Canada is one of the world’s most attractive destinations for international students, offering internationally respected universities, diverse academic programs, and strong opportunities for research and professional development. However, the cost of tuition and living expenses can make a Canadian master’s degree a significant investment.
Fortunately, master’s scholarships in Canada can help international students reduce this financial burden. Funding may come from universities, provincial organizations, research institutions, foundations, and international scholarship programs. Some awards cover tuition, while others provide living allowances, research funding, or partial financial support.
The key is knowing where to look, understanding eligibility requirements, and preparing applications well before deadlines.
Are Scholarships Available for International Master’s Students in Canada?
Yes. International students can find scholarships and funding opportunities for master’s degrees in Canada, although eligibility varies considerably between programs.
One important point is that many major Canadian government scholarships are designed primarily for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. For example, the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship—Master’s (CGRS M) provides CAD 27,000 for one year, but its eligibility rules do not generally make it a scholarship for international students. The 2026 competition is scheduled to open on September 2, 2026, with a December 1 deadline.
International students should therefore focus heavily on university-specific awards, international tuition scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships offered through external organizations.
Types of Master’s Scholarships in Canada
Scholarships for international students can take several forms. Understanding the difference can help you target opportunities that match your academic profile.
University Scholarships
Canadian universities frequently offer entrance scholarships, graduate fellowships, tuition awards, and departmental funding.
For example, the University of British Columbia offers an International Tuition Award for eligible international students enrolled full-time in qualifying research-oriented master’s and doctoral programs. The award can provide up to CAD 3,200 per year, and eligible students are automatically considered rather than submitting a separate application.
Universities may also provide faculty-specific awards, so students should investigate the graduate school and individual department rather than relying only on the university's general scholarship page.
Research Scholarships and Fellowships
Research-based master’s students may have access to fellowships connected to their academic discipline. These awards are particularly relevant to students planning a thesis, laboratory research, major research project, or other substantial scholarly work.
At UBC, for instance, Affiliated Fellowships for master’s students range from approximately CAD 175 to CAD 16,000 and are open to international students who meet the relevant requirements. The program emphasizes academic excellence and applies to graduate programs with a significant research component.
This illustrates an important distinction: research-based master’s programs often provide more funding opportunities than purely coursework-based programs.
Tuition Awards
Some scholarships do not provide money directly to students but instead reduce the amount they need to pay toward tuition.
These awards can be especially valuable for international students because international tuition fees are often substantially higher than domestic rates. When comparing universities, look beyond the headline scholarship amount and determine whether an award covers tuition, living expenses, or both.
External and International Scholarships
Students should also investigate funding from their home governments, international organizations, charities, professional associations, and other external sponsors.
EduCanada, Canada's official international education initiative, also lists scholarship and exchange opportunities. However, students should carefully check the purpose of each program. For example, the current Study in Canada Scholarships program is focused on short-term exchange opportunities of four to six months, rather than full-degree master's funding.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Eligibility differs from one scholarship to another, but common criteria include:
- Strong academic performance
- Admission or an offer from a Canadian university
- Enrollment in an eligible master's program
- Research potential for research-based awards
- Leadership or community involvement
- Academic or professional achievements
- A strong statement of purpose or research proposal
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of English or French proficiency where required
Some awards also have nationality, field-of-study, age, or study-duration restrictions.
For this reason, students should never assume that an award is open to international applicants simply because it appears on a Canadian university's scholarship page. Always check the citizenship and program requirements.
How to Find Master’s Scholarships in Canada
Finding funding is often a research exercise rather than a single application.
Start With Your University
Once you have shortlisted universities, visit three areas of each institution's website:
- The graduate school funding page
- Your specific department or faculty
- The international student scholarship section
Look for terms such as graduate fellowship, international tuition award, entrance scholarship, research funding, graduate award, and financial support.
Some funding is automatically considered with your admission application, while other scholarships require separate applications.
