Canadian universities fund a meaningful share of their master’s students through a mix of provincial scholarships, university awards, and departmental assistantships, and several of these are open to applicants from outside the country.
The ten programs below give a realistic picture of where that funding comes from and who typically qualifies.
1. Ontario Graduate Scholarship
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship funds master’s and PhD students at participating Ontario universities, with each institution nominating its own candidates and the province providing the award amount for up to one year at a time.
2. University of Guelph International Master’s Tuition Scholarship
The [University of Guelph International Master’s Tuition Scholarship](/university-guelph-international-masters-tuition-scholarship/) reduces international tuition fees for incoming master’s students, bringing the overall cost closer to the domestic rate for the length of the program.
3. UBC International Tuition Award for Graduate Students
The University of British Columbia offers this award to incoming international graduate students, covering a portion of the gap between international and domestic tuition for eligible master’s programs.
4. McGill Graduate Excellence Fellowship
McGill University funds a number of incoming master’s students through faculty-administered excellence fellowships, which typically provide a stipend on top of any assistantship income during the program.
5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto
The [Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Toronto](/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program-university-toronto/) funds master’s and undergraduate study for students from Africa, covering tuition, housing, and a living allowance for the full program.
6. Rotary Global Grant Scholarship
Rotary clubs sponsor candidates for master’s study in Canada connected to one of the organization’s areas of focus, with funding covering tuition and living costs for the program’s length.
7. Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships
This program funds master’s-level exchanges between Canada and partner Commonwealth or developing countries, with award amounts depending on the host institution and program length.
8. University of Calgary Graduate Research Scholarship
The University of Calgary provides this scholarship to eligible graduate students conducting supervised research, typically paid alongside a teaching or research assistantship for added support.
9. Dalhousie University Graduate Scholarship
Dalhousie allocates graduate scholarship funding through individual faculties, providing a stipend to admitted master’s students that is usually paired with a teaching or research assistantship.
10. University Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships
Across nearly every Canadian university, departments fund master’s students through part-time teaching or research assistantships, which typically cover tuition and add a modest stipend in exchange for a set number of work hours per week.
Because many of these awards are allocated by the department rather than a central scholarship office, reaching out to the specific graduate program before applying is often more productive than searching for a standalone scholarship form.
Canadian graduate programs often expect applicants to identify a potential supervisor before submitting a formal application, particularly for research-based master.’s degrees, since funding decisions are frequently tied to that supervisor.’s own research budget.
Contacting a professor directly with a short, well-researched email describing shared research interests can meaningfully improve the odds of being offered a funded position alongside the degree itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Canadian graduate assistantships guaranteed for every admitted student?
No, availability depends on departmental funding and faculty research budgets, so confirming funding details before accepting an offer is worthwhile.
Does the Ontario Graduate Scholarship cover tuition directly?
It provides a fixed award amount to the student rather than a direct tuition waiver, though many recipients use it to cover tuition and living costs together.
Can international students receive the Mastercard Foundation Scholars award at any Canadian university?
No, it is specific to designated partner universities, including the University of Toronto, rather than available Canada-wide.
Is a research proposal required for the University of Calgary Graduate Research Scholarship?
Yes, applicants typically need a supervisor and an outline of the proposed research before this scholarship can be awarded.
How much does the UBC International Tuition Award typically cover?
It covers a portion of the gap between international and domestic tuition rather than the full amount, with the exact figure varying by program and year.
Do Rotary Global Grant Scholarships require Rotary club membership?
No, applicants do not need to be Rotary members themselves, though they typically need sponsorship from a local Rotary club in their home country.
Are McGill Graduate Excellence Fellowships open to all faculties?
Availability depends on the specific faculty and department, since each one manages its own fellowship funding and criteria.