Planning to study in Canada in 2027? Hundreds of millions of dollars in scholarships and financial aid are available, but finding the right opportunities can be surprisingly difficult. With different universities, deadlines, eligibility rules, and application processes, where should you start?
We’ve narrowed it down to 7 University Scholarships for International Students in Canada in 2027—see which opportunities could help fund your study abroad dreams
Top 7 University Scholarships for International Students in Canada
This guide brings together seven of the most valuable and accessible university scholarships for international students planning to study in Canada in 2027. Each entry includes the essential facts you need to decide whether to pursue it — and a direct link to the full guide.
If you’re serious about funding your Canadian education, this is your starting map.
1. University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship
- Academic Level: Undergraduate
- Award Value: $2,000–$5,000 CAD
- Application Status: Open
The University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship is one of the most straightforward major entrance awards in Canada. There is no essay, no nomination, and no portal to navigate. Your admission application is your scholarship application.
If you’re admitted to a full-time first-year program at Waterloo with the right grades, the scholarship is simply yours — automatically.
The University of Waterloo scholarships operate on a tiered structure:
- President’s Scholarship: $2,000 CAD one-time award for an admission average of 90–94.9%
- President’s Scholarship of Distinction: $2,000 + $1,500 International Experience Award + $1,500 Research Award for an admission average of 95% or higher
The Distinction tier’s International Experience and Research Awards are claimable in upper years — funding an international study/work term or an on-campus research position with a Waterloo professor.
2. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
- Academic Level: Master’s and Doctoral
- Award Value: Up to $100,000 total
- Application Status: Open
The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF) is one of the most quietly powerful graduate funding programs in Canada, distributing over $2 million annually to full-time master’s and doctoral students.
You cannot apply for this fellowship yourself. The UMGF is awarded through departmental nomination — which means your admission application and your relationship with a prospective supervisor do the heavy lifting long before any scholarship paperwork exists.
The value is substantial:
- Master’s fellowships: $20,000 CAD per year for up to two years
- Doctoral fellowships: $25,000 CAD per year for up to four years
The UMGF is open to all nationalities — international students are fully eligible. But because it operates through departmental nomination, your first step is securing admission and then engaging your department about their internal UMGF deadline.
3. University of Alberta International Entrance Scholarships
- Academic Level: Undergraduate
- Award Value: Up to $120,000 CAD over four years
- Application Status: Open
The University of Alberta awards $52 million annually in undergraduate scholarships, awards, and financial support — and its international entrance scholarship portfolio is among the most accessible in Canada.
One in five first-year students receives a scholarship at Universty of Alberta. And some of them never filled out a separate application — because admission-based awards are assessed automatically when you apply for admission.
The awards fall into two categories:
Admission-Based;
- International Admission Scholarship: Up to $5,000 CAD
- Regional Excellence Scholarship: Up to $5,000 CAD
- Gold Standard Scholarship: Up to $6,000 CAD
Application-Based:
- President’s International Distinction Scholarship: Up to $120,000 CAD over four years (25 awards)
- Chan Pang Kuen Memorial International Distinction Scholarship: Up to $120,000 CAD
- International Leader Scholarship: Up to $15,000 CAD
- May Quon Undergraduate Scholarship: Up to $100,000 CAD
- Cora Martinson International Scholarship: Up to $56,000 CAD
All application-based scholarships are accessed through one single form — fill it out once, and U of A matches you to every award you’re eligible for.
4. York University President’s International Scholarship of Excellence
- Academic Level: Undergraduate
- Award Value: $180,000 total
- Application Status: Open
The President’s International Scholarship of Excellence (PISE) at York University is one of Canada’s largest funders of undergraduate scholarships. At $45,000 CAD per year PISE doesn’t just cover tuition; it covers your entire university experience.
$180,000 CAD over four years — and recipients report a surplus after tuition, living expenses, and accommodation are covered. This is a full-ride-plus scholarship.
20 scholarships are awarded annually to international high school applicants entering their first year of a four-year undergraduate degree. Recipients join a cohort of President’s International Scholars with access to mentorship, career support, and exclusive networking.
