American students looking to UBC: applications up by 27%

Amid a trade war and political tensions with the U.S., the University of British Columbia says it’s expanding its application period after a surge of interest from potential American students.

The University’s data shows a 27 per cent increase in graduate applications from Americans compared to the previous academic year.

Jens Locher in UBC’s Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies says the school has launched “U.S. Applicant Week” running until April 18, which will reopen the applications for several graduate programs aimed at U.S. citizens seeking admission in September 2025 or January 2026.

It is the first time UBC has taken the step of temporarily extending or reopening applications for select graduate programs at UBC’s Vancouver campus.

Benefits to applying to Canadian institutions include lower tuition compared to many U.S. institutions, post-graduation work permits, and access to the nation’s health-care system.

There are no official admission targets for the initiative and more than 70 degree programs chose to opt in.