UBC admissions blog

Updated: November 28, 2024

UBC’s Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program supports Canadian students (citizens, permanent residents and protected persons of Canada) who self-identify as Black, meet UBC’s admission requirements and show an interest in joining and contributing to the UBC community, but who would not be able to attend without significant financial assistance.

Renewable awards

Through the program, new students can access annual renewable awards of up to $80,000.

Students must be entering directly from high school or transferring from another post-secondary institution and must be applying to a direct entry undergraduate program at UBC.

“If I hadn’t received the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars award I definitely wouldn’t be here. Just financially, it would have been really hard, especially attending university outside of [my city]. And that would have been really sad for me because I was really excited to attend UBC and that was what I had my heart set on. So, I’m really, really thankful that I got this award and that I’m able to be here.” – Joan N., Beyond Tomorrow Scholar, UBC Vancouver

 

Programs and supports

UBC Beyond Tomorrow Scholars are more than award recipients. Students participate in a range of programming and services designed to develop their leadership skills.

As a Beyond Tomorrow Scholar, you will experience cross-campus support throughout your time at UBC with dedicated advisors and mentors. There are workshops, retreats, conferences and other opportunities to make meaningful relationships with your cohort, your program, and the wider community.

“I have found community at UBC [Okanagan] with the African Caribbean Student Club. I was the only Black graduate in my [high school] class so coming from that it’s been really comforting. I feel safe here.” – Uno N., Beyond Tomorrow Scholar, UBC Okanagan

 

Apply Now

To apply, you must complete the UBC Entrance Award Application and select the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Award. The deadline to apply to the award is December 1 December 15 (deadline extended). You must submit your UBC application by December 1.

As part of your Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Award application, you must include a Student Application form, a Description of Circumstance essay outlining your personal, family, and financial situation, a Parent/Guardian Form to provide information on your family’s finances, if applicable, and contact details for a personal reference who is able to comment on your character, interest in UBC, and financial circumstances.

If you have further questions about the Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program or related to admission into UBC, please do not hesitate to contact us at beyond.tomorrow@ubc.ca. We’re looking forward to receiving your application!

Each year, UBC offers need- and merit-based awards to international students through our International Scholars Program. These students enrich our community with their distinct perspectives, committed involvement, and global initiatives. If you are an international student interested in learning more about becoming an International Scholar, read on!

What awards are available?

Four prestigious awards are offered through UBC’s International Scholars Program: the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award, the International Impact Award, and the Vantage One Excellence Award.

UBC offers approximately 35 scholarships each year across all four awards, which are given to exceptional international students entering undergraduate studies at UBC. You won’t select which award you wish to receive when you submit your application – our team will automatically consider you for the awards that you are eligible for.

The Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award

This award recognizes exceptional prospective international undergraduate students who demonstrate superior academic achievement and exemplary leadership skills that support and empower others through collaboration, empathy and active listening. It recognizes students who have made a positive impact through their involvement in various school and community service projects and initiatives, and attained notable achievement in other academic or extra-curricular pursuits.

The Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award

This award recognizes outstanding international undergraduate students from impoverished or war-torn areas who have achieved academic excellence under challenging circumstances, and who would be unable to attend university without significant financial assistance. Students should demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.

International Impact Award

This award is offered to exceptional students who have demonstrated leadership as well as commitment to and solutions for sustainability and climate change, natural resource conservation and management, social justice, equity and inclusion, or societal health and wellness. Priority is given to first generation learners and those from diverse lived backgrounds.

The Vantage One Excellence Award

This award is offered by UBC Vantage College for academically outstanding international students who do not yet meet the English Language Admission Standard for direct admission to UBC. The awards range in value up to the full cost of a student’s academic program and living expenses. Students should demonstrate leadership skills, impactful involvement in student affairs and community service, and notable achievement in other academic or extra-curricular pursuits.

Who can qualify for the Program?

All four awards are need- and merit-based, and are specifically for students who would not be able to attend UBC without significant financial assistance. As part of the application, you will be required to complete a full financial declaration in order to determine eligibility, and you will need to be nominated for the Program by your school counsellor or head teacher. Once your teacher nominates you for the International Scholars Program, you will not be considered for any other UBC award.

(If you don’t have significant financial need and are therefore not eligible to be nominated for an International Scholars Award, you will automatically be considered for the Outstanding International Student Award and International Major Entrance Scholarship if you apply for admission to UBC before January 15, 2025.)

Meet our scholars

Get to know some of our current International Scholars, including where they come from, what they are studying, and what they have to say about the Program.

How do you apply for the International Scholars Program?

The application for the Program is now open. Visit the International Scholars website for complete information about eligibility and to access the nomination/application portal.

When is the deadline?

Your International Scholars Awards application must be submitted by midnight Pacific Time on November 15, 2024. You must also complete the UBC online application by December 1, 2024.

By January 31, 2025, you must meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard for direct-entry, or the English language requirement for UBC Vantage College if you have applied to a Vantage One program and are hoping to be considered for the Vantage One Excellence Award.

Presidential Scholars Award

UBC is looking for the most accomplished and promising Canadian citizens and permanent residents to join our community. If you have begun – but not completed – your UBC application, please do so by December 1, 2018. If you apply by this date, you will be eligible for UBC’s Presidential Scholars Award (formerly the Major Entrance Scholarship), including a one-time award of approximately $5,000, and renewable awards of up to $80,000 payable over four years.

All high school and CEGEP applicants will be evaluated for the Presidential Scholars Award based on the Academic Profile and Personal Profile sections of their online application.

International Major Entrance Scholarship

Each year, International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES) are offered to exceptional international students entering undergraduate programs at UBC. Students receive their IMES when they enter their first year at UBC, and the scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years of study. The number and level of the scholarships awarded each year vary, depending on available funding.

No separate application is required – admission records and Personal Profiles are reviewed after admission to UBC to determine IMES eligibility and competitiveness. Apply for admission by January 15, 2019 to be considered for the IMES. Learn more about International Major Entrance Scholarships.

Meet a UBC Scholarship recipient

Hear from scholarship-recipient Logan Graham about the qualities common to Presidential Scholars Awards winners, and how the scholarship helped him fulfill his academic dreams.