Are there Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students? This article provides detailed answers to your questions about Tuition-Free Universities in Canada.
It is not surprising, if we say Canada is one of the top study abroad destination. This is because Canada is home to some of the best Universities in the World. As a result, Canada is recognized worldwide for outstanding quality of education.
Students in Canada study in safe environment and also enjoy a high standard of living. Infact, Canada is ranked as one of the countries with high quality of life.
Also, the cost of living while studying in Canada is lower than that of other top study abroad destinations. For example, UK, France and US.
Read also: Low Tuition Universities in Canada for International Students.
Table of Contents
Are there Tuition-Free Universities and Colleges in Canada?
The answer is No. Most Universities in Canada, if not all do not offer free education to any Student, whether Domestic or International. But, there are several ways you can study in Universities in Canada for free.
See the list of Top 15 Free Education Countries for International Students.
Canadian Institutions provides Financial aid to it’s Students through Scholarships, Fellowships, Bursaries and Grants. But they don’t offer free education.
However, you can apply for fully funded scholarship in most of the universities mentioned in this article. As a result, you can enjoy a tuition-free education.
This article focuses on Scholarship programs that can help cover the full cost of tuition and even provide allowances. In other words, fully funded scholarships.
Read also: What are full ride Scholarships?
Why Study in Tuition-Free Universities in Canada?
There are tuition-free universities in other countries. So, why apply for a scholarship in Universities in Canada?
The reasons provided here should convince you to study in Canada.
Firstly, we know that there are tuition-free universities in some countries. So, this might discourage you from applying for scholarships in universities in Canada. But, do you know that there are about 32 Canada Institutions ranked among the best in the World?
According to Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2022, about 32 Canadian Institutions are ranked among the World’s best. Some of the Universities mentioned in this article are among the 32 Canadian Institutions. So, you get to study in one of the World’s best universities and earn a widely recognized degree.
Secondly, some of the universities among the Tuition-Free Universities in Canada do not require IELTS. For example, Concordia University, University of Winnipeg and McGill University.
International Students can apply for these universities without an IELTS score. Read the article on Top Universities in Canada without IELTS, to learn how to study in Canada without IELTS.
Thirdly, some universities among the Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students has a Work-Study program. For example, McGill University, Simon Fraser University, and University of Ottawa.
Work-study program is designed to help students with demonstrated financial need find jobs on campus or off campus. Work-study hours are flexible, that is you can work while studying, and earn income.
The program can also help students develop career related skills and experience.
International Students with a study permit valid for at least six months are eligible for the program. So, you can fund your education with this program incase you were not awarded a scholarship.
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List of 15 Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students you would definitely love
Most of the Universities listed here provides fully funded scholarships and the scholarships are renewable. These free Universities to study in Canada are:
1. Simon Fraser University
The University tops the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students because of it’s fully funded scholarship program.
SFU offers several Scholarships programs to International Students. But we will be talking about SFU International Undergraduate Scholars Entrance Scholarship with Distinction and Scholars living allowance.
The Scholarship covers tuition and mandatory supplementary fees for first undergraduate degree.
However, value of the scholarship depends on program of study, including a living allowance of $7,000 per term. The scholarship worth approximately $120,000.
Scholarships are available to International high school students with good academic performance, admitted to an undergraduate degree in any facility.
2. Concordia University
Concordia University is second on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students. This is because the university has two fully funded scholarships: Concordia Presidential Scholarship and Concordia International Scholars.
Concordia Presidential Scholarship is the University’s most prestigious undergraduate entrance scholarship that supports International Students.
The award cover the full costs of tuition and fees, books, and residence and meal plan fees. This scholarship will be offered for up to four years of study provided the student maintains renewability requirements.
Concordia International Scholars is an undergraduate award that aims to acknowledge Students who demonstrate academic excellence.
Two renewable scholarship valued at the cost of attendance for 4 years, are awarded to candidates from any faculty annually.
The scholarship will cover tuition and fees, and is renewable for four years assuming the student meet renewal requirements.
3. Saint Mary’s University
Saint Mary’s University rewards academic excellence with over $7.69 million dedicated to student scholarships, fellowships and bursaries annually. As a result, the university is on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
There are a number of programs in the university that reward entering Students for their academic strength or financial need.
Students accepted by Saint Mary’s University for undergraduate studies with an admission average of 80% or higher will be automatically considered for renewable entrance scholarships.
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4. University of TorontoÂ
The University is one of the top universities on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
University of Toronto is the best university in Canada and also one of the best 50 Universities in the World.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship available in University of Toronto. The scholarship will cover tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.
The program recognizes International Students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and recognized as leaders within their school. The scholarship is only available in first entry undergraduate programs.
Each year, approximately 37 Students will be named Lester B. Pearson Scholars.
5. University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo is also on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students. This is because the university provides two graduate scholarship programs. The programs are Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship and Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.
Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship is available to students in full time doctoral program in humanities or social science. The annual value of the award is up to $60,000 per year for a maximum of three years. Up to 16 doctoral scholars are selected each year to receive generous funding for their studies.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is also awarded to doctoral students for three years. The value of the scholarship is $50,000 per year.
