Dreaming of continuing your studies overseas but stressed out about how you’re going to pay for it? Trust us you are not the first or the last student to go through this thought process.
Scholarships and bursaries are as old as organised education and are responsible for putting many a student on the path to career success.
Scholarships in Canada
The Canadian government along with several Canadian Universities a wide range of scholarships to deserving students. Being granted a scholarship by a good Canadian Educational Institution could be a game changer for you and your career.
Let us explore some of the top scholarships available to International Undergraduate Students in Canada. But first let’s explore why you should consider studying in Canada at all.
Why Canada?
Here are a few reasons why you should seriously consider studying in Canada.
Top-Ranked Universities – Canada is home to some of the top-ranked universities in the world. With a world-class education system and excellent post-study career prospects, it is a highly sought after destination for international students.
Research-based Universities – Canada is renowned for its ground breaking discoveries and developments in the field of life sciences, aerospace and medicine. Due to its large investments in establishing research-based universities, it has become one of the most desired places for students planning to pursue further studies.
Post Study Options – The Canada immigration system is highly skewed towards individuals who have studied or worked in Canada. Students who have pursued a course of study longer of 12 months or more are able to receive a Post-Graduation Work Permit that can lead to Permanent Residence and eventual Canadian Citizenship.
Top International Undergraduate Scholarships in Canada
Following are some of the popular scholarships available to international undergraduate students in Canada
- Scholarships at York University
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at University of Toronto
- Scholarships at University of Calgary
- Scholarships at University of British Columbia
- Scholarships at Humber College
- Scholarships at University of Winnipeg
- Scholarships at Carleton University
International Student Scholarships York University
York University provides overseas candidates with a wide range of scholarships:
President’s International Scholarship of Excellence
Twenty (20) of these scholarships are awarded per year, valued at $45,000/year. It is renewable for an additional three years of full-time undergraduate study if you maintain a good academic standing each year, bringing it to a total of $180,000 over four years.
Tentanda Via Award
Fifteen (15) of these awards are awarded per year, valued at $30,000/year. It is renewable for an additional three years of full-time undergraduate study if you maintain a good academic standing each year, bringing it to a total of $120,000 over four years.
The Global Leader of Tomorrow Award for International Students
Awarded to international students required to have a study permit for Canada entering the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree program in Environmental and Urban Change, School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design, Glendon, Health, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Science, Lassonde or the Schulich School of Business.
Applicants must have outstanding academic achievement (‘A’ average or equivalent) and have other accomplishments such as community service or excellence in the arts, sports or other areas of individual achievement.
Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need. Applicants must have graduated from high school within the past two years.
Two (2) of these scholarships are awarded per year, valued at $20,000/year. It is renewable for an additional three years of full-time undergraduate study if the student maintains high academic standing each year, bringing it to a total of $80,000 over four years.
International Circle of Scholars Scholarship
Awarded to international students (required to have a study permit for Canada) entering the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree program in the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Environmental and Urban Change, Glendon, Health, Science, Lassonde School of Engineering or Schulich School of Business.
Applicants must have outstanding academic achievement (‘A’ average or equivalent). Applicants must have graduated from secondary school within the past two years.
This award is for the first year of study only.
York University Academic Excellence Scholarships for International Students
Awarded to outstanding international applicants from secondary school (Canada or abroad) who have the highest academic admission average and are entering the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree program in the Faculties of Environmental and Urban Change, School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design, Glendon, Health, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Science, Lassonde or Schulich School of Business.
Applicants must demonstrate a strong level of proficiency with the English language. Applicants must have graduated from high school within the past two years.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have a study permit to pursue studies in Canada
- Candidates must have directly applied to York University
- Excellent academic background with a minimum A grade or its equivalent
StudentBridge.Co can assist you in applying for these scholarships.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program University of Toronto
The University of Toronto‘s Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program is structured to reward international students who show outstanding academic success and innovation and who are regarded by their school of origin as academic representatives.
The students’ impact on their communities and the potential to make a significant contribution to the global community are given particular importance. These grants, awarded annually, honor exceptional students from around the world, including foreign students enrolled at high schools in Canada.
This is the University of Toronto’s most coveted international student scholarship.
