Last reviewed: October 2026
Canada remains one of the most popular study destinations for international students, but the cost of tuition, accommodation, transportation, health insurance and everyday living expenses can be high.
For students who cannot afford these expenses themselves, scholarships can make studying in Canada more realistic.
Several Canadian universities offer major scholarships to international students at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. Some awards can cover tuition and accommodation, while others provide substantial annual stipends or financial support based on a student’s demonstrated need.
However, students need to be careful when searching online.
Not every scholarship advertised as “fully funded” actually pays every expense, and some popular scholarship opportunities may already be closed for the 2027 intake.
This guide explains major scholarship and funding opportunities international students can consider for study in Canada in 2027, including current deadlines, eligibility requirements and what each award can cover.
Applicants should always confirm the latest information directly with the university or scholarship provider before applying.
Are There Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada for International Students?
Yes.
International students can receive full or substantial funding to study in Canada.
Funding can come from:
- Canadian universities
- Government scholarship programs
- Graduate fellowships
- Research funding
- Need-based university awards
- Merit-based entrance scholarships
Some scholarships cover tuition, books and accommodation.
Others provide a yearly or monthly stipend that students can use toward tuition and living costs.
It is therefore important to check the exact benefits before deciding that a scholarship is fully funded.
Top Canada Scholarships for International Students in 2027
| Scholarship | Study Level | International Students | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship | Undergraduate | Yes | Tuition, books, fees and residence |
| UBC International Scholars Program | Undergraduate | Yes | Major need-and-merit-based funding |
| McCall MacBain Scholarship | Graduate | Yes | Tuition, fees, living stipend and relocation support |
| UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship | Doctoral | Yes | $24,000 stipend plus tuition yearly |
| University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship | Master’s/PhD | Yes | Up to $20,000–$25,000 per year |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral | Doctoral | Limited international eligibility | $40,000 yearly for three years |
| Study in Canada Scholarships | Short-term study/research | Selected countries | Travel and living-related support |
1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is one of Canada’s best-known undergraduate scholarships for international students.
It is offered by the University of Toronto to exceptional international students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, creativity, leadership and positive contributions to their school or community.
The scholarship is particularly attractive because it provides funding for four years of undergraduate study.
What Does the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship covers:
- Tuition
- Books
- Incidental university fees
- Full residence support
The funding is available for four years of undergraduate study at the University of Toronto.
Approximately 37 students are selected as Pearson Scholars each year.
Who Can Apply for the 2027 Scholarship?
For the September 2027 intake, applicants must generally:
- Be international students who will require a Canadian study permit
- Be in their final year of secondary school during the 2026/2027 academic year or have graduated no earlier than June 2026
- Be planning to begin undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027
- Not already be enrolled in post-secondary education
Students starting university elsewhere in January 2027 are not eligible for the Pearson Scholarship.
Important 2027 Deadlines
There are three important deadlines.
School nomination deadline: October 9, 2026
University of Toronto admission application deadline for Pearson consideration: October 16, 2026
Pearson Scholarship application and document deadline: November 6, 2026
Students cannot simply apply for the scholarship without involvement from their secondary school.
A school must nominate the student.
Each participating high school can nominate only one student during the scholarship cycle.
Important Warning About Agents and AI
The University of Toronto has warned applicants about fraudulent scholarship offers and organizations claiming they can secure Pearson Scholarships.
The university does not use recruitment agents to award the scholarship.
The university also states that applicants must not use generative artificial intelligence to create their undergraduate award application content.
Students should therefore write their own scholarship responses and follow the university’s academic integrity rules carefully.
2. UBC International Scholars Program
The University of British Columbia offers another major funding opportunity for international undergraduate students.
The UBC International Scholars Program is designed for students who combine excellent academic results with leadership, community involvement and significant financial need.
It includes several award categories.
Examples include:
- Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award
- Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award
Applicants do not normally choose one specific award when submitting the International Scholars Program application. UBC considers eligible applicants for the appropriate awards.
Who Is Eligible?
For the 2027 intake, applicants generally need to:
- Be international students requiring a Canadian study permit
- Enter UBC directly from an accredited secondary school
- Be applying for their first undergraduate degree
- Have graduated from high school no earlier than June 2026
- Demonstrate excellent academic achievement
- Demonstrate leadership and community involvement
- Meet UBC admission requirements
- Meet the university’s English-language requirements
- Demonstrate significant financial need
UBC specifically states that applicants must be able to prove that attending the university would be impossible without meaningful financial assistance.
2027 Deadline
The deadline for international students who want to be considered for the UBC International Scholars Program is:
November 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
Applicants must complete both their UBC admission application and the required award application by the relevant scholarship deadline.
This is one of the major Canadian scholarship opportunities still available for students targeting the September 2027 intake.
3. McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill University
The McCall MacBain Scholarship is a major graduate scholarship available at McGill University.
It is intended for students who demonstrate strong character, leadership ability, community engagement and academic potential.