University of Waterloo also provides several entrance scholarships, awarded to entering undergraduate students.
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6. York University
York University provides several scholarships to International Students. As a result, the university is on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
President’s International Scholarship of Excellence is one of the Scholarships available in York University. About 20 International awards valued at $180,000 ($45,000 for four years) is awarded annually.
The Scholarship will be awarded to International high school applicants with excellent academic performance and commitment to extracurricular activities.
7. University of Alberta (UAlberta)
UAlberta is another top Canadian university on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
The University is one of the Top 100 universities in the World and Top 5 in Canada.
Students with excellent academic performance and demonstrated leadership qualities will be awarded University of Alberta President’s International Distinction Scholarship.
The scholarship is valued at $120,000 CAD (payable over 4 years). And it is awarded to students entering their first year of an undergraduate degree on a Student Visa Permit.
8. University of British Columbia (UBC)
Here is another top Canadian university on the list of the Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
UBC is one of Top 3 Universities in Canada, and consistently ranked among top 20 public universities in the World.
The International Major Entrance Scholarship is awarded to exceptional International Students entering undergraduate programs at UBC. The scholarship is also renewable for up to three additional years of study.
This scholarship is only awarded to International Students entering UBC directly from secondary school, with a Canadian study permit. International Students must also demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and strong extracurricular involvement.
9. University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba is on the list of the Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students. The University receives support from Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships to fund doctoral students education.
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships help Canadian Institutions attract highly qualified doctoral students. The Value of the scholarship is $50,000 per year, awarded for three years during doctorial studies.
10. University of Calgary
University of Calgary is included in the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship is awarded to International Students enrolling in full time undergraduate degree program.
This scholarship is valued at $20,000 annually and it is renewable provided certain conditions are met.
University of Calgary also has Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships for doctoral students.
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11. Carleton University
Carleton University has one of the most generous scholarship and bursary programs in Canada. Therefore, the university is also on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
The University provides ten renewable Chancellor’s Scholarships valued at $30,000 ($7,500 for four years) to full time undergraduate students. Only students applying directly from secondary or high school are eligible.
There are also other scholarships available to full time undergraduate students.
12. University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa makes it to the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
The University of Ottawa offers various scholarships for International Students. For example, President’s Scholarship for International Students.
President’s Scholarship for International Students is awarded to one full time undergraduate International Student. The value of the scholarship is $30,000 (7,500 per year for four years).
13. McGill University
McGill’s Scholarships and Student aid Office offers merit based entrance scholarships to first-time university students entering a full-time undergraduate program. As a result, McGill University joins in the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
14. University of Winnipeg
Here is another university on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World leaders is awarded to International Students entering any program for the first time.
UWSA International Student Health Plan Bursary is also awarded to International Students. The bursary will be awarded to International undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to assist them with the cost of their International Student Health Care Plan at University of Winnipeg.
15. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
SAIT is the last on the list of Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
Through the generous support of donors, SAIT is proud to offer over $5 million in awards to students in almost every program.
These Scholarships are awarded on academic success, financial need, community involvement and other areas of success and support.
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Eligibility Criteria for Scholarship Programs available in Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students
Most of the Scholarships mentioned in this article are available to undergraduate entering students. So, we will be talking about the eligibility criteria for international undergraduate program scholarships.
Some of the Eligibility Criteria includes:
- Must be a non citizen of Canada. In other words, you must be an international student
- Possess a Canadian study permit valid for at least six months.
- Be a student with excellent academic performances
- Enroll in full time undergraduate degree program
- Be able to demonstrate financial need.
- Must be applying directly from high or secondary school.
However, it is advisable to visit university’s website for more information on the scholarship program. Information like eligibility criteria, how to apply, application deadline and requirements.
External Scholarship Programs available in Tuition-Free Universities in Canada for International Students
It is important to know some of the external Scholarship programs available to International Students in Canada.
These Scholarship programs includes:
1. MasterCard Foundation Scholarships
The MasterCard Foundation partners with universities, including Canadian Universities, to provide scholarships to African Students. For example, University of British Columbia.
Read also: Undergraduate Scholarships for African Students to Study Abroad.
2. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
The scholarship program helps Canadian Institutions attract highly qualified doctoral students.
This scholarship is valued at $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies. And it’s awarded based on academic excellence, research potential and leadership.
3. Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
The Scholarship program was established in 2001 as living memorial to the former prime minister.
It is designed to train outstanding doctoral candidates in Canada Institutions. The value of the scholarship is $60,000 per year for three years. $40,000 to cover tuition fees and also $20,000 for travel and accommodation during doctoral research.
4. MPOWER Funding
MPOWER offers various scholarships for international students that wants to study in the US or Canada. University of Calgary is one the Universities in Canada recognized by MPOWER.
Read also: How to Get Scholarship in Canada.
Conclusion
You can now enjoy a free education at any of the Tuition-Free Universities in Canada.
Which of these Universities are you planning to apply for?.
Let us know in the Comment Section.
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