Approximately 37 students are called Lester B. Pearson Scholars each year.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must have a study permit to pursue an education in Canada
- Applicants must be in the final year of secondary school
StudentBridge.Co can assist you in applying for this scholarship.
International Entrance Scholarship University of Calgary
The International Entrance Scholarship is offered annually to undergraduate international students entering the first year in any undergraduate degree in the upcoming fall term who have satisfied the university’s English Language Proficiency requirement.
The scholarship is renewable in the second, third and fourth year at the University of Calgary, provided recipients achieve a GPA of 2.60 or more over a minimum of 24.00 units in the previous fall and winter terms and continue to pay an international differential tuition fee as an international student and who are not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada
The award is based on academic merit and an outstanding background in terms of academics and extra-curricular activities.
Over the course of the scholarship comprising four years, CA$60,000 will be disbursed to selected students, that is CA$15,000 each year.
StudentBridge.Co can assist you in applying for this scholarship.
Scholarships for International Students University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia provides more than CAD 200 million annually through UBC scholarships, honors, scholarships, grants, and loans.
International Scholars Program Awards
Four prestigious need-and-merit-based awards are available through UBC’s International Scholars Program. UBC offers approximately 50 scholarships each year across all four awards. You won’t select which award you wish to receive when you submit your application – the UBC Team will automatically consider you for the awards that you are eligible for.
- Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
This award recognizes international undergraduate students who demonstrate superior academic achievement, exceptional leadership skills, involvement in student affairs and community service, and recognized achievement in other key areas.
- Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award
This award recognizes outstanding international undergraduate students from impoverished or war-torn areas who have achieved academic excellence under challenging circumstances, and who would be unable to attend university without significant financial assistance.
- International Impact Award
This award is offered to exceptional students who have expressed commitment to and solutions for social justice issues, climate change, equity and inclusion, societal health and wellness, and freedom of expression.
- Vantage One Excellence Award
This award is offered by UBC Vantage College for academically outstanding international students who do not yet meet the English Language Admission Standard for direct admission to UBC . The awards range in value up to the full cost of a student’s academic program and living expenses.
International Major Entrance Scholarship
International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES) are awarded to exceptional international students entering undergraduate programs at UBC. Students receive their IMES when they enter their first year at UBC, and the scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years of study. The number and level of these scholarships awarded each year vary, depending on available funding.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the IMES, you must:
- Be new to UBC, entering directly from secondary school.
- Be an international student who will be studying at UBC on a Canadian study permit (student visa). (Changes to your citizenship status will affect your IMES eligibility.)
- Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and intellectual promise, as well as impressive extracurricular and community involvement.
- Not be nominated for a need-and-merit-based International Scholars
- Apply to UBC by January 15.
How to Apply
If you apply to UBC by January 15, you will be automatically considered for the IMES.
Scholarship Status
Students will be considered for this scholarship shortly after you receive an offer of admission to UBC. Scholarship decisions are made between mid-March to the end of April each year.
StudentBridge.Co can assist you in applying for this scholarship
Outstanding International Student Award
The Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award is a one-time, merit-based entrance scholarship awarded to qualified students when they are offered admission to UBC. Students selected for this award show strength academically and display involvement outside of the classroom.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for an OIS Award, students must:
- Be new to UBC, entering directly from secondary school or post-secondary (university or college).
- Be an international student studying at UBC on a Canadian study permit (student visa). (Changes to citizenship status will affect scholarship eligibility.)
- Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and strong extracurricular involvement.
- Not be nominated for a need-and-merit-based International Scholars Program Award
- Apply to UBC by January 15.
How to apply
If students apply to UBC by January 15, they will be automatically considered for the OIS Award.
Scholarship Status
Students will be considered for this scholarship shortly after they receive an offer of admission to UBC. Scholarship decisions are made between mid-March to the end of April each year.
International Entrance Scholarships Humber College
Humber College offers renewable full and partial tuition scholarships to new international students beginning classes in September and January of each year. The scholarships are renewable, however, to be eligible for renewal, the student must maintain a minimum grade point average of 80%.
Eligibility Criteria
- Non-transfer students who have not attended college or university, or who have not studied in Humber’s EAP programme are eligible for Bachelor’s Degree scholarships.
