UBC’s Annual Budget

The UBC Budget represents the financial plan for the university—it serves as a roadmap for allocating the university’s revenues against anticipated expenses for the coming year. 

UBC’s budget for 2026/27 was approved by UBC’s Board of Governors on March 31, 2026, and covers the fiscal year from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. 

The budget process is a collaboration between the Provost and VP Academic, UBC Vancouver, and Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UBC Okanagan, who ensure the alignment of the budget to UBC’s academic strategy, along with the VP Finance & Operations and the university’s distributed Faculty and administrative unit finance teams.

The primary aim of the annual budget process is to advance the long-term health and vitality of UBC’s academic mission and strategic aspirations, as set out in UBC’s Strategic Directions for 2025-2030. The budget is guided by the Government of BC’s Mandate Letter for UBC and informed by relevant economic and political factors, risk assessments, and key financial assumptions.

Creating the 2026/27 Budget

UBC operates within a decentralized budget framework. Institutional planning assumptions and financial parameters are established centrally, while Faculties and administrative units are responsible for developing and managing budgets within their approved allocations and delegated authorities.

The budget cycle begins in the spring with enrolment planning and multi-year financial outlook discussions that inform Faculty and unit-level planning. The final budget is recommended by the President and submitted to the Board of Governors for approval in March.