Canadian Universities With Scholarships for International Students (2026 Guide)

Last checked against university websites: October 5, 2026

Studying in Canada is expensive for international students, but many universities offer entrance scholarships, and a small number offer full scholarships. This guide lists well-known awards at major Canadian universities, explains full versus partial funding, and shows how to improve your chances. Where we couldn’t confirm a current amount on the university’s own website, we say so.

Full vs partial scholarships

• Full scholarships cover tuition and usually living costs. They’re rare and very competitive, often with fewer than 50 winners a year at a university.
• Partial scholarships cover part of tuition or give a one-time amount. They’re much more common, and many are automatic when you apply for admission.

Most international students who get funding receive partial awards. Plan your budget assuming you’ll need to cover most costs yourself.

Universities and their main awards

University of Toronto: Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

One of Canada’s best-known full scholarships for international undergraduates. It covers tuition, books, incidental fees and residence for four years. You need a nomination from your school, and only a few dozen students win it each year.

University of British Columbia (UBC)

• International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES): CAD 10,000–25,000 per year (2026/27), renewable for up to three more years
• Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award: a one-time entrance award of CAD 10,000–25,000
• International Scholars Program: need-and-merit awards for high achievers with financial need, which can cover most costs

University of Waterloo

• International entrance scholarships of CAD 10,000 for most programs
• Up to CAD 80,000 for some international students in Mathematics (including Computer Science) and Science. Science awards of CAD 25,000–80,000 need a separate application.

University of Calgary

• International Entrance Scholarship: CAD 20,000, renewable for years 2–4 if you keep a minimum 2.60 GPA. Only 2 are awarded each year, so it’s highly competitive.
• Other smaller international entrance awards are also available.

York University: President’s International Scholarship of Excellence

A renewable scholarship for top international undergraduates. York has advertised it at up to CAD 180,000 over four years. Check York’s scholarships page for the current value and nomination process.

McGill University: McCall MacBain Scholarship

A full graduate scholarship for master’s and professional programs at McGill, with tuition, living support and leadership mentoring. It isn’t for PhD programs. McGill also offers undergraduate entrance scholarships.

Université de Montréal: UdeM exemption scholarship

For many international students in French-language programs, this award reduces or removes the extra fees international students normally pay, bringing tuition close to the Quebec rate. You can keep it if you maintain good grades.

Other universities to check

Carleton University, Simon Fraser University and the University of Manitoba all offer entrance scholarships for international students based on grades. Some are automatic and some are renewable. Amounts change each year, so check each university’s awards page rather than relying on figures quoted elsewhere.

Before you count on a scholarship: other costs

• Study permit: you need a study permit, and most students also need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) because of Canada’s limit on study permits.
• Proof of funds: IRCC requires you to show money for living costs on top of tuition and travel. For a single student outside Quebec, this is CAD 23,448 for applications made on or after September 1, 2026, up from CAD 22,895. IRCC now updates the amount every year.
• Housing is expensive in Toronto and Vancouver. Factor rent in, even if your tuition is covered.

How to improve your chances

1. Apply early. Many entrance awards are decided based on applications that arrive before an early deadline.
2. Check whether you need a separate application. Some awards are automatic and others need essays or a nomination.
3. Keep your grades strong. Most entrance scholarships are merit-based.
4. Show leadership and community involvement. This matters a lot for the Pearson, UBC and York awards.
5. Get strong reference letters from teachers who know your work well.
6. Apply to several universities. Each has its own funding pot.

Watch out for scholarship scams

You never pay a fee to receive a genuine university scholarship. Be wary of agents promising “guaranteed fully funded” places in Canada.

How we checked this guide

We confirmed amounts for UBC, Waterloo and the University of Calgary on the universities’ official awards pages, and McCall MacBain eligibility on the program’s official site, in October 2026, and the proof-of-funds amount against IRCC’s September 2026 update. Other awards are described in general terms because amounts change every year. Always confirm the current value and deadline on the university’s own website.

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