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The University of British Columbia

Vancouver, Canada · Public · Est. 1908

Updated 23 Oct 2026

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Established

1908

Type

Public

Location

Vancouver, Canada

QS World University Rankings 2027

45 in the world

About the university

The University of British Columbia was created by an act of the British Columbia legislature in 1908 and moved to its present Point Grey campus on Vancouver's western tip in 1925. It is now one of Canada's three largest research universities alongside Toronto and McGill, and a member of the U15 group of research-intensive Canadian universities. UBC runs two campuses: the main campus in Vancouver and a smaller campus in Kelowna in the Okanagan valley.

UBC is strong across sciences, forestry, sustainability, business and computer science. The Sauder School of Business offers the Bachelor of Commerce and MBA, the Faculty of Applied Science runs engineering and the Master of Engineering Leadership, and the Master of Data Science is a short 10-month professional master's that is popular with Indian graduates. Fees are charged per credit and differ by faculty, so two UBC degrees of the same length can cost quite different amounts.

The Vancouver campus sits on a forested peninsula surrounded by beaches, about 30 minutes by bus from downtown. It has its own residences, museums, a botanical garden and the Museum of Anthropology. Vancouver is one of Canada's most expensive cities for rent, so on-campus housing and a realistic living-cost budget matter more here than in many other Canadian cities.

Indian students form one of UBC's largest international groups, and the city has a large South Asian community, particularly in Surrey. UBC's undergraduate admission is holistic: besides grades, most programmes ask for a personal profile with short written answers about your experiences. Students who meet academic requirements but not the English standard can start through UBC Vantage College.

Founded
1908 by provincial act; teaching began in 1915 at the Point Grey (Vancouver) site's forerunner
Type
Public research university, member of the U15 group of Canadian research universities
Campuses
Vancouver (Point Grey) and Okanagan (Kelowna); this page covers Vancouver
Main intake
September (Winter Session). Undergraduate applications for 2027 close on 15 January 2027
Course-load fee rule
Tuition is charged per credit; a full first-year load is usually 30 credits (Engineering 37)
Fee increases
For students starting in 2026/27, international tuition rises by no more than 3% a year for up to four more years

Rankings

  • QS World University Rankings 2027

    45 in the world

  • THE World University Rankings 2027

    44 in the world, 3rd in Canada

Popular courses with Indian students

View all 15 courses with filters

Fees for international students

Course fees
CourseDurationFee / year (CAD)Approx. in rupees
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science4 yearsC$53,082≈ ₹35.6 lakh
Bachelor of Applied Science (Engineering)4 years (5 with co-op)C$66,200≈ ₹44.4 lakh
Bachelor of Commerce (Sauder School of Business)4 yearsC$66,678≈ ₹44.7 lakh
Master of Data Science10 months (full time)C$59,768≈ ₹40 lakh
Master of Engineering Leadership12 months (full time)C$68,072≈ ₹45.6 lakh
Bachelor of International Economics4 yearsC$62,338≈ ₹41.8 lakh
Bachelor of Science (Statistics / Data Science specialisation)4 yearsC$53,082≈ ₹35.6 lakh
Bachelor of Science (Biology, Microbiology and other life sciences)4 yearsC$53,082≈ ₹35.6 lakh

Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

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Scholarships

  • Undergraduate, first degree

    International Scholars Program (includes the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award)

    Value: Need-based: can cover the gap between full costs (tuition, fees, living) and what your family can pay; renewable for up to 3 more years

    Eligibility: International students coming from secondary school with superior grades and leadership, who show financial need. Needs a nomination from your school, an academic reference, a scholarship application by 15 November 2026 and the UBC admission application by 1 December 2026.

    Official page (opens in a new tab)
  • Undergraduate

    Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award

    Value: Need-based, part of the International Scholars Program

    Eligibility: Outstanding students from regions affected by poverty or conflict who could not attend university without substantial support.

