EDUCATION

Best Canadian Universities Offering Scholarships to Foreign Students

Landing a spot at a Canadian university is already a big win. But imagine cutting your tuition costs by thousands of dollars every year through scholarships offered directly by top schools. If you’re hoping to study in Canada, picking the right university can boost your chances of securing funding — some schools are simply more generous than others when it comes to supporting international students.

Below are some of the best Canadian universities known for providing strong scholarship options to students from abroad.

University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is famous for its academic excellence — but it’s equally known for scholarships aimed at attracting international talent. One of the most well-known is the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship. It covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. It’s awarded to exceptional students who show creativity and leadership and who have a strong impact on their community.

Students can only be nominated by their high school and must apply for undergraduate programs to be eligible.

Application details: https://future.utoronto.ca/pearson/about/

University of British Columbia (UBC)

UBC consistently ranks among Canada’s best for international student scholarships. It offers the International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) and the Outstanding International Student Award (OIS). Both are merit-based and awarded to new students who show high academic performance and extracurricular achievement.

UBC also offers the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award, which supports students who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to community service.

Application details: https://you.ubc.ca/financial-planning/scholarships-awards-international-students/

McGill University

McGill is another top-ranked school that invests heavily in attracting talented students worldwide. It provides merit-based entrance scholarships for first-year undergraduates. These include one-year and renewable major scholarships valued up to CAD 12,000 per year.

McGill also awards in-course scholarships for continuing students with excellent grades.

Application details: https://www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-aid/future-undergrads

University of Alberta

The University of Alberta offers several automatic and application-based scholarships for international students. The International Admission Scholarship can give up to CAD 5,000 for new undergraduates with strong academic records. There’s also the International Leader Scholarship and the Gold Standard Scholarship.

Postgraduate students can access funding through research grants and fellowships, which are often supported by the university in partnership with government sources.

Application details: https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions/international/tuition-and-scholarships/scholarships-and-awards/index.html

York University

York University in Toronto runs the Global Leader of Tomorrow Award and the International Entrance Scholarship of Distinction. These major awards are renewable and can provide up to CAD 35,000 per year for four years.

Applicants must have strong grades and show leadership through community service or artistic or athletic excellence.

Application details: https://futurestudents.yorku.ca/funding#int l

University of Manitoba

This university offers the International Undergraduate Student Entrance Scholarship, which rewards students with high school averages above 85%. The International Undergraduate Student Bursary is another option, supporting students who demonstrate financial need and strong academics.

Application details: https://umanitoba.ca/financial-aid-and-awards/international-student-awards

University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa provides the President’s Scholarship for International Students, worth CAD 30,000 over four years. There’s also the Chancellor’s Scholarship, awarded to students with excellent grades and leadership experience.

Application details: https://www.uottawa.ca/financial-aid-awards/scholarships-bursaries/international

How to Choose the Right University

Selecting the right school isn’t just about rankings — it’s about matching your goals with the scholarships that fit you best. Look for universities that offer automatic entrance scholarships if you want fewer application steps. If you have a standout volunteer record or leadership activities, target schools that reward community service.

Before applying, check deadlines carefully. Many universities have early application cutoffs for international students who want to be considered for major scholarships.

Studying at one of Canada’s top universities can be expensive, but picking the right school can ease that burden. These universities not only deliver quality education but also back it up with funding that can transform your experience.

Start planning now, get your documents ready, and apply ahead of deadlines. Below are the official scholarship pages again to help you take action: