From April 14-18, select UBC graduate programs at UBC Vancouver will re-open their applications for US citizens to be considered for September 2025 or January 2026 entry - they are ready to provide quick admissions decisions for these applicants. If you are a prospective graduate student from the United States considering Canada for graduate school – now is the time.  

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The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver offers world-class graduate education in one of the most dynamic and livable cities in the world. Did you know that only 21 US institutions rank higher than UBC in the Times Higher Education 2025 ranking? Globally, UBC ranks 26th in the Shanghai World University rankings. UBC is renowned for its cutting-edge research, strong industry connections, and excellent funding opportunities. Graduate students benefit from a collaborative academic environment, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and the chance to work alongside leading scholars in their fields.  

At UBC, students enjoy:


Lower tuition costs compared to many US institutions


Favourable USD - CAD exchange rate


High quality of life with access to Canada's healthcare system

 


Post-graduation work permit opportunities


Breathtaking campus and close proximity to a vibrant city


Living in Vancouver, a city with a mild climate and well situated with an international airport

How to apply

If you are ready to apply, you can do so through the apply links below. Before applying, you will need to create a Campus Wide Login (CWL) if you don’t already have one.

Read more about our application process  

Apply now    

 

Our campus – a place like no other

UBC's Vancouver campus is nothing short of breathtaking—nestled between the Pacific Ocean and coastal mountains, it offers stunning natural beauty alongside world-class academic facilities. Spanning 400 hectares, the campus is home to cutting-edge research centers, vibrant student spaces, and iconic landmarks like the Museum of Anthropology and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Situated on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. With miles of forested trails, stunning ocean views, and easy access to downtown Vancouver, UBC provides an inspiring environment where students can learn, innovate, and thrive in one of the most beautiful university settings in the world.

Take a Self-Guided Virtual Tour

Participating graduate programs

Many of our graduate programs are accepting late applications or have re-opened their applications for US applicants for September 2025. All of the programs listed below are ready to receive applications between April 14-18 and provide quick admissions decisions for start dates in Sept 2025.

Please review the January 2026 intake overview to see which programs accept applications regularly from all international students.

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Architecture and Landscape Architecture

The School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture accepts students from the United States regardless of immigration status and offers advanced placement to eligible students.

Master of Architecture (MARCH)
Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture (MARCLA)
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)

Bioinformatics

Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD)
Master of Science in Bioinformatics (MSc)

Biomedical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD)
Master of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering (MASc)
Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (MEng)

Cell & Developmental Biology

Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD)
Master of Science in Cell and Developmental Biology (MSc)

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD)
Master of Engineering in Chemical and Biological Engineering (MEng)

Chemistry

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD)
Master of Science in Chemistry (MSc)

Civil Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD)
Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering (MASc)
Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering (MEng)

Computer Science / Data Science

Master of Data Science (MDS)

Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Atmospheric Science (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Engineering (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography (PhD)
Master of Applied Science in Geological Engineering (MASc)
Master of Applied Science in Geophysics (MASc)
Master of Engineering in Geological Engineering (MEng)
Master of Science in Atmospheric Science (MSc)
Master of Science in Geological Sciences (MSc)
Master of Science in Geophysics (MSc)
Master of Science in Oceanography (MSc)

Educational Studies

Master of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change (MEd)
Master of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership (MEd) - January 2026 intake only
Master of Education in Higher Education (MEd)

Educational Technology

Master of Educational Technology (MET) - online program

Electrical and Computer Engineering

January 2026 intakes only:

Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
Master of Applied Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MASc)

Food and Resource Economics

Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)

Food, Nutrition & Health

Master of Food Science (MFS)

French, Hispanic and Italian Studies

Master of Arts in French (MA)

Genome Science and Technology

Doctor of Philosophy in Genome Science and Technology (PhD)
Master of Science in Genome Science and Technology (MSc)

Interdisciplinary Oncology

Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD))
Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Oncology (MSc)

Linguistics

Master of Data Science in Computational Linguistics (MDSCL)

