UBC Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
The Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award is UBC's most generous undergraduate scholarship for international students. It covers tuition and all eligible living costs (including residence, food, books, and incidentals) above what your family is able to contribute — so the actual cash value scales with your demonstrated need (typically CAD 30,000-65,000 per year). Selection is rigorously merit-based: outstanding academic performance, exceptional leadership and community engagement, plus demonstrated financial need.
University of British Columbia
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Coverage
Tuition + Living Need (CAD 30k-65k/yr)
Duration
4-Year Bachelor's (renewable)
Selection Criteria
Academics + Leadership + Financial Need
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Top of Your School Cohort
Outstanding academic record. School nominates ONE student per Sri Lankan secondary school — so internal selection at the school stage matters as much as UBC's selection.
Exceptional Leadership Track Record
Demonstrated leadership in school, community, or civic life — captain, prefect, debate team lead, social-impact project founder, sports or arts achievement. This is heavily weighted in selection.
Demonstrated Financial Need
Your family must demonstrate they cannot fund a UBC degree without the scholarship. Income, assets, family size, and other financial commitments are all assessed.
International Citizen Outside Canada
Reserved for international (non-Canadian) students entering UBC's first-year direct from secondary school. Sri Lankan citizens applying from Sri Lanka are fully eligible.
account_tree Application Process
Secure school nomination
Your secondary school must formally nominate you. UBC contacts schools globally; ask your school counsellor in September-October if your school can nominate. Only one nominee per school.
Apply to UBC by 1 December
Submit the UBC undergraduate application via you.ubc.ca by 1 December 2025. Choose a programme on either the Vancouver or Okanagan campus.
Submit Karen McKellin application by 15 December
Separately submit the Karen McKellin scholarship application — essays on leadership and community impact, financial-need declaration, and 2 reference letters.
Shortlist + interview
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview in February-March. Final award decisions are released in April for September 2026 entry.
Why UBC?
UBC is consistently ranked in the world top 50 and is one of Canada's top three universities. The Vancouver campus overlooks the Pacific with a Sri Lankan student association active on both Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
#38
QS World Ranking 2026
~30
Karen McKellin Awards / Year
CAD 60k+
Average Annual Award Value
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