The University of British Columbia was established in 1908. It is a public research university and a global center for teaching, learning, and research. In the latest overall editions available, UBC ranks 45th worldwide in both the QS World University Rankings 2027 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
UBC aims to pursue excellence in research, learning, and engagement, foster global citizenship, and advance a sustainable and just society in British Columbia, Canada, and the rest of the world.
UBC has two major campuses: the Vancouver campus at Point Grey and the Okanagan campus in Kelowna. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs at both campuses. For international students, the cost of studying at UBC varies according to the campus, program, course load, accommodation, and personal spending.
Study Costs at the University of British Columbia
Application Costs
Before enrolling at the University of British Columbia, you must submit an application and pay the applicable application and administrative fees. Application fees are generally nonrefundable, and additional charges may apply to certain programs.
For undergraduate applications received for the 2027 Summer and Winter sessions, UBC lists a standard application processing fee of 173.25 CAD for applicants who will study on a study permit. Program-specific fees may be charged in addition to or instead of the standard fee. For example, the Bachelor of Commerce Personal Profile fee is 97.25 CAD, while the International Dental Degree Completion Program application fee is 546.75 CAD.
For most graduate programs, the application fee for international applicants is 168.25 CAD for the 2027 Winter and 2028 Summer sessions. Some programs charge a different fee. For example, applications to certain master’s-level business programs cost 166.50 CAD, while international applications to specified combined craniofacial science and clinical specialty programs cost 334.50 CAD.
Additional administrative and document expenses may include 13.30 CAD plus tax for an international fax, 11.60 CAD for each transcript, and 45.20 CAD for US or international courier delivery.
Applicants should check the requirements for their specific program before submitting an application, as supplementary documents, assessments, or additional fees may be required.
Tuition Fee Costs
Before beginning your studies, you should understand the tuition rate and payment structure for your selected program. Tuition at the University of British Columbia varies by degree level, campus, program, course load, and year of entry. UBC reviews its tuition fees annually.
The following sections summarize selected 2026/27 tuition figures for new international students. They do not include student fees, health insurance, books, housing, or other living expenses.
Bachelor’s Tuition Costs
The University of British Columbia offers a broad selection of undergraduate degree programs at its Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
For new international students at the Vancouver campus in 2026/27, first-year tuition fees for a full course load in the listed bachelor’s degree programs range from 48,779.80 CAD for Music to 67,237.20 CAD for Medical Laboratory Science. Other examples include 66,199.66 CAD for Engineering and 66,678.30 CAD for Commerce. Vantage College and post-baccalaureate programs have separate rates.
At the Okanagan campus, tuition is calculated by credit. For international students who began in the 2026 Summer Session or later, the published undergraduate rates generally range from 1,149.18 CAD to 2,222.61 CAD per credit among the listed programs. The total annual amount depends on the program and number of credits taken.
Master’s Tuition Costs
UBC offers master’s programs in numerous academic and professional fields. The university publishes master’s tuition separately for each program, usually as a fee per installment or per credit, rather than as one university-wide annual rate.
For students entering in 2026, examples of minimum international program tuition include approximately 27,419.34 CAD for the full-time Master of Engineering, 32,393.73 CAD for the Master of Arts in Economics, and 108,420.76 CAD for the 16-month Master of Business Administration. These totals are calculated from each program’s published fee per installment and minimum number of installments. Other master’s programs may cost substantially more or less, so students should consult the fee table for their exact program and entry year.
Ph.D. Tuition Costs
For a standard full-time doctoral program, the 2026/27 international tuition fee is 3,360.55 CAD per installment. Students are normally assessed three installments per year and must pay at least six installments. This equals 10,081.65 CAD for the first year and a minimum standard-program tuition amount of 20,163.30 CAD, excluding student fees. Specialized and combined clinical doctoral programs may have different and considerably higher rates.
Part-time doctoral classification is available only in certain approved programs and requires authorization. International students considering part-time study should also obtain immigration advice, as part-time status may affect study permit eligibility, employment authorization, and access to university funding or services.
Beginning in September 2026, eligible full-time students enrolled in a UBC Vancouver Ph.D. program must receive a minimum funding package of 40,000 CAD per year during each of the first four years of the program. The package may include scholarships, teaching or research assistantships, and other eligible funding. It is not necessarily a tuition waiver, and students may still be required to pay tuition and fees from their funding package.
Many graduate programs bill tuition in three installments per year, while undergraduate tuition is generally due by academic term. Students should review the financial schedule and the fee rules for their specific program.
Tuition and other educational expenses are a major part of studying abroad. Students should prepare a detailed financial plan and allow for possible annual tuition increases and changes in personal expenses.
Other Academic Costs at the University of British Columbia
In addition to tuition, several other expenses require consideration when studying at the University of British Columbia. Some of the most important are outlined below.
Books and Miscellaneous Expenses
The cost of books, course materials, equipment, and other supplies varies considerably by course and program. UBC does not publish one current textbook-cost estimate that applies to every student. Prices also depend on whether students purchase new, used, print, or digital materials. Students should check their course booklists and use UBC’s cost estimator when preparing a budget. Used books, digital materials, library resources, and open educational resources may help reduce costs when permitted by the course.
Accommodation and Transportation
Accommodation and transportation are also significant expenses. UBC offers several types of on-campus housing, while students may also rent housing off campus. A meal plan is mandatory in some residences but is not included with every housing option.
For the Vancouver campus, the university states that a typical room and meal plan for a first-year undergraduate student costs approximately 14,000 CAD to 18,100 CAD. Actual Winter Session residence fees vary by building, room type, contract length, and whether a meal plan is included.
At the Okanagan campus, published 2026/27 Winter Session totals for traditional rooms with a mandatory meal plan range from approximately 14,178.02 CAD to 16,841.02 CAD. Apartment-style residences and other room types have different rates, and meals may need to be budgeted separately.
Eligible Vancouver students are currently assessed a U-Pass fee of 191.40 CAD per term, providing unlimited access to public transit across the applicable TransLink zones. At the Okanagan campus, eligible students are assessed 71 CAD per term for a U-Pass covering public transit in the Regional District of Central Okanagan and connections to Vernon.
Living Expenses
An international student’s living expenses may include accommodation, food, utilities, transportation, clothing, health insurance, recreation, phone service, internet access, and personal care. The total varies significantly according to the campus, housing arrangement, household size, and lifestyle.
UBC does not provide a universal monthly living-cost figure that applies to every international student. Students should use UBC’s first-year cost estimator and obtain current prices for their intended housing and meal arrangements.
Students should also set aside money for expenses such as health insurance, telephone service, internet access, household supplies, and emergencies. Before choosing between on-campus and off-campus housing, compare the complete costs, including meals, utilities, deposits, furniture, and transportation.
One way to reduce educational expenses is to apply for scholarships and other financial assistance for which you are eligible. Visit our Canada Scholarships Page for more information about funding opportunities and also available courses for international students.
