Full Scholarships For International Students In Canada: Possibilities?

Canada is a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality education, globally recognised courses, and abundant career opportunities. The country is home to world-renowned universities, such as McGill and the University of Toronto, which consistently rank among the top institutions in the QS rankings. While studying in Canada can be expensive, several Canadian universities offer full scholarships to international students. These scholarships are typically highly competitive and may cover tuition fees, accommodation, health insurance, travel allowances, and other expenses. Some of the top Canadian universities that provide full scholarships to international students include the University of Waterloo, Université de Montréal, University of Toronto, York University, and the University of Calgary. These scholarships are often based on merit, academic achievement, leadership qualities, financial need, and community involvement.

Scholarships for non-Canadians

There are a variety of scholarships available for international students looking to study in Canada. These scholarships are offered by Canadian universities, the Canadian government, foreign governments, non-governmental organisations, and international organisations. They are available for undergraduate, masters, and PhD studies.

University of Waterloo Scholarships

The University of Waterloo offers scholarships for international students at the undergraduate, masters, and PhD levels. The scholarship is valued at up to $10,000.

Université de Montréal Scholarships

The Université de Montréal offers tuition fee exemption scholarships for international students at the undergraduate, masters, and PhD levels. The scholarships provide up to $27,300 per year.

Douglas College International Student Scholarships

Douglas College offers international student scholarships for undergraduate studies. The scholarship covers up to CAD 7,000 of tuition fees. A maximum of five eligible recipients are chosen each academic year.

University of Saskatchewan Graduate Scholarship

The University of Saskatchewan offers a fully funded scholarship for international students at the masters and PhD levels. The scholarship provides up to $20,000 for PhD and $16,000 for masters studies.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program

The University of Toronto offers the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, a fully funded scholarship for international undergraduate students. The scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.

UBC Undergraduate Scholarships

The University of British Columbia offers two types of undergraduate scholarships for international students: the Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award and the International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES). The number and level of these scholarships awarded each year vary depending on available funding.

Canadian Francophonie Scholarship Program

The Canadian Francophonie Scholarship Program offers tuition fee exemption scholarships for international students at the undergraduate, masters, and PhD levels. The scholarships provide up to $27,300 per year.

Dalhousie University Scholarships

Dalhousie University offers a fully funded scholarship for international students at the masters and PhD levels. The scholarship is valued at $30,000 and covers a monthly stipend, accommodation costs, a fee waiver, and health insurance.

University Canada West Scholarships

University Canada West offers a scholarship for international students at the undergraduate and masters levels. The scholarship provides up to $20,000 for an undergraduate degree and $10,000 for a master's degree.

McGill University Scholarships

McGill University offers a fully funded scholarship for international students at the undergraduate, masters, and PhD levels. The scholarship provides up to $8,500 for undergraduate studies and a modest amount of bursaries for masters and PhD students.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for international PhD students. The scholarship is valued at $50,000 per year for three years.

York University Scholarships

York University offers a fully funded undergraduate scholarship for international students. The scholarship provides recipients with $35,000 per year to support their studies in Canada, for a total value of $140,000.

President's International Scholarship of Excellence

York University offers this fully funded scholarship for international students pursuing 4-year Bachelor's courses. The scholarship awards up to CAD 45,000 to 20 international students annually.

UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award

The University of British Columbia offers this fully funded scholarship for international undergraduate students with academic excellence and leadership qualities. The scholarship is valued at CAD 35,000 and is renewable each year based on performance.

President's International Distinction Scholarship

The University of Alberta offers this fully funded scholarship for international undergraduate students with exceptional academic standing and leadership qualities. The scholarship is valued at up to CAD 120,000, payable over four years.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation offers this fully funded scholarship for international PhD students at various Canadian universities, including McGill University, the University of Waterloo, and Ryerson University. The scholarship is a three-year leadership program that provides generous funding for studies, travel, research, and other activities.

KILLAM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

The University of British Columbia offers the KILLAM Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for international students. The scholarship offers an annual stipend of $60,000 for a maximum of two years, along with a travel research allowance of $4,000.

University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

The University of Calgary offers a fully funded undergraduate scholarship for international students. The scholarship provides $60,000, $15,000 (renewable annually), or $10,000 (non-renewable) to international students entering the first year of an undergraduate program.

University of Winnipeg Scholarships

The University of Winnipeg offers partially funded scholarships for international students at the undergraduate, masters, and diploma levels. A total of 53 scholarships are available, valued from $3,500 to $5,000.

Humber International Entrance Scholarships

Humber College in Toronto offers a fully funded scholarship for international students at the undergraduate and masters levels. One full tuition scholarship and one $5,000 scholarship are available in January, while seven $5,000 scholarships and two $3,000 scholarships are available in September.

Global Affairs Canada Scholarships

Global

University of Toronto scholarships

A number of scholarships are available in Canada for international students, including fully funded scholarships.

The University of Toronto is Canada's largest university and is recognised as a global leader in research and teaching. The University of Toronto offers several scholarships for international students, including:

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship: Recognises outstanding international students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity and are leaders within their school. The scholarship provides full funding for four years and covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support. Applicants must be nominated by their schools and must be in their final year of secondary school or have graduated no earlier than June of the previous year.
• University of Toronto Scholars Program: Outstanding domestic and international secondary school students are considered automatically for these awards based on their average at the time of admission.
• President's Scholars of Excellence Program: Approximately 150 of the most highly qualified students applying to the first year of direct-entry undergraduate studies are recognised as President's Scholars of Excellence. Outstanding domestic and international secondary school students are automatically considered for this program upon admission.
• International Scholar Awards: These awards are given to exceptional international students across the University of Toronto's largest divisions and faculties. The awards are renewable and offered upon admission, with a total value of over $100,000.
• International Merit Admission Award: Offered to selected international students in the Faculty of Arts & Science based on merit. The award is valued at up to $50,000 over four consecutive years or until degree completion, whichever comes first.

In addition to these scholarships, the University of Toronto administers over 5,700 admission awards totalling nearly $36 million. International students are encouraged to use the Award Explorer to find out more about other scholarship opportunities.

Eligibility criteria for scholarships

Canadian universities offer a range of scholarships for international students, and eligibility criteria vary depending on the scholarship and the university offering it. Here are some common eligibility criteria for scholarships in Canadian universities for international students:

Academic Achievement

Many scholarships require applicants to demonstrate superior or excellent academic achievement. This may include maintaining a specific grade point average (GPA) or percentage, such as a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or achieving all "A" grades. Some scholarships may also require applicants to submit test scores from standardised exams, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE).

Financial Need

Some scholarships are specifically designed for international students who can demonstrate financial need. Applicants may be required to show that they are unable to attend university or pursue their desired degree without financial assistance. This usually involves providing information about their financial situation, including family income and expected contributions towards tuition and living expenses.

Leadership and Community Involvement

Several scholarships recognise students who exhibit leadership qualities and community involvement. This may include participation in extracurricular activities, community service, school projects, or initiatives. Leadership skills can also extend to demonstrating creativity, initiative, or a commitment to social impact.

Field of Study

Certain scholarships are designated for specific fields of study. For example, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is offered to students whose field of study is broadly related to the humanities or human sciences and has direct relevance to Canada's future. Similarly, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is only available to students enrolled in health research, natural sciences/engineering, social sciences, or humanities programmes.

Citizenship and Study Permit

Many scholarships are specifically for international students who are non-citizens or non-permanent residents of Canada. Additionally, some scholarships require applicants to possess or be in the process of obtaining a study permit, which is necessary for international students planning to study in Canada.

Year of Study

Scholarships may be offered to students at different stages of their academic careers, from undergraduate to doctoral programmes. Some scholarships are specifically for incoming first-year or freshman students, while others are for students already enrolled in a programme and progressing to the next year of study.

University-Specific Requirements

Each university sets its own eligibility criteria for scholarships, which may include additional or more specific requirements beyond those mentioned above. For example, the University of Waterloo offers scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, while the University of Alberta's President's International Distinction Scholarship considers factors like community engagement, volunteer work, and participation in extracurricular activities.

It is important to carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship you are interested in and to contact the university directly if you have any questions or require further clarification.

Fully-funded scholarships

Canada is a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality education, globally recognised courses, and abundant career opportunities. While studying in Canada can be expensive, several fully-funded scholarships are available to help international students pursue their academic dreams. These scholarships are offered by individual universities, the Canadian government, and international organisations. Here are some examples of fully-funded scholarships for international students:

University of Waterloo Scholarships

The University of Waterloo offers fully-funded scholarships for international students pursuing undergraduate, master's, or PhD studies. The scholarship is valued at up to $10,000.

Université de Montréal Scholarships

The Université de Montréal provides tuition fee exemption scholarships for international students at the undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels. These scholarships are worth up to $27,300 per year.

University of Saskatchewan Graduate Scholarship

The University of Saskatchewan offers a fully-funded scholarship for international students pursuing master's or PhD studies. The scholarship provides up to $20,000 for PhD and $16,000 for master's programmes.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program

The University of Toronto administers this scholarship, which covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years of undergraduate studies.

York University Scholarships

York University offers the Global Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship, awarding $80,000 ($20,000 per year) for three years of full-time undergraduate study. Another scholarship offered by York University is the International Entrance Scholarship, which awards $140,000 ($35,000 per year) for three years of full-time undergraduate study.

University of British Columbia Scholarships

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers the International Leader of Tomorrow Award, recognising international undergraduate students with academic excellence and leadership qualities. UBC also offers the Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award and the International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES) for undergraduate students.

Dalhousie University Scholarships

Dalhousie University offers a fully-funded scholarship for international master's and PhD students, covering monthly stipend, accommodation costs, fee waivers, and health insurance. The scholarship is valued at $30,000.

