University of Ottawa Scholarships 2027 | Canada

The University of Ottawa Scholarships 2027 support international students pursuing undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programmes in Canada. International undergraduate students studying in English can receive up to CAD 70,000 through the International English Admission Scholarship and International English Academic Excellence Scholarship, while students studying in French or French Immersion can receive substantial tuition reductions through the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship. International doctoral students can also receive a CAD 45,000 International Doctoral Scholarship, while eligible PhD students may receive an admission funding package worth at least CAD 72,000 over four years. Several of these scholarships are awarded automatically based on admission and academic results. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the University of Ottawa Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.

The main scholarships covered in this guide are

International English Admission Scholarship

International English Academic Excellence Scholarship

Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship

International Doctoral and Admission Scholarships

The University of Ottawa is a bilingual university, so international students can access different scholarship opportunities depending on whether they study primarily in English or French.

Related Scholarships in Canada

Scholarships in Canada for International Students

Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students

Master’s Scholarships

PhD Scholarships

University of Ottawa Scholarships Summary

Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD

Institution: University of Ottawa

Study Destination: Ottawa, Canada

University of Ottawa Scholarships Application Deadline

For Fall 2027 undergraduate admission, the University of Ottawa will begin accepting applications on September 17, 2026. Application deadlines vary by programme, but the university recommends that international applicants submit their applications by January 15, 2027, particularly for competitive programmes. Required documents should generally be submitted as soon as possible, with February 15, 2027 identified as an important document-completion date for many programmes.

There is no separate application deadline for the International English Admission Scholarship because eligible students are automatically considered when they apply for admission.

The International English Academic Excellence Scholarship is linked to admission for eligible high-achieving students. The university currently lists it for students beginning in Winter 2026 or later, which includes the 2027 intake.

Graduate and PhD application periods vary by programme and faculty. They generally fall between autumn and early spring, so applicants should check the application period for their chosen graduate programme. There is no separate common deadline for the International Doctoral Scholarship or the main doctoral Admission Scholarship.

University of Ottawa Scholarship Coverage

International English Admission Scholarship

The International English Admission Scholarship is the university’s main undergraduate scholarship for international students studying in English.

It provides

CAD 7,500 per eligible term

Up to CAD 60,000 over a four-year undergraduate degree

Renewable support

A maximum of 12 instalments

Automatic consideration

Unlimited number of awards for students who meet the conditions

No separate scholarship application is required. Eligible students are considered automatically and are notified when they receive their admission offer.

The scholarship is available for eligible English-language undergraduate programmes in

Faculty of Arts

Faculty of Engineering

Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty of Science

Faculty of Social Sciences

Telfer School of Management

Students must remain enrolled full-time in an eligible programme to maintain the scholarship.

International English Academic Excellence Scholarship

The International English Academic Excellence Scholarship is awarded to high-achieving international undergraduate students.

It provides

CAD 10,000

CAD 5,000 per term

100 scholarships

Non-renewable funding

The important advantage is that this scholarship can be combined with the International English Admission Scholarship. An eligible student receiving both awards can therefore receive up to:

CAD 70,000 in University of Ottawa scholarship funding.

The Academic Excellence Scholarship itself is worth CAD 10,000 and requires a minimum admission average of 90%.

Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship

The Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship supports international Francophone and Francophile students studying in French or in eligible French Immersion programmes.

Unlike a fixed cash scholarship, it significantly reduces the international tuition fee charged each term.

For undergraduate students, current scholarship values include

Telfer School of Management: CAD 16,000 per eligible term

Arts: CAD 12,500 per eligible term

Social Sciences: CAD 12,500 per eligible term

Engineering: CAD 18,000 per eligible term

Health Sciences: CAD 12,500 per eligible term for most programmes

Science: CAD 12,500 or CAD 18,000 depending on the programme

The scholarship can continue for up to 12 eligible undergraduate term payments when the student continues to satisfy the language and enrolment conditions.

