Top scholarships for international students in Canada

Studying abroad is a dream for many, but the cost of tuition can be a barrier to living out these aspirations. Luckily, many universities and organisations offer scholarships, grants, and bursaries to help international students fund their education.

In this article, we investigate which scholarships are available to international students looking to study in Canada. Ranking 1^st for quality of life, this North American country is welcoming, diverse and offers unbeatable natural landscapes, all of which makes for a unique and exciting time abroad.

To create this list, we used the websites of Canadian universities and funding organisations to collate the most relevant scholarships for you. This list is not exhaustive, so you can also use our scholarship search tool to find alternative funding options in Canada.

Check out the below scholarships to see if you are eligible, so you can turn your dream into a reality.

University scholarships

University Canada West (UCW)

Based in Vancouver, the ‘sixth most liveable city in the world’ (The Economist EIU 2020), UCW offers a range of scholarships and funding options for international students looking to study at the university. These include:

Scholarships for Academic Excellence

Applicable to the following programmes:

• MBA
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
• Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication (BA)
• Associate of Arts

This scholarship is for both international and domestic students who achieve excellent grades and is applied automatically upon admission. The following table outlines the amount of funding available for the whole duration of the course.

Learn more about the differences between grants, scholarships and bursaries.

South-East Asia Regional Grant

Are you from one of the below countries? If yes, you could be eligible for a grant upon admission to University Canada West.

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• Philippines
• Myanmar
• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Singapore
• Laos
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Timor Leste

These are just a few of the options available at this university, but several more are listed on their website.

University of Alberta

One of the top five universities in Canada, ranking among the top 100 in the world, the University of Alberta awards CAD 32 million each year in funding for undergraduate students.

International Student Scholarship

Granted to students with top grades entering their first year of undergraduate study on a student visa permit. Funds of up to CAD 9,000 could be awarded to eligible applicants. You don’t need to apply for this scholarship as it will be added upon admission if you are eligible.

May Quon Undergraduate Scholarship

Open to Chinese and Hong Kong citizens with a ‘superior admission average’ and financial need entering their first year of undergraduate study on a student visa permit. Successful applicants could receive up to CAD 45,000 over four years.

University of Alberta Centenary Scholarship

Students with a ‘superior admission average’ who can demonstrate leadership abilities entering their first year of undergraduate study on a student visa permit could be eligible for up to CAD 30,000 over four years.

University of Ottawa

Home to over 8,000 international students, this institution sits within the top one per cent of universities worldwide and is located in Canada’s capital city. With a rich heritage and combination of English and French speakers, this culturally diverse city is ideal for international students.

Want to join this buzzing student community with reduced fees? Check out the following scholarships on offer:

Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Merit Scholarship

These scholarships are awarded to a total of 35 students who reach an admission average of 95 to 100 per cent (CAD 5,000) or 90 to 94.9 per cent (CAD 4,000). Applicants must be first-time undergraduate students. All international students will be considered for this award upon admission.

Faculty of Arts Dean’s Merit Scholarship

10 scholarships are awarded by the Faculty of Arts for a total of CAD 4,000 each. Eligible students must be enrolled full-time for their first undergraduate degree with an admission average of 90 per cent.

There are plenty of other Canadian universities offering funding opportunities for international students. Here are just a few more institutions to check out:

• University of Winnipeg
• Carleton University
• Lakehead University
• Conestoga College
• University of Regina

Government and private funding bodies

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)

Run by the Canadian government, CGS scholarships are awarded to a maximum of 166 doctoral students at a value of CAD 50,000 per year. The selection criteria are based on academic excellence, research potential and leadership skills. You can find further information by visiting the government website.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

The Trudeau Foundation awards scholarships to up to 15 outstanding doctoral students who have enrolled in a social science or humanities programme. These students will receive CAD 60,000 per year for up to four years.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

70 fellowships are awarded each year to postdoctoral applicants studying a natural and social sciences or health sciences programme. Successful students will receive CAD 70,000 per year for two years.

So, as you can see, there are many ways to finance your studies if you are worried about the cost of tuition fees. For more financial guidance, check out our exploration of living costs in Canada.

A top tip is to make sure you research each scholarship thoroughly so that you know what you need to achieve and include in your application.

If none of these Canadian universities appeals to you, continue your search with our course matcher tool to find a course and university tailored to your preferences.