
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of the world's leading research universities, with a vibrant student community of over 350 clubs and organizations. With three campuses in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Vancouver's downtown core, the university enrolled approximately 70,000 students in 2021/22, including domestic and international students from more than 140 countries. UBC Okanagan, located in Kelowna, is smaller than the Vancouver campus, with an estimated 10,000 students enrolled. The campus offers a diverse and culturally vibrant environment, attracting international students from China, India, Bangladesh, and many other countries. In 2021/22, UBC Okanagan had an international student population of around 18% or about 2,609 students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total student enrolment | 10,708 |
| Undergraduate students | 9,643 |
| Graduate students | 1,065 |
| International student population | 18% (approximately 2,609) |
| Number of countries represented by international students | 100+ |
| Indigenous student enrolment | 758 |
| Number of campus buildings | 360% increase since 2005 |
| Student retention rate | 89% |
| Number of student clubs and organizations | 350+ |
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What You'll Learn
- The UBC Okanagan campus is much smaller than the Vancouver campus
- International students at UBC Okanagan come from over 100 countries
- UBC Okanagan offers work-study programs for international students
- UBC Okanagan has a higher percentage of international students than UBC Vancouver
- UBC Okanagan has a lower retention rate for domestic students than international students

The UBC Okanagan campus is much smaller than the Vancouver campus
The smaller UBC Okanagan campus provides a more intimate learning environment with a close-knit community. It is situated in a smaller city, surrounded by farms and hills, offering a different atmosphere from the busy and chaotic Vancouver. The Okanagan campus is also known for its friendly and welcoming community, especially for international students.
In terms of enrolment, the Vancouver campus has a significantly higher number of students. As of 2021/22, there were 60,292 students at the Vancouver campus, compared to 11,989 at the Okanagan campus. The Vancouver campus had 43,488 domestic students and 16,804 international students, while the Okanagan campus had 9,380 domestic students and 2,609 international students. The Vancouver campus tends to have higher admission rates, with a first-choice program admission rate of 50% compared to 71% for Okanagan in the same year.
Despite the differences in size and enrolment, both campuses offer a globally respected UBC degree, and the smaller UBC Okanagan campus may be preferable for those seeking a tighter-knit community and a smaller city atmosphere.
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International students at UBC Okanagan come from over 100 countries
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university with two main campuses: Vancouver and Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley. UBC enrols approximately 60,000 students across its three campuses, with around 28% of its student population being international students.
UBC Okanagan, in particular, has an international student population of about 18% from over 100 countries. The campus welcomes students from China, India, Bangladesh, and many other countries. UBC Okanagan provides work-study programs in Canada for its international students, allowing them to develop workplace skills and explore career paths through experiential learning.
In the 2020/21 academic year, UBC as a whole enrolled a total of 2,042 Indigenous students, with UBC Okanagan accounting for 35% of this enrolment. The university has partnerships with 300+ universities, institutions, and organizations in more than 50 countries, enhancing its global reputation and appeal to international students.
UBC offers a diverse and culturally vibrant environment, with students from all over the world. The university provides a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs such as law and medicine. UBC's academic excellence, global citizenship, and commitment to making a positive impact contribute to its reputation as one of Canada's leading universities.
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UBC Okanagan offers work-study programs for international students
The University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus offers a multitude of work-study programs for its international students. UBC Okanagan is home to 2,609 international students, who make up 18.3% of the campus's student body.
International students at UBC Okanagan can take advantage of the Work Study program, which helps fund well-paid, on-campus jobs. The program offers five key benefits to students: personal and professional development, workplace skills development, career path exploration, experiential learning that complements academic studies, and ongoing support and mentorship.
To be eligible for Work Study positions, international undergraduate students must include a copy of a valid study permit and a valid social insurance number (SIN) card. If a student does not have a SIN, they and their supervisor must complete an employment contract and take it to the relevant authority to apply for a SIN. Students must also maintain a minimum of 18 credits (nine per term) to remain eligible for Work Study employment.
UBC Okanagan also offers international students the opportunity to participate in the Co-operative Education Program, which allows them to combine their studies with full-time, paid work experience in various fields. Additionally, students seeking research experience can apply for an Undergraduate Student Research Award, which allows them to work on research projects with UBC professors.
Through these work-study programs, international students at UBC Okanagan can gain valuable work experience, earn extra income, and enhance their professional skills while pursuing their academic goals.
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UBC Okanagan has a higher percentage of international students than UBC Vancouver
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of the world's leading research universities, enrolling over 70,000 students from across Canada and 140 countries worldwide. UBC has three campuses: the main campus in Vancouver, UBC Okanagan in Kelowna, and UBC Robson Square in Vancouver.
UBC enrols approximately 60,000 students across its three campuses, with the majority of students enrolled at the Vancouver campus (60,292) and a smaller number at the Okanagan campus (11,989). In terms of international students, there are 16,804 at UBC Vancouver and 2,609 at UBC Okanagan. This means that UBC Okanagan has a higher percentage of international students compared to UBC Vancouver.
The UBC Okanagan campus is much smaller than the Vancouver campus, with approximately 10,000 students enrolled. It offers a close-knit learning community and a diverse range of programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and short courses. The campus welcomes students from all over the world, with an international population of around 18% from more than 100 countries. UBC Okanagan is committed to supporting Indigenous development and has seen a steady increase in Indigenous student enrolment over the years.
On the other hand, UBC Vancouver has a larger student population, with a significant number of international students. The Vancouver campus received more domestic and international applications compared to the Okanagan campus. UBC Vancouver also has a higher retention rate for first-year students, with 94% of the 2020/21 cohort remaining enrolled in the new year, compared to 89% at UBC Okanagan.
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UBC Okanagan has a lower retention rate for domestic students than international students
The University of British Columbia (UBC) has two campuses: Vancouver and Okanagan. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 11,978 students at UBC Okanagan, with 9,380 domestic students and 2,609 international students.
UBC Okanagan has a higher retention rate for international students, which may be due to various factors. International students may have a stronger motivation to remain enrolled due to the financial investments and opportunities associated with studying abroad. Additionally, UBC Okanagan's support services and resources specifically tailored for international students could contribute to their higher retention rate. The university offers orientation programs, cultural transition assistance, and academic support to help international students navigate their studies and adapt to life in Canada.
On the other hand, domestic students at UBC Okanagan may face unique challenges that impact their retention rate. Financial constraints and housing instability are common concerns mentioned by Dr. Margaret Moss, Director of the First Nations House of Learning, particularly regarding Indigenous students, who face additional pandemic-related challenges. Domestic students may also have alternative educational options or choose to transfer to other institutions that better meet their academic or personal needs.
It is worth noting that UBC has a high overall retention rate across both campuses, indicating that the majority of students, regardless of their domestic or international status, are satisfied with their university experience and choose to continue their studies at UBC. The university's focus on providing a diverse and inclusive learning environment, along with its commitment to improving retention rates for all students, contributes to its overall success in student retention.
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Frequently asked questions
Approximately 10,000 students are enrolled at UBC Okanagan, with 9,380 domestic students and 2,609 international students.
Approximately 18% of UBC Okanagan students are international, with students from over 100 countries.
As of 2021/22, there were 16,804 international students across UBC's Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
As of 2021/22, there were 70,757 students enrolled across UBC's Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.











































