Masters Scholarships For International Students in Canada 2022-2023

Masters Scholarships For International Students in Canada: Is it possible to get fully funded Masters in Canada? yes!!! very much possible. Without a doubt, Masters scholarships are a great way for international and Canadian graduate students to study for free in Canada.

Every year, the Canadian Government awards up to 167 scholarships to international students studying a master’s program.

Over 500 students each year receive scholarships from various Canadian institutions.

Invariably what this means is that there are a lot of graduate Scholarships for students who want to study in Canada.

Most of these Canadian masters scholarships are given based on scholastic excellence and demonstrated interest in pursuing research in specific areas.

From research, the number of international students on scholarships in Canada is expected to rise to 500,000 from 350,000 in 2020. 

For the purpose of this article, we have put together the available masters scholarships for international students who want to study in Canada.

So, if you’re looking to get any of the free masters scholarships in Canada, this all-in-one article will bring to your fingertips tips the very best.

However, keep in mind that most of these Canadian masters scholarships are specific to some disciplines.

Find out more, below!!! but before that;

Why Study in Canada

Canada has 96 universities scattered across its urban and regional areas, most of which are very welcoming to international students.

A peculiarity of Canada is that there are two national languages ​​- that’s true, you probably already know that: English in the west and French in the east of the province of Quebec. If you want to broaden your horizons as an ESL or FSL student, Canada is the place for you!

This is if you don’t mind studying during winter. As everywhere in the world, people reflect on their surroundings.

From the rugged mountain ranges of British Columbia to the vast underground shopping malls connected by subway stations, Canadian and international students accept what for some is a source of purity, benevolence, and exceptional standards of higher education.

Canadians are known to be a very friendly bunch. Additionally, with a variety of incentives to study as a foreigner in Canada, the country is constantly on the verge of social systems and technology, which greatly suits the open-mindedness of students studying abroad.

What Did you Hear About Canadian Universities?

Major cities in Canada – Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal – let you aim darts first when you plan to study abroad in Canada. According to QS Best Student Cities 2018, Montreal is the fourth-best student city in the world, with Toronto in 13th and Vancouver in 17th place!

However, some of the country’s most internationally respected universities are located in mid-range regions. Depending on the field of study, your preferred geography, and cold tolerance level, it may be more pleasant for you to study outside the three capitals.

QS World University Rankings 2019 places 26 of the 96 Canadian universities on the list!

Here are the top 10 Canadian universities:

• Queen’s University
• University of Calgary
• Western University
• University of Waterloo
• Université de Montréal
• McMaster University
• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• McGill University
• University of Toronto

That notwithstanding, Canada wouldn’t accept around 572,000 international students each year if it weren’t for a wide range of courses – from computer science and information technology to media and journalism, agricultural science and forestry, to economics and finance. You are sure to find the right course!

Canada is also home to more than 150 colleges that offer short courses and diplomas. You can find one that perfectly suits your needs. Although you have to go through the same process to get a student visa, it can save you money on the total tuition fees.

The Canadian school year usually starts in September, although some postgraduate programs start sooner or later. Make sure to check it out!

Who Sponsors Masters Scholarships in Canada For International Students?

Masters Scholarships are offered by a variety of sources.

Some of the scholarships international master’s students in Canada can apply for are sponsored by;

• Canadian Universities
• Some Charity Foundations 
• The Canadian Government etc

Some of these are partially funded and fully funded scholarships.

Are Masters Scholarships For International Students in Canada Fully-funded?

No.

Not all Canadian masters scholarships are fully funded.

Some are partially funded whereas others will only fund you for a period of 12 months after which you have to fend for yourself.

For students who have no financial freedom, you can focus more on fully-funded scholarships or be willing to work while you research.

What are the Requirements to Apply for Graduate Scholarships in Canada?

Well, there are no specific requirements for all the free masters scholarships for international students in Canada.

However, from a general perspective, you need to prepare the following documents;

• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• Completely filled scholarship application form.
• Letters of Recommendation.
• Proof of English language proficiency.
• Approved Research topic etc

We do not limit the requirements to these few.

Do visit the School offering the scholarship website once you’ve made a choice of which to apply for.

How Do I Choose From the Free Masters Scholarships For International Students in Canada?

It’s normal if you find it pretty hard to choose from the long list of promising Canadian scholarships available to graduate students in Canada.

There are a lot of scholarships in Canada and making a choice from the pool can be a herculean task.

However, you shouldn’t make the mistake of making the right choice.

That’s why we have come up with a list of strategic ways to make a choice of scholarship if you want to study in Canada.

Before choosing to apply to any of the Canadian masters scholarships for international students, here’s what to do;

#1. Find a Detailed List Of Scholarships for Graduate Programmes.

