Top Canadian Universities Offering Affordable or Fully Funded Master's Scholarships (2025)
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Canada offers a range of financial aid opportunities for international master's students. Although full coverage is rare, several scholarships significantly reduce costs or offer generous stipends. Here's a breakdown of the most accessible and competitive options.
Quick Insight: Look out for university-specific graduate awards, university-wide scholarships like OGS, and provincial or federal programs like Vanier or CGS-M to make your master's program more affordable—even fully funded.
1. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
Non-renewable merit-based scholarship available across Ontario universities—valued at **CAD 15,000/year** for up to 2 years. Open to international students enrolled full-time.
2. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF)
Merit-based award: **CAD 14,000/year** for master’s (up to 2 years).
3. University of Saskatchewan Graduate Scholarship
Fully funded scholarships for master's students valued at **CAD 16,000/year**.
4. University of Manitoba & Waterloo Awards
• **University of Manitoba** also enrolls international graduate students in a variety of funding programs.
• **University of Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence**: **CAD 2,500 per term** (up to 5 terms).
5. UBC Graduate Support Initiative
UBC supports master's students with tuition and living allowance, especially those with strong research potential.
6. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Doctoral Level)
For PhD applicants, provides **CAD 50,000/year** for three years, but it’s not applicable to master's programs.
7. Université de Montréal Exemption Scholarships
Waives tuition for international students (all levels), up to **CAD 27,300/year**.
8. University of Calgary Graduate Awards
Graduate awards for international students ranging up to **CAD 40,000/year**, depending on program.
Final Thoughts
Although full funding for international master’s students is uncommon, scholarships like OGS, UMGF, and university-specific awards can dramatically lower costs. Consider applying to Ontario-based programs with OGS access, competitive merit-based awards at western institutions, and explore bilingual options like Université de Montréal for tuition exemptions.
Reminder: Start early—get your admission offer, research eligibility criteria, and apply for funding as part of your grad school application timeline.
