The University of Northern British Columbia is a small public research university in Prince George, in the centre of British Columbia. It is best known for natural resources and forestry, environmental science, nursing and health sciences, engineering, business and Indigenous studies, with small classes and one of the greenest campuses in Canada. Choose it for a research-focused degree in a low-cost northern setting with strong immigration pathways.
Prince George, Canada
Official website: unbc.ca
#1201
Consistently ranked among Canada's top small universities (Maclean's)
Canada's Green University, heated by a bioenergy plant
Around 3,500 students
CA$10,000 – CA$26,000
International students, undergraduate and master's programmes
CA$12,000 – CA$16,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on unbc.ca before you apply.
MSc Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, May
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
20 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MSc Natural Resources and Environmental Studies
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, May
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MEng Integrated Wood Design
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MSc Health Sciences
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, May
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
BSc Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Forestry and natural resources — research shaped by British Columbia's forest economy.
Northern Medical Program — medical training delivered with the University of British Columbia.
Small classes — a student-to-faculty ratio among the lowest in Canada.
Wood Innovation and Design Centre — a downtown timber engineering building.
Graduates join Canfor, BC Hydro, Northern Health, the BC Public Service and forestry consultancies.
Graduates can work anywhere in Canada for up to three years on a post-graduation work permit.
Nursing and health graduates enter Northern Health and hospitals across British Columbia.
Northern BC study supports provincial nominee immigration streams for graduates.
Undergrad
1 Mar 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
1 Oct 2026
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The campus sits on Cranbrook Hill above Prince George, with the Winter Garden atrium, library and teaching buildings connected under one roof, residences a short walk away and forest trails from the door.
Prince George is a city of about 80,000 people in central British Columbia with low rent, cold winters and lakes, rivers and mountains nearby. Vancouver is 90 minutes by air or nine hours by road.
Letter of acceptance from UNBC
BC provincial attestation letter
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
International undergraduate applications close on 1 March 2027 for September 2027 entry and 1 October 2026 for January 2027. Graduate deadlines vary by programme: research master's close about six months before each intake, and the MBA closes in spring for September.
September is the main intake for all programmes, and most undergraduate degrees also admit for January. Research master's in computer science, natural resources and health sciences admit for September, January and May, while the MBA and integrated wood design start in September only. Check your programme's page to confirm.
You need a Canadian study permit. After you accept your offer, the university issues a letter of acceptance and British Columbia's provincial attestation letter. You then apply online to IRCC with proof of funds and give biometrics. Allow three to four months for processing.
Computer science, the MBA, natural resources and environmental studies, integrated wood design and health sciences attract the most international applicants. Master's entry needs a four-year bachelor's degree with a B average (75%) or better, TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.5, and a supervisor for research programmes. The MBA needs work experience.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for entrance scholarships based on their admission average, and graduate students in research programmes usually receive funding through supervisor grants, teaching assistantships and university awards. Check the university's awards pages for current amounts and deadlines.
