It is common to find international students who are unable to pay their university education owing to exorbitant tuition fees.
Furthermore, tuition fees for international students at Canadian colleges and universities are among the highest in the world.
It’s difficult enough to raise the finances to apply for a relocation to Canada. Putting college costs on top of that makes it much more difficult to get by.
As a result, they will undoubtedly need financial aid to alleviate the load it creates on them. Scholarships play a huge role in assisting them.
This article will go over several postgraduate scholarships that are available to international students studying in Canada.
Who is a postgraduate student?
A postgraduate is a student who has completed an undergraduate or first degree level course at a college or university and is pursuing further education.
Several scholarship programs have been created by Canadian colleges and universities to make it easier for students to study in Canada.
The primary purpose of these scholarship programs is to attract more international students to study postgraduate courses in Canada.
These scholarships help both domestic and international students with living expenses, tuition fees, transportation costs, and so forth.
These scholarships are frequently given to exceptional individuals who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and promise.
Let’s take a look at some of the scholarships available to postgraduate students in Canada.
1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program was launched by the Canadian government in 2008 in order to attract and retain world-class PhD candidates and to strengthen Canada as a global center of excellence in research and higher education.
Vanier Scholars demonstrate both leadership and academic performance in graduate study in the social and human sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and health.
The funds are for doctoral degrees (or a combined MA/PhD or MD/PhD) at participating Canadian universities.
Every year, the Canadian government will provide $50,000 to qualified students.
Criteria for application:
- The applicant’s academic past, as well as their shown distinction in academic accomplishment throughout their scholarly career.
- Proven by the candidate’s research history, zeal for discovery, planned research and its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field, and any predicted repercussions.
2. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships
International students pursuing PhD studies in the social sciences and humanities at a Canadian university, or who are enrolled full-time in the first or second year of such a program, are eligible for a range of scholarships.
It is valued up to $60,000 each year for a maximum of three years per scholar.
The scholarship program covers tuition, living fees, travel allowance, health insurance, and book allowance.
3. Ontario Graduate Scholarships
The Government of Ontario, in partnership with the University of Toronto, offers Ontario Graduate Scholarships to ambitious international students wishing to pursue Master’s or Doctoral degree programs at Toronto University.
International students from all over the world, as well as Canadian citizens and permanent residents, have received merit-based scholarships through the Ontario Graduate Scholarship.
Each session of the OGS is worth $5,000. As a result, victors might get $10,000 or $15,000 for two or three consecutive sessions. In all cases, the awarding graduate unit will contribute one-third of the students’ total prize.
To be eligible, you must satisfy the following requirements:
- International students studying or wishing to study at the University of Toronto on a temporary residence visa must be Canadian citizens, Permanent Residents, or Protected Persons, according to paragraph 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
- If you have completed two years of graduate studies, you must have obtained an A- (or equivalent) in each of the previous two years of full-time study, or an overall average of at least A- (or similar) on all graduate courses studied.
- Maintain full-time enrollment at the University of Toronto in an authorized program at the graduate unit where the OGS was conferred.
4. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships
The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF) are merit-based awards offered to students of any country enrolling at the University of Manitoba as full-time postgraduates (Master’s or Ph.D.).
The scholarships are worth $18,000 for PhD students and $14,000 for Master’s students during a 12-month period.
5. University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarships
Foreign students who want to pursue graduate studies at the University of Waterloo can apply for a number of scholarships.
Graduate scholarships are offered at the University of Waterloo for both international and domestic students.
It will be awarded to graduate students attending full-time in a Master’s or Doctoral program at the University of Waterloo. All students are eligible to apply.
The scholarship is worth $1,000 every term for a total of three terms. The value and length may vary depending on the student’s other sources of funding.
Interested applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
- International and domestic graduate students pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree full-time.
- It is essential to have a first-class (80%) cumulative average in the present program or the prior two full-time academic years.
- There is no requirement to apply. Departments will automatically choose students based on their financial allocation.
6. Canada Commonwealth Fellowship Program
Up to ten scholarships are granted each year to international graduate students who wish to continue their studies at one of Canada’s four schools.
Doctorate students can receive up to $75,000 in tuition and living expenses (funded by the Canadian government) for the length of their study.
7. University of Montreal UdeM Exemption Scholarship for International Students
The Université de Montréal has introduced a new scholarship program to alleviate the burden of increased tuition charges for international students.
The program’s purpose is to help new international students from all over the world while also promoting cultural diversity.
The UdeM exemption scholarship program was established to help international students pay for their university tuition.
The program is open to undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students, and fees will be reimbursed based on academic performance. Students from various backgrounds are invited to apply.
The UdeM Exemption Scholarship for Foreign Students provides students to more and better opportunities, as well as advanced study in postgraduate programs for selected students.
This scholarship is for students:
- who are not qualified for another sort of tuition fee exemption through another program or initiative.
- They hold a study permit but are not Canadian permanent residents or citizens.
- Who will be enrolled in a full-time study program for the remainder of their schooling.
8. University of Saskatchewan Graduate Scholarship
The University of Saskatchewan Graduate Scholarship offers overseas students with full financing for master’s and doctorate study. This scholarship gives $20,000 to PhD students and $16,000 to Masters students.
9. Government of Canada Postdoctoral Research Program
The Postdoctoral Research Program enables scientists who have just acquired a doctorate degree in a natural sciences area to collaborate with research groups or leaders at Canadian government laboratories and research institutions across the country.
As a result, the Canadian government benefits from new and emerging talent.
Federal research experts contribute to strategic decisions, policies, legislation, and programs through their research by providing a sound scientific knowledge foundation.
Eligibility criteria:
- People who have acquired a PhD in natural sciences during the last three (three) years
- Candidates who were unable to apply within the three-year term due to a significant professional interruption or delay may be given special consideration. If you have any queries concerning your eligibility for the program, please contact the PRP Mailbox (nrcan.PRP.rncan@canada.ca).
- Applications will be accepted if the candidate is enrolled in a PhD program at a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Foreign credentials must be supported by verification of similar Canadian credentials.