Just like you will find out below, there are many graduate scholarships for international students in Canada.

All you have to do to begin your search is carefully lookout for the available scholarships, financial aid programs, student fellowships, grants, etc. 

#2. Find out if they are Fully or Partially Funded

Next in your journey to secure one of the available scholarships in Canada for international students doing a masters program is to check the funds.

Some scholarships are partially funded whereas the others cover all expenses.

If you’re looking for a partially funded scholarship take note of them

However, if you need a scholarship that will cover all expenses, go for fully-funded scholarships.

#3. Check What Academic Disciplines Can Apply

Now, this is a crucial part.

One of the reasons why many international students do not receive a call back for their application is because the scholarship does not support your preferred program.

In your journey to filter the best scholarships that suit your academic needs as a masters student, check what disciplines, subjects and specializations they cover.

Take note of the free scholarships in Canada that fund your preferred masters program.

#4. Choose At Least Five

Why five?

First, you’re not sure which scholarship you’re going to get.

So the idea is to send your application to as many scholarships as possible.

Five is a good number to start.

From your list, pick a scholarship for your Master and apply to partially or completely cover your tuition fees for business schools, law schools, engineering schools, medical schools, and more.

#5. Are You Eligible for the Scholarship? Do You Have the Requirements?

Answering this question is a crucial step in your getting the right scholarship.

Ensure you have the requirements and documents to apply for these scholarships.

If not, that’s a disappointment waiting already in the mailbox.

#6. Send in Your Application

Once you have confirmed that you are the perfect candidate for all the 5 master’s scholarships for international students to study in Canada you have chosen, send in your application.

What?

Yes, send in your application. Ensure you fill the form adequately. Submit all the necessary documents. And hope for the best.

Read Also: 41 Scholarships for International Students in Canada 2022

Available Masters Scholarships For International Students in Canada

Here are some available Canadian scholarships for masters students who want to study in Canada;

#1. University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Awards

Sponsor: University of Waterloo

Scholarship Value: $2,045 per term for 2 years 

Eligible Courses: Engineering, Natural Sciences, Health, Social Sciences or Humanities.

The University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Awards is aimed at attracting and retaining world-class and highly qualified master’s students.

It’s one of the Canadian master’s scholarships that seeks to establish Canada as a global center for research and higher education.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants must be enrolled full-time in research-based graduate degree programs.
• This program must be at the University of Waterloo.
• Also, all applicants must hold a valid Canadian study permit
• This is one of the masters scholarships for international students in Canada that requires you not to have outstanding probationary admission requirements.
• Also, you must not be a recipient of another external award, sponsorship, or be self-funded.

#2. Ontario Graduate Scholarship 

Sponsor: Canadian Government

Scholarship Value: $15,000 per year for 2 years

Eligible Courses: All Disciplines of Academic Study

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship aims at encouraging excellence in graduate studies.

It is one of the free scholarships that international masters students get in Canada based on merit.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants must be international students studying in Ontario.
• Also, they must possess a student study permit.
• Candidates must have achieved a first-class average, (A-/80%), in the last two full-time academic years
• Must be academically excellent with a weight of 30-50%.
• Must have publications, conferences, presentations and original works with a weight of 30-50%.
• Also, you maut have Communication and leadership ability. This they will access via a list of relevant volunteer, leadership and academic work experience

#3. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships

Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Scholarship Value: $14,000 for 12-months

Eligible Courses: All Disciplines of Academic Study.

The University of Manitoba offers one of the best master’s scholarships for international students to study in Canada.

Usually, this scholarship offers merit-based awards to all master’s students regardless of their nationality.

However, you must be registered as a full-time Master’s student at the University of Manitoba.

Also, students are eligible to receive fellowships for the first 24 months of their Master’s program.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum GPA of 3.75 (above B+) in the last two years of study in bachelor’s degree.
• All disciplines can apply except for MBA students and those in the College of Medicine.

#4. University of Calgary Graduate Awards

Sponsor: University of Calgary

Scholarship Value: $1,000 – $40,000 

Eligible Courses: All Disciplines of Academic Study.

Here’s another Canadian master’s scholarship open to international students.

It offers master’s students an opportunity to run their program without thinking of the financial implications.

Eligibility Criteria

• This is one of the masters scholarships in Canada that requires international students to apply only after they have submitted their admission application to the University of Calgary.
• You must have a University of Calgary student number before you apply.

#5. Alberta Innovates

Sponsor: University of Alberta

Scholarship Value: $26,500 for 2 years 

Eligible Courses: Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Nanotechnology, Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics, Transcriptomics or Regulomics.

