Scholarship for MS in Canada

Canada is one of the most popular destinations for international students to pursue a Master’s degree. Its high-quality education system, quality of life, and diverse and inclusive environment are some of the top reasons.

On average, pursuing a Master’s in Canada costs $10,000 to $30,000 per year, depending on the program, specialization & the university. Securing a scholarship can be a perfect way to manage your expenses. In this blog, we will learn about everything you need to know about Masters scholarships in Canada.

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Why Do You Need an MS Scholarship in Canada?

Studying Master’s in Canada comes with various benefits, such as post-study work opportunities, quality of life, and job opportunities. However, pursuing a Master’s in abroad comes with multiple expenses. A scholarship can ease your burden. Here are some reasons why you need a scholarship for an MS in Canada:

• To have financial support for your studies
• Gives you access to quality education by enabling you to study at top universities
• Reduces your debts, especially on education loans for Canada. 
• Motivate you to excel in your studies and inspires you to aim higher
• Promotes studies in high-level fields, such as STEM courses

Top Scholarship for MS in Canada

International students receive scholarships from Canada, irrespective of background, color, religion, etc. Below are four scholarship and fellowship options directly relevant to international students pursuing a full Master’s degree in Canada. Note that two of these (Canada-ASEAN SEED and Study in Canada Scholarships) are short-term exchange programs rather than funding for a complete Master’s, so they’re included here with that distinction made clear.

Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED)

This is a short-term exchange program, not funding for completing a full Master’s degree in Canada. SEED has been transformed by 2026 into SEED-2, which is extended now to include students from ASEAN member countries, Pacific Island Countries, and Mongolia, according to the official website of the program from Global Affairs Canada. Here are the specifics:

• The scholarship covers airfare, living expenses (select), health insurance, visa or study/work permit fees, and other eligible expenses.
• To be eligible, the Student must be a citizen of an ASEAN member state (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)), Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam)
• The scholarship is awarded for one academic term (value roughly $10,200) or 5 to 6 months (value roughly $12,700). 

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is a merit-based award for students pursuing full-time Master’s and doctoral programs at participating Ontario institutions. It’s jointly funded by the Government of Ontario (covering roughly two-thirds of each award) and the participating university (covering the remaining third), rather than being tied to any single university.

Eighteen institutions currently participate, including the University of Toronto, McMaster University, Queen’s University, the University of Waterloo, and Western University, among others. Because each participating university runs its own OGS competition, eligibility details, internal deadlines, and the exact application process can vary by institution, so it’s worth checking the OGS page of your specific target university rather than assuming one school’s process applies everywhere.

• The student must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or International Student protected under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
• Students must be registered or planning to register in a full-time program of at least 2 years.
• Students must have an A- or equivalent in the last two years of full-time study program.
• Exceptions can be made for highly meritorious Students below the required GPA.

The value of the scholarship is $5,000 per session, with awardees able to receive $10,000 or $15,000 for two or three consecutive sessions, depending on the offer.

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Study in Canada Scholarships

Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS) is also a short-term exchange program, not funding for a complete Master’s degree. It’s funded by Global Affairs Canada and offers Canadian post-secondary institutions the opportunity to host international students from a range of countries and territories for short-term study or research exchanges, according to Global Affairs Canada’s official program description

• Student must be a citizen of an eligible country/territory
  • Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan
  • Europe: Türkiye, Ukraine
  • Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia
  • Sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda
• Students must be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in any eligible country/territory.
• For four months or one academic term, the scholarship amount is $10,200.
• For five to six months, the scholarship value is $12,700.

As with SEED-2, this program is best suited to students who want a short-term study or research placement while remaining enrolled at their home institution, not students looking to fund an entire Master’s degree in Canada.

University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship (UMGF)

The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships are offered to full-time Master’s students in Canada. The fellowship is awarded to those students who have demonstrated academic excellence & superior intellectual ability. The scholarship details are as follows:

• Master’s awards are valued at $20,000 per year, for 12 or 24 months, up to a total of $40,000.
• Students must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA to be eligible for the fellowship.
• Students must be enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Manitoba.

You can also explore other study abroad scholarships based on your destination, degree level, and eligibility via the Scholarship Tool. 

How to Find Scholarships for MS in Canada

Beyond the options above, a few other channels are worth checking as you build your funding plan:

• University funding and graduate awards. Most Canadian universities offer their own internal graduate scholarships or entrance awards, separate from provincial or federal programs. These are usually listed on the specific graduate program’s or department’s own funding page.
• Research-based Master’s fellowships. If you’re applying to a thesis-based program, check whether it’s eligible for Tri-Agency-aligned institutional fellowships (like the UMGF above), since these are often reserved for research-track students rather than course-based programs.
• Provincial scholarships. Programs like the Ontario Graduate Scholarship are administered at the provincial level but delivered through participating universities, so eligibility and process can differ depending on which province and institution you’re applying to.
• External scholarships. Some scholarships come from outside the university entirely, through foundations, professional associations, or your home country’s government, and are worth researching independently of your university applications.
• A structured scholarship search. However, this is quite feasible if done for only a shortlist but would become quite a time-consuming process otherwise. This is where Nomad Credit’s Scholarship Finder can come handy for you.

Top Universities for Scholarship for MS in Canada

Various universities in Canada offer scholarships to international students to ease their financial burden. Some of the top universities for Masters scholarships in Canada for international students are:

• University of Toronto
• University of British Columbia
• McGill University
• University of Alberta
• University of Waterloo
• Queen’s University
• University of Calgary
• University of Ottawa

Eligibility Criteria for Scholarship for MS in Canada

Fulfilling the eligibility criteria is essential for a scholarship for MS in Canada. The basic eligibility criteria are:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above
• English Language Proficiency Score (such as IELTS / TOEFL / DET / Pearson, etc)
• Standardized Test Scores (if applicable)
• Letters of Recommendation (if applicable)

Note: Some scholarships may require you to give an Interview for selection.

How do you get an MS Scholarship in Canada?

To get a scholarship for MS in Canada, you should:

• Start Early: Begin your scholarship search well in advance.
• Eligibility Criteria: Check eligibility for the scholarship. Check all the requirements, such as academic transcripts, work experience, etc.
• Statement of Purpose: Prepare a strong statement of purpose that highlights your academic and professional life. Ensure that your statement is adjusted according to the scholarships you are applying for.
• Letters of Recommendation: Ask your professors or mentors to write a good LoR for you. Request them to highlight your accomplishments.
• Efficient Application: Your scholarship application should be accurate & complete. Check the application thoroughly and attach all the required documents.

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