Canada is one of the most attractive destinations for international students who want to study for a master’s degree. Canadian universities offer internationally recognized degrees, strong research opportunities, and access to scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and other forms of graduate funding.
The challenge is knowing which master’s scholarships in Canada are actually worth applying for.
Some scholarships cover the full cost of tuition and living expenses. Others provide substantial annual funding, while some are designed specifically to reduce international tuition fees. There are also government-funded scholarships that support short-term graduate study or research rather than an entire master’s degree.
For the 2027 admission cycle, this guide highlights 10 of the best master’s scholarships in Canada, with special attention to opportunities available to international students.
Important: Scholarship availability, deadlines and award amounts can change from one academic year to another. Always check the official scholarship page before submitting an application.
Quick Overview: Best Master’s Scholarships in Canada
| Scholarship | University/Provider | Funding | International Students? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCall MacBain Scholarship | McGill University | Full tuition + $2,300/month living stipend | Yes | Leadership & community impact |
| University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship | University of Manitoba | $20,000 for master’s | Yes | Research-based master’s |
| Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship – Master’s | Dalhousie University | $10,000/year, up to 2 years | Yes | Thesis-based master’s |
| International Master’s Award of Excellence | University of Waterloo | $2,500/term, up to 5 terms | Yes | Research-based master’s |
| International Tuition Award | UBC | Up to $3,200/year | Yes | International research master’s |
| Memorial University Graduate Funding | Memorial University | $4,000–$12,000+ depending on program | Yes | Research graduate programs |
| Carleton Graduate Admissions Funding | Carleton University | Scholarships, TA/RA and other funding | Yes | Strong international applicants |
| International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship | University of Manitoba | At least $5,000; up to international tuition differential | Yes | High-achieving new master’s students |
| Study in Canada Scholarships | Government of Canada | $10,200–$12,700 | Selected countries | Short-term master’s study/research |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s | Canadian Tri-Agencies | $27,000 for one year | No — generally domestic | Canadian research master’s |
Top 10 Best Master’s Scholarships in Canada 2027
1. McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill University
If you are looking for one of the strongest fully funded master’s scholarships in Canada, the McCall MacBain Scholarship should be near the top of your list.
The scholarship is offered at McGill University and is designed for applicants who demonstrate leadership, community involvement, character, academic strength and a willingness to make a positive difference.
For the 2027 cohort, applications opened on June 1, 2026.
The scholarship covers:
- Tuition and fees for the full normal duration of the eligible program
- A living stipend of CAD $2,300 per month during academic terms
- A one-time relocation grant for moving to Montreal
- French-language courses
- Mentorship and leadership development
McGill confirms that the scholarship is open to international applicants. For the 2027 cohort, applicants from outside Canada and the United States generally had an earlier deadline than Canadian and U.S. applicants.
This makes McCall MacBain particularly attractive because it is not simply a tuition discount. It combines financial support with leadership development and mentorship.
Best for: Students with strong academic records, leadership experience, community involvement and a clear vision for their future.
Official information: McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill
2. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF) is another excellent option for students searching for master’s scholarships in Canada.
The fellowship is available to both Canadian and international students pursuing eligible research-based master’s programs.
According to the University of Manitoba, the fellowship is currently valued at:
- CAD $20,000 for master’s students
- CAD $25,000 for doctoral students
The master’s award is generally provided for a 12-month period.
The university describes the fellowship as supporting students who demonstrate superior intellectual ability and academic achievement. Applications are normally handled through the student’s academic department or unit rather than through one universal application form.
This is particularly important for international students because many Canadian scholarships are restricted to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. UMGF is one of the university-level opportunities that explicitly includes international master’s students.
Best for: International students applying to research-based master’s programs with strong academic records.
Official information: University of Manitoba Graduate Funding and Awards
3. Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship – Master’s
The Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship – Master’s is an excellent opportunity for students interested in thesis-based graduate study in Nova Scotia.
At Dalhousie University, the scholarship is listed as an entrance scholarship for thesis-based master’s students.
The current award is:
CAD $10,000 per year for up to two years.
Importantly, the scholarship is open to both Canadian and international students.
This means an international applicant can potentially receive up to CAD $20,000 over two years if the scholarship is renewed and the applicable conditions are met.
Because this is a thesis-based scholarship, applicants should pay close attention to the research requirements of their proposed program.
A strong research proposal, academic record and suitable supervisor can make a significant difference.
Best for: International students pursuing thesis-based master’s programs at Dalhousie.
