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10 PhD scholarships in Canada for international students
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10 Oct 2024
Canada is well-known for being a safe, stable, open and welcoming country. The country is ranked the ninth best study-abroad destination in the world, according to the US News & World Report.
That, however, is not all the Great White North is known for.
Canada offers many beneficial opportunities for international students — from affordable universities to post-study work opportunities to seize.
If you’re looking for PhD scholarships in Canada, you’re in luck! There are over 800 scholarships available for international students for the term 2024 to 2025.
With these many scholarships available, there may even be scholarships that you are eligible for that you didn’t know existed.
So, don’t worry — we have listed down the top 10 PhD scholarships in Canada for international students for you.
A list of PhD scholarships in Canada every international student should know about:
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1. University of Alberta Scholarships
The University of Alberta is a comprehensive academic and research university established in 1908.
The university consistently ranks as one of Canada’s top destinations for international students due to the many funding opportunities available.
Among the scholarships offered is the Graduate Entrance Scholarship, available to all students enrolled in a master’s or doctoral programme.
Recipients of the scholarship pursuing a PhD will receive a stipend of 21,000 Canadian dollars (US$15,317), and an additional 10,000 CAD (US$7,294) will be given to international students to help cover the cost of their fees.
The deadline for the scholarship varies throughout the year, depending on your admission period.
2. University of Waterloo Scholarships
The University of Waterloo is a public research university in Ontario, Canada, and is ranked seventh as the Best Global Universities in Canada, according to US News & World Report.
The university offers scholarships for all international students in undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programmes. The University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship awards 1,000 CAD (US$730) per term for up to three terms. Students must have a minimum first-class (80%) cumulative average in their current programme or over the last two full-time academic years and be within the time limits of their graduate programme.
The best thing? No application is required as graduate departments will nominate eligible students automatically based on their allocation of funds.
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3. University of Saskatchewan Scholarship
The University of Saskatchewan is renowned for its highly collaborative research environment and is ranked number one in Canada for water research.
Here, the Dean’s Doctoral Scholarship for International Students has a scholarship value of 24,000 CAD (US$17,505) per year for two years, totalling 48,000 CAD (US$35,010).
To apply, applicants must be continuing international students in a doctoral-level program at the university, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 80.00%, and have completed no more than 24 months in a doctoral programme at the time of application.
The call for applications for this award is distributed annually in the winter term.
4. McGill University Scholarships
McGill University is a leading university, placing second in all of Canada and ranking #29 globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. The best news? Funding packages are offered to all PhDs, and 95% of PhD students have their full tuition costs covered.
Even better — all international PhD students receive funding to cover the difference between Quebec resident and International tuition. Most PhDs will also receive funding to offset other university fees, health insurance and living costs.
The university has a comprehensive list of funding opportunities that you can find here.
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5. University of Montréal exemption scholarship
If you’ve got any proficiency in French or wish to truly immerse yourself in the unique culture of Montréal, Québec, the University of Montréal (UdeM) is the place to be. Note that to be eligible for a graduate programme, you must demonstrate that your knowledge of French meets the requirements for your study programme.
Here, you’ll find the UdeM exemption scholarship programme, designed to ensure students from all over the world can attend one of the top research universities in Canada.
For PhD students, a complete waiver of the additional tuition fees normally charged to international students is available, allowing you to benefit from the same tuition fees as Québec graduate studies students.
A full-time programme of 45 credits will be 22,909 CAD (US$16,709), and the amount of the scholarship is deducted from the tuition fees.
6. University of Toronto Scholarship
Canada’s best university, according to the QS World University Rankings 2025, is the University of Toronto located in Ontario.
As a PhD student, you will receive a base funding package for up to five years of their study period. If selected, international recipients will receive 30,858 CAD (US$22,507) including a University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) of 756 CAD (US$551).
Applicants would need to maintain their academic performance in their programme to remain eligible for the funding throughout the five years.
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7. University of Ottawa Scholarships
The University of Ottawa offers an International Doctoral Scholarship to all international students who are enrolled in a PhD programme.
