University of Calgary Scholarships in Canada for International Students. The University of Calgary (UCalgary) is one of Canada’s leading research universities and an attractive destination for international students seeking a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree. The university offers a wide range of scholarships, awards and funding opportunities that can help international students reduce the cost of tuition and living expenses.

UCalgary scholarships are not limited to one single award. Instead, students can explore international entrance scholarships, continuing undergraduate awards, graduate scholarships, research funding, doctoral awards, and faculty-specific opportunities.

For undergraduate applicants, one of the most notable awards is the University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship, currently valued at CAD $20,000 and renewable.

For graduate students, UCalgary’s Faculty of Graduate Studies distributes more than CAD $42 million in graduate awards annually. International students are eligible for many graduate awards, although some scholarships have citizenship restrictions.

An especially important feature for research students is UCalgary’s funding commitment for thesis-based programs. For students beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the university lists minimum annual funding packages of CAD $25,455 for international MA/MSc thesis-based students and CAD $33,205 for international PhD students, subject to continued full-time registration and satisfactory academic progress.

This guide explains the major University of Calgary scholarships for international bachelor’s, master’s and PhD students, including benefits, eligibility, documents, application procedures and frequently asked questions. Apply for More Fully Funded Scholarships Here.

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University of Calgary Scholarships – Quick Summary

Scholarship amounts, eligibility requirements, and deadlines can change. Always check the official UCalgary award listing before applying.

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University of Calgary Scholarships for Bachelor’s Students

International undergraduate students have several scholarship opportunities at UCalgary. Some are open to international students generally, while others are restricted to students graduating from particular Canadian school districts.

1. University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship is one of the most important scholarships for international students beginning an undergraduate degree.

The current award is worth CAD $20,000 and is renewable during the second, third and fourth years if the recipient meets the university’s renewal requirements.

Benefits

• CAD $20,000 initial scholarship
• Renewable for eligible students
• Available for undergraduate study
• Open across faculties
• Based primarily on academic merit

For renewal, recipients must achieve at least a 2.60 GPA over a minimum of 24 units in the preceding fall and winter terms and continue to pay international differential tuition.

Eligibility

Applicants generally must:

• Be international students
• Be entering the first year of an undergraduate degree
• Be required to pay international tuition fees
• Not be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Meet UCalgary’s English-language proficiency requirement
• Demonstrate academic merit

Application

The current UCalgary listing directs students to the My UCalgary Portal – High School Prestige Awards application.

UBC Scholarships and Awards for Undergraduate Canadian and International Students

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2. University of Calgary International Entrance Award

The University of Calgary International Entrance Award is another major opportunity for international undergraduate applicants.

The current award value is CAD $20,000. It is offered to international students entering the first year of an undergraduate degree program and required to pay international tuition fees.

Eligibility

Students generally need to:

• Be international students
• Enter the first year of an undergraduate program
• Pay international tuition
• Meet the academic requirements
• Meet applicable admission requirements

The award may also be offered to continuing international undergraduate students if there are no eligible entering students in a particular competition.

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3. University of Calgary International Undergraduate Award

Students who are already studying at UCalgary should explore the University of Calgary International Undergraduate Award.

The current award is CAD $5,000, with 20 awards listed. It is intended for continuing international undergraduate students in any faculty.

Who Can Apply?

The current criteria include:

• International student status
• Second-, third-, or fourth-year undergraduate study
• International tuition status
• Academic merit

Students entering the International Foundations Program are not eligible for this specific award.

Applications are made through the Continuing Undergraduate Awards section of the My UCalgary Portal.

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4. Other International Entrance Scholarships

UCalgary also lists several specialized international entrance scholarships. These are important but are not necessarily available to every international student applying from overseas.

For example:

CBE International Entrance Scholarship

This scholarship is worth CAD $20,000 and is offered to eligible international students entering first year. However, applicants must have graduated from a high school within the Calgary Board of Education (CBE).

IPSEA International Entrance Scholarship

The current award is CAD $20,000 and is available to an eligible international student entering first year who graduated from a high school within an IPSEA member school district.

CCSD International Entrance Scholarship

The current award is CAD $20,000 and is intended for an international student entering first year who graduated from a high school within the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD).

Golden Hills International Entrance Scholarship

This scholarship is currently valued at CAD $20,000 and is for an eligible international student entering first year who graduated from a high school within the Golden Hills School District.

Important: Students applying directly from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, or another country should not assume they qualify for these school-district-specific awards. Check the individual terms carefully.

Fully Funded Gates Cambridge Scholarship for International Students in the UK

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University of Calgary Scholarships for Master’s Students

International students planning a master’s degree can access several types of funding.

UCalgary’s graduate funding system includes:

• Graduate scholarships
• Departmental funding
• Research assistantships
• Teaching assistantships
• External scholarships
• International graduate awards
• Thesis-based funding packages

The Faculty of Graduate Studies encourages prospective students to apply for awards at the same time they apply for graduate admission. Students generally need their UCalgary student number (UCID) to apply.

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5. Graduate Award Competition

The Graduate Award Competition (GAC) is one of UCalgary’s major graduate scholarship competitions.

The current award range is CAD $700 to CAD $36,000, and citizenship is listed as unrestricted. The competition is open to students applying to or enrolled in thesis-based graduate degree programs.

Important Restriction

Course-based and professional degree students are not eligible for the Graduate Award Competition.

This makes the GAC particularly relevant to students pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral programs.

Academic Requirements

For the Killam and Open Doctoral categories, applicants need a first-class average in the last two completed years of study. UCalgary states that this corresponds to a 3.5 GPA or higher over the last two years for students whose records are evaluated under UCalgary’s grading system.

Application Deadline

The competition opens November 1, but deadlines can vary by graduate program. Students should confirm their specific deadline with their graduate program.

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6. International Graduate Tuition Award

International students should also search UCalgary’s Graduate Awards Database for the International Graduate Tuition Award.

The university lists this among the graduate funding opportunities that international students should explore.

Because eligibility and award conditions can change, applicants should check the current award terms rather than relying on older scholarship information.

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7. PhD Scholarships at University of Calgary

PhD students can access some of the university’s most substantial funding opportunities.

UCalgary provides funding through:

• University scholarships
• Graduate Award Competition
• Doctoral awards
• Research grants
• Supervisor funding
• Teaching and research assistantships
• External government and agency scholarships

The university states that most thesis-based graduate programs provide funding during the first four years of a PhD, although the exact structure varies by program.

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8. Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Doctoral

The Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Doctoral (CGRS D) is a major doctoral research scholarship administered through Canada’s federal research agencies.

The current UCalgary listing states a value of CAD $40,000 per year for three years and lists citizenship as unrestricted, but international students must meet additional conditions, including being enrolled in a doctoral program at an eligible Canadian institution at the time of application.

Who Should Consider It?

This opportunity is particularly relevant to international students pursuing research-intensive doctoral studies in areas connected with:

• Health research
• Natural sciences
• Engineering
• Social sciences
• Humanities

Applicants should carefully check the current tri-agency eligibility rules because not every international applicant will qualify.

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Minimum Funding for Thesis-Based Master’s and PhD Students

One of the most important features of UCalgary for international research students is its minimum funding commitment.

For students beginning their programs on or after January 1, 2026, UCalgary lists:

• International MA/MSc thesis-based students: minimum CAD $25,455 per year
• International PhD students: minimum CAD $33,205 per year

The listed minimums apply for the first two years of eligible MA/MSc thesis-based programs and the first four years of eligible PhD programs. Continued full-time registration and satisfactory academic progress are required.

This funding should not automatically be interpreted as a traditional “scholarship.” It can consist of different sources of graduate support, depending on the program.

