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 expected funding levels for the 2025-2026 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
The RA and Award Topup amounts for academic year 2025/26 are now final.
New and Notable:
- Year 1 MSc Tuition Award for incoming students, introduced in 2024, continues to be offered in 2025/26.
- 2024: NSERC scholarship amounts have increased; UBC 4YF and affiliate fellowships have not.
| 2025/26 (Sept-Aug) | M.Sc./M.A.Sc. | Ph.D. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
FUNDING: |
No Scholarship Year 1 |
No Scholarship Year 2 |
NSERC CGS M Year 1 |
NSERC CGS M Year 2 |
No Scholarship | UBC 4YF | NSERC PGS D / CGS D / Vanier |
| TA1 |
$11,874 |
$11,874 |
|
|
$12,336 |
|
|
| RA2 / Award Topup4 |
$18,025 |
$21,115 |
$2,575 |
$8,755 |
$18,025 |
$12,360 |
$0 |
| MSc / PhD Tuition Award3,5 (subject to change) |
$5,626 |
|
$5,626 |
|
$5,626 |
$5,516 |
$5,516 |
| President's Award7 (approximate) |
|
|
|
|
$1,260 |
$1,260 |
$1,260 |
| Scholarship |
|
|
$27,000 |
$27,000 |
|
$18,200 |
$40,000 |
| Total Funding |
$35,525 |
$32,989 |
$35,201 |
$35,755 |
$37,247 |
$37,446 |
$46,886 |
|
TUITION and FEES (approximate and subject to change) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tuition Fees5 (subject to change) |
$5,626 |
$5,626 |
$5,626 |
$5,626 |
$5,626 |
$5,626 |
$5,626 |
| Student Fees6 (approximate) |
$1,455 |
$1,455 |
$1,455 |
$1,455 |
$1,455 |
$1,455 |
$1,455 |
| Net Funding (approximate) |
$28,444 |
$25,908 |
$28,045 |
$28,674 |
$30,166 |
$30,365 |
$39,805 |
- This is for 4 TA units. Scholarship students may receive TA units as space permits. The TA salary is dependent on experience. See CUPE2278 salaries for most recent information; 2024 rates are GTA2 $38.65/hour GTA1 $40.16/hour.
- Funding is guaranteed for 2 years of MSc/MASc degree and 4 years of a PhD, subject to satisfactory progress.
- Faculty of Science MSc tuition award is for the first year of MSc program. The PhD tuition award is assigned for the first four years of PhD program. These awards only cover tuition costs. They do not cover additional fees that all students are charged each term (ex. UPass, Medical). See comment 5 for information on international students.
- Top-ups are funded by the student's research supervisor through a Research Assistantship (RA).
- International students pay higher tuition fees ($9883.98 in 2025/26). International students also receive the International Tuition Award (ITA) of $3,200 from the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS) unless they are receiving external tuition funding. In addition, for international PhD students, the tuition award is higher than for domestic student ($6,683.98). Similarly, for international MSc students in year 1, the Faculty of Science tuition award is $6,683.98. Since the ITA does not fully cover the difference between domestic and international student tuition, Net Funding is lower for MSc students from year 2 onwards.
- Includes AMS fees, AMS/GSS health plan fees and transit U-pass (fees subject to change). See current listing of Student Fees for more details.
- Amount shown is for for domestic PhD students in years 1-3. Exact amount is based on year and residence status (domestic or international), see https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/presidents-academic-excellence-initiative-phd-award.
Teaching Assistantship
Graduate students form an essential component of the teaching environment in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. TA-ing 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.
For more information, including TA workload, duties, course assignments, evaluations, and professional development opportunities, visit the Physics & Astronomy Teaching Assistantship Page.
Important Dates
| Feb 15 | Summer Job Postings |
| March 31 | Winter Job Postings |
| June 15 | Deadline for TA Application |
| August 1 | Offers of Appointment |
*new incoming graduate students are given a reasonable extension to these deadlines
TA Contacts
Ana Flora Pontes, 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.