Materials Engineering

Master of Applied Science in Materials Engineering (MASc)
Master of Science in Materials Engineering (MSc)

Mathematics

Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD)
Master of Science in Mathematics (MSc)

Medical Genetics

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
Master of Science in Medical Genetics (MSc)

Mining Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering (PhD)
Master of Applied Science in Mining Engineering (MASc)
Master of Engineering in Mining Engineering (MEng)

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Doctor of Philosophy in Women+ and Children's Health Sciences (PhD)
Master of Science in Women+ and Children's Health Sciences (MSc)

Oceans and Fisheries

Doctor of Philosophy in Oceans and Fisheries (PhD)
Master of Science in Oceans and Fisheries (MSc)

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
Master of Science in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (MSc)

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD)
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSc)
Graduate Diploma in Pharmacy Leadership (GDLP)
 

Physics and Astronomy

Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Physics (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD)
Master of Science in Astronomy (MSc)
Master of Applied Science in Engineering Physics (MASc)
Master of Science in Medical Physics (MSc)
Master of Science in Physics (MSc)

School of Journalism, Writing, and Media

Master of Journalism (MJ)

School of Kinesiology

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)
Master of Arts in Kinesiology (MA)
Master of Kinesiology (MKin)
Master of Science in Kinesiology (MSc)

School of Rehabilitation Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD)
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences (MSc)
Master of Rehabilitation Science (MRSc)

Surgery

Master of Global Surgical Care (MGSC)

Theatre and Film

Master of Arts in Theatre (MA)

 

Vancouver

Surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver offers endless outdoor activities, from hiking and skiing to kayaking and biking, all within reach of UBC’s stunning campus – the true West Coast lifestyle.

 

Tuition

Tuition varies by program but is often considerably lower than comparable programs in the US. UBC purposefully invests into research by keeping tuition rates low to attract the best students to its campuses.

For thesis-based graduate programs annual tuition is approx. $9,884 CAD with most US applicants qualifying for the International Tuition Award of $3,200 CAD. Based on the average 2024 exchange rate this amounts to annual tuition of $4,880 USD. UBC guarantees funding for PhD students with 50% of all PhD students receiving more than $39,000 CAD/year in their funding package during their first 4 years of study.

A major change by the largest Canadian federal funding agencies has opened up Doctoral scholarships to US applicants who can now apply for NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarships.

Tuition for course-based/professional graduate programs covers a broader range, but remains competitive to US institutions, esp. after converting the currency.

Current tuition fees for all graduate programs are listed in our  Graduate Degree Program directory.

Obtaining a study permit

US citizens can obtain a Canadian study permit by following the steps below. Applications are processed typically in around 5-7 weeks.  

  1. Accept your admission offer from a designated institution such as UBC 
  2. Apply online* with required documents (passport, PAL, proof of funds) 
  3. Pay the application fee
  4. Present the approval letter at the border/airport to receive your study permit. 

* Note: most US citizens can also apply in person for a study permit at major border crossings/airports.  

Learn more about how to get a study permit from our International Student Development Office.

Learn more

Pathways to UBC - Info Sessions

Join us for one of our two online info sessions designed to guide you through the graduate application process at UBC. We’ll walk you through each step of applying, share insights into what life is like as a UBC grad student, and offer practical advice on study permits, moving to Vancouver, and more. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and start your journey to UBC with confidence.

Meet Americans at UBC

Currently, more than 600 students from across the US study in UBC’s grad programs. Hear their stories and what brought them to UBC Vancouver

Sadie Lye

Master of Science in Oceans and Fisheries (MSc)

The impact of the urban environment on land to sea connection in Burrard Inlet, B.C.

Rachel Moylan

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)

Teaching in the age of algorithms: Resisting the algorithmic order through co-created sociotechnical experiments

Rachel N. Stern

Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD)

Interdisciplinary and Mixed-Methods Approaches to Extreme Heat: A Community Participatory Study of Older Adults' Heat Experiences in Metro Vancouver

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