Budgeting for UBC

Finances 

The total cost of each program includes tuition or program fees, required UBC student fees (including U-Pass and medical insurance) and additional expenses, such as accommodation, food and personal expenses. You should also prepare other travel requirements, such as travel authorization or your study permit. 

Tuition  

For the 2024-25 academic year, the regular program fees (course tuition only) are $17,203.73 CAD per semester of study. This amount is subject to change according to the international student tuition rate released every year. Pay these fees directly to Tec de Monterrey. For any additional Tec fees, contact the Tec International Office. 

Required UBC student fees 

Students coming to UBC for one term will be charged approximately $950-1,050 CAD. Students coming for two terms will be charged approximately $1,150-1,250 CAD in student fees. The student fees will be charged directly to your UBC student account, are payable in Canadian dollars and cover: 

Local transportation - mandatory student public transit pass (U-Pass) 

• U-Pass fee: $180.40 for the winter academic term (subject to change). Only students registered in a minimum of three credits will be eligible for the U-Pass, a universal transportation pass that gives unlimited access to all TransLink buses, the SkyTrain and the SeaBus during the Winter Session. 

Medical insurance costs (iMED and BC MSP) 

• Mandatory iMED insurance for international students  
  The iMED program is a temporary basic health insurance plan required as a condition of registering as an international student who is new to UBC. Enrolment is automatic upon registration of your courses. Please visit this site to find more information on iMED, including coverage dates. 
  • Single-term students: The cost is $338 CAD per term, plus a $10.54 direct billing fee for iMED. iMED will cover you for the duration of your stay, approximately four months and one week.  
  • Full-year students: The cost is $237 CAD plus a $10.54 direct billing fee for iMED. The cost covers the three-month waiting period for the British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP).  
    Students studying at UBC for six months or longer are required to apply for MSP after arrival. The MSP plan costs about $75 CAD per month. 
     
• AMS fees (mandatory) 
  Student Society, clubs and athletic fees required of all visiting students. Find more info. 
   
• AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan (optional)  
  This plan takes care of expenses not covered by basic health care plans. Tec-UBC Joint Academic Program students are not automatically enrolled in the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan, but can opt in. Read the details.  

Additional expenses 

To get a clear financial picture during your studies at UBC, create a budget that considers both university and living costs. These costs are estimates and could change depending on how long you are studying at UBC. Your financial requirements will also vary depending on your individual goals and your personal preferences. 
  
We recommend students have approximately $9,000 CAD per term available while at UBC to cover costs for accommodation, food, books, student fees and personal expenses. 

Accommodation 

Most Tec students will stay in apartment or townhouse-style residences on campus (typically in single rooms in a shared suite in either Walter Gage or Fairview Crescent). This costs approximately $3,700-4,500 CAD per term. For details on campus housing, visit the Student Housing website. 

All Tec Joint Academic Program students are guaranteed on-campus accommodation. A deposit of $1,050 or more must be paid upon acceptance of the housing offer, with the remaining balance due two to three weeks after arrival. Read more.