Scholarships in Canada: university awards, master's and PhD funding

Short answer: In Canada, universities themselves are the main source of scholarships for international students. At bachelor's level there are entrance awards and a few prestigious full scholarships, while at master's and especially PhD level research-oriented programmes often offer a funding package.

For a bachelor's

• Entrance awards: for students with high school grades; most are considered automatically and may be one-time or annual.
• Prestigious full scholarships: some universities (for example the University of Toronto's Lester B. Pearson scholarship) have full scholarships for leadership and academic results; they require a separate nomination and early application.
• Small scholarships at some colleges.

For a master's and PhD

• Research-oriented (thesis-based) master's and PhD programmes often offer a package of scholarship, assistantship and research grant.
• A supervisor's grant plays an important role in funding — contact professors before applying. See: PhD abroad.
• Course-based master's programmes have less funding.

Application tips

• Read the university's "awards and financial aid for international students" page.
• Watch for early scholarship deadlines (often autumn–winter).
• Show leadership, community involvement and academic achievements with evidence.
• Calculate the costs remaining after the scholarship and the proof of funds for the visa.

Co-op and work

Co-op programmes give paid work experience during study and can help cover part of the costs. See: internships abroad and part-time work.

Frequently asked questions

Are there government scholarships in Canada?

There is no broad government scholarship for international bachelor's students; the main opportunities are at university and research level.

Is a full scholarship realistic?

It is very competitive at bachelor's level, while funding packages are more common at PhD level.

Note: scholarship conditions and deadlines vary by university and may be updated every year. Check the university's official page.

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