Budgeting for Exchange, Research, and Study Abroad
Paying your tuition and fees
Students participating in an exchange pay tuition directly to UBC and not the partner institution in most cases. Students are required to take and pay for 15 UBC credits for each semester on exchange.
Student loans
You may have a different timeline for paying your loans and different eligibility requirements when you go on exchange. Find more information on applying and receiving your loans.
Awards and scholarships
Go Global offers many International Learning Awards to help make your experience more affordable.
Go Global students remain registered at UBC – you can still qualify for scholarships and awards. This includes affiliation scholarships, and faculty- or department-specific awards.
Determining the cost of your exchange
Your financial requirements will vary depending on your individual goals, the cost of living in your host country, and your personal preferences.
Go Global is not able to provide you with a precise dollar amount. Only you can determine how much money you will need for exchange.
Tips for planning your budget
- See student reports to learn about other students' experience on their exchange
- Search travel guides and the web for travel tips
- Research the cost of living in your potential host country
- Consider your spending habits, your lifestyle preferences, your current expenses and how you like to travel for your lifestyle abroad
- Consider contacting a travel agent to help you determine some of your travel costs in advance
Go Global budget worksheet
Use this sample budget worksheet to estimate your expenses for exchange and compare them to your income. Fill in the table with realistic amounts for each category that applies to you.
You might find it easier to estimate the monthly expenses for some categories and multiply it by the number of months you'll be away.
| Expenses | Income |
|---|---|
| Airfare: | International Learning Award: |
| Accommodation: | Other scholarships, awards, and bursaries: |
| Food: | Student loans: |
| Tuition and student fees: | Personal savings: |
| Books and supplies: | Additional income: |
| Additional medical insurance: | |
| Local transportation: | |
| Passport and visa: | |
| Immunizations: | |
| Additional travel: | |
| Personal spending: | |
| Emergency funds: | |
| Gifts: | |
| Other (specify): | |
| Total expenses: | Total income: |
Go Global Fee Adjustment Policy
The Go Global Fee ($415.00 CDN) is an administrative fee required for all applicants to Go Global programs. The fee is non-refundable. However, it may be adjusted under the following circumstances.
If you are not matched to a partner university
You are eligible to have your Go Global fee adjusted from $415.00 to $93.25 (reduced by $321.75) if:
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You have applied to Go Global but do not meet our minimum eligibility requirements
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Go Global cannot match you to a partner university
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The partner university does not accept your application and Go Global cannot find another option
If you withdraw from Go Global
To withdraw from your Go Global exchange, research or summer abroad program, you must contact Go Global by email to request withdrawal.
Students who withdraw from Go Global by the relevant deadline below, will have their Go Global fee adjusted from $415.00 to $321.75* (reduced by $93.25).
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March 30: For summer and research programs
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June 30: For UBC Winter Term 1 and Full-Year exchange
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September 30: For UBC Winter Term 2 and Split-Year exchange
*This fee adjustment does not apply to Global Seminars
If you have questions, please connect with your Go Global advisor or email Go Global at go.global@ubc.ca.
Contact Go Global
In-person and Virtual Drop-in advising hours
- Tuesday: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Go Global offers both in-person and virtual drop-in advising through Zoom during the times listed above.
Go Global events and info sessions
Browse the calendar for international experience info sessions facilitated by partner universities as well as Go Global group advising times.