phd scholarships in university of british columbia

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International Doctoral Fellowship

Annual value, citizenship, degree level.

The International Doctoral Fellowship (IDF) program supports top international students who are starting UBC-V doctoral programs. The fellowship provides funding for a total of five years: a $30,000 stipend plus tuition for four years and a minimum $18,000 funding package (from the recipient's supervisor/department/Faculty, comprising awards, teaching assistantships and/or research assistantships) for the fifth year.

Effective fall 2018, the International Doctoral Fellowships will not be awarded through a campus-wide competition.

Eligibility

To be eligible, nominees must:

• hold a valid student visa when they begin their UBC doctoral program
• be starting a UBC-V doctoral program in the year of application. For fast-track students (who advance / transfer from a Master's to a doctoral program without completing their Master's degree), the effective date of transfer to the doctoral program must be during the year of application.
• be pursuing their first thesis-based doctoral degree

Evaluation Criteria

Academic excellence - 30%

• Academic record
• Scholarships and awards held
• Duration of previous studies

Research ability or potential - 50%

• Quality of contributions to research and development
• Relevance of work experience and academic training to field of proposed research
• Significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed research, and justification for location of tenure
• Ability to think critically
• Ability to apply skills and knowledge
• Originality
• Initiative and autonomy
• Enthusiasm for research
• Determination and ability to complete projects within an appropriate period of time

Communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities - 20%

• quality of the application's presentation;
• participation in preparing publications; and
• awards for oral presentations or papers.
• supervisory experience
• project management
• chairing committees
• organizing conferences and meetings
• elected positions held

Meet Award Holders

David Moulton

Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD)

Effects of temperature, pathogens, and fishing gear on spawning migrations of Pacific salmon

Rebekah Kartal

Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD)

The search for solidarity in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands/occupied O'odham land

Rubaiya Rumman

Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD)

Wood fly ash-based self-healing concrete using encapsulated chemical agents

Maj Britt Jensen

Doctor of Philosophy in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice (PhD)

As original contribution to knowledge, I put forward the term: critical inner experience.

Henrik Jacobsen

Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD)

Administering shared waters: Transborder governance in North America

Tseday Zewdu Tegegn

Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)

Mechanism of dengue virus-induced thrombocytopenia

Temitope Onifade

Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD)

Law, Society, and the Regulation of Low Carbon Economies

Read tips on applying, reference letters, statement of interest, reaching out to prospective supervisors, interviews and more in our Application Guide!

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Scholarships and awards for international students

UBC recognizes the academic achievement of outstanding students from around the world by devoting more than $30 million annually to awards, scholarships, and other forms of financial support for international undergraduate students.

Scholarship and evaluation timeline

Merit-based awards are evaluated based on an applicant’s academic and personal profile. All international undergraduate applicants are considered for OIS and IMES awards, so the award evaluation process is highly competitive.

Admissions decisions and award evaluations are two separate processes. You will be considered for merit-based scholarships after you receive an offer of admission to UBC. While offers of admission may start rolling out in January, scholarship decisions are made between mid-March to the end of April.

Due to the large volume of applicants eligible for awards consideration, only successful recipients will receive notification of an award offer. Recipients of the IMES and OIS awards will receive their award offer in advance of their admission acceptance deadline date. Most students’ deadline will be May 1. The award offers are final and recipients will have up until their admissions offer deadline to accept their awards offer.

Financial Planning

Our OIS and IMES are merit-based awards and we are unable to take financial need into consideration. Recipients of OIS and IMES awards are encouraged to create a financial plan for the duration of their degree at UBC as these awards do not cover the full cost of education. Visit financial planning for helpful resources and calculators to help you create your own individual plan.

UBC Okanagan International Welcome Award

The UBC Okanagan International Welcome Award is a $5,000 award applied to international students’ first-year tuition at UBC Okanagan.

All international students who apply to UBC with a UBC Okanagan degree listed as their first choice and who are accepted and enrol into their UBC Okanagan first-choice program, will receive this award. The $5,000 award is a credit toward tuition fees for your first year of full-time study on the Okanagan campus. 50% of the award will be applied to Term 1 tuition and 50% of the award will be applied to Term 2 tuition.

The award is designed to welcome international students to the Okanagan campus and help you get the best possible start to your UBC Okanagan experience.

To be considered for the International Welcome Award, you must:

• be a first-year international student,
• select a UBC Okanagan degree listed as your first choice, and
• be accepted to UBC Okanagan and enrol into your first-choice degree.

How to apply

If you are accepted to UBC on your UBC Okanagan first-choice degree, this award will automatically be applied as a credit on your student account after you have accepted UBC’s offer of admission. You’ll be able to see this credit on your Applicant Service Centre account once classes start in September.

Finding your university path

Jakarta, indonesia | microbiology and immunology | bachelor + master of management.

Outstanding International Student Award-winner Angela Sunario was drawn to UBC because of its vast opportunities. When she got here, she was quick to get involved, push her limits, and find meaningful work that tied into her studies.

