Premier Undergraduate Scholarship

University of British Columbia

Get up to $20,000 over two years for high-achieving students at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver campus — if your faculty invites you.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 26, 2026

Total value

$20,000

Deadline

Oct 13, 2026

Level

Undergraduate, Graduate

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Invitation from your academic faculty or school
Online application submitted by October 13, 2026
Personal statement detailing meaningful accomplishments and future goals
Two confidential letters of recommendation on official letterhead from official work emails
One faculty reference (Instructor, Professor, Adjunct Professor, or Emeritus Professor)
One community or professional reference (e.g., manager, supervisor, or volunteer coordinator)

About this award

Funding varies by award. You could receive one of 20 Wesbrook Scholar designations worth $1,000 each, or renewable scholarships worth $20,000 over two years. Specific awards from the previous cycle include the C. K. Choi Scholarship (one $15,000 award, renewable for a second year), the Sherwood Lett Memorial Scholarship (one $6,500 award, renewable for a second year), four Carl Bradford Robertson Scholarships at $16,625 each, the Harry Logan Memorial and Harold B. & Nellie Boyes Memorial Scholarships (two awards of $2,150 and $12,100 totaling $14,250), one Thelma Sharp Cook Scholarship for $13,600, nine HSBC Emerging Leader Scholarships at $5,000 each, the Amy E. Sauder and Jean Craig Smith Scholarships (two awards of $3,500 and $1,250 totaling $4,750), twenty Wesbrook Scholar awards of $1,000, one Martha C. Piper Arts Award in Global Citizenship for $1,400, and one John H. Mitchell Scholarship for $1,045. As these are scholarships, not loans, you do not have to pay this money back. This is for you if you are a senior student at the University of British Columbia (UBC) who balances top-tier grades with significant leadership and community involvement. You must submit your online application by Tuesday, October 13, 2026. If you are shortlisted, you will be notified in mid-January 2027 and interviewed in early February 2027. Final winners are announced in mid-February 2027. You must first be invited by your academic faculty or school to apply. Once invited, a selection committee reviews your application and interviews shortlisted students. Because the University of British Columbia (UBC) does not publish the exact number of total applicants, ask your faculty representative about the typical competitiveness of these awards. Ask the University of British Columbia (UBC) during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Some awards, such as the C. K. Choi and Sherwood Lett Memorial Scholarships, are renewable for a second year if you maintain scholarship standing. Renewal conditions for other awards aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with the University of British Columbia (UBC) whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must have studied on the UBC Vancouver Campus during the two previous winter sessions (2024/25 and 2025/26) and rank academically in the top 10% of your year level and awarding faculty. You must also show strong leadership, teamwork, and community participation; some awards require an interest or participation in athletics. You must fit one of these profiles: be in the third, fourth, or fifth year of a baccalaureate (Bachelor's) program on track to graduate in 2027 or 2028; be enrolled in the M.D. (Doctor of Medicine), D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine), or J.D. (Juris Doctor) program; or be in the first year of a Masters degree program (note that PhD or dual-degree PhD students are not eligible). To meet registration requirements for the 2026/27 session and the two previous sessions (2024/25 and 2025/26), you must have: registered for at least 24 percentage-graded credits during both terms of the Winter Session; had an approved reduced course load; participated in a co-op or education abroad program in one term and took 12 percentage-graded credits in the other; or participated in a co-op or education abroad program for both terms. If you graduate in May 2027 or have an approved reduced course load, you can have your current winter registration requirements waived upon confirmation.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

Canadian citizen, permanent resident or international student
Open to undergraduate or graduate students

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Order your transcript1–2 weeks
Your school's registrar can take a week or two.
Ask for reference letters2 weeks
Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.
Write your essay
Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

Personal StatementAvoid simply listing your activities. Instead, tell the story of your most meaningful accomplishments and how they shaped who you are. Brainstorm a full list of your UBC involvements first, then pick the ones that show the most impact.
ReferencesAvoid using a Teaching Assistant (TA) as a faculty reference. Instead, choose an Instructor, Professor, Adjunct Professor, or Emeritus Professor who knows your work. Ensure your referees use official letterhead and a work email address.
StrategyAvoid writing your application as if the committee already knows you. Instead, treat this as your primary chance to introduce yourself and explain your unique contributions to the community.
RealismAvoid assuming an invitation means you will win an award. Instead, prepare for a competitive process that includes a shortlist and a formal interview in early February.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on October 13, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

Yes. It is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 26, 2026