Tuition and Financial Aid

The UBC Master of Data Science is an investment in your future. This intensive 10-month program offers a technical foundation and real-world data experience. It’s a powerful combination that can help you take your professional career to new levels.

What Will it Cost*? 

Tuition for the UBC Master of Data Science is comparable and competitive with other professional Masters programs at top domestic and international universities. 

All fees are in Canadian dollars (CAD).

  • $35,149.71 CAD for domestic students (Canadian citizens and permanent residents)
  • $54,732.57 CAD for international students

*All fees for the year are subject to adjustment and UBC reserves the right to change any fees without notice at any time, including tuition and student fees. Please visit the UBC Vancouver Academic Calendar and the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar for the most up to date tuition fees.

  • On acceptance into the program, students for all three programs will be required to pay a $3,000 CAD non-refundable deposit.

*Deposit fees are credited towards students' tuition fees in September.

In addition to tuition fees, all students must pay:

  • UBC student fees, which include the mandatory transit U-Pass
  • AMS/GSS Extended Health Plan fees

All new international students must also pay an annual i-Med fee.

There may be opt-out provisions for students with equivalent personal insurance.

Tuition and student fees are charged in three equal instalments payable in September, January and, May.

You can read more about these fees on the UBC Graduate Students websites for Vancouver and the Okanagan campuses.

Financial Assistance

Student Loans

If you are a domestic student, you can apply for a federal/provincial student loan. Please complete your loan application as soon as possible after you receive your letter of acceptance, as it typically takes four to five weeks for loan applications to be processed. If you need help completing your student loan application, please visit UBC’s Student Services websites on the Vancouver or Okanagan campuses for assistance.

If you are an American student, the MDS Vancouver, MDS Okanagan and MDS Computational Linguistic programs have been approved for US Direct loans to assist students to pay for their post-secondary education. Please visit UBC's Student Services - Finances site for more information.

Bursaries

Domestic students who receive a federal/provincial student loan, may also apply for a MDS program bursary. Bursaries are distributed to students on a needs assessed basis until funds run out. Please visit UBC's Student Services - Finances site for more information.

Scholarships

All scholarships listed below are made on the recommendation of the Master of Data Science Admissions Committee, in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. All applicants will automatically be considered for the scholarships they are eligible for, hence there is no separate application. Scholarships will be announced in the offer letter.

Master of Data Science International Scholarship – Entrance scholarships of up to $25,000 CAD are offered annually to an international student in each of the Master of Data Science Vancouver, Okanagan and Computational Linguistics programs. The scholarship recognizes a student who has demonstrated academic and leadership achievements in their undergraduate or graduate program, field or industry.

Master of Data Science Domestic Scholarship – Entrance scholarships of up to $25,000 CAD are offered annually to a student who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in each of the Master of Data Science Vancouver, Okanagan and Computational Linguistics programs. The scholarship recognizes a student who has demonstrated academic and leadership achievements in their undergraduate or graduate program, field or industry. 

Master of Data Science Scholarship for Indigenous Students - Scholarships of up to the full cost of tuition are offered annually by the Master of Data Science program for outstanding domestic or international students in the Master of Data Science program who identify as Indigenous. This scholarship applies to the Vancouver MDS program only.

Master of Data Science Scholarship for Black Students - Scholarships of up to the full cost of tuition are offered annually by the Master of Data Science program for outstanding domestic or international students in the Master of Data Science program who identify as Black. This scholarship applies to the Vancouver MDS program only.

Master of Data Science Scholarship for Person Of Colour Students - Scholarships of up to the full cost of tuition are offered annually by the Master of Data Science program for outstanding domestic and international students in the Master of Data Science program who identify as a Person of Colour. This scholarship applies to the Vancouver MDS program only.

Master of Data Science Scholarship for Persons of Colour Students from world's 50 least developed countries - Scholarships of up to the full cost of tuition are offered annually by the Master of Data Science program for outstanding international students in the Master of Data Science program who identify as a Person of Colour and whose citizenship is from one of the world's 50 least developed countries, as declared by the United Nations. This scholarship applies to the Vancouver MDS program only

The UBC Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program - The University of British Columbia is pleased to partner with The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to provide comprehensive scholarships to students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The program provides access to education for academically talented, yet economically marginalized young people. Scholars in the program have a demonstrated commitment to giving back to their communities and develop the leadership needed to contribute to social and economic transformation across the continent. Learn more. This scholarship applies to the Vancouver MDS program only.

Application Fee Waivers

The application fee is waived only in the following circumstances:

  • For international applicants whose citizenship and correspondence address is located in one of the world's 50 least developed countries, as declared by the United Nations.
  • Seniors: BC residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 65 years or over at the time of application.

If you are eligible for an application fee waiver under the above conditions, you do not need to apply for it. You will not be asked for a fee when you complete the online application.