📅 Last Updated: 4 November 2026
UBC PhD Computer Science 2027 — C$46,236/Year Funding
The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, one of Canada’s leading research universities, is accepting applications for its PhD in Computer Science for September 2027 and January 2028. For international students, the department’s funding package is C$46,236 a year for years 1–4 (the university’s guaranteed minimum is C$40,000), then C$34,654 in year 5. No GRE is required, and English can be shown through IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo. Tuition for international students is about C$10,082 a year and has to be paid from your funding, so it’s important to look at the real numbers. This guide covers funding after tuition, admission requirements, research areas and how to choose supervisors, with notes for Pakistani applicants. The deadline is 15 December 2026.
| 🏛️ University | University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada |
| 🎓 Programme | PhD in Computer Science (dissertation-based, in person) |
| 💰 Funding (International) | C$46,236/year, years 1–4 · C$34,654 in year 5 |
| 🛡️ Guaranteed Minimum | C$40,000/year for full-time PhD students, years 1–4 |
| 💵 International Tuition | C$10,081.65/year (first year; usually rises 2–5% a year) |
| 📊 GRE | Not required |
| 🗣️ English | IELTS 7.0 · TOEFL iBT 100 · Duolingo 130 (see the table below) |
| 🎓 Grades | Usually at least B+ (76% at UBC); the programme may set a higher bar |
| 📨 References | 3 letters |
| 💸 Application Fee | C$168.25 (international) |
| 📅 Deadline | 15 December 2026 |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistani Students Eligible | Yes. Same dates and terms for all international applicants |
| 🔗 Official Page | UBC PhD in Computer Science |
About the UBC Computer Science PhD
UBC’s Department of Computer Science, in the Faculty of Science, runs a dissertation-based PhD at the Vancouver campus. Students work with faculty across nine research areas, from artificial intelligence and graphics to theory and security. Vancouver also has a growing tech sector, which can open doors for internships and careers (verify visa and work rules for your situation).
How funding works here: unlike a scholarship competition, UBC’s guaranteed funding is built into the PhD. If you’re admitted as a full-time student, you receive the minimum package, usually made up of a mix of teaching and research assistantships, fellowships and awards. You may also be considered for awards such as the UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF).
How it compares: compared with Canada’s Guelph Geography positions (a C$20,000 minimum), UBC CS pays over twice as much. International tuition at UBC is also relatively low for a PhD at this level, about C$10,082 a year, compared with far higher international fees at many other Canadian and UK universities.
💰 Funding: The Real Numbers
- ✅ Guaranteed minimum (UBC): C$40,000 a year for full-time PhD students in years 1–4, effective September 2026
- ✅ Programme package, international: C$46,236 a year, years 1–4
- ✅ Programme package, domestic: C$41,653 a year, years 1–4
- ✅ Year 5: the department provides C$34,654
- ✅ Recent actual funding (2024–25, 85 students): mean C$45,238, median C$44,526, before tuition and fees
After tuition (our estimate): C$46,236 − about C$10,082 in tuition leaves roughly C$36,000 a year before other fees, taxes and living costs, or about PKR 72 lakh a year at recent rates (check the current rate). Vancouver is one of Canada’s most expensive cities, so rent will take a large share. Also budget for the C$168.25 application fee, study permit and flights.
📋 Admission Requirements
- Academic standing: UBC usually expects an overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC), and the programme may set higher minimums. The page doesn’t name a specific degree, so check the department’s PhD page
- GRE: not required
- Three reference letters
- English proficiency for applicants from institutions where English isn’t the primary language, with tests taken in the last 24 months (see below)
- Named supervisors: list the faculty you want to work with in your application
| Test | Overall | Section Minimums |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 6.5 in each band |
| TOEFL iBT (120-point, before 21 Jan 2026) | 100 | Reading 22 · Writing 21 · Speaking 21 · Listening 22 |
| TOEFL iBT (6-point, from 21 Jan 2026) | 5.0 | Reading 4.5 · Writing 4.5 · Speaking 4.0 · Listening 5.0 |
| Duolingo English Test | 130 | Reading 120 · Writing 130 · Speaking 120 · Listening 120 |
🇵🇰 Pakistani students: eligible. Competitive CS PhD applicants usually have much more than the minimum: a strong CGPA from NUST, LUMS, FAST, GIKI, COMSATS, PIEAS or similar, a good grounding in algorithms, maths and systems, and research output (papers, a thesis or strong open-source work). Plan on an English test: the page exempts only applicants from institutions where English is the primary language, and it doesn’t say Pakistani universities qualify. Ask UBC if you hope for an exemption (verify on official website). Duolingo is a cheaper, online option if you can reach 130.
