15 Best Scholarships for International Students in Canada 2026 (Fully Funded)

Quick Summary

Canada offers 15+ major scholarships for international students in 2026, ranging from partial entrance awards to fully funded programmes worth CAD $50,000/year.

Top options include: Vanier CGS (PhD), UBC International Scholars, OGS (Master’s/PhD), Dalhousie Award, and Trudeau Foundation Scholarship. Most deadlines fall between October and February. No IELTS? Several universities accept Duolingo or institutional English certificates.

Read on for the full list, eligibility, deadlines, and how to apply.

Canada is consistently ranked among the world’s top study destinations, hosting over 800,000 international students annually across 97 public universities and more than 15,000 academic programmes. A Canadian degree carries global recognition comparable to credentials from the United States and the United Kingdom — and it can also serve as a direct pathway to permanent residency.Yet the cost of studying in Canada remains a major barrier. For students interested in UK-based funding, our Commonwealth Scholarship guide for Nigerian students covers everything you need to prepare for the 2027/28 cycle opening in August 2026.

Annual tuition for international students typically ranges from CAD $20,000 to $50,000. That is where scholarships come in.In this guide — compiled from our 6+ years of scholarship research experience at AfricanBase — we break down 15 of the best scholarships for international students in Canada in 2026, covering undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels, with full details on deadlines, coverage, and eligibility.

Undergraduate Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Discover the best scholarships available for international students who wish to study in Canada.

University of British Columbia (UBC) — International Scholars Program

UBC is one of Canada’s most prestigious universities and offers two flagship awards through its International Scholars Program:

Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award — for students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and exemplary leadership. Nominees must be submitted by a school guidance counsellor or a recognised non-profit organisation. Each institution may only nominate a limited number of candidates.

Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award — specifically targets exceptional students from regions affected by poverty, conflict, or disaster who have achieved academic excellence despite difficult circumstances.

Key Details:

• Coverage: Full tuition + living expenses (fully funded)
• Application Deadline: Nomination by November 15, 2025; UBC admission application by December 1, 2025
• Who can apply: International undergraduate applicants nominated by their school

Official website: students.ubc.ca/enrolment/finances/awards-scholarships-bursaries

Nigerian students specifically should also read our guide to Canada Public Health Scholarships 2026 for Nigerians which covers MPH and health-specific funding in detail.

UBC International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES) & Outstanding International Student (OIS) Award

These two awards are automatically considered when you submit your UBC undergraduate application — no separate application required. They are merit-based and recognise students with exceptional academic records.

• Coverage: Partial tuition (amount varies by award)
• Deadline: Auto-considered at time of application
• Who can apply: All international undergraduate applicants to UBC

Students must be nominated by their school guidance counselor or a non-profit organization to be considered for these awards. The nomination process is competitive, with each institution allowed to nominate a limited number of candidates.

York University International Student Scholarship

York University offers one of the most generous entrance scholarships for international undergraduates in Canada.

• Coverage: Up to CAD $35,000 over four years
• Deadline: February annually
• Who can apply: International applicants with strong academic performance

Official website: futurestudents.yorku.ca/scholarships

University of Calgary International Scholarship

The University of Calgary awards entrance scholarships to high-achieving international undergraduates.

• Coverage: CAD $15,000
• Deadline: February annually (apply with admission)
• Eligibility: International applicants with a minimum 85% average or equivalent

Official website: ucalgary.ca/registrar/finances-tuition-scholarships

McGill University Entrance Scholarships

McGill, ranked among the top 50 universities globally, offers entrance scholarships automatically considered at the time of admission review.

• Coverage: CAD $3,000–$12,000
• Deadline: Auto-considered with application

Official website: mcgill.ca/studentaid/scholarships-awards

Simon Fraser University (SFU) International Scholarships

SFU awards merit-based scholarships to incoming international students across all faculties.

• Coverage: CAD $3,500–$7,500
• Deadline: With admission application

Official website: sfu.ca/students/financialaid

Humber College International Entrance Scholarship

For students pursuing college diplomas or degrees, Humber College offers entrance awards to international students — a great option for those considering vocational or applied programmes.

