University of British Columbia for Nigerian Students
Entry Requirements by Level
Academic Requirements
Direct entry available. UBC uses a comprehensive review — grades alone don't guarantee admission. Personal profile/essays matter.
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall, 6+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: CA$42,000–CA$55,000. Application deadline: January 15.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: —/5.0. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required. Research-based Masters at UBC are notably cheap (CAD $5,500–$9,000/yr) and often include a stipend. Coursework Masters are more expensive.
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall, 6+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: CA$5,500–CA$25,000. Application deadline: Varies — typically October–March per department. Decision time: 8–16 weeks.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: —/5.0 (First Class). Master's degree required (or Bachelor's with First Class Honours for some programmes). Fully funded positions available. Most PhD students receive full funding. Vanier Scholarship available.
Specific Requirements
Research proposal required. Identify and contact a potential supervisor before applying. References from two academic supervisors.
Deadline
October–December for September entry
Documents Required
Available Scholarships
International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)
by University of British Columbia · Undergraduate
Learn more →Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
by Government of Canada · Phd
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
Does UBC accept WAEC?
Yes — WAEC WASSCE is directly accepted. You need 6 credits at C6 or above including English and Maths. For competitive programmes like Engineering or Commerce, aim for B3 or higher in relevant subjects.
Is UBC or University of Toronto better for Nigerian students?
Both are excellent. UBC is slightly lower-ranked (#38 vs #25) but located in Vancouver — often rated the world's most liveable city. UBC's tuition is slightly lower. U of T has the Pearson Scholarship; UBC has the IMES. Your programme choice matters more than the ranking gap.
Is research Masters at UBC affordable?
Yes — research-based Masters at UBC cost only CAD $5,500–$9,000 per year (vs. $42,000+ for undergraduate). Many research students also receive a supervisor stipend.
Tips for Applying to UBC
UBC is Canada's second-highest-ranked university and WAEC is directly accepted — no Foundation Year needed. Vancouver is an extraordinary place to study and live. The International Major Entrance Scholarship (up to CAD $40,000 total) is automatically considered for strong applicants. Research Masters programmes are particularly affordable and often funded.
Official source: University of British Columbia ↗Plan Your Canada Student Visa
Check visa requirements, documents and costs for Nigerian passport holders applying to Canada.