    Official page (opens in a new tab)
  • Undergraduate

    International Impact Award

    Value: Need-based, part of the International Scholars Program

    Eligibility: Students with leadership in sustainability, climate, social justice, equity or health; priority to first-generation learners. Same nomination and deadline as the International Scholars Program.

    Official page (opens in a new tab)
  • UBC Vantage College first-year programme

    Vantage One Excellence Award

    Value: Merit award (amount set by UBC each year)

    Eligibility: Academically strong students coming directly from school who do not yet meet UBC's English standard and start in the Vantage One programme.

    Official page (opens in a new tab)

Admission requirements

Undergraduate

  • Standard XII (Class 12) results from CBSE, CISCE (ISC) or a state board, with Class 10 results. UBC looks at your grades in the subjects related to your chosen degree.
  • Each degree has required subjects. Science and Computer Science need Mathematics and science subjects; Engineering needs Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry; Commerce needs Mathematics.
  • A personal profile is part of the application for most programmes: short written answers about your activities, responsibilities and goals.
  • Apply online through UBC's undergraduate application. The 2027 deadline is 15 January 2027 (1 December 2026 if you want to be considered for the International Scholars Program).
  • If you meet academic requirements but not the English standard, UBC Vantage College offers a first-year route into Arts, Science, Applied Science and Management (Okanagan).

Postgraduate

  • A four-year bachelor's degree, or a three-year degree plus a recognised one-year master's or postgraduate diploma, is usually needed. UBC's graduate school publishes minimum standards by country.
  • Course-based professional master's degrees such as the Master of Data Science and the Master of Engineering Leadership set their own prerequisites (for example programming, calculus and statistics for MDS).
  • Research master's degrees (MSc, MASc, MA) usually need a supervisor who agrees to take you on before you are admitted.
  • Apply online through UBC's graduate application. The Master of Data Science deadline for September 2027 is 31 January 2027.

Documents

  • Valid passport
  • Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (undergraduate)
  • Degree transcripts and certificate, or interim transcripts (postgraduate)
  • Personal profile (undergraduate) or statement of intent (postgraduate)
  • English test score unless you qualify for an exemption
  • Reference letters (graduate programmes; the International Scholars Program also needs a nomination and an academic reference)
  • CV or résumé (graduate and professional programmes)
  • Proof of funds for your study permit: tuition plus at least CAD 22,895 a year for living costs for a single student (IRCC figure from 1 September 2025)

Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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English language requirements

English requirements
Test or routeTypical requirement
IELTS Academic6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band for undergraduate admission (some degrees ask for more).
TOEFL iBT90 overall, with at least 22 in reading and listening and 21 in writing and speaking, for undergraduate admission.
Duolingo English TestAccepted by UBC for undergraduate admission; check the current minimum on UBC's English Language Admission Standard page.
Graduate programmesEach graduate programme sets its own minimum; many ask for IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 90.
Not yet at the English standardUBC Vantage College combines English support with first-year degree courses.

Accommodation and living costs

UBC runs first-year residences with a mandatory meal plan (Totem Park, Place Vanier and Orchard Commons) and upper-year and graduate housing such as Fairview Crescent. Vancouver rents are high, so apply for residence as soon as you accept your offer. Figures below are UBC's 2026/27 Winter Session prices (September to April, about eight months).

Accommodation and living costs
ItemIn CADApprox. in rupees
Totem Park first-year single roomRoom only; the mandatory meal plan is extraC$7,935per Winter Session (Sept–Apr)≈ ₹5.3 lakh
Totem Park shared (double) roomRoom onlyC$6,376per Winter Session (Sept–Apr)≈ ₹4.3 lakh
First-year mandatory meal planTotem Park 2026/27; single room plus meals totals about $15,647C$7,712per Winter Session (Sept–Apr)≈ ₹5.2 lakh
Fairview Crescent single room in a shared unitUpper-year housing; internet and utilities includedC$8,133–8,763per Winter Session (Sept–Apr)≈ ₹5.4 lakh – ₹5.9 lakh
Fairview Crescent one-bedroomC$13,961per Winter Session (Sept–Apr)≈ ₹9.4 lakh
U-Pass (public transit)Charged with student fees; covers buses and SkyTrain in Metro VancouverC$43per month≈ ₹2,904

Campus and location

The Vancouver campus covers a forested peninsula at Point Grey, with beaches on three sides and downtown Vancouver about 30 minutes away by bus. Vancouver has a mild, rainy climate by Canadian standards and a large South Asian community.

