UBC values diversity and strongly encourages dedicated international students to apply to our graduate programs.
About 30% of master’s students, and 44% of doctoral students at UBC Vancouver are international students. We have close to 3600 doctoral students and 6200 master’s students, the fourth largest graduate student population among Canadian universities, and our 85 academic units offer over 250 research-based programs and 85 course-based master’s programs.
UBC is recognized globally as one of the most sustainable campuses in the world and a model for sustainable cities.
Canada is a safe country and study destination according to Global Piece Index and Global Law and Order Report.
UBC invested more than $1.5 billion dollars into infrastructure and facilities in the past few years.
Seed funding, tech accelerator, incubator, executives in residence - UBC provides support for all stages of venture creation, from ideation, through business model creation, to company building.
Canada was ranked 2nd in the 2018 Best Countries Ranking by US News, which measures global performance on a variety of metrics.
Canadians are friendly people with an open and welcoming culture. Canadians rank among the happiest people in the World Happiness Report.
Vancouver has it all: sea, parks, mountains, beaches and four seasons per year, including beautiful summers and mild, wet winters with snow in the mountains.
UBC focuses on your success and offers dozens of professional development events and career sessions over the course of your program.
Times Higher Education ranked UBC as the most international university in North America in its "World University Rankings 2024.”
Vancouver is one of the most attractive cities in the world, according to rankings by The Economist (world’s most livable city), Mercer Consulting (best city in the world) and by Condé Nast Traveler magazine (best city in the Americas).
Course-based pograms, sometimes referred to as professional programs, require a student to complete a set number of courses to obtain a degree. Submission of an individual research thesis is usually not required, but programs may include major projects, capstone courses, internships or other work placements. Course-based programs tend to be shorter in duration and more flexible in program delivery, usually with higher tuition costs. These are often targeted at professionals with some work experience to attain the next career promotion or a change into another field.
Research-based programs usually include some coursework at the beginning of the degree and then focus on individual independent research under the supervision of a faculty member that culminates in the formulation of a thesis or dissertation. Most master programs require 2 years of study and PhD programs usually require between 5-7 years of study. Research degrees provide the possibility to become an expert in a chosen field of study with the possibility to pursue an academic career as professor as well as exciting careers in non-academic environments. Many UBC programs expect applicants to have obtained a master's level qualification before entering a PhD, although direct entry into PhD progams is possible at UBC.
UBC is a research powerhouse and invests heavily into attracting the best young scientists into its programs. Compared to other institutions of similar reputation UBC offers very high quality education at a significantly subsidized low tuition cost. Apart from the low base tuition excellent candidates for research-programs will benefit from scholarships and awards.
All new PhD students will receive a minimum funding guarantee of $24,000 for each of the first four years of the PhD. Strong applicants can expect higher funding packages. The average funding package at UBC is $28,000 per year.
All eligible international students in research-based programs automatically qualify for a tuition award of up to $3,200.
The Graduate Support Initiative is a program for funding graduate students through entrance scholarships, multi-year funding packages, tuition awards and scholarship top-ups.
These awards recognize the significant contributions of PhD students to the research activities of the university. All eligible PhD students automatically receive the award.
1. Determine which program you would like to apply to and visit their web site to learn more.
Explore our Graduate Programs2. Review minimum academic requirements, English language requirements and other tests you might need.
Check Your Eligibility3. Gather your required documents, such as transcripts and reference letters, and other application components.
Prepare your Application4. If you are applying to a research-based program, investigate faculty members in the graduate program you are interested in. Many graduate programs (especially those that require a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation) recommend that before applying, you make contact with a faculty member in your chosen area of study. This person may be able to support your application in the selection process.
Find a supervisor5. Apply online by visiting the application portal.
Apply OnlineApplicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
The value of strong English skills
English is one of the two official languages of Canada, and the primary language of instruction at UBC. Strong English skills mean new students can settle quickly into their academic environment, and get to know their fellow students and faculty members who will be their colleagues during their time at UBC. Students with good English skills are far more likely to succeed; they experience far less stress and get greater enjoyment and fulfillment from their studies.
Applicants are advised to focus on learning how to speak, listen, read, and write in English, independent of studying for the TOEFL (or other tests), as this will best prepare them for communicating in all types of situations. Students with strong English skills are more likely to do well on the TOEFL.
Students from eligible countries planning to apply for a study permit via the Student Direct Stream (SDS) pathway are advised to carefully review the language test eligibility requirements.
Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores, and may require minimum scores on individual components of any of the tests. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.
The minimum TOEFL score required for all applicants to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is
Some programs require a higher score.
Important:
UBC requires an official score to be sent to us electronically directly from the test centre/ETS.
On the TOEFL score request form you will be asked to specify the receiving institutions where you would like the results being sent to. To ensure UBC receives your results correctly, you have to use the following details:
A minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component of the academic (NOT general) IELTS test.*
Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores, and may require minimum scores on individual components of the test. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.
Important:
UBC requires an official score to be sent to us electronically from the test centre.
On the IELTS application form you will be asked to specify institutions where you would like the results being sent to. To ensure UBC receives your results correctly, you have to use the following details on the application:
A minimum overall score of 70 is required with 60 on the speaking sub-test.
Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.
UBC requires an official paper record of this test score.
UBC English Language InstituteEnglish for Academic Purposes (EAP): Applicant must achieve a 75% in each component of the 600 level.
PTE (Pearson Test of English - Academic)A minimum overall score of 65 on the academic (NOT general) test is required with minimums of 60 reading, 60 writing, 60 listening, and 60 speaking.
Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.
Important:
Please email graduate.apply@ubc.ca when you have a test score ready for download.
Alternative TestsA minimum overall MELAB final score of 85 (with 3 in the speaking test) is required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): B
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): C