McGill University Scholarships

McGill University provides fully-funded scholarships for international undergraduate, master's, and PhD students. The scholarship offers up to $8,500 for undergraduate studies and bursaries for graduate programmes.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship is jointly administered by CIHR IRSC, NSERC CRSNG, and SSHRC CRSH. It is offered to doctorate and combined master's degree students in Canadian universities, covering tuition and major living expenses. The maximum award is $50,000 per year for three years.

University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

The University of Calgary offers a fully-funded undergraduate scholarship of $60,000, with additional amounts of $15,000 (renewable annually) and $10,000 (non-renewable) for international students entering their first year.

President's International Scholarship of Excellence

York University offers this fully-funded scholarship to international students pursuing various four-year bachelor's courses. The scholarship awards up to CAD 45,000 to 20 international students annually and is based on merit.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is a charitable organisation that supports doctoral students through scholarships, fellowships, and mentorships. The scholarship is a three-year leadership program providing generous funding for tuition and living expenses.

Eligibility and Application Process

The eligibility criteria and application process for fully-funded scholarships in Canada vary depending on the scholarship and the university offering it. However, many scholarships require academic excellence, leadership qualities, and financial need. Some scholarships may also require a minimum GPA, standardised test scores (such as IELTS or TOEFL), and extracurricular achievements. It is important to carefully review the eligibility criteria and application guidelines for each scholarship.

Undergraduate scholarships

University of Waterloo Scholarships

The University of Waterloo offers a fully-funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is available for undergraduate, masters, and PhD studies. The scholarship is valued at up to $10,000.

Université de Montréal Scholarships

The Université de Montréal Scholarships are tuition fee exemption scholarships. International students from around the world are eligible to apply for undergraduate, masters, and PhD studies. The scholarships provide up to $27,300 per year.

Douglas College International Student Scholarships

Douglas College offers an undergraduate scholarship for international students. This scholarship covers up to CAD 7000 of tuition fees. A maximum of five eligible recipients will be chosen each academic year.

University of Toronto Scholarships

The University of Toronto offers the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program. This scholarship is fully funded and covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. A total of 37 scholarships are available for undergraduate studies.

York University Scholarships

York University offers the Global Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship, which awards $80,000 ($20,000 x 4). The scholarship is renewable for three years of full-time undergraduate study, provided that high academic standing is maintained.

York University also offers the International Entrance Scholarship, which awards $140,000 ($35,000 x 4). This scholarship is also renewable for three years of full-time undergraduate study, provided that high academic standing is maintained.

University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

The University of Calgary offers an International Entrance Scholarship of $60,000, $15,000 (renewable annually), and $10,000 (non-renewable) to international students entering their first year of an undergraduate degree program.

University of Winnipeg Scholarships

The University of Winnipeg offers the President's Scholarship for World Leaders, which is given to international students enrolling for the first time in any of the university's divisions. This scholarship is for those pursuing bachelor's or master's degree programs. The amount of the scholarship is $5,000.

University of British Columbia Scholarships

The University of British Columbia offers the International Leader of Tomorrow Award. Winners receive awards proportional to their financial need. To be considered, applicants must be admissible to their first-choice degree, have an excellent academic record, and demonstrate a level of financial need.

The University of British Columbia also offers the UBC Undergraduate Scholarships, which include the Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award and the International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES). The number and level of these scholarships awarded each year vary depending on available funding.

University of Alberta Scholarships

The University of Alberta offers a range of scholarships for international students, including the International Entrance Leadership Scholarship, the University of Alberta Centenary Scholarship, and the University of Alberta Global Citizenship Scholarship for IB Diploma International Students.

Queen's University Scholarships

Queen's University provides the International and U.S. Admission Scholarships and Awards. These scholarships are for international students who want to enroll at Queen's University after their post-secondary education.

Simon Fraser University Scholarships

Simon Fraser University offers the Provost International Fellowship, which is awarded to the highest-achieving international students enrolling at SFU.

Dalhousie University Scholarships

Dalhousie University offers fully-funded scholarships for international students. This scholarship is valued at $30,000 and covers monthly stipends, accommodation costs, fee waivers, and health insurance.

University Canada West Scholarships

University Canada West offers scholarships for international students pursuing undergraduate and master's studies. The scholarship provides up to $20,000 for an undergraduate degree and $10,000 for a master's degree.

McGill University Scholarships

McGill University offers fully-funded scholarships for international students pursuing undergraduate, master's, and PhD studies. The scholarship provides up to $8,500 for undergraduate studies and a modest amount of bursaries for master's and PhD students.

University of Saskatchewan International Student Awards

The University of Saskatchewan offers merit-based 'excellence' scholarships for undergraduate international students.

University of Manitoba Scholarships

The University of Manitoba provides scholarships for international undergraduate students, including the International Undergraduate Student Entrance Scholarships and the International Baccalaureate Entrance Scholarships.

Frequently asked questions