Official information: Dalhousie Graduate Scholarships and Bursaries
4. University of Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence
The International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE) is designed specifically for international students entering eligible master’s programs at University of Waterloo.
The award is valued at:
CAD $2,500 per term for up to five terms.
That means a student could receive as much as CAD $12,500 over the maximum award period.
The award is normally available to international students entering research-based graduate programs. Students are selected by their faculties based on academic excellence and other faculty-specific criteria.
One advantage is that students generally do not need to submit a completely separate scholarship application. Eligible students are nominated by their faculties.
Waterloo also explains that research-based master’s students may receive additional minimum funding through their programs, meaning the IMAE can form part of a broader funding package.
Best for: High-achieving international students applying for research-based master’s programs.
Official information: University of Waterloo International Student Funding
5. UBC International Tuition Award
The International Tuition Award at University of British Columbia is another important scholarship to know about if you are an international graduate student.
The award provides up to CAD $3,200 per year toward tuition.
It is specifically designed for international graduate students who are registered full-time in eligible research-oriented master’s and doctoral programs at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
This isn’t a fully funded scholarship, but don’t overlook it.
International tuition can be one of the biggest expenses involved in studying in Canada. A tuition award can therefore reduce your overall financial burden, especially when combined with a supervisor-funded research position, teaching assistantship or another scholarship.
UBC’s awards database currently lists the next deadline as likely December 2026, although applicants should verify the exact deadline when the new competition opens.
Best for: International students pursuing research-based master’s programs at UBC.
Official information: UBC International Tuition Award
6. Memorial University Graduate Funding and Scholarships
The schoolis worth considering if affordability is one of your biggest concerns.
Memorial says it provides competitive funding packages to academically eligible full-time graduate students, including international students, in eligible research programs.
Its internal funding sources include:
- School of Graduate Studies fellowships of approximately CAD $4,000–$12,000 per year
- Graduate assistantships
- Supervisor grants and contracts
- Special initiative funding
The exact amount depends on the graduate program and funding arrangement. Memorial reported that more than 2,000 graduate students received over CAD $30 million in financial support in 2023–24.
This is an important lesson for prospective students:
Don’t search only for scholarships with the word “scholarship” in their title.
A research master’s offer may combine a fellowship, teaching assistantship, research assistantship and supervisor funding into a much larger financial package.
Best for: International students applying to eligible research-based master’s programs.
Official information: Memorial University Graduate Funding and Scholarships
7. Carleton University Graduate Admissions Funding
Carleton University offers several forms of graduate funding to international students.
One of the advantages of Carleton is that applicants are generally considered for possible admissions funding when they submit their graduate application. A separate scholarship application is generally not required for this initial consideration.
However, funding is limited and is normally reserved for outstanding applicants. Successful students are notified through their Offer of Admission and Funding.
Carleton’s graduate funding can include:
- Departmental scholarships
- Research scholarships
- Teaching assistantships
- Research assistantships
- Donor-funded awards
- Other graduate funding packages
Carleton states that its research scholarships can range from CAD $1,000 to $12,000 per year, while some donor-funded awards can reach CAD $20,000.
For international students, this makes Carleton particularly interesting because funding can come from several sources rather than from one scholarship alone.
Best for: International applicants with excellent academic records applying to graduate programs that offer admission funding.
Official information: Carleton Graduate Financial Assistance
8. University of Manitoba International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship
If you are an international student applying for a master’s degree at the University of Manitoba, don’t overlook the International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship (IGSES).
The scholarship is intended for international students entering the first year of full-time master’s study.
Current eligibility requirements include:
- International student status
- Full-time enrollment
- First year of a master’s program
- Payment of international student differential tuition
- Minimum admission GPA of 3.75, based on the last 60 credit hours or equivalent
- No external award that already pays the student’s tuition
The award has a minimum value of CAD $5,000 and cannot exceed the applicable international student differential tuition amount. Eligible students are assessed during the admission process.
This is particularly useful because students do not necessarily need to compete for a separate application-based scholarship after admission.
There is also an International Graduate Student Scholarship for eligible second-year master’s students who previously received the entrance scholarship and continue to meet the requirements.
Best for: High-achieving international students applying to master’s programs at the University of Manitoba.
Official information: University of Manitoba International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship
9. Study in Canada Scholarships
The Study in Canada Scholarships are funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
However, there is an important detail that many scholarship blogs get wrong.
This is not currently a general full-degree master’s scholarship.
The modern version of the program supports international students from selected countries who undertake short-term study or research in Canada, normally for four to six months.
