Scholarships for International Students in Canada
Over the last few decades, Canada has quickly climbed up the ranks to become one of the most popular higher education destinations among Indian students. While there has been a dip this year because of the Canadian government’s cap on study permits, the cap does not include Master’s and PhD students. The cap itself is a temporary measure as Canada regulates unsustainable migration. Canadian universities continue to be keen to welcome international students onboard their campuses. And one of the ways they do this is by offering excellent scholarships for international students in Canada.
Why Study Abroad in Canada?
Canada is a country with a rich educational heritage and an excellent work environment. The country is third in the list as hosting the most international students globally, with almost half a million enrollments each year. International students from India often prefer Canada over other countries for multiple reasons. Unsurprisingly, Indians represent the biggest community of international students in Canada.
Your individual goals and field of study inform your academic and career path. In Canada, there are a bunch of routes to consider for undergrad and post-grad programs. So, what makes Canada a great study abroad destination to consider in 2024, particularly for Master’s and PhD students?
Global Recognition
A Canadian degree has global recognition as a hallmark of quality education and industry-relevant expertise. A degree from any of these prestigious universities will open new windows of opportunity in the ever-evolving job market. According to the QS World Rankings 2024, Canada appears 31 times in the top 500 university rankings. These universities occupy a range of opportunity in terms of subject specialization, scholarship opportunities, and tuition fee ranges.
Work & Career Opportunities
Scholarships for international students in Canada aren’t the only way to manage your costs for a degree abroad. Study Permit holders are legally able to work up to 20 hours a week while semesters are ongoing. You can also work full-time during the longer, annual semester breaks!
In some cases, your programs themselves may incorporate work opportunities into the curriculum. Canada’s co-op programs, for example, alternate classroom learning with real-time work experience in your field. These are excellent opportunities to put theory into practice and develop the experience, network, and skill set you can only access through hands-on learning.
These opportunities enhance your prospects for employability upon graduation. Employers value candidates with work experience, as well as those entering the workforce from reputable programs known to produce excellent graduates.
Post-Graduation Work Opportunities
The opportunity to continue living and working in Canada after your degree is another part of Canada’s appeal to international students. The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows students to stay on in Canada after graduation, to seek, apply for, and start working. Work experience for PGWP holders can then create a pathway into longer term migration for international students!
The duration of the PGWP depends on the length of your degree. Another compelling reason for Master’s students to consider scholarships for international students in Canada is, in fact, the PGWP. As of the Study Permit changes of 2024, the PGWP duration for Master’s students can be as long as three years!
How Much Might it Cost Me to Study in Canada as an International Student?
Costs are front of mind if you are looking into scholarships for international students in Canada. With how large the country is, and the variety of universities, programs, and cities within it, costs can look different depending on a bunch of factors. EduCanada’s budget breakdown can give you a better idea of how your costs may look, depending on a range of variables.
Overall, average tuition fees for undergraduate international students are around CAD 38,000 a year. For postgraduate students, average tuition fees are around CAD 22,000 a year. Here is a list of factors that can determine your tuition fees when studying in Canada.
| Factor | Description | Impact on Cost |
| Type of Institution | Public universities have lower tuition fees in Canada. Private universities tend to cost much higher | Public universities are more affordable than the private ones. |
| Program | The program may cost much more if it is a highly technical and resource-intensive field, e.g., programs that involve frequent lab work or equipment use. | In general, programs like dentistry, veterinary science, and medicine tend to cost more. Programs in the humanities field tend to fall on the other end of the spectrum. |
| Location | The tuition fees may vary based on the location (province and city). | You will find universities in highly urban, metropolitan cities like Toronto or Vancouver more expensive than those in smaller towns and cities. |
| Accommodation | This may vary depending on the type of accommodation. | On-campus residences are usually more convenient, though may be more expensive than off-campus residences. |
| Health Insurance | Most universities require health insurance for foreign students. | The mandatory health insurance may vary depending on the province. |
| Additional Expenses | Textbooks, study materials, transportation and living expenses. | These would vary depending on the program and your own lifestyle. |
| Scholarships and Financial Aids | A scholarship or financial aid can significantly reduce the cost of the program. | Scholarships can vary in coverage, from full to partial scholarships. |
Types of Scholarships for International Students in Canada
Universities in Canada set aside specific scholarships expressly for international students every year. These scholarships are often merit-based, incentivizing high performing students to enroll in Canadian universities. These can be on the basis of academics, sports, leadership, community participation, and more.
