Most scholarships require a separate form, a personal statement, a list of referees and weeks of waiting.
The University of Ottawa’s primary international scholarship does not. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you are automatically considered when your admission decision comes through. No extra steps.
That automatic consideration covers up to $60000 over four years. Stack it with the university’s Academic Excellence Scholarship and eligible students can reach $70000 in total scholarship support.
For international students, weighing the cost of studying in Canada is a number worth understanding properly.
At a Glance
| Detail | International English Admission Scholarship | International English Academic Excellence Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Value | $7500 per term up to $60000 | $10000 total $5000 per term |
| Available awards | Unlimited | 100 only |
| Minimum average | 80% | 95% |
| Separate application | No automatic | Review university terms |
| Renewable | Yes up to 12 instalments | No |
| Combinable | Yes | Yes, with the admission scholarship |
Both awards are open to newly admitted international students entering approved English-language undergraduate programs from Winter 2026 onward.
The $60000 Scholarship Award
The International English Admission Scholarship pays $7500 per term and can be renewed for up to 12 instalments across a four-year degree.
No separate application is required. Every newly admitted student who meets the eligibility conditions is automatically assessed and the award decision arrives alongside the admission offer.
Renewal is not guaranteed, though. Students must continue meeting the scholarship’s renewal conditions throughout their studies including maintaining full-time enrollment in an eligible program. Reviewing the official terms early, not after year one, is the smarter approach.
The $10000 Excellence Award (Only 100 Available)
The International English Academic Excellence Scholarship is a separate competitive award for students entering with a minimum 95% admission average.
It pays $5000 per term for two terms, totaling $10000. It is not renewable but it can be combined with the Admission Scholarship.
The 100-award cap matters. Unlike the automatic scholarship which has no stated limit on recipients the Academic Excellence award is genuinely competitive. A 95% average gets you into consideration. It does not guarantee the award.
Eligibility Requirements
Both scholarships share a core eligibility framework. A few conditions catch applicants off guard so they are worth spelling out clearly.
You must:
- Hold a valid international study permit
- Be newly admitted for Winter 2026 or later
- Enroll in an approved English-language undergraduate program
- Study in one of the eligible faculties
- Be enrolled full-time
- Pay international tuition fees
You are not eligible if:
- You hold Canadian citizenship even alongside another passport. Canadian citizens qualify for domestic tuition rates and are excluded from these awards regardless of their other citizenship
- You enroll in the French immersion stream
- You qualify for domestic tuition rates for any reason
The tuition-status condition is the one most applicants overlook. These scholarships are specifically designed for students paying international fees. If your situation changes that status eligibility changes with it.
Eligible Faculties
Both scholarships apply to programs in the following faculties:
- Arts
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Telfer School of Management
Before applying confirm that your specific program is an approved English-language undergraduate program covered by the scholarship. Not every program within an eligible faculty automatically qualifies. Check with the university directly.
What These Scholarships Do Not Cover
This is the section most scholarship summaries skip. It is worth being direct about.
The University of Ottawa’s international scholarships are tuition-reduction awards. They reduce what you pay the university. They do not cover:
- Accommodation and housing
- Living and food expenses
- Health insurance
- Travel costs
- Books and academic materials
- Visa and immigration fees
Plan your full budget with those costs included. A $60000 scholarship spread over four years reduces the financial pressure significantly but studying in Ottawa as an international student involves expenses well beyond tuition.
How to Apply
For the $60000 Admission Scholarship, there is nothing extra to do. Apply for admission to an eligible English-language undergraduate program at the University of Ottawa and meet the eligibility conditions. Automatic consideration happens as part of the admission process.
For the $10000 Academic Excellence Scholarship, review the university’s official terms and conditions for any additional steps or requirements that apply.
In both cases, the admission application itself is the starting point. Get that right first.
Confirm your program eligibility, tuition classification and current scholarship conditions directly with the University of Ottawa before making any financial or enrollment decisions.