• Coverage: Up to CAD $5,000
• Deadline: Rolling (applied with admission)

Official website: humber.ca/international/scholarships

Postgraduate Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Browse our full collection of postgraduate scholarships open to Nigerian students for additional funding options across health, science, and related fields.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships — The Flagship Award

The Vanier CGS is Canada’s most prestigious scholarship for doctoral students. Administered by Canada’s federal research councils (NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR), it is awarded to world-class doctoral candidates who demonstrate both academic excellence and leadership potential.

• Coverage: CAD $50,000 per year for up to three years (fully funded)
• Deadline: November annually (nominees submitted through a Canadian university)
• Eligibility: International PhD students who are nominated by a Canadian institution; applicants must not have completed more than 20 months of doctoral studies at the time of nomination

Official website: vanier.gc.ca

This is among the most competitive scholarships in Canada. If you are already in contact with a Canadian university supervisor, ask them directly about Vanier nominations.

Trudeau Foundation Scholarship

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation supports PhD students whose research addresses one or more of Canada’s social challenges, including human rights, responsible citizenship, and Canada’s engagement in the world.

• Coverage: CAD $40,000/year + CAD $20,000 travel/networking allowance (up to 4 years)
• Deadline: November annually
• Eligibility: PhD students in social sciences or humanities at a Canadian university

Official website: trudeaufoundation.ca

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

The OGS is a merit-based programme funded jointly by the Government of Ontario and participating universities. It supports master’s and doctoral students across all disciplines at publicly funded Ontario universities.

• Coverage: CAD $10,000 (master’s) or CAD $15,000 (PhD) per year
• Deadline: Varies by university — typically January to March
• Eligibility: International students holding a valid Canadian study permit who are enrolled (or will be enrolled) at a participating Ontario university
• How to apply: Through the graduate studies office of your university
• Official website: ontario.ca/ogs

For Nigerian students with a lower CGPA, explore our dedicated guide on Canada scholarships for Nigerian students with low CGPA — several of these programs have flexible academic requirements

Application Tips

• Early Preparation: Begin the application process well in advance to gather necessary documents and meet deadlines.
• Strong Recommendations: Secure compelling letters of recommendation from teachers or community leaders who can attest to your academic abilities and character.
• Highlight Achievements: Emphasize extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and community service in your application to demonstrate a well-rounded profile.
• Financial Documentation: Provide clear evidence of financial need, if applicable, to strengthen your case for need-based scholarships.

International students can make their dream of studying in Canada a reality by leveraging these scholarship opportunities. Staying informed about application deadlines and requirements is essential to maximize your chances of success.

NSERC Scholarships (Postgraduate Research Awards)

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) funds graduate students in science, engineering, and related fields through two main awards: the Canada Graduate Scholarship – Master’s (CGS-M) and the Postgraduate Scholarship – Doctoral (PGS-D).

• Coverage: CGS-M: CAD $17,500 for 12 months | PGS-D: CAD $21,000–$35,000/year for 1–3 years
• Deadline: October/November annually
• Eligibility: Students enrolled or planning to enrol in a Canadian graduate programme in natural sciences or engineering. International applicants must apply through a Canadian institution.

Official website: nserc-crsng.gc.ca

University of Saskatchewan Graduate Scholarship (UGS)

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) ranks among Canada’s top 15 research-intensive universities. The UGS supports graduate students in selected departments who are nominated by their faculty.

• Coverage: Varies by department and faculty
• Deadline: Departmental nomination — contact your department directly
• Eligibility: Graduate students in good academic standing nominated by their department

Official website: usask.ca/cgsr/funding

Dalhousie University Award

Dalhousie University offers a comprehensive fully funded award for graduate and postdoctoral students through its Harmonized Scholarship Process, meaning one application gives you access to multiple scholarships simultaneously.

• Coverage: CAD $30,000 + monthly stipend + housing + health insurance fee waiver
• Deadline: Rolling (contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies)
• Eligibility: Current and prospective graduate and postdoctoral students

Official website: dal.ca/faculty/gradstudies/funding

IDRC Research Awards (International Development Research Centre)

For students from developing countries — including African nations — the IDRC Research Awards offer fully funded support for research on global development challenges, making this particularly relevant for AfricanBase readers.

