Canada Scholarships for International Students: Masters and PhD – How to Apply

Looking for a Canada scholarship for a research master’s and PhD and don’t know where to start from or how to start? Look no further because you definitely have landed in the right place. Canada is a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality education and welcoming culture. There are numerous scholarship opportunities in Canada, in this post, the focus will be on graduate scholarships for research masters and PhD scholarships offered by the various universities in Canada.

How to apply for scholarship in canada?

One thing is to locate the scholarship opportunities, that is the universities in Canada that offer funding in various disciplines (research masters and PhD Canada scholarship for Law, Engineering, Computer Science, Sciences, Social Sciences and Arts, Health Sciences, and Business and Management), another thing is to know the techniques and strategies to optimize your chances of receiving a Canada scholarship award. Here on Canadex, you will find both – that is, the scholarships and the invaluable tips and strategies on how to apply. Subsequent posts will feature Canada scholarship awards for the various disciplines.

Discover the proven strategies on how international students in Canada can get Canada scholarships to pursue a Research Master’s or PhD.

Why Study in Canada on a Canada Scholarship?

Canada offers quality education and this comes at a high cost. Education in general in Canada is not cheap. International students in Canada pay about 3 times what domestic students (Canadian citizens and permanent residents) pay to study in Canada. 

So, if you do not have the funds to pay your tuition, you can consider Canada scholarship opportunities. Scholarships are very competitive and frankly, not everyone will be eligible to apply. The universities in Canada offer funding to outstanding students to pursue scholarships and ground-breaking research. The scholarship in focus here is for research masters and PhD. Let us find out what this means.

Canada Scholarship for Research Masters and PhD

The emphasis here is on research masters scholarship and PhD scholarship in Canada because universities in Canada offer more scholarships (usually full funding that at least covers tuition fees and if you are lucky, you may also have your living expenses covered as well) for these programs as they make a considerable positive impact on research and scholarship.

When international students apply for post-graduate studies (whether masters or PhD) in Canada, they either enroll for a taught-based (or course-based) master’s program, research masters or a PhD. This distinction is important because it will impact the funding available for each mode of study.

Taught or Course-based Masters Study – Less Canada Scholarship 

A taught or course-based Master’s program in Canada is a type of graduate degree that involves taking a set of required and elective courses in a specific subject area. These programs are designed to provide students with a deep understanding of a particular discipline and to develop the advanced skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in that field. 

Taught Master’s programs in Canada typically take one to two years to complete, depending on the specific program and university. In most cases, students will be required to take a combination of core courses and electives, and may also be required to complete a research project or thesis.

A taught master’s degree is a great opportunity to specialize in a particular area of your field. However, this type of study has less funding and in most cases, no funding at all. So, if you are an international student looking to enroll in a taught masters program in Canada, bear in mind that you will have to pay for your tuition by yourself. As noted above, tuition fees in Canada are not cheap. 

One of the benefits of a course-based Master’s program in Canada is the flexibility it offers. Students can choose to focus on a specific area of interest within their discipline and can often customize their course of study to meet their individual goals. Additionally, many programs offer a range of elective courses, allowing students to broaden their knowledge and explore new areas of study. 

Research Masters Study – More Canada Scholarship

A Research Master’s degree is a graduate-level program that involves advanced coursework and independent and original research. Research Master’s programs are typically designed to prepare students for careers in research or academia.

During a Research Master’s program, students will typically take advanced coursework and seminars in their field of study, as well as complete a research project or thesis. This research project is typically a significant component of the program and involves conducting original research, analyzing data, and presenting findings in a formal document.

Students enrolled in a research masters program usually work under the direction of a faculty member (thesis supervisor) who is an expert in their chosen field of study. 

A taught-based master’s is less tasking compared to the rigorous research in a research-based master’s. The good thing about a research master’s program is that there are more funding opportunities for it compared to a taught-based master’s.

In fact, a number of universities in Canada articulate that all students admitted into their research programs (which includes research masters) are guaranteed funding upon admission.

Research Master’s programs in Canada typically take between one to two years to complete full-time depending on the program. Upon completion of a Research Master’s program, students may be eligible to continue their studies at the doctoral level or pursue careers in research or academia.

