Learn more about admissions, finances, study permits and life at UBCO. Our expert advisors are ready to guide you.
Find your program
Undergraduate and graduate programs
Study arts, sciences, social sciences, engineering, education, health and social development, management, medicine and more. Browse bachelor, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs. Find the program that fits your needs or pursue a combined, interdisciplinary option.
International admissions and costs
Admission requirements
Requirements vary based on where you studied and what degree you apply to.
Are you an incoming student?
Find out what to do before you start.
Tuition and financial support
Learn more about cost of living and funding your degree. We provide financial support through bursaries, scholarships and awards.
Lower tuition costs with exclusive student awards
New international undergraduates can receive awards toward their tuition. Qualify for $37,000 between two UBCO tuition awards alone:
- UBC Okanagan Global Elevation Award: $8,000 per year
- UBC Okanagan International Welcome award: $5,000 upon entry
Every year, UBC devotes $35 million in financial support for international undergraduate students.
Get started on your application
Start your undergraduate application Start your graduate application
Already applied? Check your undergraduate application status or accept your offer.
Get your UBC degree in the Okanagan
Combine the prestige of a UBC degree with the advantages of our close-knit Okanagan campus. Discover a beautiful region, unique opportunities and a globally connected academic community. You may be far from the big city, but you’re still getting UBC’s quality of learning. Come and study in the Okanagan.
Why do employers and institutions around the world recognize UBC?
A UBC degree is more than a qualification. Whether you pursue opportunities in Canada or abroad, our degrees are recognized worldwide. Across campuses, a UBC education equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a global job market.
A leader in global rankings, research and sustainability
UBC is ranked in the top 3% of universities globally. Our institution leads in research at home and around the globe.
| THE | ARWU | QS | TIME | |
| In Canada | 2nd | 2nd | 3rd | 2nd |
| Worldwide | 41st | 53rd | 38th | 33rd |
THE: Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025)
ARWU: Shanghai Ranking Academic Ranking of World Universities (2025)
QS: QS World University Rankings (2025)
TIME: TIME World’s Top Universities (2026)
5th in the world for sustainability (QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025)
$936M in research funding across campuses, with $47M dedicated to Okanagan campus research projects
10,120 funded research projects across campuses, with 1,081 active in the Okanagan (2024/25)
International student life at UBC Okanagan
At UBCO, you’ll join a diverse and vibrant community. The campus hosts students from 110 countries. Among them are India, China, Iran, United States and Indonesia. 17.4 per cent of UBCO students are international. These students bring rich cultural perspectives to this campus. Students find common interests across unique backgrounds through clubs and events.
130
+
Clubs and course unions
30
International student clubs
75
%
stay in Canada after graduating
641
Public events hosted in 2025*
*Includes public lectures, performances and recurring community gatherings.
Enjoy social activities on campus
Build lasting relationships: Community is everything at UBCO. Meet new people through our one-of-a-kind student orientation. Join student clubs and make friends who share your interests. Meet other students at one of the hundreds of sports and campus events we host each year.
Close-knit campus: With smaller class sizes, you’ll have better access to your professors. We boast the second-highest student-to-faculty ratio (24:1) among Canada’s leading research universities.
Collaborative environment: UBC Okanagan has a reputation for being a welcoming and collaborative campus. If you value the support of community and a place where people know your name, this is the campus for you.
“UBCO has such a strong sense of community. It feels like a close-knit campus where you really get to know your classmates and professors.”
– Esther Punzalan, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 2021
Pediatric Emergency Registered Nurse @ BC Children’s Hospital
Dedicated supports for international students
Even for excellent students, studying abroad can be difficult. Overcome your challenges with exclusive funding and advisor support. Let us help—so you can focus on gaining skills, knowledge and lifelong friendships.
Receive personalized support from an award-winning team of advisors
Access an international advising team, recognized as one of the top teams in Canada (BCCIE 2024 Outstanding Program in International Education Award). Advisors are trained to provide guidance on topics such as:
- Immigration
- Permanent residency advising
- Settlement (e.g., cultural acclimatization)
- Health insurance
- Working in Canada
- Career transitions
Learn new skills from a community of professionals
UBC Okanagan has deep ties to local industry. Leverage community partnerships to combine work, learning and relationship-building.
Co-op grads earn 15% higher starting salaries than non-co-op grads. They are more likely to land more prestigious jobs than their non co-op peers.
Get an internship, co-op or job placement
Co-op opportunities:
Gain skills in the community. Receive industry-standard wages while gaining work experience. Get career-ready through application reviews, interview preparation and ongoing support.
Work Study:
Gain experience while studying. Work Study offers on-campus, part-time jobs during the school year.
Plan your career
Career support:
Access advisors and resources to navigate the world of work.
Global Pathways:
Get a tailored career and immigration plan for success after graduation. The Global Pathways office is here to guide you every step—even beyond graduation.
Become part of the community
Gain language fluency
English language resources:
Attend regular workshops and get writing help. The Student Learning Hub (SLH) and library provide support. Post-grads can also get support through the Centre for Scholarly Communication.
English Foundations Program:
Develop your language skills while working toward your degree. The EFP helps students meet minimums. Courses can be taken alongside first year studies.
Find transportation
City-wide transit:
Tuition includes a Universal Bus Pass (U‑PASS) for affordable city‑wide transit. Additional on-campus options include bike lockers and electric scooters.
Get guaranteed housing
First-year housing guarantee: Undergraduates get guaranteed on-campus housing in their first year (Winter Session). Some conditions apply.
Stay healthy and focused with campus programs
Athletics and recreation
UBCO invests in student health. Our campus has a professional-sized turf field, gymnasium and fitness centre. On average, our recreation programs receive over 13,000 student registrations.
Campus safety
Your safety is our top priority. UBCO offers a range of services designed to help you feel secure.
- 24/7 security presence
- 24/7 SafeWalk program
- 24/7 First Aid and Emergency First Response Team (EFRT)
- UBC Safe App
Health and wellness
UBCO provides international students with on-campus health services. Through our wellness hub and clinic, students can access counselling and nurses.
All international students auto-enroll in temporary health insurance (IMED Health Insurance).
“Kelowna…has endless opportunities for exploration, and I knew that waking up and studying in a city as beautiful as this would only be something I could experience if I attended UBCO.”
—Laavanya Prakash
Bachelor of Arts alumna from India
Where is the Okanagan campus?
UBCO is just 20 minutes from Kelowna’s vibrant city centre, one of Canada’s fastest-growing and most entrepreneurial cities. Kelowna is a mid-sized city in the Okanagan, found in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Connect with nature, community and a diverse economy.
Access the world—from Kelowna
Kelowna is a globally loved travel destination. Its airport (YLW) is a one-hour flight away from Vancouver, Calgary and Seattle. YLW is Canada’s 9th busiest airport, despite Kelowna being Canada’s 37th most populated city. YLW serves over two million passengers every year—more than Victoria, Saskatoon, or even Quebec City.
Discover all four seasons in the Okanagan
Connect with nature and adventure year-round. The Okanagan region boasts over 300 days (2,000 hours) of sunshine every year. A vibrant local culture offers outdoor activities including skiing, hiking and water sports. Find out why the Okanagan is called the four seasons playground.
Learn more about admissions, finances, study permits and life at UBCO. Our expert advisors are ready to guide you.
Watch: A day in the life of a UBCO international student
Read: Students apply their learning to real world challenges
Students at UBCO aren’t just making the news, they’re making a difference. Read their stories to find out how they pick up skills to meet the demands of a changing world.
