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 2024-2025 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 amounts for the year 2024/25 are now final
New this year:
- NSERC scholarship amounts have increased, UBC 4YF have not
- Year 1 MSc Tuition Award for incoming students (only pilot this year, we are hoping this will stay in future)
| 2024/25 (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 | $17,500 | $20,500 | $2,500 | $8,500 | $17,500 | $12,000 | $0 |
| MSc / PhD Tuition Award3 (subject to change) |
$5,516 | $5,516 | $5,516 | $5,516 | $5,516 | ||
| President's Award7 (approximate) |
$1,245 | $1,245 | $1,245 | ||||
| Scholarship | $27,000 | $27,000 | $18,200 | $40,000 | |||
| Total Funding | $34,890 | $32,374 | $35,016 | $35,500 | $36,597 | $36,961 | $46,761 |
| EXPENSES: (approximate) |
|||||||
| Tuition Fees5 (subject to change) |
$5,516 | $5,516 | $5,516 | $5,516 | $5,516 | $5,516 | $5,516 |
| Student Fees6 (approximate) |
$1,455 | $1,455 | $1,455 | $1,455 | $1,455 | $1,455 | $1,455 |
| Net Funding (approximate) |
$27,919 | $25,403 | $28,045 | $28,529 | $29,626 | $29,990 | $39,790 |
- 1. 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: 2024 rates are GTA2 $38.65/hour GTA1 $40.16/hour
- Funding is guaranteed for 2 years MSc/MASc 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 covers tuition costs. They do 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 $9,690 (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 fees, AMS/GSS health plan fees and transit U-pass (fees subject to change). Please see current listing of Student Fees.
- This amount varies by year and if you are 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. 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.
For more information, including TA workload, duties, course assignments, evaluations, and professional development opportunities, visit the Physics & Astronomy Teaching Assistantship Page.
Important Dates
| Mar 15 | Summer TA Application opens |
| May 15* | WinterT1 TA Application opens |
| August | Offers of Appointment |
| Oct 15 | WinterT2 TA Application opens |
*new incoming graduate students are given a reasonable extension to this deadline
TA Contacts
Ana Flora Pontes, Grad Program Coordinator (interim), 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.