• Coverage: Full funding including stipend, travel, and research costs
• Deadline: Varies by cycle — check the IDRC website
• Eligibility: Master’s or PhD students from developing countries conducting research relevant to IDRC’s programme areas (health, food security, climate change, etc.)

Official website: idrc.ca/en/funding/idrc-research-awards

Can You Apply for Canada Scholarships Without IELTS?

Yes — many Canadian universities accept alternative English proficiency proof beyond IELTS. Accepted alternatives include:

• Duolingo English Test (DET) — accepted at many major Canadian universities
• TOEFL iBT — widely accepted across all scholarship programmes
• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) or Proficiency (CPE)
• Institutional English Proficiency Certificate from your previous school (if instruction was in English)
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)

That said, universities with highly competitive scholarship programmes — such as UBC, McGill, and U of T — strongly prefer applicants with IELTS scores of 7.0 or above, as it signals both academic readiness and application strength.

If sitting IELTS is currently not feasible, our recommendation is to take the Duolingo English Test as a practical starting point, then upgrade to IELTS before applying to top-tier scholarship programmes.

If IELTS is a concern, see our dedicated guide on fully funded scholarships for African students that require no IELTS — several China programs are included.

How to Apply for Canada Scholarships: 7 Proven Tips

Before applying, make sure you understand what each award covers — our guide on the difference between fully funded and partial scholarships will help you set realistic funding expectations.

• Start 6–12 months early — Most fully funded scholarships require detailed documents. Begin gathering transcripts, references, and essays well ahead of the deadline.
• Contact a potential supervisor first — For graduate scholarships, a professor’s willingness to supervise you significantly improves your chances of being nominated (especially for Vanier and NSERC).
• Write a compelling personal statement — Your personal statement must clearly explain your academic goals, research interests, and why Canada. Avoid generic phrases like ‘I have always been passionate about…’ and lead with specific achievements. A strong personal statement is essential at this stage — use our guide on how to write a winning scholarship essay with real examples to craft one that stands out to the selection committee.
• Secure strong reference letters — Request references from academics or professionals who can speak specifically to your intellectual abilities, not just your character. Give them your CV, the scholarship details, and enough notice (at least 4 weeks). Strong referee support is equally critical — share our guide on how to write a scholarship recommendation letter with your supervisor so their letter strengthens rather than weakens your application.
• Tailor each application — Do not submit a generic application to multiple scholarships. Each scholarship has a distinct mission; your essay should reflect that.
• Highlight leadership and community impact — Canadian scholarship committees value students who give back. Document volunteer work, mentorship, or community initiatives clearly.
• Verify deadlines on official websites — Deadlines change yearly. Always confirm directly on the scholarship’s official page before submitting. A missed deadline cannot be appealed.

If you are applying for your first international student visa, our Nigerian student visa guide 2026 covers the general process and documents Nigerian applicants commonly need across different destinations.

University of Waterloo Scholarship

To aid Canadian and international students, the University of Waterloo is awarding the David Johnston-Lebovic Foundation International Experience Awards to highly deserving candidates.

Students from all over the world who wish to enroll in any undergraduate or graduate degree program offered by the Waterloo Faculty can apply through this full-time program. The faculties will recommend qualified students based on the number of awards allocated to the Faculty.

Faculties will select students based on their admission applications, which must demonstrate academic distinction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Nigerian students looking for similarly affordable European-standard education with full funding should also explore fully funded scholarships in China 2026 — another top destination with no IELTS requirement for many programs.

Final Thoughts: Is Canada Worth It for International Students in 2026?

Canada remains one of the most welcoming, academically rigorous, and post-study-friendly destinations in the world. With over 800,000 international students and immigration pathways designed to retain graduates, a Canadian education is not just a degree — it is an investment in your global future.

The scholarships in this guide collectively represent thousands of dollars in available funding. The difference between getting funded and not is rarely talent; it is preparation, timing, and how well you communicate your story.

Bookmark this page, check back as deadlines approach, and use the AfricanBase Application Guides to strengthen every part of your application.

Related Resources on AfricanBase

• → How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay (With Real Examples)
• → Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada for African Students
• → How to Immigrate to Canada from Nigeria — Step-by-Step Guide
• → Difference Between Fully Funded and Partial Scholarships
• → Canada Public Health Scholarships 2026 for Nigerian Students