Top 10 Postgraduate (Taught) Scholarships for International Students in Canada
Finding major, country-wide, fully-funded scholarships specifically for taught postgraduate (Master's) programs (M.A., M.Sc., M.Eng. not leading to a Ph.D.) is challenging, as the largest Canadian government and university scholarships often target Ph.D. or research-based Master's students.
The list below focuses on the most significant and widely available awards, including those offering fee reductions/exemptions, which are highly valuable for international students in taught programs:
1. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
- Short Description: A provincial scholarship awarded by universities in Ontario to excellent students in all disciplines, applicable to both Master's (including taught) and Doctoral studies.
- Eligibility Criteria: Must be admitted to an eligible full-time graduate program (Master's or Doctoral) in a participating Ontario university (e.g., U of T, Queen's, Western, Waterloo). Must have achieved a first-class average (A-/80% or equivalent) in each of the last two full years of study. Open to international students (a limited number of awards).
- Timing of Scholarship: Annual application cycle; applications are typically submitted directly to the host university in Fall/Winter (e.g., October to February) for funding the following academic year.
- Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Provincial).
- Coverage: $15,000 for one year (paid in three sessions of $5,000 each). Some universities may supplement the OGS.
- Obligation: Must maintain full-time registration in the graduate program.
2. Université de Montréal Exemption Scholarship (M.Sc. Non-Research)
- Short Description: A scholarship program granting a substantial tuition fee exemption to outstanding international Master's students, allowing them to pay fees similar to Quebec residents.
- Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student (non-French/French-speaking Belgian) newly admitted to an eligible Master's program (including taught/professional Master's). Selection is based on the excellence of the academic record provided during the admission application.
- Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration upon admission. No separate scholarship application is required.
- Types of Scholarship: Tuition Fee Exemption/Reduction (Merit-based).
- Coverage: Provides a reduction in tuition fees, bringing the cost closer to that of Quebec residents, resulting in savings of over $11,000 per year for non-research Master's programs.
- Obligation: Must maintain continuous full-time enrollment and valid study authorizations.
3. University of Calgary Graduate Awards (Master’s Taught/Course-Based)
- Short Description: The University of Calgary offers numerous awards and scholarships to incoming graduate students, many of which are open to international students, including those in course-based Master's programs.
- Eligibility Criteria: Varies significantly by award. Generally requires a high GPA in the previous degree (e.g., $3.5$ or higher on a $4.0$ scale) and full-time admission to an eligible graduate program.
- Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration for many awards upon application for admission, though some require a separate application via the student portal by a specific deadline (often in the Fall/Winter).
- Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Entrance/In-Course/Departmental).
- Coverage: Values vary widely, from smaller one-time awards of $1,000–$5,000 to larger, multi-year awards. Examples include Graduate Entrance Scholarships and specialized departmental awards.
- Obligation: Must maintain satisfactory academic standing as defined by the graduate program and remain registered full-time.
4. University of Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE)
- Short Description: A prestigious, term-based award for high-calibre international Master's students, specifically including those in eligible course-based programs in certain faculties.
- Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student admitted to a full-time, eligible Master's program (often research-based, but check faculty-specific exceptions for taught programs). Must have a first-class average (or equivalent) in the previous degree.
- Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration upon application for admission and program recommendation.
- Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Entrance/Renewable).
- Coverage: $2,500 per term for up to five terms (total $12,500). This funding is often combined with other sources.
- Obligation: Maintain full-time registration and good academic standing throughout the terms of the award.
5. Dalhousie University International Scholarship
- Short Description: Dalhousie offers various entrance scholarships and funding opportunities specifically for international students admitted to graduate programs, including some professional Master's (taught) programs.
- Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student admitted to an eligible Master's program. Based on academic merit (high GPA in the Bachelor's degree).
- Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration upon application for admission for many entrance awards. Application deadlines for admission (e.g., December/January) usually serve as the deadline for scholarship consideration.
- Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Entrance/In-Course).
- Coverage: Values vary, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for the first year, which can help offset international tuition fees.
- Obligation: Maintain good academic standing. Some department-specific awards may have research or work obligations (e.g., Teaching Assistantships).
6. McGill University Merit-Based Recruitment Awards (Master’s)
- Short Description: McGill offers significant entrance funding to outstanding graduate students through a centralized process, with awards often allocated at the Faculty/Department level, applicable to strong applicants in professional/taught programs.
- Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student accepted into an eligible Master’s program. Selection is based on academic excellence (GPA, academic standing, and recognized achievements).
- Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration upon application for admission for many entrance awards. The admission application deadline (typically December/January) is the key.
- Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Entrance Award).
- Coverage: Awards vary significantly, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 or more, applied to tuition/fees. Departments often package these awards with other funding.
- Obligation: Full-time enrollment and maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
7. University of British Columbia (UBC) Affiliated Fellowships (Master's)
- Short Description: A pool of over 70 endowed and internally funded fellowships administered by UBC, with a number open to international students in Master's programs, including those who may be course-based.
- Eligibility Criteria: Must be a full-time, international student admitted to a Master's degree program. Requires an outstanding academic record (first-class average in the last two years of study) and demonstrated scholarly excellence.
- Timing of Scholarship: Application is typically completed concurrently with the application for admission to the graduate program or shortly after, with internal deadlines usually in December or January.
- Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Major Fellowship).
- Coverage: Varies greatly; awards can range from $175 to $30,000. Many are valued at $16,000 (for 12 months).
- Obligation: Must meet and maintain the academic requirements of the fellowship and the graduate program.
8. Queen’s University Tri-Council Equivalent Scholarships (Master’s)
- Short Description: Queen's often offers its highest-achieving international Master's students internal funding packages equivalent in value to the major national tri-council scholarships (which are generally restricted to domestic students).
- Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student admitted to an eligible Master's program. Selection is based on exceptional academic merit (first-class standing/highest GPA).
- Timing of Scholarship: Automatic consideration upon application for admission, with the most competitive candidates identified by their department/faculty in the Winter/Spring for the September intake.
- Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Entrance/Internal Equivalent).
- Coverage: Varies, but can be competitive, offering a stipend of around $17,500 for one year.
- Obligation: Maintain full-time enrollment and good academic standing.
9. University of Alberta (U of A) Graduate Entrance Scholarship (GES)
- Short Description: Awards offered by many U of A departments to Master's students (including taught programs) based on academic excellence.
- Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student with a superior academic record (e.g., GPA of $3.5$ or equivalent) applying for or entering a Master's program.
- Timing of Scholarship: Varies by department, but often applicants are automatically considered upon application for admission. Departments typically make recommendations in the Winter/Spring.
- Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Entrance Award/Stipend).
- Coverage: Values vary, but can be a one-time award of $3,000–$5,000, or a larger stipend packaged with other funds, depending on the department.
- Obligation: Maintain full-time registration in the graduate program.
10. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)
- Short Description: Merit-based awards funded by the University of Manitoba for Master's and Ph.D. students of any nationality, including those in eligible course-based Master's programs (excluding MBA/MFin/MSCM).
- Eligibility Criteria: Must be an international student registered full-time in an eligible Master's program (Master's Taught students should confirm program eligibility). Requires a minimum admission GPA of $3.0$ (or higher, depending on the department).
- Timing of Scholarship: Application is often automatic upon being accepted into the graduate program, though departments may have a screening process. Awards are made in the Spring/Summer.
- Types of Scholarship: Merit-based (Renewable Stipend).
- Coverage: Approximately $14,000 per year for 12 or 24 months for Master's students.
- Obligation: Maintain continuous full-time registration and satisfy the department's academic progress requirements for renewal.
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