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Looking for undergraduate, masters or PhD scholarships in Canada for international students? You’ve found it. Canada is home to 21 of the world’s top 500 universities. In 2022, there were 591,605 study permit holders in Canada. If studying abroad is your plan, Canada should be at the top of your list.
Fully funded Scholarships in Canada are among the most sought-after opportunities for international students. However, compared to the US and UK, these scholarships are fewest in number. What makes Canada standout is the presence of diverse cultures and lifestyles. Canada is also one of the safest destinations for pursuing education.
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Before we get to the list of scholarships in Canada, let have a look at what you need to know to apply to study in Canada.
Table of Contents
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Step 1: Understand the Requirements
Successfully applying to a Canadian education institution requires an understanding of different requirements for schools and the courses they offer. You need to conduct careful analysis of the rules and regulations applicable to the study permit application process.
Ideally, you should start planning for your Canadian study permit at least a year in advance. Common requirements for all universities and institutions include an updated passport, proficiency in either English or French along with proof of passing prescribed language tests with minimum grades/bands, and proof that you can finance your study as well as the cost of living in the country.
Step 2: Choose your Course and Institution
The first step towards choosing an institution is to ascertain its status as a Designated Learning Institution. Only DLIs can admit foreign students. You will be required to finalize a specific major course when applying to study in Canada. The Canadian academic setup is flexible towards switching courses, although it is best to compare your options beforehand and choose a major that you are truly interested in pursuing.
Step 3: Take the Language Proficiency Test
In order to successfully gain entry into Canada, international student will have to prove proficiency in English or French. IELTS is the preferred test for proficiency in English, with some institutions also accepting the Cambridge English: Advanced or TOEFL exam score. For French, you can opt for DALF, DELF, or TCF, although the TEF exam is the most common option. Choose the test, pay the fee, and book your dates well in advance.
Step 4: Apply to Universities
Now it is time to contact your shortlist of universities, obtain their application packs, and submit them well in advance. Having the choice of applying to a dozen universities can be advantageous but you will have to consider the application fee, which varies from $100 to $250. Once you confirm your interest, the university will send an acceptance letter, which plays a significant role in the formalities ahead.
Step 5: Apply for a Study Permit
Now that you have an institution ready to admit you, it is time to apply for the Canada Study Permit. You can apply online or visit your local visa application centre. Your application must be accompanied by the acceptance letter received in the previous step, your passport, and documentary proof that you have adequate finances to study in Canada. We have put together a comprehensive list of scholarships in Canada for international students to help you apply for funding opportunities.
If you have applied to an institution in the province of Quebec, then you will also receive, along with the acceptance letter, a “Certificat d’acceptation du Québec” (CAQ). Make sure you include this document in your study permit application.
Step 6: Travel Time
Once the application has been processed and an interview, if required, has been conducted, the immigration officer will decide upon your study permit application. If accepted, it is now time to start planning your travel to Canada. Your permit will have a start date, which is the date from which the permit comes into force. Keep in mind that you won’t be permitted to enter Canada before this date. Plan your travel accordingly.
To get a scholarship in Canada for international students, you should apply by March at the latest for the September intake, although if you are applying for a popular course, apply earlier to optimize your chances of success. There’s usually a second intake in January or February of each year.
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The University of British Columbia, Canada is pleased to partner with The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program to provide comprehensive scholarships to students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The Program provides access to education for academically talented, yet economically marginalized young people. More than 77 students from Africa will receive comprehensive undergraduate scholarships to live and learn at the University of British Columbia thanks to a $25 million grant from The MasterCard Foundation.
Application Deadline: 15th November
Number of Scholarships: 77 students over the next 10 years
Value of the Program: Selected students will receive a scholarship equivalent to the costs related to attaining a degree, including travel, tuition, textbooks, housing, food, and living expenses. You will also receive financial, academic, social, and post-graduation support which will enable you to build experiences and competencies critical for academic success.
Duration of Scholarship: Full period of study
The University of British Columbia- UBC- Canada International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award recognizes international students who demonstrate superior academic achievement, leadership skills, involvement in student affairs and community service, recognized achievement in fields of Endeavour such as the performing arts, sports, debating or creative writing, or external academic competitions and examinations.