The scholarship is also available for eligible master’s programmes. Current graduate values include:

Arts: CAD 5,500 per term

Social Sciences: CAD 5,500 per term

Science: CAD 5,500 per term

Law: CAD 5,500 per term

Education: CAD 7,000 per term

Telfer Management: CAD 7,000 per term

Eligible Engineering thesis programmes: CAD 5,500 per term

Different values apply to several professional programmes.

For master’s students, the scholarship can generally continue for a maximum of two years or six eligible term payments.

International Doctoral Scholarship

The International Doctoral Scholarship supports full-time international students pursuing PhD study at the University of Ottawa.

It provides

CAD 45,000 over five years

Maximum CAD 3,000 per term

Up to 15 consecutive terms

Funding credited directly to the student account

The scholarship is applied when the student is charged international doctoral tuition fees. It cannot be combined with the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship or Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship.

PhD Admission Scholarship

International students admitted to eligible University of Ottawa doctoral programmes may also receive the university’s Admission Scholarship.

The current minimum funding package is

CAD 72,000 over four years.

This consists of two components

CAD 9,000 per year Admission Scholarship

At least CAD 9,000 per year from the academic unit through assistantships or other internal scholarship funding

This results in minimum support of CAD 18,000 per year for four years. Many programmes may offer funding above this minimum.

Some faculties provide considerably larger packages. For example, Telfer School of Management currently lists funding of up to CAD 47,000 per year for international PhD students during the first four years, with partial fifth-year funding also available.

Eligibility Criteria for University of Ottawa Scholarships

International English Admission Scholarship

To qualify, applicants must

Be international students with a valid study permit

Be newly admitted to an eligible English-language undergraduate programme

Have a minimum admission average of 80%

Study in an eligible faculty

Not enrol in French Immersion

Study full-time

Pay international tuition fees

The scholarship is renewable as long as the student continues to study full-time in an eligible undergraduate programme.

International English Academic Excellence Scholarship

Applicants must

Be international students

Hold a valid study permit

Be newly admitted to an eligible English-language undergraduate programme

Have a minimum admission average of 90%

Study full-time

Not enrol in French Immersion

Pay international tuition fees

The scholarship is not renewable but can be combined with the International English Admission Scholarship.

Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship

Undergraduate applicants must generally

Be international students paying international tuition

Accept admission to an eligible programme offered in French

and

Study full-time

Take at least three courses or nine units taught in French each term

Alternatively, students may enrol in an eligible English-language programme with French Immersion and complete the required French coursework.

For eligible master’s programmes, students must be enrolled full-time and either study in a programme offered in French or meet the university’s French-language education conditions.

International Doctoral Scholarship

Applicants must

Be international students

Be admitted to a doctoral programme

Study full-time

Be charged international tuition fees

Continue to meet their doctoral programme requirements

PhD Admission Scholarship

International PhD applicants may qualify if they

Are admitted to an eligible doctoral programme

Have an admission average of at least 8.0/10

Register full-time

Maintain uninterrupted full-time enrolment

Meet the academic requirements of their programme

Some academic units require an admission average higher than the university minimum.

English-Language Requirements

Students applying to English-language programmes must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency unless their previous studies satisfy the university’s language requirements.

For direct undergraduate entry, current accepted scores include

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.5 in Writing

Duolingo English Test: 120 overall and 120 in Literacy

TOEFL under the revised scale: 4.5 overall and 4.5 in Writing

Graduate programmes generally require at least

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, 6.5 Writing, with no component below 6

Revised TOEFL: 4.5 overall, with programme-specific component requirements

Some graduate programmes require higher results.

You can also review our guide to scholarships without IELTS.

How to Apply for University of Ottawa Scholarships?

Undergraduate Scholarships

• Choose an eligible University of Ottawa undergraduate programme and check whether it is offered in English, French, or French Immersion.

This is important because your language of study determines whether you may qualify for the International English Scholarships or Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship.

• Submit your undergraduate admission application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).

Provide your personal information, academic background, programme choices, and required supporting information.