  • The campus has its own residences, sports centres, libraries and cultural spaces such as the Museum of Anthropology and the UBC Botanical Garden.
  • Frequent buses (99 B-Line and others) link the campus to the SkyTrain network; the U-Pass gives unlimited transit.
  • Co-op programmes in Engineering, Science, Arts and Commerce add paid work terms to the degree.
  • UBC Okanagan in Kelowna is a separate, smaller campus with its own programmes and lower living costs.
  • Surrey and Richmond in Metro Vancouver have large Indian communities with familiar food and festivals.

Careers and graduate outcomes

Graduates of UBC's degree programmes can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Bachelor's and master's graduates from universities are not subject to the field-of-study list that applies to college programmes, but must meet IRCC's language test rule. Co-op terms during the degree are the most common way UBC students build Canadian work experience.

Graduate outcomes
WhatFigureSource
Off-campus work allowed during term (study permit holders)Up to 24 hours a weekIRCC
PGWP length after a master's degree of at least 8 monthsUp to 3 yearsIRCC
PGWP language requirement for university graduatesCLB 7 in all four skills (from 1 November 2024)IRCC
Proof of funds for a single student outside QuebecCAD 22,895 a year plus tuitionIRCC

Studying in Canada

Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:

Other universities in Canada

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FAQs

How much does UBC cost an Indian student each year?

First-year tuition in 2026/27 ranges from about CAD 51,530 (Arts) to CAD 66,678 (Commerce), with Engineering about CAD 66,200 for its larger first-year load. Add roughly CAD 15,600 for a first-year residence room with meal plan for eight months, plus books, insurance and personal costs.

Does UBC accept CBSE and state board marks?

Yes. UBC accepts Standard XII from CBSE, CISCE and state boards. It looks closely at the subjects required for your degree and at your personal profile.

What is the deadline for September 2027?

15 January 2027 for undergraduate degrees. If you want to be considered for the International Scholars Program, apply to UBC by 1 December 2026 and submit the scholarship application by 15 November 2026. Graduate deadlines differ by programme; the Master of Data Science closes on 31 January 2027.

Is there a scholarship for Indian students?

UBC's main international awards are need-based and run through the International Scholars Program, which needs a school nomination. They are open to Indian students but are highly competitive.

Can I work while studying at UBC?

Study permit holders can usually work off campus up to 24 hours a week during term and full time in scheduled breaks, and on campus without that limit. Co-op work terms are part of the degree and need a co-op work permit.

Will my fees rise every year?

UBC says international tuition for students starting in 2026/27 will rise by no more than 3% a year for up to four more years.

Sources

  1. UBC: undergraduate tuition fees (2026/27) (opens in a new tab)
  2. UBC: cost of attending (opens in a new tab)
  3. UBC Master of Data Science (opens in a new tab)
  4. UBC MDS: tuition and financial aid (opens in a new tab)
  5. UBC Applied Science Professional Programs: tuition and fees (opens in a new tab)
  6. UBC: International Scholars Program (opens in a new tab)
  7. UBC Student Housing: Totem Park fees 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
  8. UBC Student Housing: Fairview Crescent fees 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
  9. UBC Vantage College: admission requirements (opens in a new tab)
  10. THE World University Rankings 2027 (Canada results, Academica summary) (opens in a new tab)
  11. QS World University Rankings: The University of British Columbia (opens in a new tab)
  12. IRCC: Post-Graduation Work Permit (opens in a new tab)
  13. IRCC: work off campus as a student (opens in a new tab)

Official website: www.ubc.ca (opens in a new tab)

Check the latest details

We researched this page on 23 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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