Scholarship Opportunity

Outstanding International Student Award at UBC: Eligibility, Amount, How to Apply

The Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a merit-based entrance scholarship for high-achieving international students who are beginning undergraduate studies at UBC.

The award recognizes students who combine strong academic performance with meaningful extracurricular involvement. Unlike some international scholarships that require a separate application, eligible students are automatically considered for the OIS Award when they apply to UBC by the required admissions deadline.

The Outstanding International Student Award (OIS) at UBC is a one-time, merit-based entrance scholarship for eligible international students entering UBC. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and strong extracurricular involvement. There is no separate scholarship application; eligible students are automatically considered when they apply to UBC by the admissions deadline. UBC’s published 2025/26 award value is $10,000–$25,000.

For international students looking for scholarships in Canada, the OIS Award can make a UBC education more affordable. However, it is important to understand what the award covers, who qualifies, how selection works and how it differs from other UBC scholarships.

UBC Outstanding International Student Award

Scholarship	Outstanding International Student Award
University	University of British Columbia (UBC)
Scholarship type	Merit-based entrance scholarship
Study level	Undergraduate
Student type	International students
Award frequency	One-time
Separate scholarship application	No
Academic excellence	Required
Extracurricular involvement	Considered
Financial need	Not considered
Renewable	No
Application route	UBC undergraduate admission
Award amount	Varies by academic year

UBC describes the OIS Award as a one-time merit-based entrance scholarship awarded to qualified international students when they receive an offer of admission.

Important: Scholarship values and eligibility rules can change between admission cycles. Always check the latest information from UBC before applying.

What Is the Outstanding International Student Award at UBC?

The Outstanding International Student Award is a merit-based scholarship for exceptional international students entering UBC.

The award recognizes students who have demonstrated:

Outstanding academic achievement
Strong extracurricular involvement
Potential to contribute to the UBC community

UBC considers the award alongside its other merit-based opportunities for international students.

The OIS Award is particularly attractive because you do not need to complete a separate scholarship application. If you meet the requirements and submit your UBC application by the relevant deadline, UBC automatically considers you for the award.

How Much Is the UBC Outstanding International Student Award?

The value of the OIS Award depends on the academic year and available funding.

UBC’s current scholarship information lists the 2025/26 OIS Award at $10,000–$25,000.

Because UBC updates scholarship values, applicants should not assume that the same amount will apply to every future intake.

Is the OIS Award paid every year?

No.

The Outstanding International Student Award is a one-time entrance scholarship. This is one of the biggest differences between OIS and the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES).

If you are comparing UBC scholarships, check whether the award is:

One-time
Renewable
Based on financial need
Based only on academic merit
Available to new or continuing students

That distinction can make a major difference when planning the total cost of your degree.

Who Is Eligible for the Outstanding International Student Award?

UBC states that applicants must meet several conditions to be considered for an OIS Award.

You must:

Be new to UBC.
Enter UBC directly from secondary school or from a post-secondary institution such as a university or college.
Be an international student.
Study at UBC on a Canadian study permit.
Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
Demonstrate strong extracurricular involvement.
Not be nominated for a need-and-merit-based International Scholars Award.
Apply to UBC by the admissions deadline.

Meeting these conditions makes you eligible for consideration, but it does not guarantee that you will receive the scholarship.

The award is competitive because UBC considers eligible international undergraduate applicants based on their academic and personal profiles.

Can International Students From Any Country Apply?

The OIS Award is designed for international students, so applicants from different countries can be considered.

Your nationality alone does not guarantee an award. You must also meet UBC’s admission and scholarship requirements.

For example, an international student from Nigeria can seek consideration for the OIS Award if they meet UBC’s requirements and apply by the relevant deadline.

Can Transfer Students Apply for the UBC OIS Award?

Potentially, yes.

This is an important difference between the OIS Award and IMES.

UBC’s current eligibility criteria say that OIS applicants can enter directly from secondary school or post-secondary education, including university or college.

By contrast, IMES is intended for students entering UBC directly from secondary school.

Therefore, an international transfer applicant should not automatically assume that IMES and OIS have identical eligibility rules.

Do You Need a Separate OIS Scholarship Application?

No.

You do not submit a separate application for the Outstanding International Student Award.

Instead, you apply for admission to UBC by the applicable deadline. UBC then automatically considers eligible international applicants for its merit-based awards, including OIS.

The basic process is:

Apply to UBC → Meet the eligibility requirements → Submit your application by the deadline → UBC evaluates your profile → Successful applicants receive an award offer

This makes the OIS Award different from many international scholarships that require essays, recommendation letters, financial documents and a separate scholarship application.

How to Apply for the Outstanding International Student Award

Although there is no separate OIS application, you still need to submit a strong UBC admission application.

Step 1: Choose your UBC program

Start by choosing the undergraduate program you want to study.