• Submit your academic documents and English or French language evidence where required.

Admission requirements vary according to programme and country of education. International applicants should submit documents as early as possible because some programmes may close when capacity is reached.

• No separate application is required for the International English Admission Scholarship.

Students meeting the 80% admission average and other eligibility requirements are automatically considered.

Students with an admission average of at least 90% can also be considered for the International English Academic Excellence Scholarship.

• If you plan to study in French or French Immersion, make sure your programme and course selection satisfy the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship requirements.

The exemption is linked directly to the number of courses taken in French and the language structure of the programme.

Graduate and PhD Scholarships

• Choose an eligible University of Ottawa master’s or PhD programme related to your academic background and research interests.

For research programmes, review faculty members, laboratories, research groups, and potential supervisors before applying.

• Prepare your graduate application documents.

Typical documents include

Academic transcripts

Academic CV

Statement of purpose

Recommendation letters

English or French proficiency evidence

Research proposal where required

Programme-specific documents

Use our guides to prepare your academic CV, statement of purpose, and scholarship recommendation letters.

• Submit your admission application through OUAC and complete all requirements requested by your academic unit.

Graduate scholarship consideration is closely linked to admission and the funding policies of the relevant faculty.

• PhD applicants should ensure their academic record is strong enough for the Admission Scholarship.

The university currently uses an admission average of at least 8.0/10 as the general threshold, although individual faculties may require a higher average.

• Review the funding offer carefully if admitted.

A doctoral funding offer may combine the Admission Scholarship, academic-unit funding, research or teaching assistantships, and the International Doctoral Scholarship. The exact package varies by programme.

Documents Required for University of Ottawa Scholarships

International applicants should generally prepare

Completed admission application

Academic transcripts

Secondary-school certificate for undergraduate applicants

Bachelor’s degree certificate for master’s applicants

Bachelor’s and master’s records where required for PhD study

Certified translations where necessary

English or French language proficiency evidence

Passport and citizenship information

Academic CV for graduate programmes where required

Statement of purpose or letter of intent

Recommendation letters

Research proposal where required

Additional programme-specific documents

For graduate applications, use these ScholarshipRoar guides

Academic CV for Scholarship

Statement of Purpose for Scholarship

Scholarship Recommendation Letter

Scholarship Interview Questions and Answers

Website

For more information about University of Ottawa Scholarships, visit

International English Scholarships

Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship

International Doctoral Scholarship

Graduate Admission Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the University of Ottawa offer scholarships to international students?

Yes. International undergraduate students studying in English can receive the International English Admission and Academic Excellence Scholarships, while Francophone and French Immersion students may qualify for the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship. International doctoral students also have dedicated scholarship and admission-funding opportunities.

How much scholarship can an international undergraduate receive?

An eligible student studying in English can receive up to CAD 70,000 by combining the CAD 60,000 International English Admission Scholarship with the CAD 10,000 International English Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Is the University of Ottawa Scholarship fully funded?

The main undergraduate scholarships are tuition-support scholarships rather than complete fully funded awards covering every living expense.

PhD students can receive substantial multi-year funding through admission scholarships, academic-unit support, assistantships, and the International Doctoral Scholarship, but the exact financial package varies by programme.

Is the CAD 60,000 scholarship automatic?

Yes. The International English Admission Scholarship is automatic for eligible students. No separate scholarship application is required.

What average is required for the CAD 60,000 scholarship?

Applicants need a minimum admission average of 80%, along with the other eligibility requirements.

What average is required for the Academic Excellence Scholarship?

Applicants need a minimum admission average of 90%. The scholarship provides CAD 10,000 and can be combined with the International English Admission Scholarship.

Can African students apply for University of Ottawa Scholarships?

Yes. Eligible international students from African countries can qualify for the university’s current international scholarship programmes according to their programme, language of study, academic average, and tuition status.

Can master’s students receive scholarships?

Yes. Eligible international master’s students studying in French may receive substantial tuition reductions through the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship. Other research-based master’s programmes may also provide admission scholarships, assistantships, or faculty funding.

