Undergraduate Scholarships in Canada: Canada is one of the most attractive educational destinations for international students seeking a bachelor’s degree, thanks to its high-quality education system, the strong global reputation of Canadian universities, and its diverse environment that fosters innovation and academic growth. Although studying in Canada is considered a major investment due to the high cost of tuition and living expenses, scholarships remain a crucial factor that helps students achieve their academic goals without significant financial burden.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of why Canada is an excellent choice for undergraduate studies. It also outlines accurate and up-to-date information on the cost of studying and living in Canada based on official sources. In addition, it reviews the top scholarship programs available to international students, whether fully funded or partially funded, such as those offered by the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia, York University, and the University of Calgary. The guide also explains the key eligibility requirements and general criteria students must meet when applying, helping them make informed decisions and increase their chances of securing financial support.
You can also explore the Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK Without IELTS
Why Choose Canada for an Undergraduate Degree?
Before diving into the details of undergraduate scholarships in Canada, it is important to understand the advantages of choosing Canada as a study destination:
World-Ranked Universities
Many Canadian universities—including the University of Toronto, McGill University, the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of Alberta, and McMaster University—consistently rank among the top institutions worldwide in teaching quality and research excellence.
Career-Focused and In-Demand Programs
Fields such as engineering, medicine, computer science, business administration, and applied sciences in Canada are closely connected to industry demands and labor market needs.
A Diverse and Relatively Safe Society
Canada is recognized for its welcoming immigration policies, multicultural environment, and supportive atmosphere for international students.
Opportunities for Practical Experience
Many undergraduate programs in Canada include cooperative education (Co-op) and internship opportunities, helping students build early professional experience.
For regular updates on scholarships and academic opportunities, follow our official platforms:
Cost of Studying a Bachelor’s Degree in Canada – Why Scholarships Are Essential
1. Tuition Fees
According to the official Canadian government portal EduCanada:
The average annual tuition for international undergraduate students is approximately CAD 36,100 (2022 data).
Updated estimates for the 2025–2026 academic year indicate that the total cost of a four-year bachelor’s degree for international students exceeds CAD 177,000, with annual tuition reaching around CAD 42,000 in some programs, based on analytical data from the international education sector.
Specialized educational sources estimate that typical tuition fees for international undergraduate programs range between CAD 20,000 and 30,000 per year, with significantly higher costs for medicine and dentistry.
2. Cost of Living
Living expenses vary by city and lifestyle, but most sources estimate that an international student needs:
CAD 10,000 – 15,000 annually to cover housing, food, transportation, and insurance in moderately priced cities.
Expenses are considerably higher in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver due to elevated housing costs.
Moreover, the Canadian government tightened financial requirements for study permits starting in 2024–2025 by raising the minimum financial proof needed to reflect inflation and rising rental prices.
Conclusion: High expenses make undergraduate scholarships in Canada a necessity rather than a luxury.
Types of Undergraduate Scholarships in Canada
Undergraduate scholarships available to international students in Canada generally fall into three categories:
1. University-Specific Scholarships
These are the most important scholarships and are offered directly by Canadian universities. They may be fully funded or cover a large portion of tuition fees.
Examples include:
Lester B. Pearson Scholarship (University of Toronto)
UBC International Scholars Program
York University Scholarships
University of Calgary Entrance Scholarship
You can also explore the Best Scholarships by Major
2. Governmental or International Partnership Scholarships
Most major Canadian government scholarship programs (e.g., Vanier, Banting) target graduate-level studies, but some bilateral programs between Canada and other countries may sponsor undergraduate studies through home-country funding.
3. Scholarships from Private Organizations
Nonprofit organizations or international institutions may offer funding for students from specific countries or disciplines.
This article focuses on major university-based undergraduate scholarships in Canada with official links, as they are the most common and accessible for international applicants.
Top Undergraduate Scholarships in Canada
1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship – University of Toronto
The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship is one of the most prestigious fully funded undergraduate scholarships in Canada. It targets academically exceptional international students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and community engagement.
According to the University of Toronto’s official website, the scholarship:
Covers full tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence for four full years.
Is awarded to a limited number of students (approximately 37 international students annually).
