Canadian universities compete for strong international undergraduate applicants through a mix of entrance scholarships, renewable merit awards, and a handful of fully funded programs aimed specifically at outstanding incoming students.
The ten options below reflect the range of funding available across Canada’s major universities.
1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
The [Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship](/lester-b-pearson-international-scholarship/) at the University of Toronto covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years for a small number of exceptional incoming international undergraduates.
2. UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award
The University of British Columbia offers this award to incoming international undergraduates who combine strong academics with leadership and community involvement, covering tuition plus a living allowance for the full degree.
3. McGill Major Entrance Scholarships
McGill University awards a number of entrance scholarships to incoming international undergraduates with outstanding academic records, ranging from partial tuition support to more substantial multi-year awards.
4. University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship of Distinction
This entrance scholarship rewards incoming undergraduates, including international students, with exceptional high school academic records, providing a fixed award applied toward tuition in the first year.
5. Simon Fraser University International Scholars Award
SFU offers this renewable entrance scholarship to high-achieving incoming international undergraduates, covering a portion of tuition for the standard length of the degree.
6. University of Alberta International Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship
This entrance award supports incoming international undergraduates with strong academic records, providing a fixed scholarship amount toward the first year of study at the University of Alberta.
7. York University International Student Scholarship of Excellence
York University awards this scholarship to academically strong incoming international undergraduates, with the amount tied to the student’s admission average from secondary school.
8. Dalhousie International Student Entrance Award
Dalhousie University offers this entrance award to incoming international undergraduates based on academic performance, applied as a tuition credit in the first year of study.
9. 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 undergraduate study for talented students from Africa, covering tuition, housing, and a living allowance for the full degree.
10. University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship
This entrance award covers a significant portion of tuition for incoming international undergraduates with strong academic records, renewable each year the required grade average is maintained.
Entrance scholarships in Canada are typically awarded automatically based on the strength of the admission application, so submitting applications and required transcripts early in the cycle generally improves the odds of consideration.
Canadian universities often publish their entrance scholarship cutoffs well in advance, listing the minimum average needed for each award tier, which lets applicants gauge their realistic chances before submitting an application.
Supplementary application forms, where required, give admissions committees a chance to see leadership and community involvement that a transcript alone cannot show, and these details matter more for holistic awards than purely numeric entrance scholarships.
Applicants should also keep copies of every certificate, award, and leadership role listed on an application, since some universities request supporting documentation after an initial scholarship offer is made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Canadian entrance scholarships require a separate application?
Most, including those at Waterloo, York, and Calgary, are awarded automatically based on the regular admission application and academic transcripts.
Are these scholarships renewable every year?
Many are renewable for the full length of the degree provided a minimum grade average is maintained, though some entrance awards apply only to the first year.
Is the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship open to every country?
Yes, it is open to international applicants from any country, though the number of awards given each year is limited and highly competitive.
Does financial need factor into these scholarships?
Most of the awards listed here are merit-based rather than need-based, though some universities offer separate bursaries for students who can demonstrate financial hardship.
Can international students hold more than one scholarship at once?
Policies vary by university, with some allowing multiple smaller awards to be combined and others capping the total scholarship amount a student can receive.
How important are extracurricular activities for these awards?
For holistic programs like the UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award, leadership and community involvement carry real weight alongside academic performance.
Do these scholarships cover living expenses as well as tuition?
Some, like the Pearson Scholarship and Mastercard Foundation program, include residence or living support, while many entrance awards apply only toward tuition fees.