Graduate Program Financial Support
All students who are accepted to our graduate program are guaranteed at least a minimum level of financial support, sufficient to cover tuition and living expenses. The funding levels for the 2023-2024 academic year are shown in the table below. These levels are guaranteed for two years for students in the M.Sc. or M.A.Sc. program and four years for students in the Ph.D. program, subject to satisfactory performance in TA and RA duties and academic progress.
Funding Overview
| 2023-2024 (Sept-Aug) | M.Sc./M.A.Sc. | Ph.D. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUNDING: | No Scholarship | NSERC CGS M | No Scholarship | UBC 4YF | NSERC PGS D | NSERC CGS D |
| TA1 | $11,528 | $11,977 | ||||
| RA2 | $16,750 | $15,100 | ||||
| PhD Tuition Award3 (subject to change) |
$5,301 | $5,301 | $5,301 | $5,301 | ||
| Scholarship | $17,500 | $18,200 | $21,000 | $35,000 | ||
| Award Top-Up 4 (subject to change) |
$9,150 | $8,300 | $6,300 | |||
| Total Funding | $28,278 | $26,650 | $32,378 | $31,801 | $32,601 | $40,301 |
| EXPENSES: (approximate) |
||||||
| Tuition Fees5 (amount subject to change) |
$5,301 | $5,301 | $5,301 | $5,301 | $5,301 | $5,301 |
| Student Fees6 (approximate) |
$1,202 | $1,202 | $1,202 | $1,202 | $1,202 | $1,202 |
| Net Funding (approximate) |
$21,775 | $20,147 | $25,875 | $25,298 | $26,098 | $33,798 |
- 4 TA units. Scholarship students may receive TA funding as space permits.
- Funding is guaranteed for 2 years MSc/MASc and 4 years of a PhD, subject to satisfactory progress.
- PhD tuition award is assigned for the first four years of PhD program.This award only covers tuition costs. It does not cover the additional fees that students are charged each term (ex. UPass, Medical).
- Top-ups are funded by the student's research supervisor through a Research Assistantship (RA).
- International students pay tuition fees of $9,313.92 (approximately) but receive an International Tuition Award (ITA) of up to $3,200 automatically from the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS) unless they are receiving external funding.
- Includes AMS extended medical and dental plan and transit U-pass (fees subject to change). Please see current listing of Student Fees in the UBC Calendar.
Teaching Assistantship
Graduate students form an essential component of the teaching environment in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. TAing can provide graduate students with valuable experience that will be useful in later careers. As a TA, you will have the opportunity to interact with fellow students, develop presentation skills, act as a role model and also benefit monetarily. The contribution made by graduate students is recognized and for the past 5 years graduate students from this Department have received University Graduate Teaching Assistant awards for teaching.
For more information, including TA workload, duties, course assignments, evaluations, and professional development opportunities, visit the Physics & Astronomy Teaching Assistantship Page.
Important Dates
| Feb 1 | Summer Job Postings |
| March 31 | Winter Job Postings |
| April 1* | TA Application opens |
| August | Offers of Appointment |
*new incoming graduate students are given a reasonable extension to this deadline
TA Contacts
Shiho Mehrhoff, Grad Program Coordinator, Hennings Building, Room 333, tacoord@phas.ubc.ca
Research Assistantship
Research Assistantships are provided by the Supervisors to provided support for graduate students while they are pursuing research activities. Students without fellowships receive the balance of their financial aid via these Research Assistantships. For new students in their first four months of the M.Sc. or M.A.Sc. program, the Department will cover the cost of the Research Assistantship until the Supervisor is selected, up to a maximum of four months. For more information, visit the UBC Graduate Studies Research Assistant Page.
Scholarships
External scholarships are available from many sources. You should investigate all sources of financial support for which you are eligible. Canadian students with first-class averages should apply for NSERC awards.
Awards
- Tuition Awards and Scholarship Supplements, will be provided through the universitiy's Graduate Support Initiative (GSI).
- International Tuition Awards are provided by the university for international students.
Fellowship
Affiliated Fellowships are awarded by competition by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Applications are due in September. Students who apply for an NSERC award are automatically considered for 4YF and Affiliated Fellowship awards.