The UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship 2026/2027 and How to Apply
If you are an international student looking at the University of British Columbia, you have likely already done the math. And it probably hurt. Between Vancouver’s breathtaking ocean views and UBC’s global reputation lies a very practical hurdle: non-Canadian tuition rates. For many families, the numbers are daunting. But every year, a small cohort of high-achieving international students receives a letter that changes their financial reality. That letter confirms they have been awarded the UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) .
Unlike the many bite-sized bursaries you see scattered across university websites, the IMES is a heavyweight. It is not a token gesture. It is a strategic investment by UBC to attract the best minds from around the world.
But here is the question every prospective applicant really wants answered: What does it actually take to win this? And is it worth the effort?
Let’s move beyond the bullet points and talk about what this scholarship really means, who actually gets it, and how you can position yourself as a competitive candidate.
What Is the IMES?
The UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship is a merit-based award designed specifically for international students entering UBC directly from secondary school (high school). It is not available to transfer students or those who have already started post-secondary studies elsewhere.
Key facts you need to know:
Value: The award value varies, but for this year, it ranges from $10,000 to $25,000. In some exceptional cases, it can be renewed for up to three additional years of undergraduate study (for a total of four years).
Type: It is a renewable scholarship. That means you don’t just get a one-time cheque. You receive the funds annually, provided you maintain satisfactory academic standing (usually a high GPA and full-time enrollment).
The catch (sort of): The IMES is not a “full-ride” scholarship. Very few UBC entrance scholarships cover 100% of tuition and living expenses. However, $25,000 per year makes a massive dent in your costs. For context, international tuition at UBC ranges from approximately $42,000 to $58,000 CAD per year depending on your program. An IMES can cover nearly half of that.
Think of the IMES as an elite prize tier. It sits alongside the larger International Scholars Program (which often includes needs-based components) but is strictly merit-driven. You do not apply for the IMES directly. You are automatically considered when you apply for admission to UBC.
Check: Charles Sturt International Diversity Merit Scholarship
Who Is Eligible For IMES?
Let’s be honest: The marketing materials say “students with strong academic records.” But that is like saying the Olympics are for “people who run fast.” It is true, but it misses the scale of the competition.
To win an IMES, you need to be in the top 1-2% of an already highly competitive international applicant pool. Here’s what that looks like in practice.
- The Transcript Is Just the Entry Ticket
You need stellar grades. For most curricula, this means:
IB Diploma: 38+ points (often higher, 40+ is safer), typically with several subjects at the 6 or 7 level.
A-Levels: Predicted A* A* A or A* A* A* .
American system: Multiple AP courses with scores of 4 or 5, plus a very high unweighted GPA (3.9+).
National curricula: You need to be in the top 3-5 students in your cohort.
But here is the nuance: Perfect grades are not enough. UBC receives thousands of applications from students with 98% averages. The IMES selection committee uses grades as a filter, not a final decision tool.
- Course Rigor Is Crucial
UBC recalculates your admissions average using your top academic courses. However, for the IMES, they pay close attention to which courses you took. Did you take the easy path to maintain a 100% average? Or did you challenge yourself with advanced mathematics, literature, or sciences?
A student with a 95% average in a schedule packed with AP/IB higher-level courses will almost always beat a student with a 98% average in standard-level, low-rigor courses. UBC wants to know you are ready for the intellectual demands of a top-tier research university.
- “Beyond the Classroom” Actually Matters
This is where most high-achieving students fail the IMES test. They list ten different clubs where they were passive members. The scholarship committee is looking for impact.
They want to see what you have changed, built, or led.
Depth over breadth: Two meaningful commitments (e.g., starting a community tutoring program for underprivileged kids, leading a regional science fair, or publishing research with a local university) are infinitely better than ten superficial memberships.
Authenticity: Did you pursue a passion because you genuinely love it or because you thought it would look good on a scholarship application? Committees have exceptional “authenticity detectors.” If you hate debate club but joined it to pad your resume, it will show in your personal profile.
How To Write The UBC Personal Profile
If the IMES is a battle, your grades and test scores are your armor. But the Personal Profile is your sword.
Yes, you will submit your transcript. But UBC places an unusually high weight (some say up to 50%) on the Personal Profile for competitive scholarships. This is where you differentiate yourself from the other 40,000 applicants with identical GPAs.