Requires school nomination before the student submits an application to the university and completes the scholarship form.
This scholarship is highly competitive and targets students who demonstrate:
Exceptional academic performance
Proven leadership and community service
Creativity and strong impact potential
2. UBC International Scholars Program – University of British Columbia
UBC offers one of the strongest financial aid packages for international undergraduate students.
According to the official program page:
It targets academically strong international students with demonstrated leadership and significant financial need.
The program includes four main scholarship categories (such as the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award), with placement determined by the applicant’s profile.
Reliable academic sources indicate that UBC International Scholars may cover full tuition and essential living expenses throughout the bachelor’s program, based on assessed financial need.
Additional UBC opportunities include the UBC Okanagan Global Elevation Award, which offers up to CAD 8,000 per year, renewable for four years.
3. York University Scholarships for International Undergraduate Students
York University in Toronto is known for offering generous entrance scholarships for outstanding international students.
Key scholarships include:
A) President’s International Scholarship of Excellence
According to the official scholarship page:
Valued at CAD 180,000, distributed over four years (CAD 45,000 annually)
Awarded to students with high academic achievement and leadership involvement
B) York International Scholarship of Distinction
According to official data:
Awarded to students typically scoring 90% or above
Amounts include:
CAD 15,000 in the first year
CAD 7,500 annually for years 2, 3, and 4
A total potential value of approximately CAD 37,500, renewable upon meeting conditions
These scholarships significantly reduce tuition costs for international undergraduate students.
4. University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
According to the University of Calgary’s official page and verified sources:
The scholarship is valued at CAD 20,000 per year, renewable for up to four years (total CAD 80,000).
Some updates in past years mention a total of CAD 60,000, depending on annual configurations.
Awarded to high-achieving international undergraduate applicants who meet academic and language requirements.
5. Additional Undergraduate Scholarships in Other Canadian Universities
Many Canadian universities offer partial funding through:
Automatic entrance scholarships
Merit-based awards renewable annually
Need-based financial support
Examples include:
University of Manitoba Entrance Awards
University of Waterloo Entrance Scholarships
Carleton University scholarships
Smaller or regional universities may also offer targeted funding for specific countries or fields.
The best way to explore these opportunities is by visiting each university’s official Scholarships / Awards / Financial Aid page or using national platforms such as EduCanada and Study in Canada.
General Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduate Scholarships in Canada
Although criteria vary across programs, most undergraduate scholarships require:
1. Academic Excellence
High grades in secondary school (often above 90% for top scholarships)
2. Language Proficiency
Most programs require proof of English (or French) language proficiency through:
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
Other approved tests
Note: Scholarships like Pearson or UBC Scholars require meeting university admission standards first.
3. Preliminary University Admission (Offer Letter)
Many scholarships require:
Submitting a university application first
Obtaining a conditional or unconditional offer
Using your application number to complete scholarship forms
4. Leadership & Community Engagement
Elite scholarships prioritize:
Volunteering
Leadership roles
Extracurricular achievements
5. Financial Need (For Certain Scholarships)
Especially for UBC International Scholars, financial need plays a major role.
6. Meeting All Deadlines
Most scholarship deadlines are early, so planning ahead is essential.
You can also explore the Master Mind Scholarship at KU Leuven, Belgium
How to Start the Search for Undergraduate Scholarships in Canada
1. Identify Your Major and Target Universities
Define:
Your intended field (engineering, medicine, business, CS, etc.)
5–10 Canadian universities offering your program of interest
2. Visit Official University Websites
Each university has a dedicated page for international scholarships.
Examples:
University of Toronto: Pearson Scholarship
UBC: International Scholars Program
York University: International Scholarships
University of Calgary: Entrance Scholarship
3. Use Official Scholarship Platforms
Such as:
EduCanada
Study in Canada
4. Prepare a Strong Application Package Early
This includes:
High academic scores
A professional academic CV
A compelling motivation letter
Certificates of community involvement
Competitive language test scores
5. Apply to Multiple Scholarships
Because competition is intense, you should:
Apply to several universities at once
Combine fully funded and partial scholarships
Maintain a realistic financial plan
For regular updates on scholarships and academic opportunities, follow our official platforms:
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