Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award (Canada)
2027 for International Students
Introduction
The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers several merit-based scholarships to
recognize exceptional international students who demonstrate outstanding academic
performance and active involvement beyond the classroom. Among the most notable of
these awards are the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) and the Outstanding
International Student (OIS) Award, both designed to support talented students beginning
their undergraduate studies at UBC.
These scholarships are awarded to international applicants who have distinguished themselves
through academic excellence, leadership, community engagement, and extracurricular
achievements. While the OIS Award is a one-time entrance scholarship, the IMES provides
renewable funding for eligible students throughout their undergraduate studies, making
both awards highly competitive opportunities for students seeking to study in Canada.
By offering financial support and recognizing exceptional achievement, these awards help
attract some of the world's brightest students to UBC, enabling them to pursue a world-class
education while continuing to develop their academic, leadership, and personal potential.
What's Covered In This Article
Application Dates
Benefits
Who Can Apply
Eligibility Criteria
Why Rhodes Scholarship
How To Apply
Why Choose This Scholarship?
The International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) and Outstanding International Student
(OIS) Award are excellent opportunities for international students who have achieved strong
academic results and demonstrated commitment beyond their studies. These awards recognize
students who have not only excelled in the classroom but have also contributed through
leadership, community service, extracurricular activities, or other meaningful achievements.
One of the main advantages of these scholarships is that they reward merit rather than financial
need, allowing high-performing students to receive recognition for their accomplishments.
The OIS Award provides valuable financial support during the first year of study, while the
IMES offers the possibility of continued funding throughout an undergraduate degree, helping
to reduce the overall cost of studying in Canada.
In addition to the financial benefits, receiving either of these awards is a significant
achievement that highlights a student's academic excellence and potential. Being selected
can strengthen a student's profile, provide greater opportunities for personal and professional
growth, and allow them to pursue their education at one of Canada's leading universities with
greater confidence and support.
Who Can Apply This Scholarship?
These awards are for new international students who are starting an undergraduate program
at the University of British Columbia. They are meant for students entering UBC for the
first time, especially those coming directly from secondary school or from post-secondary
study outside UBC.
The scholarships are open to applicants who show strong academic performance and also have
meaningful involvement outside the classroom, such as leadership, extracurricular activities,
or community engagement. Since both awards are merit-based, they are aimed at students who
have already shown excellence and promise before arriving at UBC.
The IMES and OIS awards are a good fit for international students who want to begin their
studies at UBC and are competing for entrance scholarships based on achievement, not just
financial need.
Eligibility Criteria This Scholarship
Must be an international student.
Must require a Canadian study permit to study at UBC.
Must be applying to UBC for the first time.
Must be entering an undergraduate degree program.
Must be entering directly from secondary school or another recognized post-secondary institution.
Must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
Must show strong involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership, community service,
athletics, arts, or other significant pursuits outside the classroom.
Must meet all admission requirements for the chosen UBC undergraduate program.
Must submit an application for admission to UBC before the university's admission deadline.
Must not be nominated for UBC's need-and-merit-based International Scholars program.
Additional Requirement for IMES
Must maintain strong academic standing and satisfactory progress at UBC to remain eligible for
scholarship renewal in future years.
Benefits of This Scholarship
International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES)
Scholarship value: CAD $10,000 - $25,000 per year
Awarded to outstanding international students entering UBC undergraduate programs
Renewable for up to three additional years of study
Renewal depends on maintaining strong academic performance and meeting university requirements
Total funding received over the course of a degree may vary depending on the annual award
amount and renewal status
Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award
Scholarship value: CAD $10,000 - $25,000
Awarded as a one-time entrance scholarship
Provided during the student's first year at UBC
Not renewable in subsequent years
Funding Summary
Both awards are merit-based scholarships that recognize academic excellence and involvement
beyond the classroom.
Scholarship amounts may vary from year to year based on available funding and the strength of
the applicant pool.
Funds can be used to help cover educational expenses such as tuition, books, accommodation,
and other study-related costs.
Application Dates
There is no separate application deadline for IMES and OIS; applicants must apply to UBC
by the admissions deadline to be considered.
How to Apply for This Scholarship
There is no separate scholarship application for the IMES or OIS awards. Students are
automatically considered when they apply for admission to an eligible undergraduate
program at the University of British Columbia. Applicants should submit their admission
application through the official UBC admissions portal before the university's application
deadline.