The Personal Profile consists of short-answer questions and video interview components (for some faculties). Here is how to weaponize it for the IMES:
Check: Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor International Excellence Scholarship (50%off your tuition fees)
Write for a human, not a robot
Do not use words like “leverage,” “synergize,” or “utilize.” Real humans do not talk like corporate press releases. Write clearly, concisely, and with specific details.
Bad: “I am a dedicated leader who demonstrates excellence in extracurricular activities.”
Good: “When our robotics team lost its funding in Grade 11, I organized a car wash that raised $1,400 and negotiated a sponsorship with a local engineering firm, allowing us to compete at nationals.”
See the difference? The second example tells a story. It shows initiative, problem-solving, and results.
Answer the “Why UBC?” Question Intelligently
The IMES is an investment. UBC wants to know that you will actually attend, succeed, and contribute to the campus community. Do not say “UBC is highly ranked” or “Vancouver is beautiful.” Those are not reasons; they are tourist observations.
Instead, mention specific professors, research centers, or unique programs.
Example: “I want to work with Dr. Sarah Otto at the Biodiversity Research Centre because her work on evolutionary models directly connects to my research on pesticide resistance in local aphid populations.”
This level of specificity proves you have done your homework. It signals that you are not just applying to every university in the top 50; you are applying to UBC.
Check: ECU Bachelor of Science (Nursing) C33 First-Year Scholarship for International Students
Who Should Not Apply for IMES?
This sounds counterintuitive, but the IMES is not for everyone. Because it is automatic, you don’t “decide” not to apply. But you should realistically assess your chances.
The IMES is not for students who:
- Have grades in the mid-80s (or equivalent). Even with amazing extracurriculars, the IMES is so competitive that the academic cutoff tends to be extremely high.
- Are relying on a scholarship to attend at all. The IMES is a bonus. Do not plan your finances around winning it. Apply for external scholarships, save aggressively, and consider student loans as your baseline plan.
- Transferred from another post-secondary institution. You are not eligible. Full stop.
Check: FUTO Admission List 2025/2026 Released | Check Your Status Now!
How to Build Your IMES-Worthy Profile
If you are a Grade 11 or 12 student reading this, you still have time. Here is your action plan.
Start your “Impact Journal” today.
Open a simple document. Every time you do something meaningful—solve a problem at school, help a neighbor, finish a difficult project—write it down. Do not rely on memory when you are filling out your UBC application six months from now. You will forget the small, human details that make great essays.
Pursue a “spike,” not a “well-rounded” profile.
The old advice was to be good at everything. That produces boring applicants. UBC wants specialists—students who have gone deep in one or two areas.
Are you a coder? Build an app for a local non-profit. Are you a writer? Start a literary magazine at your school. Are you a scientist? Email local professors to see if you can volunteer in their labs. A “spike” of excellence is far more memorable than lukewarm competence in ten activities.
Crush your Grade 11 and 12 first semester.
UBC looks at your interim grades. A mediocre Grade 11 followed by a stellar Grade 12 is a risky strategy. Your best strategy is consistency: strong performance across both years, with an upward trajectory.
The Emotional Reality: A Note on “Rejection”
Here is an uncomfortable truth. You can be a phenomenal student—top 5% nationally, incredible leadership, glowing recommendations—and still not receive the IMES.
This does not mean you failed. It means the application pool was impossibly deep. UBC receives over 50,000 applications annually from international students. Only a few hundred get the IMES.
Do not let a scholarship rejection define your self-worth. Many students thrive at UBC without the IMES, finding co-op jobs, on-campus work, and smaller departmental awards that accumulate into meaningful support. The goal is to graduate with a UBC degree. The scholarship is a tool, not the trophy.
Conclusion
You do not have a choice in the matter—you are automatically considered. So the real question is: Should you invest extra energy into becoming a competitive candidate?
Yes—but not because of the scholarship. Do it because the actions required to win the IMES (taking rigorous courses, pursuing authentic leadership, writing honestly about your experiences) are the exact same actions that will make you a successful university student and a compelling job candidate later in life.
The IMES is a symptom of excellence, not the cause.
Apply to UBC. Pour your heart into your Personal Profile. Challenge yourself academically. And if the scholarship letter arrives, celebrate. If it does not, know that you have built a profile that will open other doors—at UBC and beyond.
Either way, you will have become the kind of student who was worthy of the IMES. And that, ultimately, is more valuable than the cheque.
Have questions about the UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship? The best resource is always the official UBC Student Services and Scholarships office, as policies can change.