Application Deadline: 15th November
Number of Scholarships: several
Value of the Program: costs of tuition, fees and living costs, minus the financial contribution the student and their family can make annually towards these costs
Duration of Scholarship: The International Leader of Tomorrow Award can be renewed for up to three additional years of undergraduate study, or to degree completion, whichever is less, provided the student achieves satisfactory academic standing in their faculty, continues to demonstrate financial need, and maintains their Canadian study permit (visa).
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto is intended to recognize international students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity and who are recognized as leaders within their school. A special emphasis is placed on the impact the student has had on the life of their school and community, and their future potential to contribute positively to the global community. Awarded annually, these scholarships recognize outstanding students from around the world.
School Nomination deadline: 30th November
Student Application deadline: 15th January
Number of Awards: Each year approximately 37 students will be named Lester B. Pearson Scholars.
Value of Award: The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships will cover tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support.
Duration of Program: Four years.
Algonquin welcomes highly qualified students from around the world. This scholarship is meant to reward first-year, first-term post-secondary international students who have above average grades and English language proficiency.
Application Deadline: 30th November
Number of Awardees: More than 30.
Value of the Program: $3000
All new international students, studying in an academic program are eligible to apply for the following scholarships:
Full Tuition Renewable Scholarships
Humber offers three full tuition renewable scholarships. These scholarships are available for NEW international students beginning classes in September and January of each year.
International Entrance Scholarships
Twenty (20) one-time entrance scholarships will also be presented to international students. The scholarships are divided throughout the three semesters each year; ten (10) available for September, eight (8) available for January, and two (2) available for May..
Application Deadlines: Varies (see link below)
Quest University scholarships recognize the achievement and contributions students have made to their school and local community, contributions we expect they will continue to make at Quest. All students, regardless of their country of origin, are eligible to apply for scholarships and/or financial aid.
Application Deadline: 1st March
Value of the Program: $2000 to $16,000 / year
York University is offering full-tuition scholarships to outstanding international students wishing to undertake Bachelor studies at the University.
Application Deadline: 1st February
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of the Program: CAD20,000 (renewable x 4 years)
Duration of Scholarship: 4 years
The UCalgary International Entrance Scholarship is a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding accomplishments of an international student beginning their undergraduate studies. The criteria for the Scholarship includes not only academic excellence but also accomplishments outside the classroom.
Application Deadline: 1st December
Type: Undergraduate
The multi-institutional, interdisciplinary CREATE Program in Data Analytics and Visualization (DAV) at York University in Toronto offers an all-expenses-paid undergraduate summer school on big data science. The program includes talks by CREATE DAV faculty and industry experts on current research topics in big data science, as well as hands-on experience in York and OCAD U laboratories.
Application Deadline: 26th March
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: The program covers all transportation costs, and provides on-campus accommodations and meals.
Duration of Program: 4 days
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University recognizes students who are residents and citizens of Sub-Saharan African countries (including French-speaking students), who come from the most challenged socioeconomic backgrounds and who show outstanding academic and leadership abilities. McGill will welcome 91 Scholars from Africa over the next ten years.
Application Deadline: 10th December
Value of the Program: The MasterCard Foundation Scholars at McGill will receive a holistic set of financial, social, and academic supports throughout their education and during their post-graduate transitions.
Duration of Scholarship: four years duration of the undergraduate degree
The Richard J. Van Loon Scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding international student from an African country. The award was endowed in 2005 by friends, family and colleagues in honor of Richard J. Van Loon, Carleton’s 10th President.
Application Deadline: 15th November
Number of Awards: 1
Value of Award: $5,000
The University of Winnipeg scholarships for World Leaders is offered to international stude
nts who are entering any of the University’s divisions for the first time – Undergraduate, Graduate, Collegiate, Professional, Applied and Continuing Education (PACE) or English Language Program (ELP). Applicants must be involved in activities that demonstrate leadership.
Application Deadlines: 1st June and 1st October.
Number of Awardees:
Value of the Program:
The ACI Foundation offers several Fellowship and undergraduate Scholarship opportunities for students and E-Members. ACI Foundation Fellowships and Scholarships are awarded annually to help students with an interest in concrete achieve their educational and career goals. The student must be considered a full-time undergraduate or graduate student as defined by the college or university during the award year. Applications will be accepted from anywhere in the world but study must take place in the United States or Canada during the award year.