- Humber automatically grants degree scholarships to graduating high school students based on academic accomplishment, with a minimum final entrance average of 75%.
StudentBridge.Co can assist you in applying for this scholarship.
International Special Entrance Scholarship Program University of Winnipeg
International Special Entrance Scholarships will be automatically offered to new international students entering studies at the University of Winnipeg following graduation from a high school outside of Canada.
These entrance scholarships will be offered automatically during the regular admissions application process; a separate scholarship application is not required. All international students must meet the conditions below to qualify.
How to apply
Students complete their application for admission by the specified deadline and will be automatically assessed for this scholarship. No additional steps are required.
Deadlines
| Starting Term | Complete Admission Application By: |
| Fall 2022 | March 11, 2022 |
| Winter 2023 | October 1, 2022 |
| Spring 2023 | February 1, 2023 |
Scholarship Values
| Grade | Award |
| 85.0-89.9% | $1,000 |
| 90.0-94.9% | $2,000 |
| 95.0%+ | $3,000 |
NOTE: The total award amount will be disbursed in equal parts across the first two terms of study according to the registration and course load requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
- Have a minimum 85% grade average from the grade 12 high school courses used for general admission.
- Not have attended any other post-secondary institute previously other than for the purposes of dual credit high school/post-secondary courses.
- Students admitted on letters of permission or on post-secondary transfer credits from other post-secondary institutions will not be eligible.
- Submit a University of Winnipeg admission application no more than 6 months following high school graduation.
- Submit a completed application for admission, including all application fees and all supporting documentation, no later than the award eligibility deadline for the desired first term of study.
- Have not have been selected for other University of Winnipeg entrance awards. New international students with multiple University of Winnipeg award offers will receive one entrance award, whichever has the greatest value.
President’s Scholarship for World Leaders
The University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders is awarded to international students entering any of the University’s divisions for the first time. The scholarship provides 6 awards of $5000 each.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the following criteria
- Be an international student
- Entering first year of any program/school
- Have a minimum of 80% admission average or equivalent
- Demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities
- Admitted to the University by the scholarship deadline
StudentBridge.Co can assist you in applying for this scholarship.
Entrance Scholarships for International High School Students Carleton University Scholarships
If you have been admitted to Carleton with an admissions average of 80 percent or better, you will automatically be considered for a renewable entrance scholarship at the time of admission. The admissions average we use is calculated from the grades submitted by your high school in support of your application.
Entrance scholarships are offered for fall entry only. You may be offered a renewable entrance scholarship provided you are entering Carleton for the first time from high school or CEGEP and have no previous attendance at post-secondary educational institutions.
To be considered for an entrance scholarship, the University’s Admissions Services must receive your complete application for admission and all required grades by June 15. Entrance scholarship offers are not assessed or reassessed on final high school grades.
Entrance Scholarships (2022-2023)
| Number of Scholarships | Value | Admission Average |
| Unlimited @ $16,000 | $4,000 x four years | Renewable* 95-100% |
| Unlimited @ $12,000 | $3,000 x four years | Renewable* 90-94.9% |
| Unlimited @ $8,000 | $2,000 x four years | Renewable* 85-89.9% |
| Unlimited @ $4,000 | $1,000 x four years | Renewable* 80-84.9% |
* Scholarships are renewable with an annual GPA of 10.0 (A- standing)
Prestige Scholarships
The highest awards at Carleton are the Prestige Scholarships. For all Prestige Scholarships, you must achieve an admission average of 90 percent or better. The selection committee will also assess the range of your community or secondary school extra-curricular activities.
You will be considered for a prestige scholarship only if you are entering Carleton directly from high school or CEGEP. Students who have previously attended a post-secondary educational institution (either college or university) are not eligible for these awards.
Other Fully-Funded Scholarships in Canada
Besides the above scholarships which could be considered partial scholarships, several universities offer fully-funded scholarships for exceptionally meritorious students. These provide 100% tuition fee coverage.
Here are a few popular ones you can apply for.
- University Canada West Scholarship 2022
- Biggest Scholarships in Canada
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
- Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program
- Anne Vallee Ecological Fund
- Canada Memorial Scholarship
- Surfshark Privacy and Security Scholarship
- Trudeau Scholarships and Fellowships