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Advantages of University of Calgary Scholarships

• 1. Scholarships for Different Study Levels
• International students can find funding opportunities for:
• Bachelor’s
• Master’s
• PhD
• 2. High-Value Entrance Awards
• The CAD $20,000 International Entrance Scholarship is a significant opportunity for new international undergraduate students.
• 3. Renewable Scholarships
• Some undergraduate entrance scholarships can continue into later years if recipients maintain the required GPA and other conditions.
• 4. Major Graduate Funding
• UCalgary distributes more than CAD $42 million in graduate awards annually.
• 5. Research-Based Funding
• Thesis-based master’s and PhD students can benefit from university funding, scholarships, assistantships and supervisor support.
• 6. International Students Are Eligible for Many Graduate Awards
• UCalgary explicitly states that international students can apply for many graduate awards, although some opportunities have citizenship restrictions.

Canadian Government’s Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships for Domestic and International Students

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General Eligibility Requirements

Requirements vary from scholarship to scholarship. However, international students should usually consider the following:

Academic Excellence

Competitive scholarships generally favor students with strong academic records.

International Student Status

Some awards specifically require applicants to be classified as international students and pay international tuition.

Admission to UCalgary

You normally need to apply to an eligible UCalgary program. For many graduate awards, you can begin the award process after submitting your admission application and receiving your UCID.

Research Potential

Research-based master’s and PhD scholarships may consider:

• Research experience
• Publications
• Academic achievements
• Research proposal
• Potential contribution to the field

Programme Eligibility

Some scholarships are restricted to particular:

• Faculties
• Subjects
• Degree types
• Research areas
• Years of study

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Required Documents

Although requirements differ, international students should prepare the following documents:

For Bachelor’s Applicants

• Passport
• Academic transcripts
• Secondary-school certificate
• Proof of English-language proficiency, if required
• University admission information
• Awards and achievements
• Personal statement, where required
• Extracurricular and leadership information

For Master’s Applicants

• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Academic transcripts
• CV/resume
• Statement of purpose
• Research proposal, if applicable
• Recommendation letters
• English-language test results, if required
• Evidence of research or professional experience

For PhD Applicants

• Master’s/bachelor’s degree documents as applicable
• Academic transcripts
• Academic CV
• Research proposal
• Statement of research interests
• Recommendation letters
• Publications, if available
• Evidence of previous research
• Supervisor information, where required
• English-language proficiency evidence

UCalgary’s graduate award guidance specifically notes that many applications require transcripts, references, research proposals and CVs.

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Application Process

• Step 1: Select a Degree Program
• Choose an appropriate bachelor’s, master’s or PhD program at UCalgary.
• Step 2: Check the Scholarship Database
• Use the official UCalgary awards databases to identify scholarships for which you may qualify.
• For graduate students, UCalgary advises applicants to explore the Graduate Awards Database and individual award terms.
• Step 3: Apply for Admission
• Complete the UCalgary admission application.
• Graduate applicants are encouraged to apply for awards after submitting their admission application and receiving their UCID.
• Step 4: Create Your Scholarship Application
• For undergraduate awards, applications may be accessed through the relevant section of the My UCalgary Portal.
• Graduate applicants can access the scholarship application through:
• Student Centre → Financial Aid → Apply for Graduate Awards
• The system identifies eligible internal awards and allows students to select competitions for which they want to be considered.
• Step 5: Arrange References
• Ask your professors, academic supervisors or other appropriate referees well before the deadline.
• Graduate applicants can request and track references through the scholarship application system.
• Step 6: Submit Supporting Documents
• Upload all required:
• Transcripts
• CV
• References
• Research proposal
• Essays
• Other supporting documents
• Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline
• Deadlines vary significantly between scholarships.
• For example, the Graduate Award Competition opens November 1, but individual graduate programs can have different deadlines.
• Step 8: Monitor Your Portal
• Regularly check your My UCalgary account and email for:
• Missing documents
• Reference requests
• Application updates
• Scholarship decisions

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How to Increase Your Scholarship Chances

Maintain a Strong GPA

Academic achievement is one of the most important factors in competitive scholarships.