Application Deadline: 3rd November
Fields of Study: Structural Design, Materials, Construction
Eligibility: Before beginning the application have the answers ready for these four questions.
During the award year, you must be a full-time student for the regular school year.
This entrance scholarship is available for Graduate Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma students joining Humber in January 2021.
Application Deadline: 15th August
The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) administers the International Scholarships Program (ISP) of Global Affairs Canada. The African Leaders of Tomorrow (ALT) Scholarship Program by the CBIE grants full scholarships based on merit to women and men from sub-Saharan Africa to pursue a Master’s degree in public administration, public policy or public finances in Canada.
Application Deadline: 13th October
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of the Program: Fully-funded
Duration of Scholarship: a maximum period of two years (24 months).
The purpose of this program is to promote academic excellence by offering scholarships to foreign students who are citizens of an African or European country (other than France*) and are admitted to a master’s program at Université Laval.
Application Deadline: 15th September
Number of scholarships: Participating faculties can determine a fixed number of scholarships
Value of the Program: $7,000 per year
Duration of Scholarship: Renewable once
The Open Society Disability Rights Scholarship Program provides awards for master’s degree study to disability rights advocates, lawyers, and educators to develop new legislation, jurisprudence, policy, research, and scholarship to harness the innovations and opportunities offered by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Application Deadline: 1st December,
Eligible African Countries: Ghana, Mozambique, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda
Value of the Program: The fellowship provides:
Duration of Scholarship: 1 year
The Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) is a graduate entrepreneurship masters program that combines interdisciplinary courses with practical experiences in venture creation and commercialization. The MBET program is designed for bright, ambitious, creative, and curious team players who can demonstrate they have the passion and drive it takes to excel as an entrepreneur. MBET students come from all academic disciplines including engineering, business, computer science, math, science, and the arts. The program provides the perfect platform to experience venture creation in its many forms.
The University of Waterloo, Canada through the MasterCard Foundation offers Kenyan and other students from East African countries the MBET programme at the University.
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Eligible Countries: East African countries
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: Up to $45,000
The Canadian Partnership for International Justice is offering three $ 2,000 scholarships to graduate students from developing countries to attend the International Justice and Victims’ Rights Summer School, to be held at the Montreal Centre for International Studies, University of Montreal (CÉRIUM).
Application Deadline: 30th March
Number of Awards: 3
Value of Award: $ 2,000.This scholarship will be used to help pay students’ tuition, travel expenses, and lodging.
Duration of Program: 6 days
Through the OMAFRA-U of G Partnership, HQP scholarships are awarded to support future generations of researchers, policy-makers and innovators in agri-food. Masters and PhD students complete research that meets OMAFRA’s research priorities and learn firsthand how forward-thinking research can be mobilized to have a positive impact on society.
The program provides $2.5 million over five years for graduate scholarships in OMAFRA-U of G research theme and priority areas, and has provided specialized agri-business and workplace experience for over 125 graduates to-date.
Application Deadline: 19th March
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award:
Duration of Program: Master’s students (thesis-based) study for a maximum of two years, and Doctoral students for a maximum of three years.
The FRQNT’s (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies) international internship aims to foster international mobility of students whose research activities are part of the scientific program of a strategic cluster funded by the FRQNT. The internship is a supplementary tool available to a strategic cluster to strengthen its position at the international level through research projects and partnerships that have already been established or which are under development.
Application Deadline: 1st March
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of the Program: a maximum value of $15,000. However, the FRQNT will allow no more than the equivalent of $2,500/month in living expenses and will permit internship expenses (ex.: airfare, room rental agreement, etc.) to be covered by the strategic cluster.
Duration of Internship: The internship must be of a minimum duration of 2 months and a maximum of 6 months.
Since 1975, Ontario, in partnership with Ontario’s publicly–assisted universities, has encouraged excellence in graduate studies at the master’s and doctoral levels through the awarding of Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS). OGS awards are merit–based scholarships available to students in all disciplines of academic study. The OGS program is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario and Ontario universities. The Province of Ontario contributes two-thirds of the value of the award and the university provides one-third.
Application Deadlines: 1st December (Masters), 17 October (Doctoral)
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: $15,000 per year for a one year maximum
The Faculty of Graduate Studies offers scholarships to recognize and reward the excellence of international graduate students pursuing Master’s or Ph.D. degrees at the University of Manitoba.
