UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award

The UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award is a prestigious undergraduate scholarship offered by the University of British Columbia, Canada. It is specifically designed to recognize international students who exhibit exceptional academic performance, strong leadership qualities, active involvement in student affairs and community service, and significant achievements in other diverse areas. This award is a key component of UBC's broader International Scholars Program, which provides significant financial support to talented international students.

The award's purpose is to enable outstanding international students who would otherwise be unable to pursue a degree at UBC due to financial constraints. As a need-and-merit-based scholarship, it underscores UBC's commitment to attracting a diverse cohort of global leaders and fostering a rich academic environment. The International Scholars Program, under which this award falls, aims to provide students with a globally recognized degree, the opportunity to study with bright peers, and access to unique learning opportunities and dedicated support.

To be considered for the UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award, applicants must meet several stringent eligibility criteria. They must be international students who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents of Canada and who will be studying in Canada on a Canadian Study Permit (visa). Candidates must be entering a UBC undergraduate degree program directly from a recognized secondary school, or transferring from a recognized college or other university. It is essential that applicants are pursuing their first undergraduate degree.

Furthermore, nominees must demonstrate an excellent academic record, typically achieving all 'A's or an equivalent standard. Admissibility to their first-choice program at UBC, including meeting UBC's English Language Admission Standard, is also a requirement. Crucially, applicants must demonstrate a significant level of financial need that would otherwise prevent them from undertaking a UBC degree. A unique aspect of this award is the nomination requirement: candidates must be nominated by the academic institution they are currently attending or have recently graduated from. For those entering directly from secondary school, they should have graduated no more than one year before the academic year for which they are applying.

The UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award is designed to cover a substantial portion of a recipient's educational expenses, with the value being commensurate with demonstrated financial need. The award typically covers the costs of tuition, student fees, and living expenses, minus the financial contribution the student and their family can make annually. A standard needs-assessment is conducted based on financial information provided by the student and their family.

In some cases, the award can be comprehensive, potentially covering full tuition, medical/dental insurance, on-campus housing, a meal plan, textbooks, airfare for road-trips, and personal expenses. There might also be funds provided for initial expenses in the first year, such as technology, bedding, and winter clothing. The award may be renewed for up to three additional years of undergraduate study, or until degree completion, whichever comes first, provided the student maintains satisfactory academic standing, continues to demonstrate financial need, and holds a valid Canadian Study Permit.

Applying for the UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award involves a multi-step process, beginning with a crucial nomination. Candidates must be nominated by their current high school, or the college/university they are transferring from. Schools typically have a limit on the number of students they can nominate (e.g., up to two for UBC Vancouver, one for UBC Okanagan).

Once nominated, applicants need to submit a comprehensive application package. This includes completing an online admission application to UBC. Required documents typically include:

• Completed International Leader of Tomorrow Award nomination package: This is submitted by the nominating school.
• Academic Transcripts: For high school students, this includes grades 9-11 and grade 12 interim/mid-year transcripts, and predicted final grades if applicable. University/college transfer students need to submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, including courses in progress and descriptions for transfer credit evaluation.
• Documentation of financial need: This involves providing detailed financial information from the student and their family for a needs assessment.
• Personal Profile: This is part of the UBC online admission application and is where applicants highlight their extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, community involvement, and significant achievements.
• English Language Admission Standard (ELAS) test scores: Official scores must be sent directly to UBC by the testing agency.

Applicants should ensure their online admission application to UBC and the nomination package are submitted by the specified deadlines. It is also important to note that the scholarship application is often considered automatically based on the admission application's personal profile once a nomination is received.

Applications for the UBC International Scholars Program, which includes the International Leader of Tomorrow Award, typically open in early October. The deadline for submitting the International Scholars Program award application and for the nominating school to submit the completed nomination package is usually around November 15 (PST) for entry in the following academic year. For example, for September 2027 entry, the application closes on November 15, 2026.

The deadline for nominees to submit their online admissions application to UBC often coincides with the scholarship application deadline. Supporting documentation, such as official English language test scores and any further transcripts or financial documentation not available by the main deadline, are typically due by January 31 of the following year. Nominees are usually informed of the results of the International Scholars competition by mid-April.

Reviewers for the UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award look for a combination of outstanding academic achievement, exceptional leadership skills, and a demonstrated commitment to community service. Candidates are expected to have an excellent academic record, often equivalent to all 'A's. Beyond academics, significant involvement in student affairs and community service, as well as recognized achievements in areas such as performing arts, sports, debating, creative writing, or external academic competitions, are highly valued.

A crucial selection criterion is also the demonstrated financial need that would prevent the student from pursuing a UBC degree without the award. The International Leader of Tomorrow Award is part of the International Scholars Program, which is a need-and-merit-based competition. The decision of the International Scholars Selection Committee on all nominations is final. Approximately 50 scholarships are awarded annually across all four awards offered through UBC's International Scholars Program.