Study in Canada: A Guide to Top Universities, Costs, and Scholarships in 2025/2026

Canada has top universities with many programs. You can choose from science, arts, business, and more. These schools welcome students from all over the world. You also get to enjoy a rich culture and beautiful nature.

However, studying abroad can be costly. That is why this guide shows you all about tuition and living costs. It also helps you find good scholarships to lower your expenses.

In this guide, you will learn how to pick a top university. You will also learn how to apply for study visas. With the right steps, your study dream in Canada can come true. Keep reading to find out how.

Study in Canada Scholarships

The Study in Canada Scholarships (SICS) give Canadian post-secondary schools the chance to welcome students from various countries and regions for short-term academic or research exchanges. 

These scholarships are supported by Global Affairs Canada under the Academic Relations program and are designed to build stronger, more varied international relationships and partnerships for Canada.

Through this program, new relationships will help build and deepen the educational connections of Canada with many global partners. These efforts will also help strengthen ties that are diplomatic and improve cultural and personal bonds between Canada and the countries or territories involved.

Canadian schools that want to take part are encouraged to inform their teachers, staff, and eligible partner schools about the program. International schools hoping to send their students to Canada are advised to create student exchange agreements with Canadian institutions. 

Students who want to study or do research in Canada for a short time should check if they meet the requirements and speak to their school’s international office to learn how to apply. Applications must be submitted by Canadian schools on behalf of the eligible students.

Who Can Apply

To qualify, students must:

• Be citizens of one of the following countries or regions:
• Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan
• Europe: Türkiye, Ukraine
• Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda
• Be fully enrolled at a college or university in one of the above places
• Be paying tuition fees to their current school at the time they apply and for the entire duration of the scholarship

Students cannot apply if they:

• Are Canadian citizens or have applied for Canadian permanent residence
• Are already taking part in another scholarship funded by the Canadian government
• Are already enrolled in a program at a Canadian school that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate

Requirements for Canadian Schools

Canadian schools wanting to host students must:

• Be recognized as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
• Have an existing student exchange agreement with the student’s home school that allows for a tuition fee waiver (for college and undergraduate level only)

Scholarship Value and Duration

Award Level	Scholarship Amount	Time Period	Type of Activities
College / Undergraduate (4 months)	$10,200	Four months or one academic term	Academic studies or research at the college or undergraduate level. Tuition waiver agreement needed.
Graduate (4 months)	$10,200	Four months or one academic term	Graduate-level studies or research (Masters/PhD). No tuition waiver needed.
Graduate (5-6 months)	$12,700	Five to six months	Graduate-level studies or research.

What the Scholarship Covers

Students who are chosen can use the funds for:

✔ Fees for visas or permits (study or work)
✔ Plane tickets on the most affordable, direct route
✔ Health insurance
✔ Living costs, including rent, food, and utilities
✔ Ground travel, including public transportation
✔ Books and learning materials (not including computers or high-tech tools)

Support for Canadian Institutions

✔ $500 per student to cover administrative work once they arrive
✔ Reimbursement of extra fees paid to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in certain cases

How the Funding Is Given

Canadian schools will receive the funds from Global Affairs Canada, through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) using a fixed contribution agreement. 

The schools must then distribute the money to the students. If a student doesn’t accept the scholarship, the school must return the full amount, including the admin fee, back to DFATD.

How to Apply

Canadian post-secondary schools are responsible for submitting applications on behalf of eligible students before the specified deadline.

Steps for Canadian Institutions to Apply

• Designate a program coordinator who will handle the application process.
• Go to “Login or Register” and create a My EduCanada account for your school. Make sure to choose “Institution” when selecting the account type.
• After signing in, choose the Study in Canada Scholarships Program and click on Apply.
• Fill in the required fields on the application form and carefully follow the instructions.
• Use the Validate and Save buttons as you move through each form section.
• Upload all necessary supporting files. Each file must be under 5 MB and can be in formats like .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt, or .xlsx.
• Go over your application to make sure everything is correct and complete.
• Read the “Declaration and permission” section, accept the terms, then click Submit. You will get a confirmation message and a reference number after submitting.
• Save or print a copy for your records by using the “Print | Download” button.

For extra help, visit the Help with My EduCanada page.

Required Supporting Files

Organizations must make sure that all submitted documents are thorough and correct according to the given instructions. Any changes or updates to documents will not be accepted once the deadline has passed. 

If any documents are in a language other than English or French, they must be submitted along with a proper translation.

Proof of Citizenship

• A clear copy of the applicant’s passport or national ID card is required, showing a photo and valid dates.
• Students from Taiwan also need to submit a household registration certificate from Taiwan.
• The following items are not valid for proof of citizenship: driver’s license, permanent resident card, work or student permit, student ID, health card, birth certificate, or baptismal record.
• The document chosen to prove citizenship must match the citizenship stated in the online application form.

Proof of Full-Time Enrollment from the Home Institution of the Applicant

• This document must be printed on the school’s official letterhead, must be dated within the past six months, and must clearly state that the student is enrolled full-time.
• Unacceptable documents include transcripts, student IDs, or letters of admission.

Candidate’s Letter of Intent (maximum of one page)

• This letter should describe the study or research activities planned in Canada.
• It must also explain why the student chose Canada, the specific institution, program, and supervisor, and how the experience will support their future goals or career.

Support Letter from the Applicant’s Home Institution (maximum of one page)

• The letter must be on official school letterhead, written within the past six months, and issued by the student’s professor, instructor, or director of international programs.
• It should outline the planned research or studies in Canada and explain how both the student and their home institution will benefit from participating in this scholarship.

