Domestic tuition: $5,700–$100/yr · Vancouver average shared rent: $1,000–$1,400/person/month · StudentAidBC: income-tested grants + loans · UBC residence: limited, apply in Jan
Tuition at UBC
UBC charges domestic undergraduate tuition on a per-credit basis. A standard full-time year (30 credits) costs approximately $5,700–$6,500 for Arts and Education, $7,000–$8,500 for Science, and $9,000–$10,500 for Engineering, Commerce (Sauder), and Applied Science. The Sauder School of Business charges approximately $9,500–$11,000/year for the BCom program. Co-op fees at UBC Sauder add $850/year.
Ancillary fees (AMS, athletics, U-Pass for transit) add $1,200–$1,600/year. The U-Pass bundled into fees gives unlimited transit access on TransLink — a significant value given Vancouver's transit costs.
Cost of Living in Vancouver
Vancouver is Canada's most expensive major city for housing. Students who live on campus (UBC endowment lands) pay a premium but avoid Vancouver's brutal rental market:
- UBC residence (on-campus): $13,000–$17,000/year including meal plan
- Shared suite/apartment near UBC (Point Grey): $1,000–$1,400/person/month
- Shared apartment in East Van / near Broadway: $950–$1,300/person/month
- 1-bedroom apartment: $2,200–$2,800/month
- Groceries: $450–$650/month
- Transit: Included in U-Pass (~$50–$60/month equivalent)
- Personal + entertainment: $350–$600/month
Total annual living cost in Vancouver: approximately $24,000–$34,000/year — among the highest in Canada for students.
StudentAidBC for UBC Students
BC students attending UBC access financial aid through StudentAidBC, which combines federal Canada Student Grant and BC-specific grants and loans. The maximum annual BC grant for low-income students is approximately $4,000, with federal grants adding up to $3,000–$6,000 depending on income and dependency status.
Combined federal + provincial grants for a low-income student can reach $8,000–$11,000/year. Loans make up the remainder up to the assessed need ceiling. BC loan interest accrues at prime + 1% (currently around 6.7%).
UBC's own Trek Excellence Scholarship ($5,000/year) and International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award are additional sources. Domestic students should check the UBC Awards database each September.
Part-Time Work in Vancouver for UBC Students
Vancouver's minimum wage is $17.40/hr as of 2026. The city's strong tech sector, film industry, hospitality, and retail sectors all offer student employment. Key on-campus opportunities:
- UBC Library assistant: $18–$20/hr
- Research assistant (sciences): $18–$24/hr
- Teaching assistant (upper-year undergrads): $22–$28/hr
- Food services (AMS Nest): $18–$21/hr
Working 15 hours/week during school can generate $13,500–$16,000/year — enough to cover groceries, transit, and some personal expenses. Vancouver's tech internship market is robust for CS and Engineering students in summer months.
4-Year Cost at UBC Vancouver
| Category | Per Year | 4 Years |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition + fees | $7,500–$11,500 | $30,000–$46,000 |
| Housing (shared) | $14,400–$18,000 | $57,600–$72,000 |
| Food & personal | $7,000–$100 | $28,000–$40,000 |
| Books & misc. | $1,500–$2,000 | $6,000–$8,000 |
| Total | $30,400–$41,500 | $121,600–$166,000 |
🧮 Annual Cost Calculator (calcStudentUbc)
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