General Scholarships
Universities often offer their flagship awards to all incoming international students. Typically, there are separate scholarship categories for undergraduate and postgraduate students. However, all eligible undergrad and postgrad students qualify for these flagship awards, regardless of their program.
In some cases, scholarships may require separate applications with their own deadlines. Generally, many flagship awards automatically consider you for the scholarship as soon as you apply to the university. Below is a brief look at just some of the options you can access in scholarships for international students in Canada.
Undergraduate Scholarships
| University | Scholarship | Value | Eligibility |
| University of Alberta | International Admission Scholarship | CAD 5,000 | Depending on admission average |
| York University | President’s International Scholarship of Excellence | CAD 45,000 per year, for 4 years | Students who demonstrate excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, and volunteerism |
| Carleton University | Entrance Scholarships | Between CAD 1,000 - 4,000 per year, for 4 years | For students with admissions averages between 80 to 100% |
| University of Waterloo | Entrance Scholarships | CAD 2,000 entrance scholarship | Admission average of 95%+ |
| University of Guelph | Entrance Scholarships | Between CAD 18,500 – 21,500 | Students who demonstrate academic excellence |
Postgraduate Scholarships
| University | Scholarship | Value | Eligibility |
| Carleton University | Entrance Scholarships for International Master's Students | Varies | Students demonstrating academic excellence, strong statement of purpose |
| Concordia University | Graduate Student Entrance Awards | Varies | Students demonstrating academic excellence |
| Lakehead University | International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarships | CAD 5,000 -10,000 | Academic excellence, research potential |
| University of Regina | President's Scholarship for International Students | CAD 5,000 | For students demonstrating strong academic performance |
| Brock University | International Master's Student Scholarships | CAD 2,000 to 12,000 | Students demonstrating academic excellence |
Subject-Specific Scholarships
General scholarships, while often the most visible, are not the only scholarships for international students in Canada. Individual faculties and departments in Canadian universities often also reserve separate scholarships for their applicants. These are worth looking into, especially as competition for the biggest awards – namely, general scholarships – tends to be steep. You may stand a better shot at scholarship success by looking into the options your faculty, department, or program offers. The variety of options available may surprise you!
| University | Scholarship | Value | Eligibility |
| Carleton University | Sprott School of Business Master's Entrance Scholarships | Varies | Strong academic performance |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland | Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Graduate Scholarships | Varies | Strong academic performance |
| Simon Fraser University | Master of Data Science Entrance Scholarships | CAD 5,000 - 10,000 | Exceptional academic performance |
| University of Waterloo | Master of Arts in Education Scholarship | CAD 5,000 | Academic excellence |
| University of Winnipeg | Master of Science in Applied Computer Science Scholarships | CAD 5,000 | High-achieving students |
In-Course Scholarships
If you are not able to secure a scholarship in your first year, don’t let it get you down. Canadian universities also offer in-course scholarships – options to score scholarships after you enroll in the university. By demonstrating strong academic ability, you can qualify for a scholarship after completing a semester or year of your course!
| University | Scholarship | Eligibility |
| University of Guelph | In-Course Scholarships | GPA 10-12 |
| Trent University | Course Scholarships | 85-90% marks |
| Cape Breton University | In-Course Scholarships (Magna International Scholarships) | After first year, 80% average marks |
| Mount Saint Vincent University | In-Course Scholarships | GPA and Faculty Nomination |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | Scholarships and Awards | Academic Excellence |
Rounding Up
While the recent Study Permit changes may be making you nervous, remember that Canada remains a strong contender for international education. Master’s and doctoral students especially are not subject to the Study Permit cap, and undergraduate applications will likely climb as the Canadian government imposes more sustainable migration policies in future. Scholarships for international students in Canada are among the incentives that universities set up to encourage global applications. If you are wondering whether this is the right time for you to apply to Canada, contact one of our Student Success Consultants to learn more!
