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The University of British Columbia is a public institution located in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The university was established in 1908 but started functioning in 1915. It is one of the top universities in Canada and is among the top 20 public universities in the world. UBC offers 256 Undergraduate and 253 Postgraduate programmes across the disciplines of Health and Medicine, Nursing, Economics, Arts and Humanities, and others.
The University of British Columbia is ranked 34th in the QS and 41st in THE Rankings of 2024 and is accredited by AACSB. The University requires applicants to undertake English proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. The University has more than 70,000 students studying at various programmes including international students from over 140 countries. The global alumni network of UBC has more than 370,000 individuals, representing 160 countries. The University alumni comprises 8 Nobel laureates and 3 Canadian prime ministers and its varsity athletes have won 65 Olympic medals.
UBC major campuses are located in Vancouver and the Okanagan. It is home to several world-renowned research centres and institutes and consistently ranks as one of the world’s top research universities across many fields. UBC has more than 300 active institutional partnership agreements with universities and research institutions in more than 50 countries. The University Career Centre provides students with opportunities to work while studying in Canada. Overall, UBC is a top-ranked university with a strong reputation for academic excellence and research innovation.
The University of British Columbia offers 256 Undergraduate and 253 Postgraduate programmes. The top courses include Health and Medicine, Nursing, Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology, Arts and Humanities, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Economics and Business, Psychiatry/Psychology, and others.
The University of British Columbia's cost of living is quite expensive. The students can expect to spend between $2,097 and $2,212 CAD per month on living expenses, excluding tuition fees. The cost of living in Canada can vary depending on a number of factors, including lifestyle choices, the type of accommodation, and the selected program of study. The cost of living at UBC is given in the table below.
University of British Columbia cost of living for international students
Cost Item | Expenses per month |
On-campus residence Off-campus housing | $3,600-$6,300 CAD $1,200-$2,500 CAD |
Food | $300-$500 CAD |
Utilities (heat, hydro, internet) | $100-$200 CAD |
Transportation | $100-$200 CAD |
Other expenses (clothing, entertainment, personal care) | $200-$500 CAD |
The admission process of the University of British Columbia has competitive admission requirements depending on the programme and campus of choice. All applicants are required to check the admission requirements of the selected course of study prior to application.
How to apply for the University of British Columbia?
To apply for admission to the University of British Columbia, the applicant must follow the given steps.
Visit the official website of the University at ubc.ca.
Go to the Admissions tab and click on the link for Undergraduate Admissions.
Click on the link ‘Apply to UBC’.
Fill out the application with all the required information.
Applicants are required to write their Personal Profile as a part of the application.
Pay the application fee and submit the application.
The applicants are required to note their UBC number for future reference.
The UBC will send the email with the subject line “Your UBC Application – Next Steps”, where applicants have to submit all the required documents.
The documents must be uploaded electronically via email at final.grades@ubc.
The applicants will be informed about their admission status within 4 - 6 weeks from the date of application after the completion of document verification.
Application Fee
The University of British Columbia application fee is $125.25 for international students. The fee is non-refundable and must be paid in Canadian funds.
Required Documents
The documents required to complete the application process of UBC are mentioned below. Documents submitted in support of an application become the property of UBC and will not be returned unless they are irreplaceable.
Higher Secondary School (class 12th) Certificate.
Certificate of English Language Proficiency Test scores such as IELTS or TOEFL, PTE, or others.
Any additional document as per the requirements of the chosen course of study.
The University of British Columbia offers scholarships to recognize the academic achievement of international students from around the world. UBC devotes more than $30 million annually to awards, scholarships, and other forms of financial support for international students. Scholarships in Canada are usually offered on the basis of academic achievement and involvement in extracurricular activities. The Merit-based scholarships of UBC are mentioned below.
Merit-Based Scholarships
International Major Entrance Scholarship
Outstanding International Student Award
Premier Undergraduate and Wesbrook Scholarship (UG)
International Student Awards (UG)
Graduate Student Awards (PG)
President's Scholarships
The eligibility requirements of the University of British Columbia vary according to the Programmes offered at the University. The basic minimum eligibility required to gain admission at UBC is given below.