The scholarship can be used for eligible full-time master’s degrees and certain professional programs at McGill.
What Does the McCall MacBain Scholarship Cover?
The full scholarship covers:
- Tuition
- Eligible university fees
- A living stipend of CAD $2,300 per month during academic terms
- A one-time relocation grant for students moving to Montreal
- Leadership development
- Mentorship and coaching
Scholars who are not enrolled during a summer academic term may also be able to apply for up to CAD $5,000 for approved summer initiatives.
Is the 2027 McCall MacBain Scholarship Still Open?
No.
This is important for students reading scholarship lists online.
Applications for the Summer/Fall 2027 McCall MacBain cohort have already closed.
The international deadline was:
August 19, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Applicants studying at universities in Canada or the United States and Canadians abroad had a later deadline of September 23, 2026.
For the 2027 cohort, up to 30 full scholarships are being offered, including up to 10 for international applicants.
Students who missed the deadline should monitor the official scholarship website for information about the next application cycle rather than paying anyone who claims that a late application can still be submitted.
4. University of British Columbia Four Year Doctoral Fellowship
Graduate students interested in doctoral studies should also investigate UBC’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship, commonly called the 4YF.
The fellowship supports high-performing PhD, DMA and MD/PhD students.
International students are eligible.
How Much Is the UBC Four Year Fellowship Worth?
From September 2026 onward, UBC’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship provides:
- CAD $24,000 annual stipend
- Full tuition coverage
Funding may continue for up to four years of doctoral study.
This makes the 4YF one of the strongest university-based doctoral funding options available to international students at UBC.
How Do You Apply?
There is no single university-wide deadline for every student.
Deadlines are determined by individual UBC graduate programs.
Students planning to apply for a PhD should therefore check the funding and admission rules of their specific department early.
In many cases, doctoral funding consideration is connected to the graduate admission and nomination process.
5. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship, or UMGF, supports high-achieving graduate students.
Both master’s and PhD students may be considered, including eligible international students.
Students must normally be recommended by their academic department or graduate unit.
Scholarship Value
For master’s students:
CAD $20,000 per year.
The award may be provided for 12 or 24 months, giving a possible total of up to CAD $40,000.
For doctoral students:
CAD $25,000 per year.
Funding may continue for 12, 24, 36 or 48 months, depending on the award, giving a possible total of up to CAD $100,000.
Is This Automatically a Full Scholarship?
No.
This is an important distinction.
Although the funding is substantial, students should not automatically assume that the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship will cover every tuition and living expense.
The actual cost of studying and living in Canada should still be compared with the fellowship value.
Applicants should contact their intended University of Manitoba department to learn about deadlines and the nomination process.
6. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral
Doctoral students already studying at an eligible Canadian institution may also want to investigate the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral program.
The award supports students with strong research achievements, academic excellence and leadership potential.
The scholarship is worth:
CAD $40,000 per year for three years.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes, but there is an important restriction.
An applicant who is not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person generally needs to already be enrolled in a doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline.
Up to 15% of the awards may be available to international applicants.
This means it should not be promoted as a scholarship that every student living outside Canada can immediately apply for before admission.
Prospective international PhD students should first check whether they satisfy the enrolment requirement.
7. Government of Canada Study in Canada Scholarships
The Government of Canada also operates scholarship programs for international students through EduCanada.
One example is the Study in Canada Scholarships program.
However, this opportunity needs to be understood correctly.
It is primarily designed for short-term study or research exchanges rather than a complete four-year bachelor’s degree or full master’s degree.
For the 2026/2027 academic cycle, eligible participants can undertake short-term study or research in Canada.
Funding may support expenses such as:
- Airfare
- Living costs
- Health insurance
- Visa or permit fees
- Other eligible expenses
The program generally supports exchanges lasting approximately four to six months.
Can Nigerian Students Qualify?
Nigeria is among the eligible countries listed for the 2026/2027 Study in Canada Scholarships cycle.
Other eligible countries come from selected regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
However, individual students do not submit applications directly to the Government of Canada.
Canadian post-secondary institutions apply and manage the selection process in cooperation with partner institutions.
The application period for the current 2026/2027 call is already closed.
Students should watch EduCanada for future calls rather than relying on websites advertising the scholarship as permanently open.
Can Nigerian Students Get Scholarships in Canada?
Yes.
Nigerian students are eligible for many university-based Canadian scholarship opportunities provided they satisfy the individual requirements.
For example, Nigerian applicants may compete for opportunities such as:
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- UBC International Scholars Program
- Eligible McGill scholarships
- University of Manitoba graduate funding
- UBC graduate fellowships
Nigeria is also currently included among the eligible countries under Canada’s Study in Canada Scholarships short-term exchange program.
Being Nigerian does not guarantee funding.
Students still need to meet academic, admission, leadership, language and financial requirements.
What Documents Are Usually Required?