Invitation Letter from a Canadian Supervisor (graduate students only, maximum of one page)

• This letter must be printed on official letterhead, signed by the supervisor in Canada, and dated within the last six months.
• It must explain the type and scope of the planned research project in cooperation with the student’s home institution.
• The letter must confirm that the supervisor agrees to support and guide the student during their exchange and should also explain how the Canadian institution, supervisor, and students will benefit from the collaboration.

Signed Privacy Notice Statement

• A signed and dated (within the past six months) copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants is required.

Signed Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Partner Institution

• This agreement must clearly state that no tuition fees will be charged and must show this condition.
• For college or undergraduate research students applying without an existing agreement, a one-page letter may be submitted instead. This letter must be on official letterhead, issued by the international office (or its equivalent), and must link the application to a particular research collaboration in Canada. It must name the Canadian supervisor and confirm that no tuition fees will apply. This letter must be dated within the last six months.
• Expired agreements will not be accepted. If the agreement is currently being renewed, institutions must include a letter explaining this and provide a copy of the expired MOU.
• For graduate-level applications, an agreement is encouraged but not strictly necessary.

Application Ranking

• Institutions must send a ranking of applications based on their own strategic goals to the email address: [email protected].

Criteria for Choosing Scholarship Recipients

Applications will be reviewed based on the following:

• The academic value of the study or research planned in Canada
• The benefit this work brings to the student’s home school and classmates
• The value it adds to the Canadian school, including the supervisor and peers
• How strong and meaningful the new connections will be between institutions
• How the candidate is ranked by the Canadian institution

Note: Preference will go to applicants who have not received a Study in Canada Scholarship before.

Important Dates

Deadline for Application

Canadian schools must submit online applications for students no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 18, 2025, which means as of now, the scholarship application is closed till March next year on the same date and time.

To make sure everything is submitted on time, institutions should ask candidates and their home schools to submit documents well in advance of the deadline.

Result Announcements

The scholarship program administrator will inform Canadian schools of accepted applications in the spring. There will be no feedback for applications that are not selected.

It is the responsibility of the Canadian school to let candidates know the results. Applicants should check with their own institution or the Canadian one about the status of their application.

Arriving in Canada

Chosen scholars can come to Canada starting August 1, 2025, for the fall semester and must arrive no later than February 1, 2026, for winter or spring. Missing this timeframe could lead to losing the scholarship.

Winners should apply for their visa or study/work permit as soon as they can to avoid delays.

Scholarship Requirements

Students who receive a scholarship must:

• Be enrolled in full-time studies or research as set by the Canadian school
• Not participate in clinical work or research involving patient care
• Make academics or research their main focus while in Canada
• Return to their home institution to complete their studies once the scholarship ends

Breaking these rules may result in the scholarship being canceled.

Other Details

• Only Canadian schools can submit applications; applications sent by individuals will not be accepted
• Scholarships cannot be postponed or extended
• Awards depend on funding availability from the Canadian government
• These scholarships are not considered taxable for either the recipient or the Canadian institution.

If you have any questions about the scholarship, and you need verified info directly from the scholarship board, you can contact the scholarship administrator at [email protected] or 613-237-4820.

Top Universities to Apply for Scholarships in Canada

Canada is home to many outstanding universities that rank among the top globally. Students aiming to study in Canada can choose from a wide range of high-quality institutions. Below are some of the most well-known universities in the country that offer scholarships:

University	Location	What Makes It Stand Out	Special Feature
University of Toronto (UofT)	Toronto, Ontario	Recognized as Canada’s highest-ranked university, UofT is known worldwide for its excellence in research and forward-thinking innovation. It shines in Medicine, Engineering, and Computer Science. Studying in Canada becomes a great opportunity at UofT.	Located in downtown Toronto, students benefit from being close to top employers like Shopify and RBC, gaining easy access to internships and jobs.
University of British Columbia (UBC)	Vancouver, British Columbia	UBC is celebrated for its beautiful campus, advanced research centers, and a strong dedication to environmental responsibility. It is a top option for those studying Environmental Science, Forestry, or Business. Vancouver is also rated as a great student city in Canada.	UBC’s co-op programs give students real-world work experience during their studies, which often leads to job offers after they graduate.
McGill University	Montreal, Quebec	Often referred to as the “Harvard of the North,” McGill is one of the country’s most respected institutions. It stands out in fields like Law, Psychology, and Aerospace Engineering. Many are drawn to study in Canada because of McGill’s reputation.	McGill’s bilingual atmosphere—offering both English and French—adds a special cultural layer to student life, making studying in Canada even richer.
University of Waterloo	Waterloo, Ontario	Waterloo leads in innovation and tech development, with partnerships reaching into Silicon Valley. It excels in Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is a major destination for tech-focused students wanting to study in Canada.	Its globally recognized co-op program gives students extensive work experience, helping them build professional networks even before graduation.
McMaster University	Hamilton, Ontario	McMaster is known for its strong research programs and creative teaching styles. It is especially respected in Health Sciences, Business, and Engineering. Students in these fields often choose McMaster to study in Canada.	The university’s focus on problem-based learning pushes students to think deeply and come up with solutions to real challenges, enriching their studies.

Summary

Studying in Canada is a smart choice. It gives you a great future. You get top education and global job chances. Study in Canada: a guide to top universities, costs, and scholarships helps you plan well.

With this guide, you learn about the best schools. You also understand how much money you will need. Plus, you find helpful scholarships that make school affordable.

This guide also tells you how to get your student visa. It helps you know what life in Canada is like. Everything is made simple for you.

Start your journey with this guide. Use every tip and prepare step by step. Soon, you will be ready to study in Canada. Let your big dream begin today.