For graduate students, the current values include:
- CAD $10,200 for four months or one academic term
- CAD $12,700 for five to six months
UBC’s official scholarship information confirms that master’s and doctoral students can participate in the program.
The 2026–27 program includes selected countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Nigeria is among the eligible Sub-Saharan African countries listed for the program.
There is another important point: students don’t normally apply directly to Global Affairs Canada. Canadian post-secondary institutions submit applications on behalf of eligible candidates.
So if you are a Nigerian student, for example, you should investigate whether your home institution and a Canadian institution are participating in the relevant scholarship arrangement.
Best for: International master’s students from eligible countries who need short-term research or study funding in Canada.
Official information: Government of Canada Study in Canada Scholarships
10. Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s
The Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s (CGRS-M) is one of Canada’s major master’s research scholarships.
The current value is:
CAD $27,000 for one year.
The scholarship supports high-calibre graduate students conducting research in areas covered by Canada’s federal research agencies.
The deadline is currently December 1, with the application submitted through the relevant research portal.
However, there is a major eligibility restriction:
International students should not assume they are eligible.
Current eligibility requires the applicant to be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person as of the application deadline.
Therefore, this is an excellent scholarship for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, but it should not be marketed as a general international scholarship.
If you’re an international applicant currently outside Canada, focus more heavily on university-level funding such as UMGF, Waterloo IMAE, Dalhousie NSGS, UBC funding and institutional graduate packages.
Best for: Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons pursuing research-based master’s degrees.
Official information: Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Master’s at McGill
Are There Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Canada?
Yes, but they are much more competitive than ordinary tuition scholarships.
The clearest example in this list is the McCall MacBain Scholarship, which provides tuition and fees for the normal duration of an eligible master’s program plus a monthly living stipend and relocation support.
For international students, however, a more realistic strategy is often to combine several sources of funding.
For example, a research master’s student could potentially receive:
- A university entrance scholarship
- Supervisor research funding
- A teaching or research assistantship
- A tuition award
- An external scholarship
This can create a funding package that is much larger than any single scholarship.
Waterloo explicitly notes that research-based master’s students may receive minimum funding and can also receive the International Master’s Award of Excellence on top of that support.
Best Master’s Scholarships in Canada for International Students
If you are an international student, I would prioritize the opportunities differently.
Best fully funded option: McCall MacBain Scholarship
This is one of the strongest options because it combines tuition, living support, relocation funding and leadership development.
Best $20,000 university fellowship: University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
The current master’s value is CAD $20,000.
Best thesis-based scholarship: Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship – Master’s
The scholarship provides CAD $10,000 per year for up to two years at participating institutions such as Dalhousie.
Best research-master’s tuition award: Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence
Up to CAD $12,500 over five terms.
Best option for reducing UBC international tuition: UBC International Tuition Award
Up to CAD $3,200 per year for eligible research-oriented master’s programs.
Master’s Scholarships in Canada for Nigerian Students
Nigerian students have several possible routes to funding in Canada.
The first thing to understand is that there isn’t one universal “Canada scholarship for Nigerians.”
Instead, Nigerian students should search across:
- Canadian university scholarships
- Research-based graduate funding
- Government-funded international scholarship programs
- Faculty-specific awards
- Supervisor-funded research positions
- Assistantships
- External international scholarships
The Government of Canada’s Study in Canada Scholarships is particularly worth monitoring because Nigeria is included among the eligible Sub-Saharan African countries for the current program.
However, because this program supports short-term study or research rather than a complete master’s degree, Nigerian students looking for a full master’s should also target university-level funding.
The University of Manitoba, Waterloo, Dalhousie, UBC, Memorial and McGill are therefore worth researching carefully.
What GPA Do You Need for a Master’s Scholarship in Canada?
There is no single GPA requirement for every Canadian scholarship.
Requirements vary by scholarship and university.
For example, the University of Manitoba’s International Graduate Student Entrance Scholarship requires a minimum admission GPA of 3.75 based on the last 60 credit hours or equivalent.
Waterloo’s International Master’s Award of Excellence, on the other hand, is selected based on academic excellence demonstrated through the graduate admission application and faculty-specific criteria.
A strong GPA helps, but scholarship committees may also look at:
- Research experience
- Publications
- Leadership
- Community involvement
- Professional experience
- Research proposal
- Statement of purpose
- Academic references
- Fit with the university or supervisor
For research-based master’s scholarships, research potential can be just as important as grades.
How to Apply for Master’s Scholarships in Canada
The process depends on the scholarship.
However, you can follow this general strategy.
Step 1: Choose your master’s program
Don’t start by applying randomly for scholarships.
First decide:
- What do you want to study?