UBC offers undergraduate programs across areas such as:

Business and economics
Engineering and technology
Health and life sciences
Mathematics and sciences
Arts and humanities
Education
Social sciences
Environment and sustainability

Your program choice can affect the admission requirements you need to meet.

Step 2: Check your admission requirements

Before applying, review the admission requirements for your country, educational system and intended program.

Make sure you understand the required subjects, grades and English-language requirements.

A scholarship cannot compensate for failing to meet UBC’s admission requirements.

Step 3: Prepare your application

Prepare your academic records and the other information required by UBC.

Take time to accurately present your:

Academic achievements
Extracurricular activities
Leadership experience
Community involvement
Awards and accomplishments

Step 4: Submit your UBC application before the deadline

The OIS Award does not have a separate scholarship application.

Your key action is to submit your UBC undergraduate application before the applicable deadline.

For the 2027 intake, UBC currently lists January 15, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. PST as the application deadline for Winter Session programs.

Always check the deadline for your specific intake and program because UBC can update its dates.

Step 5: Wait for the scholarship evaluation

UBC evaluates admission and merit-based awards separately.

UBC’s current timeline says scholarship announcements for awards such as OIS and IMES take place during March–April 2026 for the 2026 cycle.

For a future intake, use UBC’s latest dates rather than relying on the previous year’s schedule.

What Does UBC Look for in OIS Applicants?

UBC identifies two major areas in its description of OIS recipients:

Academic achievement and extracurricular involvement.

That means you should think beyond grades when preparing your application.

1. Strong academic performance

Your grades form an important part of your scholarship profile.

A strong academic record shows that you can handle university-level study.

Pay particular attention to subjects related to your intended degree.

For example, a student applying for an engineering program should demonstrate strong preparation in relevant mathematics and science subjects.

2. Meaningful extracurricular involvement

UBC also considers extracurricular involvement.

This could include:

Leadership
Sports
Student organizations
Volunteering
Academic competitions
Entrepreneurship
Research
Community projects
Creative activities

Do not focus only on the number of activities.

A student who spent several years leading one meaningful community project may have a stronger story than someone who joined 20 organizations without taking an active role.

3. Evidence of achievement

Where possible, show what you actually accomplished.

For example:

Weak:
“Volunteered at a community organization.”

Stronger:
“Led a six-month reading program that provided weekly tutoring to 40 secondary-school students.”

The second example gives the scholarship evaluator a clearer picture of the student’s contribution.

How Competitive Is the Outstanding International Student Award?

The OIS Award is competitive.

UBC states that all international undergraduate applicants are considered for its merit-based awards and that the award evaluation process is highly competitive.

Therefore, simply meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee an award.

Think of eligibility as the starting point, not the finish line.

A competitive applicant should ideally combine:

Excellent academics + meaningful extracurricular involvement + demonstrated achievement

Does Financial Need Matter for the OIS Award?

No.

The OIS Award is a merit-based scholarship, not a financial-need scholarship.

UBC states that financial need is not considered when evaluating OIS and IMES awards.

This means a student can potentially receive the OIS Award because of their achievements even if their family does not demonstrate financial need.

However, this also means that the award should not be treated as proof that UBC will cover all of your study costs.

Does the OIS Award Cover Full Tuition?

No.

The Outstanding International Student Award does not cover the full cost of a UBC education.

UBC specifically advises recipients of OIS and IMES awards to create a financial plan because these awards do not cover the full cost of education.

International students should budget for expenses such as:

Tuition
Accommodation
Food
Transportation
Books and supplies
Student fees
Health insurance
Personal expenses
Study permit and related costs

The scholarship can reduce your financial burden, but you should have additional funding available.

OIS Award vs International Major Entrance Scholarship

Students often confuse the Outstanding International Student Award with the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES).

Both are UBC merit-based awards for international students, but they have an important difference.

Feature	OIS Award	IMES
Type	Merit-based	Merit-based
International students	Yes	Yes
Undergraduate	Yes	Yes
Separate application	No	No
Award structure	One-time	Renewable
Directly from secondary school	Yes	Yes
Transfer/post-secondary entry	Yes	No, under standard IMES criteria
Financial need considered	No	No

For the 2026/27 academic year, UBC lists IMES at $10,000–$25,000 per year and states that IMES can renew for up to three additional years. The OIS Award, by contrast, is a one-time award.

This makes IMES potentially more valuable over several years, although the actual award amount and availability can vary.

OIS Award vs UBC International Scholars Program

The OIS Award is also different from the UBC International Scholars Program.

The main difference is financial need.

OIS Award

The OIS Award is:

Merit-based
One-time
Automatically considered
Not based on financial need

International Scholars Program

The International Scholars Program is designed for international students who demonstrate:

Exceptional academic performance
Leadership
Significant community contributions
Significant financial need

UBC conducts a financial assessment for International Scholars applicants.

Applicants to the International Scholars Program are not considered for UBC’s merit-based awards such as OIS and IMES.

This distinction matters if you are searching for fully or substantially funded international scholarships in Canada.

