How Does Tuition Work?

Students in the UBC Sciences Po Dual Degree program are considered students of both institutions for the duration of their dual degree program. As such, students are charged the tuition rate of the institution that they are physically attending.

  • Years 1 and 2: Tuition is paid to Sciences Po, at Sciences Po rates
  • Years 3 and 4: Tuition is paid to UBC, at UBC rates

Each institution assesses tuition rates differently based on different factors. Students should pay careful attention to the different tuition amounts at each campus, as well as the different payment schedules depending on the institution.

Click through the tabs below to view detailed tuition information for each institution. The tables below cover tuition fees only, and do not include student fees, costs of books, entertainment, or any expenses related to travel or accommodations.

At Sciences Po, students are assessed tuition based on their parents’ tax residence (country of residence in the previous year). Tuition rates are dependent on whether the tax residence is within or outside of the European Economic Area. The European Economic Area consists of all EU countries, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Students in the European Economic Area

Students whose tax residence is in the European Economic Area pay fees according to a sliding scale. This calculation is based on the total declared family income and size of the household.

If you are a student whose parents’ tax residence for the previous year was in the European Economic Area, see the Sciences Po undergraduate tuition breakdown to determine what your approximate tuition costs will be, and use the Sciences Po tuition cost calculator.

Students Outside the European Economic Area

Students whose tax residence is not in the European Economic Area pay a flat rate equivalent to the maximum rate of the sliding scale for the undergraduate program. For detailed information on tuition and fees at Sciences Po, visit the tuition and fees page, and consult the online tuition calculator to get an approximate idea of your total tuition fees.

Payment Schedule

Students pay their Sciences Po tuition in either one lump sum for the academic year or four installments in June, December, February, and April. Payment is made via credit card or wire transfer to Sciences Po directly, and students will be asked to note their preferences after they have been admitted to the program. For more information, see the Sciences Po website.

Sciences Po offers several online payment options to help students pay tuition, based on the payment schedule chosen. See the the How To Pay Your Tuition Fees page for more details.

Preparing your budget: non-tuition expenses

While travel to and from France may incur additional costs for non-European students, Sciences Po’s regional campuses being situated in smaller cities substantially reduces the cost of living, particularly for housing, compared to Paris or Vancouver.

Housing options vary significantly by campus and by residence; review Sciences Po’s housing guide to help anticipate the possible range of costs. Residences are generally near to the campus, and Reims, Le Havre, and Menton are all relatively compact; most students do not feel the need to have a transit pass. Review Sciences Po’s Creating a Budget page for more information.

Generally speaking, students do not work part-time while studying in France, although Sciences Po has a limited number of student positions in the campus libraries and cafés that students may apply for.

Sciences Po Tuition: Useful Links

Sciences Po offers many resources online to help students plan for their studies. Applicants are encouraged to read all of the information below to understand what tuition will cost in Years 1 and 2.

At UBC, tuition rates are based on the immigration status of the student. Students with Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent residency are considered domestic students, and students who require a study permit to attend school in Canada are considered international students. In addition to flat-rate student fees, tuition fees are assessed on a per-credit basis. All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified.

For official tuition amounts, consult the UBC undergraduate tuition page. Use the below to estimate the total cost over the duration of the program:

  • Tuition fees: the vast majority of costs are based on the tuition assessment each term, which is the number of credits a student enrols in multiplied by the applicable domestic or international rate specified for Arts.
    • Dual Degree students must complete a minimum of 72 credits to earn the UBC BA; each of the facilitated majors can be completed within the 72-credit minimum, as can a number of other majors and some major/minor combinations.
    • Other specializations, including most Honours programs, the Major in Economics, double majors, and many major/minor combinations, require completion of credits beyond the 72-credit minimum. The Dual Degree Advising team can advise on whether a student’s pathways of interest would incur additional credit requirements (and cost).
  • Student fees: student fees are established by the UBC Board of Governors and student societies and apply as a flat rate for all students (without regard to immigration status).
    • The primary Board of Governors fee covers access to UBC athletics and recreation facilities.
    • Student society fees include those for membership the Alma Mater Society, a subsidized unlimited transit pass, extended health care coverage, and support for various student initiatives and associations. Students may request to opt out of some of these, although others are mandatory.
    • Fees cover the September 1–August 30 period, and for 2025 total approximately $1,250. Summer fees are assessed for August prior to Year 3, and total approximately $250 for 2025.
  • International students: those without permanent status in Canada are also required to pay $75 per month to enrol in the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP), which provides full access to Canada’s basic public health-care system without additional charge.
    • For the first three months after arrival, students are instead covered by the iMED private insurance plan, which will appear as a student fee on their first September assessment. The iMED charge was $237 between 2023 and 2025, but may be subject to change.
    • The AMS extended health plan supports expenses not covered by the Province, including prescriptions, dentistry, vision, and other costs.

Preparing your budget: non-tuition expenses

Students are guaranteed on-campus housing for Year 3 and are generally placed in four-bedroom suites at Fairview Crescent for Year 3, from September 1 through April 30. Students are also required to be on campus for the duration of August prior to their third year, with housing costs assessed at a daily rate.

After Year 3, students may pursue on-campus housing either through the Year Round housing options (starting May 1 after third year), applying for the following year’s Winter Residence pool, or by pursuing off-campus housing.

Dual Degree students do not enrol in meal plans, and can use their transit passes (included in the student fees above) to access more affordable grocery options off campus.

Students at UBC generally do pursue part-time work alongside their studies, with many on-campus options easily accommodating course schedules and other obligations.

Payment Schedule

Students pay their UBC tuition at the start of each term, in September and January, and in May and July if they enrol in summer courses (including for the summer prior to Year 3). Get a financial picture of the year ahead and take note of key dates, such as when your first tuition payment is due, and when to pay housing fees, and more. Consult UBC’s Financial Schedule.

Paying Tuition

UBC offers many methods of tuition payment: by cheque, credit card, through international wire transfer to UBC directly, or through a Canadian bank transfer. For more information, see the UBC Paying Tuition page. Current students can visit the Student Service Centre to see their full tuition and fees amounts.

UBC Tuition: Useful Links

UBC offers many resources online to help students plan for their studies. Applicants are encouraged to read all of the information below to understand what tuition will cost in Years 3 and 4.