If you’re considering studying in Canada for a master’s program as an international student and you cannot fund your studies, your best bet is to opt for research. But you must be prepared to meet the requirements and know the strategies on how to increase your chances of getting a Canada scholarship award. These strategies are subsequently below.

PhD Study in Canada – More Canada Scholarship

A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is a postgraduate degree that involves advanced coursework and independent research in a specific field of study. Just like research masters, PhD programs are typically offered in academic or scientific fields and are designed to prepare students for careers in research or academia.

To apply for a PhD program in Canada, students typically need to have completed a Master’s degree in a related field and have a strong academic record. Admissions committees may also consider other factors such as the student’s research experience, letters of recommendation, and writing samples.

One advantage of pursuing a PhD in Canada is the availability of scholarship opportunities. Many universities offer financial support to PhD students in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. These funding opportunities can cover the cost of tuition and in some cases provide a stipend to help with living expenses.

During a PhD program, students will typically take advanced coursework and seminars in their field of study, as well as complete a research project or dissertation. This research project is typically a significant component of the program and involves conducting original research into an area of your chosen field.

PhD programs in Canada typically take three to four years to complete full-time, although some PhD programs may be completed on a longer time frame on a part-time basis. Upon completion of a PhD program, students may be eligible to pursue careers in research or academia.

So far, you already have a clear understanding of the funding implications of the graduate program you choose because you will encounter these options in your quest for a scholarship in Canada. If you are keen on getting a Canada scholarship award, you should focus on a research masters or PhD depending on your preferred level of study. If you are not keen on research and can fund your studies yourself, a taught-based masters is your option. 

Sources of Canada Scholarships Offered By Canadian Universities

It is important to understand the sources of Canada scholarships for international students offered by the universities you apply to. There are several sources of scholarships offered by Canadian universities to international students in Canada. Below are some of the sources of funding:

• Faculty of Graduate Studies Funding – Some universities in Canada administer graduate scholarships through the Faculty of Graduate Studies for both domestic and international students. Funding from Graduate Studies could be through Fellowships, Teaching Assistantships, Conference Travel, etc.
• Departmental Scholarship – Some departments or faculties have funding through endowments. Some of these endowments may be open, that is available to students no matter their area of research/studies; other endowments are specific, e.g. for intellectual property law, environmental law, technology law, etc., while on the other hand, some of them may be offered to students who desire to pursue graduate research in very specific areas of study.
• Faculty Project Grant – Some faculty members who have received funding to conduct research in a particular area tend to recruit research master’s and/or PhD students to assist with the research project. In return, the students are offered funding.
• Provincial Scholarship – Some provinces in Canada administer graduate scholarships. Some are available for both domestic and international students. For example, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is available to both domestic and international students. The links to some provincial scholarships are available below:

• Ontario Graduate Scholarship
• British Columbia Graduate Scholarship
• Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship
• New Brunswick Scholarship
• Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship

• Federal Scholarships – The federal government of Canada also administers some scholarships which are available to international students. An example is the Vanier scholarship:
• Vanier Graduate Scholarship – This is one of the most prestigious and highly competitive scholarships in Canada. It is valued at $50,000 per year renewable for 3 years. It is mostly for PhD students and generally, you ought to have commenced your PhD program at an institution in Canada. 

Value of Canada Scholarships Offered to International  Students in Canada

It is very important to know and understand the value of the scholarship award you are expected to receive. This will enable you to plan your budget and ensure you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses in Canada. The value of your Canada scholarship may be full or partial. 

Your Canada Scholarship May Be Full or Partial

• Full or Partial Funding: The determining factor as to whether the funding you get is full or partial is if it covers your full tuition. For example, if your tuition per session (academic year) is $21,000, and you get exactly this amount in funding – this is full funding; on the other hand, if the tuition is $21,000 and you get $10,000 in funding, that is partial funding. Additionally, while your Canada scholarship may be full, it may not run through the duration of the program. Here’s what this means:

• If your program is a 2-year Master’s in Canada and yearly tuition is $18,000 and you get funding for the $18,000, but for 1 year. Though this is full funding, it does not cover the duration of your program. So, technically, it is full but partial.