✅ Apply if you…
- Have a strong CS, software or related degree (B+ is only the minimum)
- Have research experience in one of UBC’s nine areas
- Can reach IELTS 7.0 (6.5 per band), TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 130
- Have three referees who know your work
- Have identified 2–3 UBC faculty whose work fits yours
❌ Rethink if you…
- Have no research experience or a weak maths and CS background
- Can’t get an English score ready in time
- Need a PhD you can do remotely (it’s in person)
- Expect to finish in 3 years (the average is 5.7)
- Can’t cover upfront costs such as the fee, study permit and flights
🔬 Research Areas
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Graphics
- Data Management and Mining
- Formal Verification and Analysis of Systems
- Human Centered Technologies
- Networks, Systems and Security
- Scientific Computing
- Software Engineering and Programming Languages
- Theory
Honest numbers: graduates from 2021–2024 took 3.7 to 12 years, averaging 5.7 years. The graduation rate is 68% (students admitted 2012–2015). Note that the stepped-down funding in year 5 and the average time to finish mean you should plan for the later years.
📄 What You’ll Need
- Online application and the C$168.25 fee
- Official transcripts uploaded through the applicant portal (by 16 December 2026)
- Three references from your referees (by 15 January 2027)
- English test results, if required
- Names of faculty supervisors of interest
- A statement of interest and CV, as the application asks (the page doesn’t list them for this programme; verify on the department’s page)
HEC note for Pakistani applicants: prepare your degrees and transcripts with a grading-scale explanation, and start HEC attestation for later visa stages. Upload clear copies by 16 December.
🪜 Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Browse UBC CS faculty and shortlist 2–3 in your area. UBC says contacting faculty is encouraged but not required. A short, specific email can still help (see our supervisor guide).
- Take your English test if needed. Book now, because results take time.
- Create a UBC Campus-Wide Login at apply.grad.ubc.ca.
- Complete the online application for September 2027 or January 2028, name your faculty of interest, and pay the fee by 15 December 2026.
- Upload official transcripts by 16 December 2026.
- Make sure your three referees submit by 15 January 2027.
- If admitted: apply for your Canadian study permit (verify current requirements with IRCC).
📅 Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications opened | 15 September 2026 |
| Application deadline | 15 December 2026 |
| Transcript deadline | 16 December 2026 |
| Referee deadline | 15 January 2027 |
| Intakes | September 2027 · January 2028 |
🌍 Why Apply
UBC combines strong research, a comparatively low international PhD fee, a funding package above the university minimum and no GRE. A Canadian CS PhD is valuable for academia and for research roles in industry. Note that the programme is competitive, and funding doesn’t remove the need to plan for Vancouver’s high living costs.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the UBC PhD in Computer Science?
Yes. The same dates and funding terms apply to international applicants. You need strong grades, three references, named faculty of interest and, usually, an English test score.
How much funding will I get?
The programme package for international students is C$46,236 a year in years 1–4 (the guaranteed minimum is C$40,000), and C$34,654 in year 5. These figures are before tuition and fees.
Is tuition free?
No. International tuition is about C$10,082 a year (first year) and usually rises 2–5% a year. It’s paid out of your funding, leaving roughly C$36,000 a year before other costs.
Do I need the GRE?
No. The GRE isn’t required for this programme.
Which English tests are accepted?
IELTS Academic 7.0 (6.5 per band), TOEFL iBT 100 (or 5.0 on the new 6-point scale), or Duolingo 130, with section minimums. Tests must be within the last 24 months.
Do I need a supervisor before applying?
You should name the faculty you want to work with in your application. UBC encourages contacting them but says it isn’t required before applying.
🔗 Official Sources
📊 Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | PhD in Computer Science, UBC Vancouver |
| Funding | C$46,236/year (years 1–4), C$34,654 (year 5), international |
| Tuition | About C$10,082/year (international, paid from funding) |
| GRE | Not required |
| English | IELTS 7.0 · TOEFL 100 · Duolingo 130 |
| References | 3 |
| Deadline | 15 December 2026 |
| Intakes | September 2027 · January 2028 |
| Pakistani Students | Eligible |
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