Application Deadline: 1st March
Value of the Program: Scholarships will first be applied against tuition fees.
The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships aim to activate a dynamic community of young global leaders across the Commonwealth to create lasting impacts at both home and abroad through inter-cultural exchanges encompassing international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences. UBC Faculty of Forestry invite applications from outstanding students from India and Commonwealth countries in Africa currently enrolled in a postgraduate program to apply for funding to be a visiting scholar at UBC for up to four months. During this time, visiting scholars engage in seminars and develop skills relevant to their current research work.
Application Deadline: 9th January
Field of Study: Forestry and other related fields
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of the Program: The scholarship covers airfare (max C$2,100) and living expenses (C$1,500 month x 4 months).
Duration of Scholarship: Up to four months
Microsoft recognizes the value of diversity in computing. The Microsoft Research Dissertation Grant aims to increase the pipeline of diverse talent receiving advanced degrees in computing-related fields by providing a research funding opportunity for doctoral students from groups underrepresented in computing.
Application Deadline: 30th March
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award:
The fellowships are to support international students showing outstanding leadership in humanitarian and development work in their home country. Graduate Global Leadership Fellowships thus open the way to a world-class graduate education for emerging scholars from countries with developing educational systems.
Application Deadline: 6th April
Number of Awardees: 2
Value and Duration of Fellowship: $18,200 per year plus tuition for four years.
Microsoft Research is on the lookout for exceptional students in computer science, electrical engineering, and mathematics, as well as interdisciplinary studies, to apply for the two-year PhD fellowship program. The Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship Program has supported 122 fellows since the program was established in 2008, many of whom have gone on to work within the Microsoft Research organization. Others have gone on to perform pioneering research elsewhere within the technology industry or accept faculty appointments at leading universities.
Application Deadline: 16th OctoberNumber of Awardees: A maximum of three applicants per eligible department, per eligible university, will be accepted. A total of nine applications per university will be allowed.
Value of Fellowship:
Duration of Fellowship: 2 years
The Doctoral Research Scholarships Program for Foreign Students of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et les technologies (FRQNT) aims to stimulate international student’s interest in beginning or pursuing doctoral studies in Québec and provide financial support to leading international Ph.D. candidates in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering fields.
Application Deadline: 1st November
Value of the Program: The maximum annual value of the doctoral research scholarship for international students is $21 000. Within the eligibility period, a scholarship holder may receive a maximum of twelve installments for a total of $84 000.
Duration of Award: 12 to 48months.
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS) was created to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and to brand Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. VCS supports students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies.
Application Deadline: 1st November
Value and Duration of Scholarship: $50,000 annually for three years.
Number of Scholarship: Up to 167 scholarships are awarded annually.
The Arts & Science Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed to provide outstanding recent doctoral students advanced training in their field of study. These fellowships are not discipline specific, but rather can be held in any department or research unit across the Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto. Applicants must secure sponsorship of a supervisor, or supervisors, from the professoriate within the Faculty of Arts & Science.
Application Deadline: 6th December
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of the Program: These fellowships pay a stipend of $45,000 per year
Duration of Scholarship: Maximum of two years.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) Recruitment Scholarships attract the best and brightest students to the University of Alberta. The purpose of this scholarship is to recruit superior students at the doctoral level who have the potential to contribute to the University of Alberta’s community and research.
Application Deadline: 1st November for 1st January start date
Number of Awardees: Each department is assigned an allocation. Individual graduate departments are responsible for selecting nominees based on eligibility criteria and allocations.
Value of the Program: Scholarships will be offered in increments of $5,000.
Duration of Scholarship: The department may decide how many increments of $5,000 to offer a student.
Killam Doctoral Scholarships are the most prestigious awards available to graduate students at UBC. The primary purpose is to support advanced education and research at five Canadian universities and the Canada Council for the Arts. The UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarships are provided annually from the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund for Advanced Studies.
Application Deadline: 18th September
Number of Awardees: Approximately 15-20 awards
Value of the Program: $30,000 per annum and a $2,000 allowance for research-related travel during the 24 months of the scholarship.
Duration of Scholarship: Two years
The UBC Faculty of Forestry’s Future Forests Fellowship aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies.
Application Deadline: 24th November
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: $70,000 CAD annually for up to four years. The fellowship is intended to cover all expenses incurred in the preparation and conduct of research.