Students get 45,000 CAD (US$32,821) over five years — a maximum value of 3,000 CAD (US$2,188) per term, for 15 consecutive terms, which will be credited to the student account.
The university also offers a Special Merit Scholarship that you won’t have to submit an application for; you will be automatically considered at the time of admission, and if chosen, you will receive a scholarship offer along with your admission offer.
The value and duration of this scholarship vary depending on the programme you enrol in.
8. The University of Lethbridge Graduate Research Award
The University of Lethbridge is one of Canada’s top three research universities and is ranked among the 6% of world universities for research performance.
The Graduate Research Award aims to provide financial support to all graduate students at the university. This financial support is provided to all students except those within the Faculty of Education.
Applicants will be considered upon admission and can receive up to 21,000 CAD (US$15,317).
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9. Concordia University Canada Scholarships
Concordia University is one of the top public universities in Montréal, Canada.
The university offers awards and scholarships to all students pursuing a PhD programme, including ones that eliminate out-of-province fees, bringing them down to the Quebec rate, or provide a significant reduction in these fees.
The International Tuition Award of Excellence, for example, reduces tuition for international students pursuing a PhD by approximately 44,893 CAD (US$32,743). Meanwhile, the Doctoral Graduate Fellowship grants exceptional doctoral students a highly sought-after entrance award that is valued at 14,000 CAD (US$10,211) per year for four years.
10. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is one of the top universities in the world, ranked #38 by the QS World University Rankings 2025.
The Four Year Doctoral Fellowship is an outstanding choice for students wanting to pursue a PhD at this university. This programme ensures that students who have achieved academic excellence will receive financial support of at least 18,200 CAD (US$13,274) annually on top of full tuition coverage.
This scholarship is available to all international students and is ongoing based on admission.
Aside from universities, the government offers several PhD scholarships in Canada. Source: AFP
PhD scholarships in Canada offered by the government
Aside from universities, the Canadian government offers scholarships that are available for international PhD students.
Here is a list of two PhD scholarships in Canada offered by the government:
1. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship is offered to international students undertaking postgraduate programmes within the field of health research, natural sciences or engineering and social sciences and humanities.
Apply by the end of April to stand the chance to receive this scholarship of up to 70,000 CAD (US$51,055) per year.
2. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is one of the most prominent scholarships offered by the Canadian government. This fully funded scholarship is open to all international PhD students.
Applicants will be selected based on academic excellence, research potential and leadership abilities. This scholarship is valued at 50,000 CAD (US$36,468) per year for three years.
Many PhD scholarships in Canada aim to provide financial assistance to international students. Source: AFP
Frequently asked questions when applying for PhD scholarships in Canada
The scholarship application process in Canada can be a little daunting, especially for first-time applicants. Not to worry. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions to guide you through the process:
1. How to apply for a scholarship in Canada for international students?
In Canada, the scholarship application process begins with first receiving an acceptance letter into a Canadian university.
Once you have that sorted, shortlist the scholarships that you are eligible for and best fit your needs. Contact your university’s financial aid representative or head over to the website for more details on deadlines and requirements before submitting your application.
2. Is it hard to get a scholarship in Canada for international students?
Your chances of receiving a scholarship depend on the scholarship’s nature and eligibility. Most scholarships are awarded based on academic achievements.
However, you have a higher chance of receiving a scholarship if you have work or volunteer experience.
3. What are the requirements for PhD scholarships in Canada?
The requirement for a PhD scholarship in Canada differs for each. However, the basic requirement is first to be accepted into a PhD programme. To do so, you must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
4. How can I get a fully funded scholarship in Canada?
Start applying early to stand a chance at scoring a scholarship. By starting early, you will have more time and opportunities available to you.
The second tip would be to apply for as many scholarships as possible. The more you apply, the higher your chances of winning a scholarship.
5. Can a PhD student work full-time in Canada?
As a PhD student in Canada, you will be eligible to work on and off campus as long as you have a valid study permit. However, while the semester is running, you will only be able to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week. During semester breaks, students can work full-time.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on October 10, 2024.