Apply Early

Do not wait until the final week. Prepare your documents, references and admission application well in advance.

Write a Strong Personal Statement

Explain:

• Why you chose UCalgary
• Why you selected your program
• Your academic achievements
• Your career goals
• Your leadership experience
• How your education will create future impact

Build a Strong Research Profile

For master’s and PhD applicants, research experience, publications, conference participation and a well-developed research proposal can strengthen your application.

Apply for Multiple Awards

Do not depend on one scholarship. Search the university’s complete scholarship database and investigate external funding opportunities as well.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. Does the University of Calgary offer scholarships for international students?
• Yes. UCalgary offers scholarships specifically for international undergraduate students and many graduate awards are also available to international students.
• 2. What is the largest undergraduate international entrance scholarship?
• The current University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship is worth CAD $20,000 and is renewable subject to the applicable requirements.
• 3. Can Pakistani students apply for UCalgary scholarships?
• Yes. Pakistani students can apply for scholarships for which they meet the international-student and program requirements. However, some awards are restricted to students who graduated from particular Canadian school districts, so those awards will not be available to every applicant from Pakistan.
• 4. Can international students get scholarships for a master’s degree?
• Yes. International students can access various UCalgary graduate awards, particularly those that do not have Canadian citizenship restrictions.
• 5. Does UCalgary provide PhD funding?
• Yes. UCalgary provides scholarships, awards, assistantships and program/supervisor funding. For eligible thesis-based PhD students beginning on or after January 1, 2026, the university lists a minimum annual funding package of CAD $33,205 for international students for the applicable funding period.
• 6. Is the CAD $20,000 scholarship fully funded?
• No. A CAD $20,000 scholarship should not automatically be described as a fully funded scholarship. Tuition and living costs can exceed this amount.
• 7. Can I apply for graduate scholarships before being accepted?
• For many UCalgary graduate awards, you are encouraged to apply after submitting your admission application and receiving your UCID. You do not necessarily need to have received a final admission decision at the time of application.
• 8. Do all UCalgary scholarships require a separate application?
• No. The application method depends on the award. Some awards use the My UCalgary Portal, while graduate competitions have their own application process. Some awards may involve nominations rather than a conventional application.
• 9. What GPA do I need?
• There is no single GPA requirement for every UCalgary scholarship. For example, the International Entrance Scholarship requires a 2.60 GPA for renewal, while the Killam and Open Doctoral categories of the Graduate Award Competition require a 3.5 GPA or higher over the last two years at UCalgary.
• 10. Where can I find the official scholarship information?

The best source is UCalgary’s official scholarship and awards pages:

University of Calgary – Scholarships, Awards and Bursaries:
Official UCalgary Awards & Scholarships

International Entrance Scholarship:
Official International Entrance Scholarship

Graduate Scholarships and Funding:
Official UCalgary Graduate Awards & Funding

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Conclusion

The University of Calgary is an excellent option for international students looking for scholarships and financial support in Canada. Opportunities are available at the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels, although the amount and eligibility criteria vary significantly.

For undergraduate students, the CAD $20,000 International Entrance Scholarship is one of the most attractive options, and its renewable structure can provide additional support in later years if academic requirements are maintained.

For master’s and PhD students, UCalgary is particularly attractive because of its extensive graduate funding system. The university distributes more than CAD $42 million in graduate awards each year, while eligible thesis-based students can also receive program-level funding packages.

The best approach is to apply for admission early, obtain your UCID, search the official scholarship database, prepare your academic documents and references, and apply to every suitable award for which you meet the requirements.

Finally, remember that not every scholarship described online as a “University of Calgary scholarship for international students” is open to students worldwide. Some awards are restricted to graduates of specific Canadian school districts or particular programs. Always check the official UCalgary terms and conditions before applying.

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