Duration of Program: 4 years
The Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) program will ensure UBC’s best PhD, DMA, and MDPhD students are provided with financial support for up to four years of their Doctoral studies. This program allows UBC to continue to attract and support outstanding domestic and international Doctoral students, and provide those students with stable, base-level funding for their Doctoral studies and research.
Application Deadline: No application deadline
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of the Program: $18,200 per year plus tuition for up to four years of their Doctoral studies.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities invites applications for a 6-month fellowship to be taken at the University of Manitoba, Canada. The fellowship can be used for either a collaborative academic research visit, or a collaborative fact-finding visit.
Application Deadline: 6th May
Eligibility: Applicants must be professional or academic staff of, or a nominee of, an ACU member university in a country other than Canada (external nominees should be working in industry, commerce or public service in a Commonwealth country).
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award: Up to GBP £5000 and intended to cover: international economy return airfare and other travel costs, medical insurance and visa fees, board and lodging fees and research costs
Duration of Program: The tenure of the fellowship must be for a period of less than six months,
The IFCN offers Three education scholarships and Three research scholarships for Young Clinical Neurophysiologists wishing to spend at least 6 months in a neurophysiological research laboratory with a national/international reputation..
Application Deadline: 30th March
Number of Awards: 6 (3 for each scholarship)
Value of Award: Both the education and research scholarships are for $25,000 USD.
Duration of Program: At least 6 months
TheCanadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), a Canadian-based global organization, brings together more than 400 researchers from 16 countries who are pursuing answers to some of the most difficult challenges facing the world. The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program provides funding and support to help early career researchers build networks and essential skills to position them as leaders and agents of change within academia and beyond.
Application Deadline: 22nd February
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Program: CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars receive:
Duration of Program: 2 years.
The Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories (VF) Program provides promising emerging scientists and engineers with the opportunity to work with research groups or leaders in Canadian government laboratories and research institutions. Fellowships are awarded for one year with the possibility of renewal for a second and third year, at the discretion of the government department concerned.
Application Deadline: January 9
Number of Awardees: The number of awards varies according to the budgets of participating departments and agencies.
Value of Award: $53,077 per year
Duration of Program: one year, renewable for up to two more years
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) award recipients will undertake a one-year paid program of research on the topic they have submitted, and will receive hands-on experience in research management, grant administration, and the creation, dissemination, and use of knowledge from an international perspective.
Application Deadline: 6th September
Eligibility: Open to Canadians, permanent residents of Canada, and citizens of developing countries pursuing a master’s or a doctoral degree at a recognized university OR who have completed a master’s or a doctoral degree at a recognized university. Eligibility criteria differ for each location (see link below).
Number of Awards: 13
Value of Program:
Duration of Program: 12 months
The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the country’s economic, social and research-based growth. Fellowships are distributed equally among the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Application Deadline: 20th September
Number of Awards: 70 fellowships are awarded annually
Value of Program: $70,000 per year (taxable)
Duration of Program: 2 years (non-renewable)
Mitacs Elevate is a postdoctoral fellowship with a customized research management training component. Fellows address complex challenges through:
Elevate fellows progress through the program in a cohort, giving them cross-disciplinary networking and peer-learning opportunities they might not have otherwise in their careers.
Application Deadline: 24th January
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award:
Duration of Program: 2 years
Each year, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation rewards outstanding doctoral candidates who are enrolled or about to be enrolled in a social sciences and humanities program and who are doing research in areas related to the four themes of the foundation. This award, the most prestigious of its type in Canada, has continuously attracted the very best scholars in the social sciences and humanities, individuals with a passion for public engagement and who are likely to become leading national and international figures.
Application Deadline: Each participating university has a different deadline within the Fall period for the submission of students’ applications.
Number of Scholarships: Several
Value of the Program:
Duration: For the period of the programme
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation encourages research, reflection and action in four areas important to Canadians: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada’s role in the world, and people and their natural environment. The Foundation works through four programs: it grants doctoral scholarships, it awards fellowships to distinguished academics, it appoints mentors and it holds public conferences.
Application Deadline: 4th December
Number of Awardees: 5
Value of Fellowship:
See more Scholarships in Canada here
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We interviewed Multi-Scholarship Award winners and put everything we learned into this book.
