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.