List of Free Universities in Canada for International Students.
This post presents a comprehensive list of Canadian universities that offer tuition-free programs for international students seeking to obtain a degree from a Canadian institution without tuition fees.
Canada is globally renowned as a premier destination for education, attracting countless individuals each year in pursuit of high-quality academic qualifications. Canadian universities are celebrated for their excellence across disciplines such as arts, physical and natural sciences, engineering, and business.
The degrees conferred by Canadian universities are highly esteemed worldwide, recognized by institutions and organizations globally for their rigorous standards and academic rigor. Whether you aspire to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral program, Canadian universities offer a diverse range of educational opportunities tailored to meet international students’ needs.
Students from around the world can benefit from the exceptional educational services provided by Canadian universities, ensuring access to top-tier academic programs and resources.
About Free Universities in Canada
To be candid, there are no tuition-free universities in Canada for either domestic or international students—all universities in the country require tuition fees. However, you can pursue a free education at your preferred Canadian university by applying for fully funded scholarships that cover your educational expenses for several years.
Each year, the Government of Canada, charities, affluent individuals, and Canadian institutions collaborate to offer scholarship opportunities to students. These scholarships come in various forms, including fellowships, fully or partially funded scholarships, grants, and other financial aids.
This article focuses specifically on fully funded scholarships, which are designed to support international students seeking to study in Canada at no cost. Some scholarships are offered directly by universities, while others are administered by external organizations in partnership with the universities.
However, we will provide you with a list of free universities in Canada for international students. Not “free schools” per se, but universities that offer full scholarships to international students.
Students awarded these full-tuition scholarships can attend their chosen Canadian universities completely tuition-free, eliminating the need to pay any tuition fees. Some scholarships are based on academic merit, while others may require an outstanding essay or other criteria.
With a fully funded scholarship, students are exempt from paying tuition fees as long as they maintain the scholarship’s requirements throughout their studies. This allows them to pursue their education at their university of choice without financial burden from tuition fees.
While scholarships typically cover tuition, students may still need to cover living expenses and other costs unless specified otherwise by the scholarship terms.
For students looking to supplement their finances, starting an online business during their free time can be a viable option. Selling custom products, such as die-cut stickers or hard enamel pins, can be a low-budget venture particularly suitable for those with artistic skills.
Let’s now focus on the main topic of universities offering fully funded scholarships for international students in Canada.
List of Free Universities in Canada for International Students
Below is a list of free universities in Canada for international students or you can call them universities in Canada that offer fully funded scholarships for international students. These universities are;
1. St. Mary’s University
Saint Mary’s University is included in the list of free universities in Canada for international students as it provides a series of fully funded scholarships for international students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at this institution.
The institution offers up to eight different scholarships each year to international students wishing to pursue an undergraduate degree at St Mary’s.
All scholarships are renewable, so you can stay on them for the rest of your program as long as you meet the renewal requirements.
Scholarships are also only available to freshmen (first-year students) who demonstrate excellent academic performance and those who demonstrate verifiable financial need.
2. Concordia University
Concordia University joins the list of free universities in Canada for international students by offering a newly established full-time award known as the Presidential Scholarship.
As you may have guessed, the award is fully funded and can be renewed for up to four years, provided the winner maintains the renewal requirement.
The Concordia Presidential Scholarship is available exclusively to international students pursuing a degree in any undergraduate program.
Students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership qualities, and motivation to make the global community a better place are highly qualified to receive this scholarship.
The award is given annually and is highly competitive, and in addition to tuition fees, it also covers books and living expenses.
3. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Team Southern Alberta Institute of Technology is one of many educational institutions in Canada that can be included in the list of free universities in Canada for international students.
The institution of higher education provides $5 million in scholarships annually to international students across all programs of study.
Awards are intended for incoming students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, community involvement, and other areas of success and support.
The scholarship is also renewable for up to four years if winners maintain the renewal requirement, so you can study the program of your choice without having to attend a top institution like the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
4. University of Toronto
There are a number of funding opportunities available at the University of Toronto that are partially funded, fully funded, and available to all types of students across all programs and levels of study.