How much is the University of Ottawa International Doctoral Scholarship?

It is worth CAD 45,000 over five years, with up to CAD 3,000 credited per eligible term for 15 consecutive terms.

How much funding can PhD students receive?

The university’s current doctoral Admission Scholarship funding model provides eligible students with at least CAD 72,000 over four years, combining the university scholarship with academic-unit funding. Some programmes offer substantially more.

Do I need IELTS for the University of Ottawa?

Not every applicant needs IELTS specifically. Students who must demonstrate English proficiency can use accepted alternatives such as TOEFL or Duolingo for undergraduate study, depending on the university’s requirements.

Students applying to English-language programmes must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency unless their previous studies satisfy the university’s language requirements.

Criteria for University of Ottawa Scholarships

International English Admission Scholarship

To qualify, applicants must

Be international students with a valid study permit

Be newly admitted to an eligible English-language undergraduate programme

Have a minimum admission average of 80%

Study in an eligible faculty

Not enrol in French Immersion

Study full-time

Pay international tuition fees

The scholarship is renewable as long as the student continues to study full-time in an eligible undergraduate programme.

International English Academic Excellence Scholarship

Applicants must

Be international students

Hold a valid study permit

Be newly admitted to an eligible English-language undergraduate programme

Have a minimum admission average of 90%

Study full-time

Not enrol in French Immersion

Pay international tuition fees

The scholarship is not renewable but can be combined with the International English Admission Scholarship.

Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship

Undergraduate applicants must generally

Be international students paying international tuition

Accept admission to an eligible programme offered in French

and

Study full-time

Take at least three courses or nine units taught in French each term

Alternatively, students may enrol in an eligible English-language programme with French Immersion and complete the required French coursework. For eligible master’s programmes, students must be enrolled full-time and either study in a programme offered in French or meet the university’s French-language education conditions.

International Doctoral Scholarship

Applicants must

Be international students

Be admitted to a doctoral programme

Study full-time

Be charged international tuition fees

Continue to meet their doctoral programme requirements

PhD Admission Scholarship

International PhD applicants may qualify if they

Are admitted to an eligible doctoral programme

Have an admission average of at least 8.0/10

Register full-time

Maintain uninterrupted full-time enrolment

Meet the academic requirements of their programme

Some academic units require an admission average higher than the university minimum.

English-Language Requirements

Students applying to English-language programmes must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency unless their previous studies satisfy the university’s language requirements.

For direct undergraduate entry, current accepted scores include

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.5 in Writing

Duolingo English Test: 120 overall and 120 in Literacy

TOEFL under the revised scale: 4.5 overall and 4.5 in Writing

Graduate programmes generally require at least

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, 6.5 Writing, with no component below 6

Revised TOEFL: 4.5 overall, with programme-specific component requirements

Some graduate programmes require higher results. You can also review our guide to scholarships without IELTS.

for University of Ottawa Scholarships?

Undergraduate Scholarships

• Choose an eligible University of Ottawa undergraduate programme and check whether it is offered in English, French, or French Immersion.

This is important because your language of study determines whether you may qualify for the International English Scholarships or Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship.

• Submit your undergraduate admission application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).

Provide your personal information, academic background, programme choices, and required supporting information.

• Submit your academic documents and English or French language evidence where required.

Admission requirements vary according to programme and country of education. International applicants should submit documents as early as possible because some programmes may close when capacity is reached.

• No separate application is required for the International English Admission Scholarship.

Students meeting the 80% admission average and other eligibility requirements are automatically considered. Students with an admission average of at least 90% can also be considered for the International English Academic Excellence Scholarship.

• If you plan to study in French or French Immersion, make sure your programme and course selection satisfy the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship requirements.

The exemption is linked directly to the number of courses taken in French and the language structure of the programme.

Graduate and PhD Scholarships

• Choose an eligible University of Ottawa master’s or PhD programme related to your academic background and research interests.

