BA Computer Science at UBC: Fees Dates & Requirements

The University of British Columbia Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Computer Science is a four-year full-time programme on the UBC Vancouver campus. Indian students need 12 years of schooling with strong mathematics and an IELTS 6.5 overall. Students will have to finish a total of 120 credits, 15 credits each semester, to graduate with this program at the University of British Columbia. The cost per credit is $1,717.68 (₹1.20 Lakhs), and the semester tuition fees, based on 15 credits each semester, are $25,765.20 (₹18.07 Lakhs).

Total international tuition runs about $206,121.60 (₹1.45 Crore) across the degree. The BA route at UBC pairs a computer science core with arts breadth such as economics, linguistics or cognitive systems. It suits students wanting tech fluency without the rigid Applied Science engineering load.

• Faculty of Arts admission targets strong math plus essay; lower physics weight than the BSc or BASc route.
• Coordinated double-major slots with cognitive systems, mathematics or behavioural neuroscience build flexible careers.
• Co-op programme funnels students into eight-month paid terms at Vancouver tech firms before graduation.

Also Check: UBC Computer Science Admission Process

The University of British Columbia BA Computer Science Fees 2026

UBC charges international BA Computer Science students about $25,765.20 (₹18.07 Lakhs) per semester. The full four-year tuition runs approximately $206,121.60 (₹1.45 Crore) before mandatory student fees. The per-credit Faculty of Arts charge may rise up to 3 per cent annually under UBC Senate policy.

• The Faculty of Arts per-credit charge is lower than the Applied Science engineering rate at UBC.
• Mandatory student fees cover AMS membership, U-Pass transit and athletics access.
• Health insurance is compulsory until provincial MSP coverage activates after three months.

Source: UBC Vancouver Student Services Tuition Fees; verify current rates at UBC BA Computer Science Profile.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of CAD 1 = INR 70.12 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

Cost of Living in Vancouver for BA Computer Science Students

Vancouver ranks among Canada’s most expensive student cities, with a monthly outlay of CAD 2,100 to CAD 5,000. UBC’s recommended annual living budget sits at CAD 22,895 (INR 15.80 Lakhs) for a basic lifestyle. First year students living on campus are required to buy the UBC All-Access Residence Meal Plan. Instead of paying monthly rent and buying separate groceries, you pay a single flat bundle fee for the 8-month academic year (September to April) to the university.

Source: UBC International Student Cost of Attendance, Vancouver living estimates.

Read More:  Cost of Living for Study in Canada 

ROI reality: Four-year tuition plus living of about INR 1.93 Crore looks heavy. A Vancouver tech entry salary of CAD 75,000 (INR 51.75 Lakhs) typically clears the loan in five to seven years.

The University of British Columbia BA Computer Science Admission 2026

UBC admits Indian applicants to the BA Computer Science route on a combined transcript and personal-profile review. Strong math results carry decisive weight in this Faculty of Arts pathway.

The September 2027 intake closes for international applicants on 15 January 2027, with the early scholarship round closing 1 December 2026.

Eligibility Requirements for Indian Applicants

The BA route weighs math and English equally; commerce stream applicants are eligible if Math 12 was taken.

• UBC Vancouver QS engineering rank stands at 25 globally for 2026, with computer science programmes drawing employer interest across faculties.
• Computer Science Major Entry: Students are admitted to the Faculty of Arts as undeclared first-year students, not directly to the Computer Science major. After completing the required first-year CPSC courses, they must apply for the major. Admission is competitive and typically requires a strong university average

English Proficiency Requirements

UBC accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and other recognised tests for international applicants. Indian students must clear minimum bands across every component, not just the overall.

• Indian applicants should plan three to four months of IELTS prep to clear the 6.0 writing band, the most common stumbling point.
• The Duolingo English Test is accepted at 125, but Indian-issued scores may need a verification email.
• UBC English Language Admission Standard exemptions apply only after four years of English-medium high school in Canada or a Commonwealth list, which Indian schooling does not always satisfy.

Note: TOEFL iBT moved to a 1.0 to 6.0 band scale on 21 January 2026. UBC currently lists the 0 to 120 requirement shown above; both scales are reported during the 2026 to 2028 transition. Verify the current requirement on the official admissions page before applying.

Honest take: Indian applicants typically aim for 92 percent CBSE for a competitive BA Computer Science profile, since the math requirement filters out borderline cases early in the read.

The University of British Columbia BA Computer Science Application 2026

UBC operates a single Fall intake for the BA Computer Science route, with one international deadline in mid-January. Indian applicants should treat the personal profile as the second most important document after transcripts. UBC reads applications holistically after the deadline; there is no rolling admission for first-year international students.

