UBC Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
Officially called the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, this is UBC's flagship needs-based scholarship for international undergraduates. The value is calibrated to your demonstrated financial need — typical awards range from CAD 14,000 to CAD 34,000 per year, structured to cover the gap between tuition plus living costs and what your family can reasonably contribute. The award is renewable for up to four years of an undergraduate degree, subject to maintaining strong academic standing at UBC. For Sri Lankan A/L students with top grades who couldn't otherwise afford UBC's CAD 50,000+ international tuition, this is the single most important UBC award to apply for.
Annual cycle — applications open mid-September, close 15 November
University of British Columbia
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
CAD 14k–34k / yr
Duration
Up to 4 Years (renewable)
Deadline
15 November (annual)
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of British Columbia — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
CAD 14,000–34,000/yr (covers tuition + living shortfall). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
First Undergraduate Degree
Applying for your first Bachelor's degree at UBC. Students already holding a Bachelor's are not eligible.
International Student Status
Must be an international student requiring a Canadian study permit — Sri Lankan A/L students applying from Sri Lanka qualify.
A-Average Academic Record
Excellent academic record — at least an A-average (or equivalent — typically 3 A grades at A/Ls, or top GPA in school-leaving exams) plus IELTS 6.5 (6.0 per band) or equivalent.
Demonstrated Financial Need
Your family's documented income must not cover UBC's tuition plus living costs. You'll submit a detailed financial statement as part of the application — this is the central differentiator versus UBC's merit-only awards.
account_tree Application Process
Apply for UBC admission first
Submit the UBC undergraduate application by the early-December UBC admission deadline. You must list yourself as an International Scholarship applicant.
Submit the ILOT online application
Open the International Leader of Tomorrow online form (mid-September) and complete it by the 15 November deadline. The form asks for essays on leadership, financial need, and program fit.
Financial documentation
- Family income statements (parents/guardians)
- Bank statements showing available family savings
- Statement of any external scholarships you have applied for
- Cost-of-living breakdown for your home situation
Decision in spring
Award offers go out in spring along with UBC admission decisions. Awards are renewed annually based on academic performance — typically maintaining a 75% average at UBC.
About UBC
The University of British Columbia is a global top-40 research university with campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna. UBC is consistently the second-ranked university in Canada and is a frequent destination for Sri Lankan undergraduates in engineering, computer science, life sciences and business.
Top 40
Global (QS / THE)
70,000+
Students
160+
Countries Represented
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat CA actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for CA, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
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