international students who will study at UBC on a Canadian study permit; entering their FIRST undergraduate degree (entering directly from secondary school; first-year post-secondary students may be nominated by their college/university or high school). No countries excluded — open to all nationalities. Must be nominated by their school guidance counsellor/administrator (up to TWO nominees per high school for UBC Vancouver incl. Vantage College; 1 for Okanagan — confirmed on the official UBC International Scholars page, read 2026-10-18), or by a non-profit organization (high school students only; for applicants from war-torn, politically unstable, or economically disadvantaged areas where no other option exists). Strong academic achievement + leadership + community engagement + demonstrated financial need. Applicants for the 2027 Winter session must have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026 (official page, read 2026-10-18).
What does the scholarship cover?
Need-and-merit based. The Karen McKibbin International Leader of Tomorrow Award and the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award can cover up to the FULL cost of the degree (tuition + living costs proportional to demonstrated financial need). Partial awards are also made; the exact package is set after UBC assesses the family's financial need
Where do I apply?
Through the official application portal linked in the Official links section on this page.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Canada · University of British Columbia