PhD Programs
We have 23 doctoral programs at UBC Okanagan. Search our graduate program directory and read more about our 9 faculties and schools.
Discover your potential as a PhD student at UBC Okanagan.
Join a close-knit community of innovative researchers within a vibrant graduate population. UBC Okanagan offers a growing selection of doctoral programs across diverse disciplines, fostering collaboration and creativity in an intimate campus setting.
Now is an exceptional time to pursue your doctoral studies at UBC Okanagan, with competitive funding opportunities, personalized mentorship, and a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment. For international students, a streamlined study permit process with fast approval times makes starting your journey even easier.
Streamlined Immigration
2 Weeks
Expedited study permit processing time for new PhD students applying from outside of Canada.
No Cap on PhD Students
As of January 1, 2026, you won’t need a provincial attestation letter.
Stay and Work in Canada
Spousal work permits, work opportunities while studying, and pathways to permanent residence and Canadian citizenship.
Canada’s strong commitment to innovation, research excellence, and attracting top global talent is opening new pathways for international doctoral students. Moving to Canada for graduate studies is now more straightforward than ever with study permit applications submitted outside Canada being processed in as little as two weeks, and starting January 2026, graduate students will no longer require a provincial attestation letter. You can also bring your spouse or partner and children, and after graduation, there are clear post-study work options, making it easier to build your career in Canada.
Learn more about the latest updates from the Government of Canada.
At UBC Okanagan, our Global Engagement Office is here to support you with international student advising, intercultural programming, and your transition to Canada.
Research Excellence
At UBC Okanagan, research spans disciplines and impacts communities locally and globally. Our scholars in the humanities and social sciences explore the complexities of culture, history, and human experience, while our scientists and engineers develop innovative technologies and materials that shape the future. From using AI to study wildfires to mapping cycle paths for city planning, our graduate student research transforms our local and global community.
Our researchers are advancing knowledge in ways that lead to new technology, increase sustainability, and deepen our understanding of the world we live in. Many projects are rooted in the unique opportunities and challenges of the Okanagan region, while others contribute to global solutions.
Collaboration is at the heart of UBCO research. Scholars work across disciplines and partner with communities, industry, and institutions to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, health equity, social justice, and disaster resilience. At UBC Okanagan, complex challenges inspire innovative thinking and transformative partnerships that make a difference in the world.
$ 46.6M
Research Funding
$15.9M
Tri-Agency Funding
1,028
Research Projects
PhD Funding
At UBC Okanagan, PhD funding is designed to ensure students can focus on their research without undue financial pressure. We have a minimum funding policy for PhD students, which is currently set at $25,000/year; however, 50% of students receive $42,294 or more funding per year in the first 4 years, before tuition and fees. This support typically comes from a mix of graduate research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships.
$42,294
Median funding amount per year for PhD students (years 1-4)
1,200
Additional awards at PhD level nationally from CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding agencies
$4,200
Annual assistance for most international PhD students at UBC via International Tuition Award
Recently, funding through the three federal research funding agencies, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) has been streamlined into a new harmonized talent program called the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). With this new program, the number of awards for doctoral students will increase by 1,200, with each award valued at $40,000 per year. These awards are open to international students, with 15% of all doctoral awards earmarked for international applicants.
Our Campus
1184 grad students
441 doctoral students
40% international grad student population
110 countries represented
24:1 student to faculty ratio
30 international clubs
138 clubs and course unions
200+ public events
The Okanagan Valley
50% of graduates stay in the Okanagan
30+ beaches
30+ regional parks
100s of trails
200+ freshwater lakes
3 ski resorts within a 90 minute drive
300+ restaurants & cafés
12 art galleries and museums
How to apply
Prospective students should first read the application requirements for their program of interest. Typically, programs require applicants to identify and connect with a potential supervisor whose research aligns with their interests. Applications are submitted online through the Graduate Studies Online Application portal. Application elements vary by program but typically include academic transcripts, a statement of interest, an academic CV, reference letters, and proof of English language proficiency (if applicable). Deadlines vary by program, so it’s important to check program-specific requirements and timelines.
Find your program of interest on our graduate program page and review information on application requirements and how to apply.