Scholarship requirements differ, but international applicants may need some of the following documents:
- International passport
- Secondary school results
- University transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Personal statement
- Scholarship essays
- Recommendation letters
- Academic references
- Résumé or CV
- Proof of English-language proficiency where required
- Research proposal for some graduate programs
- Evidence of leadership or extracurricular activities
- Family financial information for need-based scholarships
- School nomination forms
- University admission application
Do not submit false financial information or altered documents.
Universities may verify information provided during admission and scholarship applications.
Do You Need IELTS for Canadian Scholarships?
Not every scholarship has its own IELTS requirement.
However, the university may require applicants to demonstrate English-language proficiency before being admitted.
Depending on the university, accepted evidence can include IELTS, TOEFL or another approved test.
Some applicants may qualify for an exemption based on their previous education.
Always check the language requirements of the specific Canadian institution.
Do not assume that a scholarship automatically means IELTS is waived.
Can You Study in Canada for Free?
It is possible for some international students to complete their studies with most major educational expenses covered by scholarships or university funding.
For example, the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees and residence support for four years.
Doctoral students may also receive combinations of tuition funding, fellowships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships.
However, there is no general program that makes every Canadian university free for international students.
Scholarship selection remains highly competitive.
How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Canadian Scholarship
Start Before the Deadline
Major scholarships often close earlier than normal university admission.
For example, a student targeting the University of Toronto Pearson Scholarship cannot wait until 2027 to begin preparing.
The school nomination deadline is already October 9, 2026.
Build More Than Good Grades
Academic results are important, but scholarships such as Pearson, UBC International Scholars and McCall MacBain also look at qualities such as:
- Leadership
- Community service
- Initiative
- Character
- Extracurricular achievement
- Impact on other people
Ask for Recommendations Early
Do not wait until the application deadline before asking a teacher, lecturer or employer for a reference.
Give your recommender enough time to write something meaningful.
Follow the Exact Application Process
Some scholarships require school nomination.
Others use departmental nomination.
Others require a separate scholarship application after applying for admission.
Missing one part of the process can make an otherwise strong applicant ineligible.
Apply to More Than One Opportunity
Do not depend on a single scholarship.
Competition for major full scholarships can be extremely high.
Students should consider a combination of:
- University scholarships
- Entrance awards
- Department funding
- External scholarships
- Research assistantships
- Teaching assistantships
- Graduate fellowships
Scholarships Currently Worth Acting on for 2027
As of October 2026, students targeting undergraduate study in Canada in September 2027 should pay particular attention to two opportunities.
The University of Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship has deadlines beginning on October 9, 2026.
The UBC International Scholars Program has a November 15, 2026 deadline for international scholarship applicants.
Students interested in either opportunity should begin immediately.
By contrast, the McCall MacBain Scholarship application for international students seeking Summer/Fall 2027 admission has already closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Canadian university gives full scholarships to international students?
The University of Toronto offers the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, which covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.
UBC also provides significant need-and-merit-based support through its International Scholars Program.
Is there a fully funded scholarship in Canada without IELTS?
A scholarship itself may not always require IELTS, but applicants must still meet the university’s English-language admission requirements.
Some universities accept alternative proof of English ability or provide exemptions under specific circumstances.
Can I apply for Canadian scholarships before getting admission?
It depends on the scholarship.
Some scholarship applications are completed alongside university admission, while others require a nomination or admission first.
Always follow the exact instructions for the specific award.
Can I get a scholarship in Canada with average grades?
Major full scholarships are extremely competitive and generally favor students with excellent academic records.
However, Canadian institutions offer many other entrance awards, bursaries and funding programs with different requirements.
Students should search beyond only the largest full scholarships.
Are Canadian scholarships available for master’s students?
Yes.
Graduate applicants can find university fellowships, research funding, departmental awards and major scholarships.
One example is the McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill, although applications for its 2027 international cohort are already closed.
Are scholarships available for PhD students in Canada?
Yes.
PhD students can receive support through university fellowships, research grants, teaching assistantships and national doctoral scholarships.
UBC’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship, for example, provides a CAD $24,000 annual stipend plus full tuition for up to four years.
Final Thoughts
Fully funded and heavily funded study opportunities are available to international students in Canada, but students must understand exactly what each scholarship covers.
For undergraduate students seeking admission in 2027, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship and UBC International Scholars Program are two major opportunities to investigate immediately.
Graduate students should also research university fellowships and departmental funding rather than depending only on scholarships advertised on social media.
Students interested in doctoral studies can explore programs such as the UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship, University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship and Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral where they meet the eligibility requirements.
Always check three things before applying:
Is the scholarship currently open?
Are international students eligible?
Does the scholarship actually cover the expenses you expect it to cover?
These simple checks can help applicants avoid expired opportunities, misleading scholarship advertisements and scholarship scams.
AdmissionHub will continue reviewing scholarship opportunities and updating this guide as Canadian universities release new information for the 2027 admission cycle.
