Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award

About this scholarship

The Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award is one of four award categories within UBC's International Scholars Program for outstanding international undergraduate applicants. It recognizes prospective students who combine superior academic achievement with exemplary leadership that supports and empowers others through collaboration, empathy, and active listening. UBC describes the broader International Scholars Program as need-and-merit-based: applicants must show that meaningful financial support is necessary for them to attend UBC, and the university conducts a financial assessment using family income, expenses, assets, and available resources. Students do not choose this specific award category in the application; UBC automatically considers International Scholars applicants for the categories for which they are eligible. The 2026 application cycle is closed as of verification, so the entry uses a null apply URL rather than sending students to a closed or generic form. Eligible applicants are international students studying in Canada on a study permit, entering directly from accredited secondary school, applying for their first undergraduate degree, meeting UBC admission and English-language standards, and demonstrating all-As-or-equivalent academic achievement. Certain UBC degrees are excluded from International Scholars consideration.

Eligibility

• Be an international student who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit
• Enter UBC directly from an accredited secondary school
• Apply for a first undergraduate degree at UBC
• Demonstrate significant financial need through UBC's financial assessment
• Demonstrate superior academic achievement, generally all As or equivalent
• Meet UBC admission requirements and the English Language Admission Standard
• Not apply to an International Scholars-excluded UBC degree program