UBC alumnus Daniel Mundeva explains how the International Scholars program helped him achieve his goals

International Scholars Program

Earn a globally recognized degree at a top university.

A UBC degree opens doors and connects you to a vast alumni network across the globe.

Study with the brightest students in the world

You’ll join a community of engaged and supportive young leaders and study among the best and the brightest. You and your fellow Scholars will enrich UBC and the global community with your diverse perspectives, committed involvement, and innovative initiatives.

Take advantage of unique learning opportunities

You’ll have access to numerous opportunities inside and outside the classroom that will enrich your university experience.

Access dedicated advising and support

You’ll be supported by a team of dedicated International Scholars Program advisors throughout your undergraduate degree, plus a network of staff from across UBC’s faculties and services who will encourage your academic, personal, and career development.

UBC Vantage One scholarships and awards

UBC’s Vantage One program is for academically strong international students whose English language proficiency does not yet meet the requirements for direct admission into UBC.

If you are a new UBC Vantage One student, you’re eligible for UBC Vantage One awards. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, intellectual promise, and extracurricular or community involvement. Some of the scholarships also consider financial need. UBC Vantage One awards include:

• International Major Entrance Scholarship for Vantage One
• Vantage One Entrance Award
• Vantage One Excellence Award

Timelines, application processes, and eligibility criteria vary for the different UBC Vantage One awards.

University is a significant financial investment that will pay returns for the rest of your life.

To get a full picture of what your first year at UBC will cost – including tuition and books, meals and living costs, transportation expenses, and more – enter your details into the UBC cost calculator. You can try as many different calculations as you’d like to help get a breakdown of your first-year costs.

Scholarships and awards for current international students

UBC continues to support international students through a variety of in-program scholarships and awards. Scholarship and award amounts will vary, as will their renewability.

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Scholarships, Awards + Funding

The following resources are available to MASc & PhD students (MEng students are eligible for Teaching Assistantships only):

Graduate Support Initiative (GSI)

Eligibility: all students

The Graduate Support Initiative is a system for funding graduate students through entrance scholarships, multi-year funding packages, tuition awards and scholarship top-ups. GSI funding cannot be used as payment for employment; nor will it replace funding for TA-ships. Funding for the GSI will be phased in as the PhD Tuition Fee Award is phased out over the next several years.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies allocates GSI funds to the disciplinary Faculties, which in turn distribute those funds amongst their graduate programs. The GSI funding received by the Faculty of Applied Science is currently allocated in its entirety to the graduate programs. Graduate programs establish and publish criteria by which the GSI funding will be distributed amongst their graduate students. Students should refer questions regarding funding criteria and amounts to their graduate program office.

Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF)

Eligibility: all PhD students, selection based on academic excellence, upon the recommendation of the graduate program, automatic for Tri-Council holders for the balance of 4 years not covered by their scholarship

Four Year Doctoral Fellowship awards are worth up to $16,000 plus tuition for up to four years.

Tri-Council scholarships (NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC)

Eligibility:  Tri-Council - Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent resident research students with first class standing NSERC IPS - all research students with first class standing

There are three federal agencies that provide research funding for university students, postdoctoral fellows and professors. Referred to as the Tri-Council, they include the Canadian Institutes of Health Research ( CIHR ), the Social Sciences and Health Research Council ( SSHRC ) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council ( NSERC ).

Department deadlines for completed applications and supporting documents for the Tri-Council Competitions will be posted on their websites in late August each year.

The NSERC Industrial Postgraduate Scholarship ( IPS ) program provides support for graduate students who wish to gain research experience in industry. Applicants apply directly to NSERC.

APSC top-ups for Tri-Council winners

Eligibility: all Tri-Council holders

In recognition of their academic excellence, all Tri-Council winners are offered competitive funding packages. Minimum packages are guaranteed for each year the award is held. 

Research and teaching assistantships

Eligibility:  Research Assistantships - all research students Teaching Assistantships - all full-time students

The majority of MASc and PhD students who do not hold major scholarships (e.g., NSERC fellowships) are offered Research Assistantships (RAs) by their supervisors. Such assistantships are funded by research grants for specified projects which almost always constitute thesis projects. RAs may be held in conjunction with Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and some scholarships. 

Other funding opportunities

Prospective/current students should go through the internal and external awards and scholarship databases to find funding opportunities according to their eligibility criterias. 

Be Inspired

UBC Engineering students are using their skills and knowledge to make a difference. Read about the students who are having an impact as students and alumni.

From Kazakhstan to Vancouver: Pioneering Hydrogen Research, Mentorship and Sustainable Innovation While Balancing Motherhood and Global Leadership

Aigerim Akiltayeva

MEL 2024 Clean Energy Engineering

• Engineering
• Rising Stars
• Women in Engineering

Bridging the Gap Between Engineering and Social Science

Jessica Wolf

MASc 2024 Mechanical Engineering

Combining Interests in Engineering and Global Health

Pranav Shrestha

PhD 2024 Mechanical Engineering