For research programmes, review faculty members, laboratories, research groups, and potential supervisors before applying.

• Prepare your graduate application documents.

Typical documents include

Academic transcripts

Academic CV

Statement of purpose

Recommendation letters

English or French proficiency evidence

Research proposal where required

Programme-specific documents

Use our guides to prepare your academic CV, statement of purpose, and scholarship recommendation letters.

• Submit your admission application through OUAC and complete all requirements requested by your academic unit.

Graduate scholarship consideration is closely linked to admission and the funding policies of the relevant faculty.

• PhD applicants should ensure their academic record is strong enough for the Admission Scholarship.

The university currently uses an admission average of at least 8.0/10 as the general threshold, although individual faculties may require a higher average.

• Review the funding offer carefully if admitted.

A doctoral funding offer may combine the Admission Scholarship, academic-unit funding, research or teaching assistantships, and the International Doctoral Scholarship. The exact package varies by programme.

Documents Required for University of Ottawa Scholarships

International applicants should generally prepare

Completed admission application

Academic transcripts

Secondary-school certificate for undergraduate applicants

Bachelor’s degree certificate for master’s applicants

Bachelor’s and master’s records where required for PhD study

Certified translations where necessary

English or French language proficiency evidence

Passport and citizenship information

Academic CV for graduate programmes where required

Statement of purpose or letter of intent

Recommendation letters

Research proposal where required

Additional programme-specific documents

For graduate applications, use these ScholarshipRoar guides

Academic CV for Scholarship

Statement of Purpose for Scholarship

Scholarship Recommendation Letter

Scholarship Interview Questions and Answers

Website

For more information about University of Ottawa Scholarships, visit

International English Scholarships

Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship

International Doctoral Scholarship

Graduate Admission Scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the University of Ottawa offer scholarships to international students?

Yes. International undergraduate students studying in English can receive the International English Admission and Academic Excellence Scholarships, while Francophone and French Immersion students may qualify for the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship. International doctoral students also have dedicated scholarship and admission-funding opportunities.

How much scholarship can an international undergraduate receive?

An eligible student studying in English can receive up to CAD 70,000 by combining the CAD 60,000 International English Admission Scholarship with the CAD 10,000 International English Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Is the University of Ottawa Scholarship fully funded?

The main undergraduate scholarships are tuition-support scholarships rather than complete fully funded awards covering every living expense. PhD students can receive substantial multi-year funding through admission scholarships, academic-unit support, assistantships, and the International Doctoral Scholarship, but the exact financial package varies by programme.

Is the CAD 60,000 scholarship automatic?

Yes. The International English Admission Scholarship is automatic for eligible students. No separate scholarship application is required.

What average is required for the CAD 60,000 scholarship?

Applicants need a minimum admission average of 80%, along with the other eligibility requirements.

What average is required for the Academic Excellence Scholarship?

Applicants need a minimum admission average of 90%. The scholarship provides CAD 10,000 and can be combined with the International English Admission Scholarship.

Can African students apply for University of Ottawa Scholarships?

Yes. Eligible international students from African countries can qualify for the university’s current international scholarship programmes according to their programme, language of study, academic average, and tuition status.

Can master’s students receive scholarships?

Yes. Eligible international master’s students studying in French may receive substantial tuition reductions through the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship. Other research-based master’s programmes may also provide admission scholarships, assistantships, or faculty funding.

How much is the University of Ottawa International Doctoral Scholarship?

It is worth CAD 45,000 over five years, with up to CAD 3,000 credited per eligible term for 15 consecutive terms.

How much funding can PhD students receive?

The university’s current doctoral Admission Scholarship funding model provides eligible students with at least CAD 72,000 over four years, combining the university scholarship with academic-unit funding. Some programmes offer substantially more.

Do I need IELTS for the University of Ottawa?

Not every applicant needs IELTS specifically. Students who must demonstrate English proficiency can use accepted alternatives such as TOEFL or Duolingo for undergraduate study, depending on the university’s requirements.