5. University of Laval Excellence Scholarship Program
- Academic Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral
- Award Value: $20,000–$30,000 CAD
- Application Status: Open
The University of Laval’s Citizens of the World Excellence Scholarships are designed to attract top international talent to one of Canada’s oldest and most research-intensive universities. The program covers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies, with values varying by level:
- Bachelor’s and professional master’s: $20,000 CAD
- Research master’s (with thesis): $20,000 CAD total
- Doctorate: $30,000 CAD total (
The most remarkable feature is its simplicity for graduate applicants: no separate form is required for research master’s and PhD programs. Selection is based entirely on your admission application. Results are typically announced in early March.
6. UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship
- Academic Level: Undergraduate
- Award Value: $10,000–$25,000 CAD per year
- Application Status: Open
The University of British Columbia’s International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) is one of Canada’s premier undergraduate awards for international students. UBC devotes more than $35 million annually to awards and scholarships, and IMES is a flagship component of that portfolio.
Awards are valued at $10,000 to $25,000 CAD per year, renewable for up to four years — a maximum potential value of $100,000 CAD. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, and community involvement.
The selection process happens after admission offers are made, typically between mid-March and the end of April. If you apply to UBC by the admissions deadline, you are automatically considered — there is no separate scholarship form.
7. University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
- Academic Level: Undergraduate
- Award Value: $80,000 total
- Application Status: Open
The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship is a prestige award within Calgary’s High School Prestige Awards competition — one of the university’s most competitive scholarship streams. Only two awards are granted annually to international students entering their first year of undergraduate study in any faculty.
The scholarship is valued at $20,000 CAD per year, renewable for up to three additional years — a maximum total of $80,000 CAD. To renew, recipients must maintain a 2.60 GPA over at least 24.00 units in the previous fall and winter terms and continue paying international differential tuition.
Selection is based not only on academic excellence (minimum 90% admission average) but also on accomplishments outside the classroom — leadership, volunteering, entrepreneurship, and creativity all carry weight.
How to Choose the Right Scholarship in Canada
With seven distinct opportunities — and very different application models — here’s a quick decision framework:
If You Are… |
Prioritize… |
Because… |
|---|---|---|
An undergraduate with 95%+ average |
Waterloo President’s of Distinction |
Automatic, no application, $5,000 value |
An undergraduate seeking maximum funding |
York PISE or U of A President’s Distinction |
$120K–$180K total value |
A graduate student (Master’s/PhD) |
UMGF or Laval Excellence |
$100K doctoral value; no separate application at Laval |
Seeking automatic consideration |
Waterloo, U of A (admission-based), UBC, Laval (graduate) |
No separate application required |
Willing to secure a nomination |
York PISE, UMGF |
Nomination unlocks the award |
You can pursue multiple scholarships simultaneously — most have non-overlapping application models. An undergraduate applicant could apply to Waterloo (automatic), U of A (admission-based + single form), UBC (automatic), Calgary (Prestige application), and York (nomination) all in the same cycle.
Your 2027 Scholarship Strategy Starts Now
Canada’s universities are investing more than ever in attracting international talent — and the seven scholarships in this guide represent over $700,000 CAD in combined potential value. But the window to act is narrowing. Some deadlines fall as early as October 2026, while others stretch to February 2027.
The most important thing you can do right now is identify which scholarships match your academic level, profile, and timeline — then start preparing the materials each one requires. For some, that means maximizing your grades. For others, it means securing a nomination or contacting a prospective supervisor.
The students who win these awards are not necessarily the smartest in the room. They are the ones who started earliest.
Your next steps:
- Identify which of these seven scholarships match your academic level and goals.
- Note the application status and deadline for each — several open in late 2026.
- For nomination-based awards (York PISE, UMGF), begin engaging your school or department now.
- For automatic awards (Waterloo, U of A, UBC, Laval), focus on strengthening your admission application.
- Apply to multiple scholarships — there is no penalty for pursuing more than one.
If you love our list on the top 7 university scholarships for International Students in Canada, check out Ontario Student Grants & Bursaries: Free Canadian Funding
2 thoughts on “7 University Scholarships for International Students in Canada in 2027”