However, this prestigious institution can make it to the list of free universities in Canada for international students thanks to the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program that they offer.
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program is actually offered by some of Canada’s leading institutions, and the University of Toronto is one of them.
The scholarship program is fully funded, including tuition, books, incidental expenses, and full living support for four years, making winners of this award free to University of Toronto students.
The scholarship is awarded annually to incoming students wishing to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto.
The award is primarily intended for international students who have demonstrated critical thinking skills, academic excellence and leadership qualities, and an enthusiasm for learning and intellectual exploration.
5. University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is included among the institutions offering opportunities for international students to study in Canada tuition-free, thanks to numerous government and privately funded scholarships available for both undergraduate and graduate students.
These scholarships vary in funding coverage, ranging from fully to partially funded, and include fellowships and other forms of financial aid.
For graduate students, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) stand out as an excellent option. These scholarships, renewable for up to three years of graduate study, are government-funded and offered through various universities across Canada, including the University of Calgary. We have recently prepared a detailed article on the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, providing comprehensive information on application requirements, deadlines, eligibility criteria, and participating universities.
International undergraduate students can also benefit from the University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship, allowing them to pursue any undergraduate program tuition-free. This award may be extended for up to four years upon meeting the extension criteria.
These opportunities make the University of Calgary a favorable choice for international students seeking to study in Canada without the burden of tuition fees.
6. University of Waterloo
Want to know why this school made it to the list of free universities in Canada for international students? Here’s why.
Two of the best fully-funded scholarships for international students in Canada are offered through the University of Waterloo. These are the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship and the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, which are available to both undergraduate and graduate students until they complete their studies at Waterloo.
Luckily, we have a fully detailed article on both the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship and the Vanier Graduate Scholarship in Canada that contains all the useful information including the application process, requirements, and deadlines.
7. Carleton University
Here is another top Canadian university in the list of free universities in Canada for international students where you can get a bachelor’s degree without any cost. This is made possible by Carleton University’s entrance awards for international students, and is only for first-time students.
The scholarship will be extended for an additional three years if you meet the renewal requirements.
8. University of York
York University is a leading Canadian powerhouse of learning and offers a number of scholarship opportunities that international students can apply for. However, there are only three of these scholarships that are fully funded, allowing international students to study at York University for free.
These scholarships include the University of York Automatic Scholarships, the International Honours Entrance Scholarship and the Global Leader of Tomorrow Award for international students.
These scholarships are only for international students who want to pursue an undergraduate degree at York University. These scholarships are extended for three additional years to the students who win them, which is why York University is included in the list of free universities in Canada for international students.
If, after you win the award, you can maintain your academic progress each year, you will study and gain an undergraduate degree at the University of York without paying tuition fees.
9. University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is one of Canada’s top post-secondary institutions and offers three prestigious need- and merit-based scholarship programs available through the UBC International Scholars Program.
These awards are fully funded, and if you meet the renewal requirements after you have been selected for a scholarship, they can be extended for an additional three years.
You will see yourself progressing through and completing your preferred undergraduate program at a leading institution without worrying about tuition fees.
This concludes the list of free universities in Canada for international students or as you have understood, the list of universities in Canada that offer fully funded scholarships in Canada. Other universities in Canada also offer scholarships but the ones here are handpicked because they offer fully funded scholarships and serve as your free tuition at a Canadian university.
Conclusion
You may have noticed that there are more scholarships available for undergraduate students than for graduate students. This distribution is due to many scholarships being reserved for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. However, there are also scholarships funded by individuals and organizations that are made available through various universities.
Some notable examples include the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) Fellowships, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Fellowships, among others.
We have detailed articles covering all types of scholarships available for international students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, or doctoral degrees. Below, you’ll find links to comprehensive information on these scholarship opportunities.
It’s important to note that scholarship requirements for the list of free universities in Canada for international students mentioned in this post vary depending on the program of study and, sometimes, the country of origin.
Before applying, carefully review the requirements to ensure eligibility, as competition for these scholarships can be intense. Refer to the tips below for strategies on maximizing your chances of securing scholarships as an international student looking to study in Canada.