Photo: Wikimedia Commons
About the university
UBC's Point Grey campus sits on a peninsula with the ocean on one side and mountains on the other — a setting that shapes the university's strong reputation in sustainability, ocean sciences and outdoor-adjacent research.
Country
🇨🇦 Canada
City
Vancouver, British Columbia
Founded
1908
Study levels
Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Postgraduate Research
Intakes
September, January, May (selected programmes)
Approx. tuition
CAD 30k–45k/yr
Popular courses
What people actually study here.
Entry requirements & approximate costs
What it takes to get in, and to fund it.
Academic entry
Completed GCE A/Levels (or equivalent), assessed against the university's admission average for your intended programme.
English proficiency
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (often with a minimum per-band score) is typical, unless your prior education was taught in English and meets IRCC's own exemption criteria.
Approximate tuition
Roughly CAD 30,000–45,000 a year for most undergraduate and master's programmes; medicine and a handful of specialised degrees run higher. Confirm current fees on the university's site.
These figures apply broadly across Canada's higher-education system, not just University of British Columbia, always confirm your specific course's exact requirements and fees on the university's own site.
Scholarships
Ways to lower the cost.
International Major Entrance Scholarships and Karen McKellin awards are available for overseas students on academic merit.
The vibe
What it actually feels like.
- Ocean on one side, mountains on the other — genuinely one of the most scenic campuses anywhere.
- A strong sustainability culture runs through both the curriculum and campus operations.
- Vancouver's outdoors-first lifestyle bleeds straight into student life — hiking and skiing are normal weekend plans.
For Sri Lankan applicants
Why Sri Lankan students consider it.
UBC's strength in sciences and sustainability, combined with Vancouver's outdoor lifestyle, suits Sri Lankan students who want a research-strong degree in one of Canada's most liveable cities.
Fun things to do
Life outside the lecture hall.
Walk or cycle the Wreck Beach trail right below campus.
Ski or snowboard at Grouse Mountain, less than an hour from Point Grey.
Browse the free Museum of Anthropology, right on campus, for Pacific Northwest indigenous art.
Opportunities for international students
What's on offer if you're coming from abroad.
Application guidance
From application to visa-ready file.
- 1
Choose your programme and check the admission average for your background
- 2
Apply directly to the university with certified transcripts and English test results
- 3
Receive your Letter of Acceptance and arrange your GIC and tuition payment
- 4
Begin your study permit documentation
Once you have an offer, the documentation process covers exactly what identification, academic and financial evidence your visa file will need next.
Related guides
Documentation, explained.
Student Visa Document Checklist for Sri Lankan Students
The short version. For the full explanation of each item, see our complete documentation process guide.
Student Visa Proof of Funds Explained
The single most common reason a student visa file stalls, explained in plain English.
Common Student Visa Documentation Mistakes
Most refused or delayed files aren't refused for one big reason. They're delayed by three or four small, avoidable ones.
Also in Canada
Other top Canada universities.
References & sources
Where this page comes from.
- University of British Columbia · official websiteVisit ↗
- International admissions pageVisit ↗
- Hero photograph · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
- The UBC Rose Garden · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
- The Martha Piper Plaza fountain · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
- Crest / coat of arms · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
Course lists, scholarships and admissions details summarised here are illustrative. Always confirm the current, exact terms on the university's own official website before applying. Photography is freely licensed via Wikimedia Commons, not sourced from the university's own site.
Aiming for University of British Columbia? Let's make the money story match.
Campus photography & crest via Wikimedia Commons contributors. Course, admissions and scholarship details change. Always confirm current terms on the official site above before applying.