Via Alberta Innovates, the University of Alberta offers scholarships to masters students to study for free.

Although this is a master’s scholarship, PhD students can also apply.

Eligibility Criteria

• Only students conducting research in the above-mentioned field of study can apply.
• Also, you must be willing to study at the University of Alberta.
• All nationalities can apply.

#6. Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program

Sponsor: Canadian Government

Scholarship Value: $17,500 for 12 months 

Eligible Courses: All Disciplines of Academic Study.

Next on our list of master’s scholarships for international students in Canada is the Canada Graduate Scholarships popularly known as the CGS-M.

The main aim of this scholarship is to aid graduate students to develop skills in research.

Also, this scholarship will equip you to assist in the training of highly qualified personnel.

However, before you apply, keep in mind that this is a non-renewable scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants must have demonstrated a high standard of academic achievement in previous studies. 
• Also, all applicants must be enrolled in, have applied for, or will apply for full-time admission in any Canadian institution.

#7. Simon Fraser University Financial Aid and Awards

Sponsor: Simon Fraser University

Scholarship Value: Not Specified

Eligible Courses: All Disciplines of Academic Study.

At Simon Fraser University, graduate students have a lot of options and fundings to study.

There is a range of scholarships for domestic and international students currently studying or planning to study at Simon Fraser University.

Via this Simon Fraser University Financial Aid and Awards, international students taking a master’s program in the university can study through scholarships.

Also, graduate students can access bursaries.

Through the Bursaries, students with financial needs can access a supplemental source of funding.

Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants must have a minimum CGPA of 3.00 at SFU (this criteria is waived for students in their first term at SFU).
• Also, applicants must be enrolled full-time in an approved program at the university unless otherwise stipulated.
• All who should apply for this masters scholarships for international students in Canada must have a demonstrated financial need (as assessed by SFU).

#8. Teaching Assistantships (TA)

Sponsor: Carleton University

Scholarship Value: More than $10,000 per year

Eligible Courses: All Disciplines of Academic Study.

Teaching Assistantship is a form of scholarship where master’s students assist faculty members with various duties.

It’s more than studying and working as a master’s student while your tuition and other bills are handled by the institution.

Usually, Teachers Assistants perform tasks such as conducting labs or study groups, assisting with lecture preparation, marking assignments and tests, etc.

However, your work as a TA may take place outside the academic unit provided your academic record shows strengths in those areas. 

Eligibility Criteria

• A minimum GPA of 84% or higher.
• Must be proficient in English
• Available to work a maximum of 10 hours per week.

#9. Research Assistantships (RA)

Sponsor: Carleton University

Scholarship Value: Depending on the Researcher

Eligible Courses: All Disciplines of Academic Study.

Just like the TAs in Carleton University, research assistantship is another form of masters scholarship for international students to study in Canada.

RAs are hired by faculty members, especially your supervisor, to assist with a research project that will be directly related to your own research. 

Usually, RAs are paid with funds from the faculty member’s external contracts or research grants.

However, this scholarship comes with on-campus work.

Such tasks include: helping with the research being conducted, reviewing scholarly journals, conducting experiments, recording data, conducting interviews, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum GPA of 84% or higher

Other Masters Scholarships For International Students in Canada

• Queen’s University
• University of Alberta
• The University of Ottawa
• University of Saskatchewan
• Dalhousie University (additional scholarship)
• Western University International Admission Scholarships
• Carleton University Awards for International Students
• McGill University (addition scholarship 1, addition scholarship 2)
• McMaster University (additional scholarship 1, additional scholarship 2)
• University of Toronto (additional scholarship 1, additional scholarship 2)

Choosing to Study Masters In Canada

Until a few years ago, Canada (and the United States) only accepted students with a 4-year bachelor’s degree into their masters programs, while most countries offer bachelor’s programs that can be completed in 3 years. But the demand for international students to study in Canada has increased significantly (11% since 2017), and universities are now accepting 3-year bachelor’s degrees as a requirement for master’s programs.

Most master’s courses last 1 to 2 years and take the form of a Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Arts (MA). If you want to reduce your postgraduate degree even further, you can also choose between a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Engineering (MEng) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA).

You’re looking for around C $ 13,000-20,500 per year for a Masters degree.

Canada has launched a wonderful Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) to give international students further incentives to find employment after graduation. 90% of those who stay in Canada after graduation gets a job within 6 months!

Frequently Asked Question About Masters Scholarships For International Students in Canada

Summary

You can agree with me that Canada has made it a lot easier for most international students to get a Canadian degree at no cost.

Following through these Canadian master’s scholarships will give you access to secure one of them.

Good luck!!!

References

• 19 Scholarships for MS in Canada
• 10+ Scholarships in Canada for International Students