- Which Canadian universities offer it?
- Is the program course-based or research-based?
- Does the university fund international students?
Step 2: Search the university funding page
Once you identify a university, search for:
“University name + graduate funding + international students.”
This often reveals funding opportunities that don’t appear in ordinary Google scholarship searches.
Step 3: Check whether a supervisor is required
Research-based master’s applicants may need to identify a potential supervisor.
A professor who is interested in your research can potentially help you identify:
- Research funding
- Assistantships
- Departmental scholarships
- Graduate fellowships
Step 4: Prepare your documents
Common scholarship documents include:
- Academic transcripts
- CV or résumé
- Statement of purpose
- Research proposal
- Reference letters
- Proof of English proficiency where required
- Degree certificates
- Passport
- Admission letter, where required
Step 5: Apply early
Don’t wait until the university admission deadline.
Some scholarship deadlines occur months before admission deadlines.
McGill specifically advises prospective graduate students to explore external funding early because funding deadlines can precede graduate admission deadlines.
Documents That Can Make Your Scholarship Application Stronger
A good academic record is only one part of a competitive application.
1. A strong statement of purpose
Explain:
- Why you chose the program
- Why Canada
- Why that university
- Your academic background
- Your career goals
- How the degree will help you create impact
2. A focused research proposal
If you’re applying for a thesis-based master’s, avoid writing a vague research proposal.
Clearly identify:
- The problem
- Why it matters
- What you want to investigate
- How you plan to investigate it
- Expected contribution
3. Strong recommendation letters
Choose referees who actually know your academic or professional work.
A generic reference letter is rarely as powerful as a detailed letter from someone who can explain your abilities with examples.
4. Evidence of leadership
For scholarships such as McCall MacBain, leadership and community engagement matter significantly.
Don’t simply write:
“I am a leader.”
Show what you have actually done.
When Should You Start Applying for 2027 Master’s Scholarships in Canada?
Ideally, start 9–12 months before your intended start date.
For a September 2027 intake, your timeline could look like this:
September–November 2026
- Research universities
- Find suitable master’s programs
- Identify supervisors
- Prepare your CV
- Begin your statement of purpose
November 2026–January 2027
- Submit major scholarship applications
- Apply for research-based programs
- Submit applications requiring references
January–March 2027
- Apply for remaining university scholarships
- Follow up on admissions
- Search department-specific awards
Spring/Summer 2027
- Review scholarship decisions
- Compare funding packages
- Prepare your study permit application
- Arrange accommodation and travel
Remember that individual deadlines vary considerably.
For example, the current McCall MacBain competition for the 2027 cohort had different deadlines for different applicant groups, while UBC lists its International Tuition Award deadline as likely December 2026.
FAQs
Can international students get full scholarships for master’s degrees in Canada?
Yes. International students can access fully funded or substantially funded master’s opportunities, although they are highly competitive.
The McCall MacBain Scholarship is one of the strongest examples because it covers tuition and fees and provides a living stipend and relocation support.
Which Canadian university gives the most master’s scholarships?
There isn’t one university that gives the most funding to every student.
Funding varies by program, faculty, research area and student profile.
Universities such as McGill, Manitoba, Waterloo, UBC, Dalhousie, Memorial and Carleton all have graduate funding opportunities worth investigating.
Can I study in Canada for a master’s degree without paying tuition?
It is possible for a student who wins a scholarship or receives a sufficiently strong funding package, but it should not be assumed.
Full funding is competitive and depends on the program and scholarship.
What is the best master’s scholarship in Canada for international students?
The McCall MacBain Scholarship is one of the strongest options because it provides full tuition and fees plus living and relocation support.
However, the best scholarship for you depends on your academic field, nationality, research interests and leadership profile.
Are there master’s scholarships in Canada for Nigerian students?
Yes.
Nigerian students can apply for eligible Canadian university scholarships and selected Canadian government-funded programs. Nigeria is also listed among the eligible Sub-Saharan African countries for the current Study in Canada Scholarships program.
Can I get a scholarship without IELTS?
Not necessarily.
Scholarship eligibility and university admission requirements are separate issues. A scholarship may not specifically require IELTS, but the university may require proof of English-language proficiency unless you qualify for an exemption.
Always check the admission requirements of the specific university.
Is a 2:2 enough for a Canadian master’s scholarship?
It depends on the university, program and scholarship.
Some highly competitive scholarships expect excellent academic performance. Others consider research experience, leadership, professional experience or other factors.
If your academic record is not exceptionally strong, focus on scholarships and programs where your overall profile is competitive rather than applying only to elite awards.
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