• Apply by 1 December for the scholarship round to be considered for major entrance awards.
• UBC charges CAD 134 (₹9,396) as the international application fee.
• Self-report Class 11 and predicted Class 12 marks at submission; verified transcripts follow within four weeks.

Explore the admission requirements in Canada  

Required Documents for Indian Applicants

UBC keeps the document list short, but reviewers cross-check predicted marks against board patterns for Indian boards.

• CBSE, ISC or state board Class 10 and Class 11 final marksheets, with predicted Class 12 grades.
• Personal profile responses covering five short-answer questions on impact, learning and resilience.
• IELTS, TOEFL or accepted equivalent score report sent electronically to UBC.

Application tip: Indian applicants commonly under-invest in the personal profile; treat the five responses as 250-word storytelling, not bullet lists, since reviewers explicitly score voice and reflection.

The University of British Columbia BA Computer Science Scholarships 2026

UBC offers automatic-consideration entrance awards plus competitive named scholarships open to Indian BA Computer Science applicants. Most awards require the December scholarship round, not the January regular deadline. Awards apply across the Faculty of Arts programmes, including the BA Computer Science route.

Application by 1 December 2026 is the only route to be assessed for the major entrance awards.

• The International Major Entrance Scholarship is auto-considered with no separate form for the December round.
• The Wehrung award targets students from countries lacking strong post-secondary infrastructure; Indian eligibility varies year to year.
• Need-based aid is limited for international undergraduates; merit dominates the UBC funding pool.

​Check Out: UBC Scholarships for Indian Students

Scholarship reality: UBC's primary funding opportunities for international BA Computer Science applicants are the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES), Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award, and the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award. These awards are highly competitive and awarded to a limited number of international students each year. Families should plan to finance the majority of tuition and living costs independently and view scholarships as a potential cost reduction rather than a guaranteed funding source.

The University of British Columbia BA Computer Science Salary 2026

Vancouver hosts regional offices of Amazon, Microsoft, Shopify and several fintech employers actively recruiting UBC undergraduates. Indian graduates typically take home 55 to 65 per cent of gross after federal tax, BC provincial tax, CPP (Canada Pension Plan at 5.95 percent) and EI (Employment Insurance at 1.63 percent). Use a Canadian tax calculator before signing offers.

• Common roles include Software Engineer, Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer and Quantitative Analyst.
• Major UBC hirers include Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Shopify and the Canadian Big Five banks.
• The Vancouver tech corridor delivers 20 to 40% salary premiums for data science and AI specialisations.
• BA Computer Science graduates competing against BSc and BASc cohorts should add a co-op term or an independent project to strengthen offers.

Source: Statistics Canada Job Bank 2026, PayScale Canada, Glassdoor Canada 2026.

Read More: UBC Placements and Salary Report

Canada Visa for The University of British Columbia, BA Computer Science

Indian students must obtain a Canadian study permit before beginning the BA Computer Science program at UBC. Following major immigration reforms, all applicants now apply through Canada's Standard Study Permit Stream, as the Student Direct Stream (SDS) was permanently discontinued in November 2024.

• A valid UBC Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) issued through British Columbia are required for most undergraduate study permit applications.
• Current study permit fees are CAD 150 (₹10,518) plus a CAD 85 biometrics fee (₹5,960).
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources for tuition and living expenses. The current living-cost benchmark used by IRCC is CAD 22,895 (₹16.06 Lakhs).
• Although a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is no longer mandatory under the Standard Stream, it remains a widely used form of financial proof that can strengthen an application.
• Processing times typically range from 6 to 10 weeks, depending on application volume and individual circumstances.
• Graduates of UBC's four-year BA program remain eligible for the maximum three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
• Under current regulations, PGWP applicants must submit an approved language proficiency test meeting the applicable minimum requirement (currently CLB 7 for university graduates) along with their PGWP application.

Check Out: Canada Student Visa Guide for Indian Applicants

The University of British Columbia BA Computer Science Ranking 2026

UBC sits at QS World University Rankings 40 globally for 2026, up seven places from 47 last year. Computer science and engineering subject rankings give Indian BA applicants a credible signal for employer screening. The Vancouver campus is consistently the third-highest ranked Canadian university overall.

• Subject rankings are particularly relevant since BA Computer Science shares core courses with the BSc CS cohort.
• Indian recruiters increasingly accept the UBC name as a substitute for a strict IIT or NIT shortlist filter.
• The Vancouver tech employer base treats UBC as a Tier 1 campus for software internship hiring.

Honest take: The UBC BA Computer Science degree carries the same brand weight as the BSc route for Indian graduate-school admissions, since both fall under the same UBC Vancouver QS 40 global identity.

Check out the rankings for the University of British Columbia