If your family cannot reasonably afford a UBC education without substantial financial assistance, the International Scholars Program may be a more relevant pathway than OIS.

When Does UBC Announce OIS Awards?

UBC separates admission decisions from scholarship decisions.

For the 2026 cycle, UBC’s published schedule placed OIS and IMES scholarship announcements in March and April 2026.

UBC also states that successful recipients receive their award offers before their admission acceptance deadline. Only successful recipients receive notification of an award offer.

If you do not receive an OIS notification, that does not necessarily mean UBC has rejected your admission application. Admission and scholarship decisions are separate.

How to Improve Your Chances of Winning the OIS Award

There is no guaranteed formula for winning a competitive scholarship, but you can strengthen your profile.

Focus on academic excellence

Aim for the strongest grades possible, particularly in subjects relevant to your intended degree.

Build depth, not just a long activity list

Choose activities that genuinely interest you and stay involved long enough to make a measurable contribution.

Take leadership seriously

Leadership does not always mean holding the title of president or captain.

You can demonstrate leadership by:

Starting a project
Organizing an initiative
Mentoring younger students
Leading volunteers
Solving a problem in your community

Show measurable impact

Whenever possible, explain what changed because of your work.

Instead of simply saying you volunteered, explain:

What problem did you address?
Who benefited?
What did you do?
How many people did you reach?
What result did you achieve?

Keep your application authentic

Do not create activities simply because you think they look impressive.

Scholarship applications are stronger when they reflect genuine interests and achievements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Assuming eligibility means you will receive the award

It does not.

UBC describes merit-based award evaluation as highly competitive.

Mistake 2: Waiting for a separate scholarship application

There is no separate OIS application.

Your UBC admission application automatically places eligible applicants into consideration when they meet the deadline.

Mistake 3: Focusing only on grades

Strong grades matter, but UBC also considers extracurricular involvement.

Mistake 4: Calling OIS a fully funded scholarship

The OIS Award does not cover the complete cost of a UBC education.

Mistake 5: Confusing OIS with IMES

OIS is a one-time award, while IMES can be renewed for up to three additional years under UBC’s stated conditions.

Mistake 6: Ignoring other funding opportunities

International students should research multiple scholarships and funding options rather than relying on a single award.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for Outstanding International Student Award at UBC: Eligibility, Amount, How to Apply is January 15, 2027.

Applicants should submit all required materials before this date and verify any last-minute changes through the official scholarship source.

Deadline verification: Check the official scholarship source for the latest country-, program-, university- or round-specific deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Outstanding International Student Award at UBC?

The Outstanding International Student Award is a one-time, merit-based entrance scholarship for qualified international students entering UBC.

How much is the UBC Outstanding International Student Award?

UBC’s published information lists the 2025/26 award value at $10,000–$25,000. Scholarship values can change by academic year.

Is the OIS Award renewable?

No. UBC describes the Outstanding International Student Award as a one-time entrance scholarship.

Do I need a separate application for the OIS Award?

No. Eligible international students are automatically considered when they apply to UBC by the admissions deadline.

Who can apply for the UBC OIS Award?

Eligible applicants must be new to UBC, enter directly from secondary school or post-secondary education, be international students studying in Canada on a study permit, demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and strong extracurricular involvement, and meet UBC’s other eligibility conditions.

Can transfer students receive the OIS Award?

UBC’s current eligibility criteria allow students entering from post-secondary education, such as university or college, to be considered.

Does UBC consider financial need for OIS?

No. OIS is a merit-based award, and UBC states that financial need is not considered.

Is OIS a fully funded scholarship?

No. The award does not cover the full cost of a UBC education.

Can I apply for OIS and the International Scholars Program?

You should understand the distinction between the two programs. UBC states that students nominated for a need-and-merit-based International Scholars award are not considered for OIS or IMES merit-based awards.

When are OIS scholarship decisions announced?

UBC’s published 2026 schedule placed OIS and IMES scholarship announcements during March and April 2026. Future cycles may use different dates.

Final Takeaway

The Outstanding International Student Award at UBC is a strong scholarship opportunity for international students with excellent academic records and meaningful extracurricular involvement.

The biggest advantage is the simple application process: there is no separate OIS scholarship application. Eligible students who apply to UBC by the relevant admissions deadline receive automatic consideration.

However, the award is competitive and one-time, and it does not cover the full cost of studying at UBC.

If you are searching for international scholarships in Canada, compare OIS with other UBC opportunities before deciding which funding route best fits your situation. Students with exceptional academic and extracurricular profiles may find OIS attractive, while students with significant financial need should also investigate the International Scholars Program.

Most importantly, do not wait for the scholarship application to open. For OIS, your UBC admission application is the route into scholarship consideration.

Official UBC Scholarship Information

For the latest award amount, eligibility rules and application deadlines, check UBC’s official scholarship information before submitting your application.

StudyFinder Scholarship Details