The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada is offering eligible doctoral students a minimum annual funding package of CAD 40,000 for its PhD in Counselling Psychology. The university guarantees this support for the first four years, potentially providing at least CAD 160,000 throughout that period.
Canadian and international students, including applicants from Pakistan, can qualify for funding after securing admission. However, candidates must meet the university’s academic and other admission requirements to be considered.
The programme combines psychological research with professional counselling training, preparing graduates for careers in research, education and counselling practice. Applicants targeting the September 2027 intake must submit their applications by December 1, 2026.
UBC Counselling Psychology PhD Scholarship: Key Details
| Scholarship Details | Information |
|---|---|
| University | University of British Columbia (UBC) |
| Country | Canada |
| Faculty | Faculty of Education |
| Degree Level | PhD |
| Study Field | Counselling Psychology |
| Annual Funding | Minimum CAD 40,000 |
| Funding Duration | First four years |
| Total Minimum Funding | CAD 160,000 |
| Eligible Applicants | Canadian and international students |
| Academic Requirement | Thesis-based master’s degree with at least 80% |
| English Language Tests | IELTS, Duolingo English Test or TOEFL iBT |
| Recommendation Letters | Three |
| GRE | Not required |
| Study Mode | On-campus |
| Programme Start | September 2027 |
| Application Deadline | December 1, 2026 |
What Does the UBC PhD Scholarship Cover?
UBC guarantees a minimum funding package of CAD 40,000 annually for eligible full-time PhD students at its Vancouver campus. This arrangement covers the first four years of doctoral study, providing a minimum total package of CAD 160,000.
Students may receive financial support through university scholarships, external research awards, teaching assistantships, research assistantships and graduate academic assistantships. The university combines these sources according to individual funding arrangements and available academic opportunities.
Furthermore, UBC introduced the minimum annual funding threshold in September 2026. The policy covers domestic and international doctoral students and aims to support their academic and research activities.
However, students should distinguish the funding package from the total cost of studying in Vancouver. Tuition fees, additional university charges and living expenses can affect how much funding remains available for personal costs.
Tuition Fees and Additional Financial Support
UBC charges tuition fees for its Counselling Psychology PhD programme. Published annual tuition amounts are approximately CAD 10,081.65 for international students and CAD 5,738.52 for domestic students.
Eligible international students may also receive an International Tuition Award worth up to CAD 3,200 annually. UBC automatically considers qualifying students in eligible research-based graduate programmes for this assistance.
In addition, the university lists other student fees of approximately CAD 1,203.20 per year. Applicants should account for these charges alongside accommodation, food, transport and other living expenses when assessing the funding package.
Eligibility Criteria for Pakistani and International Applicants
Applicants normally need a thesis-based master’s degree in Counselling Psychology or an equivalent qualification. UBC requires an overall academic average of at least 80% in previous qualifying studies.
The university also considers applicants’ professional preparation, counselling experience, research background and readiness for doctoral-level training. Therefore, candidates should demonstrate how their previous academic and practical experience supports their proposed studies.
Pakistani applicants must also satisfy UBC’s country-specific admission requirements. The university recognises eligible master’s degrees, M.Phil. degrees and master’s honours qualifications with first-class or first-division academic standing.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not replace the full admission process. Applicants should review the programme’s specific requirements before preparing their applications.
English Language Requirements
International applicants whose previous universities did not primarily teach in English must submit an accepted English-language proficiency test. UBC lists the following requirements:
- IELTS Academic: An overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component.
- Duolingo English Test: An overall score of 125, with at least 115 in Reading and Listening and 120 in Writing and Speaking.
- TOEFL iBT: For tests taken before January 21, 2026, an overall score of 90, with at least 22 in each component.
- Revised TOEFL iBT: For tests taken on or after January 21, 2026, an overall score of 4.5 under the revised six-point scoring system, subject to the specified component requirements.
Applicants should confirm the applicable test requirements before submitting their results, particularly if they took the TOEFL after its scoring system changed.
Required Documents for the UBC Counselling Psychology PhD
Candidates should prepare their academic records and supporting documents before starting the online application. UBC requires transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions and three letters of recommendation.
Applicants must provide their referees’ contact details through the university’s graduate application system. They should also prepare a statement of interest explaining their academic background, counselling experience, research interests and reasons for pursuing doctoral study.
Carefully reviewing the document requirements can help applicants avoid delays during the submission process.
How to Apply for the UBC Psychology PhD Scholarship
Interested candidates must apply through the University of British Columbia’s official graduate admissions system. The following steps outline the application process:
- Visit UBC’s Counselling Psychology PhD programme page and review its admission criteria, research opportunities and funding information.
- Create or access a UBC Campus-Wide Login account to begin the online graduate application.
- Select the September 2027 intake and complete the application with accurate academic and personal information.
- Provide details about academic qualifications, research interests and potential supervisors, where required.
- Enter contact information for three referees and arrange the required recommendation letters.
- Upload academic transcripts, the statement of interest and other required documents.
- Arrange the submission of any necessary English-language test results and review the application before submitting it.
UBC lists an application fee of CAD 168.25 for international applicants, subject to applicable exemptions and future changes.
The application deadline is December 1, 2026, for the September 2027 intake. Prospective students should review the official programme requirements and funding conditions before applying.
For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.