• In the same way, you could be enrolled in a PhD program, which takes 3 to 5 years complete with a yearly tuition of $18,000 and a scholarship award of $18,000 for 2 years. While this is full funding for 2 years, technically it is partly because you still have some years of study ahead. Hopefully, you will get other funding opportunities.

So, when you get a scholarship award in Canada, you have to be sure of the value to ascertain if the Canada scholarship will be sufficient to cover at least your tuition for the duration of the program.

Eligibility for Canada Scholarship for Research Masters and PhD

The Canada Scholarship for Research Masters and PhD provides financial support to international students in Canada who are pursuing graduate studies. The scholarship is designed to attract highly qualified students from around the world and to help them achieve their academic and research goals in Canada.

To be eligible for the Canada scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• They must be international students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Although some scholarships are also available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

• They must be applying to a full-time graduate program (Research Masters or PhD) at a Canadian university.

• They must have a strong academic record and have demonstrated research potential. Usually at least a Second Class Upper or higher (First Class).

• They must be keen on research and willing to do original research and engage in academic/thesis writing. 

It’s also good to notice that universities might have more specific criteria and the selection process is usually handled by the universities to which the student is applying to. Also, the scholarship is awarded to students who have secured admission to the host university.

Studying on a Canadian scholarship for Research Masters or PhD is a great opportunity for international students to further their education and conduct research in Canada. If you meet the eligibility criteria, we recommend you apply and give it a shot. Loads of posts will be published here on valuable tips on how to get scholarships award in Canada.

Strategies to Get Canada Scholarship for Research Masters and PhD

Now let’s discuss the strategies you need to adopt to increase your chances of getting a scholarship award in Canada. The mistake most prospective international students or Canada scholarship applicants make is that they think that simply meeting the minimum GPA requirements is sufficient to get a scholarship.

Having a First Class or Second Class Upper (or their equivalent according to your country’s grading scale) is an amazing academic achievement and certainly gives you an advantage. But here’s the question you should ask yourself:

What if there are just three slots, and 20 other applicants like you have a First Class and you all applied for admission to the same program and compete for the same Canada scholarship award? How will the admissions committee assessing these applications decide who gets these awards?

The answer is that the admissions committee will consider all other factors in reaching a decision. These other factors (the 7-Step Strategy to Get Scholarship for Research Masters and PhD) are what we discuss below and they will definitely help increase your chances of being admitted and awarded Canada scholarship and make you stand out from the crowd of applicants.

These 7-Step Strategies have been developed from personal experience and multiple Canada scholarship awards received by Dr. Justice Ogoroh – an Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Justice Ogoroh is the Principal Consultant (Licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants) at Canadex and a seasoned research masters and PhD scholarship coach.

7-Step Strategy for Research Masters and PhD Canada Scholarship

Below are the 7-Step Formula developed by Dr. Justice Ogoroh:

Step 1- Apply to Schools With Guaranteed Canada Scholarship Upon Admission

Before you apply to an institution in Canada, you have to verify that you will be granted a scholarship once you are admitted. There is no point wasting your time applying to an institution if you will not receive a scholarship upon admission.

Step 2 – Meet or Exceed Admission Requirements

You have to find out what the minimum admission requirements are for the program you are applying to and make sure you meet them. For example, if the program requires you to have at least Second Class Upper, you must make sure your grade is equivalent to a Second Class Upper.

Step 3 – Identify a Specific Research Area

You have to narrow down to a specific research area otherwise prospective supervisors you approach to supervise your research will have a hard time identifying what you want to research precisely. For example, if you want to do research in law – law is very broad, what aspect of law –> it could be intellectual property law –> intellectual property law is also very broad —> it could be copyright law —> what aspect of copyright law do you want to research about—> it could be the challenges of copyright law reform in the digital landscape.

So you see how broadly speaking about law, we have moved to narrow it down specifically to copyright and digital technology.   

Step 4 – Craft a Compelling Research Question

As mentioned earlier, applying for a research masters or PhD requires rigorous research, critical thinking, and academic analysis. You must be able to come up with a research question that would impress the admissions committee. This would convince them that you are prepared to contribute to the scholarship.