Contact the Graduate Department
If scholarship information is unclear, contact the graduate program directly. Ask whether international master's students are eligible for:
- Entrance scholarships
- Research assistant positions
- Teaching assistant positions
- Departmental fellowships
- Tuition awards
- Supervisor-funded research opportunities
This can be particularly important for thesis-based programs because potential supervisors may know about research funding that is not prominently advertised.
Use Official Scholarship Databases
The Canadian government's scholarship resources provide information about graduate and international funding opportunities.
Students should also investigate scholarship databases in their home countries. Government-sponsored funding can sometimes be combined with university-based financial support, although universities may reduce an institutional award when external funding already covers part of the student's tuition.
How to Make Your Scholarship Application Stronger
Competition for fully funded master's scholarships can be intense. Academic grades matter, but they are not always the only deciding factor.
Build a Strong Academic Profile
Maintain high grades throughout your bachelor's degree, particularly in courses related to your intended master's program.
If you are applying for a research-based degree, evidence of research experience can make your application more compelling.
Prepare a Focused Statement
Your statement should explain why you want to study the program, what you hope to accomplish, and why the university is a suitable environment for your goals.
Avoid generic statements such as “Canada has excellent universities.” Instead, demonstrate a clear connection between your academic background, proposed study, and long-term objectives.
Develop a Strong Research Proposal
For research-intensive scholarships, your proposal can be one of the most important components of the application.
A strong proposal should identify a meaningful problem, explain your research objectives, demonstrate awareness of existing knowledge, and present a realistic methodology.
Choose References Carefully
Ask professors or academic supervisors who know your work well. A detailed recommendation explaining your academic strengths, research ability, independence, and potential is generally more useful than a generic letter.
When Should You Apply?
Start preparing six to twelve months before your intended enrollment date.
Scholarship deadlines can occur months before the university's final admission deadline. Some awards also require students to be nominated by their department, while others are automatically considered during admission.
Create a calendar containing:
- University application deadlines
- Scholarship deadlines
- Supervisor-contact dates
- English-language test dates
- Recommendation-letter deadlines
- Research proposal deadlines
- Required document submission dates
Never wait until you receive an admission offer before investigating scholarships. For some programs, funding decisions are made at the same time as admission.
Can You Get a Fully Funded Master’s Degree in Canada?
Yes, but fully funded master's opportunities for international students are competitive and less common than partial scholarships.
A funding package may combine several sources, such as a tuition award, graduate fellowship, research assistantship, teaching assistantship, and supervisor funding.
For example, UBC's Graduate Support Initiative provides various forms of graduate funding, including entrance scholarships, multi-year funding packages, tuition awards, and scholarship top-ups, with funding available to both international and domestic students in eligible programs.
Therefore, students should not limit their search to scholarships labeled “fully funded.” A combination of smaller awards can sometimes provide substantial financial support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students get full scholarships for a master’s in Canada?
Yes, some international students receive substantial or full funding, but these opportunities are highly competitive. Funding availability depends heavily on the university, program, academic profile, and whether the degree is research-based.
Which master’s programs offer the most scholarships?
Research-intensive programs often have more funding opportunities because they can be connected to faculty research grants and graduate fellowships. STEM, health, social sciences, and humanities students may all find opportunities, depending on the institution and specific research area.
Do I need admission before applying for a scholarship?
Not always. Some scholarships require an admission application or offer, while others allow prospective students to apply before receiving a final admission decision. Always follow the specific award's instructions.
Can I apply for multiple scholarships?
Yes. Applying for multiple eligible awards is generally a smart strategy. However, check each scholarship's rules regarding combining awards and external funding.
Is a high GPA enough to win a scholarship?
Not necessarily. Competitive scholarships may also assess research potential, leadership, relevant experience, references, personal statements, and the quality of your proposed study or research.
Conclusion
Master’s scholarships in Canada can make studying at a Canadian university considerably more affordable for international students, but finding the right funding requires early preparation and careful research.
The best strategy is to investigate university and departmental scholarships alongside external funding opportunities, distinguish research-based awards from coursework-based funding, and check citizenship requirements before investing time in an application.
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