Master of Engineering
Canada has become one of the top destinations for international engineering graduates — and for good reason. It offers world-class education, a welcoming immigration system, and a thriving job market hungry for skilled engineers. At the centre of this opportunity sits the Master of Engineering (MEng) at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan Campus.
The UBC Okanagan MEng is a professional, course-based graduate program that combines advanced technical training with leadership, ethics, and communication skills. It carries the full weight of UBC's global reputation — consistently ranked among the top 40 universities in the world — while offering the intimate, close-knit experience of a smaller campus in Kelowna, British Columbia.
For international students, this program is more than a degree. It is a carefully structured pathway into the Canadian engineering workforce and immigration system. Whether your goal is to build a career in Canada, gain internationally recognized credentials, or simply push your engineering knowledge to the next level, the UBC Okanagan MEng is worth your full attention.
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British Columbia, Canada
Master's Degree
12–24 months
CAD $54,838
IELTS 6.5(6)
Why International Engineers Are Choosing UBC Okanagan
Every year, thousands of engineering graduates around the world ask the same question: where should I pursue my master's degree? The answer increasingly points to Canada — and within Canada, to UBC Okanagan.
The MEng at UBC Okanagan is a professional, course-based graduate program designed for engineers who want to strengthen their technical expertise while gaining practical, industry-relevant skills. Unlike research-focused graduate degrees, the MEng emphasizes applied learning, advanced coursework, and professional development — making it an ideal pathway for those seeking to accelerate their careers in engineering practice, leadership, or project management.
You do not need a research supervisor. You do not need years of work experience. What you need is a strong engineering undergraduate degree and the ambition to go further.
The Program: What You Will Study
In addition to courses in specific technical areas, students take a variety of courses in professional communications, ethics, and leadership. This combination is intentional — Canadian employers do not just want engineers who can solve technical problems. They want engineers who can lead teams, communicate clearly, and operate with professional accountability. Ubc
Successful completion of the degree requires 30 credits of coursework, of which at least 24 credits must be graduate-level courses from the School of Engineering, and at least 12 credits must be graduate-level courses within your chosen discipline. Ubc
The MEng is available in three specializations: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. As of 2025/2026, the electrical discipline has been expanded to include courses allowing students to focus on computer engineering, and the mechanical discipline now includes courses allowing students to focus on industrial and manufacturing engineering. This makes the program particularly relevant for graduates from software-adjacent or manufacturing backgrounds who want a recognized engineering master's degree. Ubc
Duration: 12 Months or Up to 24 Months
Students can choose between a 12-month program that is entirely course-based, or a program between 16 and 24 months that includes an internship. UBC Engineering
For international students, this choice matters beyond academics. The 12-month stream is the fastest route to graduation and still qualifies you for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years, since it is a master's-level degree. The 16–24 month internship stream goes a step further — it gives you paid Canadian work experience before you even graduate, which meaningfully strengthens your immigration profile from day one in the job market.
If your long-term goal is to stay and build a career in Canada, the internship stream is the stronger choice.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a credential deemed academically equivalent to a four-year bachelor's degree from UBC in engineering or a related discipline. The minimum admission requirement is an overall average of 76% (UBC-equivalency), and applicants must meet the English language proficiency requirements specified by the College of Graduate Studies. UBC Academic Calendar
Applicants who do not meet the admissions minimum but have had sufficient formal training and relevant professional experience may be considered upon recommendation of the program coordinator. UBC Academic Calendar
For English proficiency, most applicants submit IELTS Academic scores (typically a minimum of 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT scores (typically 90 or above). Always confirm exact minimums on the UBC Okanagan College of Graduate Studies website before applying, as these are updated periodically.
Tuition Fees for International Students
The MEng is classified as a Specialized Master's Degree Program, which carries its own fee structure. Fees are paid in three instalments per year and are reviewed annually by the Board of Governors, with recent increases of up to 5% for continuing international students. UBC Academic Calendar
For students entering in 2026, the fee is CAD $9,139.78 per instalment.
These figures cover tuition only. International students should also budget for student fees (approximately CAD $1,000–$1,500 per year), health insurance (approximately CAD $800–$1,000 per year), and living expenses in Kelowna (approximately CAD $15,000–$20,000 per year). Compared to Vancouver or Toronto, Kelowna offers a noticeably lower cost of living — a genuine financial advantage for international students on a budget.
It is also worth noting that part-time study is not available to international students in this program.
Life in Kelowna
Kelowna sits in the Okanagan Valley in southern British Columbia — a region known for warm summers, outdoor recreation, and a rapidly growing technology sector. It is not a small town, but it is far from the overwhelming scale of Vancouver. For international students, that balance matters enormously.
The campus offers small class sizes and 1:1 interaction with professors in a caring, close-knit community of learners. You will not get lost here. The international student community is active, the support services are accessible, and the city itself is safe, walkable, and genuinely welcoming to newcomers. Ubc
Immigration: The Bigger Picture
For most international students, the degree is only part of the plan. The UBC Okanagan MEng creates a clear and well-structured immigration pathway.
Upon graduation from a Canadian master's program, you are generally eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years. That work permit is your bridge to the one year of skilled Canadian work experience typically required for permanent residency through Express Entry — Canada's primary federal immigration system for skilled workers.
Completing the internship stream adds Canadian work experience to your profile even before you apply for the PGWP, giving you a meaningful head start. Add to this that a Canadian master's degree provides a significant boost to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in Express Entry, and the case for choosing this program becomes even stronger.
Graduates in engineering are also well-positioned for the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), which has dedicated streams for international post-graduates working in science, technology, and engineering in British Columbia.
How to Apply
Applications go through the UBC Okanagan College of Graduate Studies online portal. Prepare the following before you start:
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (with certified translations if not in English)
- English language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- A personal statement or statement of interest
- Two or more reference letters (academic or professional)
- Non-refundable application fee
For questions specific to the program, contact the School of Engineering Graduate Advisor at engineering.graduate@ubc.ca. Virtual information sessions are held throughout the year and are a practical way to get your questions answered directly before committing to an application.
For official information, refer to the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar at okanagan.calendar.ubc.ca and the School of Engineering at engineering.ok.ubc.ca.
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