Step 5 – Obtain Research Supervisor’s Commitment

If you want to study in Canada for a research master’s and PhD, you will need to work under a supervisor who is an expert in your chosen area of study. Most research masters and PhD programs in Canada will require you to obtain a supervisor’s commitment before you apply to the program. In some cases, if you do not have a research supervision commitment, you may not be admitted.

Step 6 – Write a Compelling Research Proposal

For research masters and PhD programs, you are proposing to do research and it is expected that you craft a strong research proposal wherein you would articulate your research and what issues you intend to engage with and the challenges you seek to solve, and how you intend to solve them. 

Step 7 – Submit Multiple Applications

The award of a Canada scholarship is highly competitive and only awarded to those deserving students who possess impressive academic records and have exceptional profiles. So, in order to increase your chances further, you may consider applying to multiple schools if you have a sufficient budget to cover the application fee.

These strategies have been summarized here, for more in-depth analysis, click on the link at the end of this blog post to watch a free webinar that explains the strategies.

Apply to Canadian Universities for Graduate Scholarships: Points to Note

If you intend to apply for Canada scholarship for a research master’s or PhD, you will have to prepare very well. Ideally, you need 6 to 12 months to prepare your application. Besides meeting the requirements, you need to gather some documents and get familiar with how to apply, and all you need to know and do before you apply. Below are some points to help you navigate the application process. Some points mentioned below may not be relevant to you depending on the program you are applying for; this is a general list. Hopefully, you will find it useful. These points are: 

1. Admission Requirements – this states the minimum admission requirements, that is whether first class or second class.
2. Transcripts – these could be official or unofficial transcripts.
3. Language Proficiency (English or French Tests).
4. Test Score (where applicable, the test could be for GMAT, or GRE).
5. Recommendation Letters – the number could vary from 2 to 3 letters.
6. Research Proposal – Generally, 2 to 5 pages for research masters and 5 to 10 pages for PhD.
7. Supervisor Commitment – provides information on supervisor commitment.
8. Statement of Intent – Also called statement of purpose or statement of motivation.
9. Writing Sample or Design Portfolio – This is to see your previous work.
10. Video/In-person Interview – Mostly for MBA admission and a few other programs that may require it.
11. Curriculum Vitae – Follow Canadian style CV.
12. Application Deadline – Deadlines to apply and send your supporting documents.
13. Program Duration – How long it takes to complete the program.
14. Program Start Date – The date on which you are expected to resume.
15. Application Fee – Most universities in Canada require you to pay an application fee. 
16. Tuition Fee – The tuition fee of the program you are applying to.
17. Funding – This is the amount of scholarship available for the program.
18. Apply Online – Almost all schools in Canada now have an online application system.
19. Program Contact – Usually this contact is the program assistant to direct your questions to get clarification as you navigate the application process.

Canada Scholarship FAQs

Is There a Scholarship in Canada?

Yes, there are free scholarships available for students in Canada. These scholarships are typically awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both. We will be posting information on scholarships for research masters and PhD for various disciplines such as Law, Computer Science, Engineering, Sciences, Health Sciences, Business & Management, and Social Sciences & Arts.

Can We Get Canada Scholarship? 

Yes, scholarships are available in Canada for both domestic and international students. Canadex is mostly focused on Canada scholarships for research masters and PhD in Canada. The 7-Step Formula and the 19 points on the application process listed above show you how to get a scholarship. More information on Canada scholarships and how to apply will be posted regularly on this platform. Besides posting information on schools that offer to fund, there will also be posts providing valuable insight into the application process and documentation.

Are There Canada Scholarships for Masters?

Yes, as already explained in the post, there are scholarships available for master’s (research masters) students in Canada. Some scholarships are specific to certain fields of study, while others are open to students in all disciplines. It’s important to research and apply early as the process and deadline vary depending on the scholarship program.

Need a Canada Scholarship for Research Masters & PhD in Canada?

Click here to watch a FREE WEBINAR on how to get Canada Scholarship for Masters or PhD in Canada. Universities in Canada that offer scholarships for international students with full scholarships for international students in Canada

 

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