The minimum age of the applicant must be 18 years.
Must have completed Higher Secondary School (class 12th) as a minimum requirement for admission at UG courses.
Must have a GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 point scale, 3.7 is the most preferable GPA i.e 80% of the minimum aggregate score.
English language proficiency as per the University requirements.
Any additional requirements as stated by the selected course of study.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Students who have completed/are completing four or more consecutive years of full-time education in the English language in a country other than Canada where English is the principal language may get an exemption from the below-mentioned English proficiency requirements. If any applicant has completed an online English language proficiency test that is not listed in the table below and wants it to get considered by the UBC, can email the test result along with a waiver request with other required documents to final.grades@ubc.
University of British Columbia English Proficiency Test Scores
English Proficiency Tests | Minimum Required Scores |
TOEFL (iBT) | 90 |
6.5 | |
125 | |
70 | |
180 | |
65 |
The ResNet facility of UBC connects residences to the internet and campus network. ResNet is delivered through either a hardwired port or a wireless connection.
The University of British Columbia library offers Secured Internet Access, Group and silent study spaces, Technology Spaces, Workshop and presentation Rooms, Technology Support, Pianos, and more.
UBC is home to over 350 AMS (Alma Mater Society) clubs. Each faculty is represented by a student society. Students can connect with clubs and organisations to enhance their skills.
UBC sports clubs give students an opportunity in a variety of sports including alpine skiing, fencing, sailing, tennis, and synchronised swimming with the Aquatic Centre, Golf Club, Tennis Centre, Hangar Fitness and Wellness Centre.
UBC Parking provides a paid car parking facility. Most parking lots and parkades are open to students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors.
UBC offers many transportation options like cycling, carshare, and public transit. Other transportation facilities include Community Bike Clinics, E-Bike Program, and Accessibility Shuttle for students with disabilities.
The University has a wide variety of services for students with disabilities and physical challenges, including special assistance and Accessibility Shuttle.
UBC Parking provides a paid car parking facility. Most parking lots and parkades are open to students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors.
The international students can contact the University of British Columbia at the given details.
Address: 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z4
Website: www.ubc.ca
Phone No. 604 822 2211
Email: ubco.global@ubc.ca
The University of British Columbia offers on-campus accommodations for international students. UBC houses more than 13,000 students in 15 residences and all the first-year residences include mandatory meal plans. The on-campus accommodations allow students to live nearer to the academic building and resources. The international students can avail of several other accommodation options in Canada. The amenities and facilities provided at the campus residences include well-furnished rooms, Wi-Fi connectivity, a common space area, study spaces, kitchens, laundry facilities, security, and emergency services.
University of British Columbia on-campus accommodations
Residences | Monthly Charges |
Orchard Commons | $845—$1,123 |
Place Vanier | $681—$876 |
Totem Park | $475—$995 |
Brock Commons | $992—$1,200 |
Fairview Crescent | $860—$1,519 |
Fraser Hall | $855 |
Marine Drive | $949—$1,241 |
Off-campus Accommodations
The University of British Columbia helps in providing students with the information resources to find suitable off-campus accommodations. These sites/groups are provided as a resource to students. UBC does not endorse them or their rental listings. Here are some websites and apps that can help students in finding a place to live.
Facebook: UBC Roommates group
liv.rent
Global Education City
Rentsline
Craigslist
Off-Campus Housing 101
Apartment Love
Yes. The University of British Columbia offers scholarships for international students. The scholarships are offered on a merit basis to attract academically strong students from around the world. International Major Entrance Scholarship and Outstanding International Student Award are some examples of the UBC international students scholarships.
The admission process at the University of British Columbia is very competitive and selective. The acceptance rate of UBC is approximately 53%.
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate the test scores of IELTS, TOEFL, DTE, and others to meet the English language proficiency requirements of the University of British Columbia.
The University of British Columbia is ranked 34th in the QS World University Rankings, 2024.