University of Alberta International Entrance Scholarships (Canada) 2025–2026

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The University of Alberta (UAlberta), a top-tier public research institution in Edmonton, Canada, is renowned for its academic excellence, ranking 5th in Canada and 119th globally according to QS World University Rankings.

For the 2025–2026 academic year, UAlberta offers a range of International Entrance Scholarships to attract talented students from around the world, including Nigerians, for undergraduate and graduate programs.

Administering over CAD 52 million annually in scholarships and financial support, UAlberta provides opportunities for international students to pursue studies across 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs in fields like engineering, health sciences, arts, and business.

These scholarships, some fully funded, aim to alleviate financial burdens and foster a diverse, inclusive academic community. This guide details eligibility, benefits, application processes, and tips for success for international applicants seeking to study at one of Canada’s leading universities.

Why Choose UAlberta International Entrance Scholarships?

UAlberta’s International Entrance Scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence, leadership, and diversity, making it an attractive option for global students. Key benefits include:

• Substantial Financial Support: Awards range from CAD 5,000 to CAD 120,000, covering tuition, living expenses, and more, depending on the scholarship.
• World-Class Education: Access cutting-edge facilities, expert faculty, and a vibrant campus hosting 39,000 students from 156 countries.
• Diverse Programs: Choose from over 300 undergraduate and 500 graduate programs, including agriculture, environmental sciences, and medical sciences.
• Global Community: Join a multicultural network, with 20% of first-year students receiving scholarships, fostering collaboration and cultural exchange.
• Career Opportunities: Edmonton’s dynamic economy and UAlberta’s industry connections enhance job prospects, with Alberta’s minimum wage among Canada’s highest.

Scholars like Cynthia from Nigeria, who secured the International Student Scholarship, praise UAlberta’s supportive environment and financial aid, enabling focus on studies without financial stress.

Program Overview

The University of Alberta offers two main categories of entrance scholarships for international students in 2025–2026:

• Admission-Based Scholarships: Automatically considered upon applying for admission, based on academic merit and admission averages. Examples include the International Student Scholarship and Gold Standard Scholarship.
• Application-Based Scholarships: Require a separate application, assessing academic excellence, leadership, and financial need. Examples include the President’s International Distinction Scholarship and May Quon Undergraduate Scholarship.

These scholarships support undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD programs across 18 faculties, with intakes in January, May, July, and September 2025. No separate application is needed for admission-based awards, simplifying the process for new students.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies by scholarship but generally includes:

• • Nationality: Open to international students, including Nigerians, on a valid Canadian study permit. Canadian citizens are also eligible for some awards.
  • Academic Requirements:
    • Undergraduate: Completion of high school (12 years of education) with a strong admission average (80%+ for most awards).
    • Master’s: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or equivalent.
    • PhD: Master’s degree with prior research experience and a minimum GPA of 3.5.
  • English Proficiency: IELTS (6.5, no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT (90, writing score 21), or equivalent. Students from certain countries, including Nigeria, may be exempt if they studied at English-medium institutions.

• • Program Status: New first-year undergraduate students or newly admitted graduate students for entrance awards. Current or transfer students are ineligible for these specific scholarships.
  • Leadership and Financial Need: Application-based scholarships like the President’s International Distinction require demonstrated leadership and, for some (e.g., May Quon), financial need.
  • Restrictions: Students cannot switch between thesis-based and course-based programs for graduate scholarships, and external award recipients may have reduced stipends.

Nigerians and other international applicants must meet program-specific and scholarship-specific criteria, detailed on UAlberta’s website.

Key Scholarships and Benefits

UAlberta offers a variety of entrance scholarships for international students in 2025–2026, with notable awards including:

• • International Student Scholarship: Up to CAD 9,000 over four years for first-year undergraduates on a study permit with excellent academic records. Automatically considered upon admission.

• • University of Alberta Gold Standard Scholarship: Up to CAD 6,000 for the top 5% of students in each faculty, based on admission averages. No separate application required.

• • President’s International Distinction Scholarship: Up to CAD 120,000 over four years for undergraduates with superior academic achievement and leadership qualities. Requires a separate application.

• • May Quon Undergraduate Scholarship: Up to CAD 100,000 over four years for Chinese or Hong Kong citizens on a study permit with financial need and strong academics. Separate application required.

• • University of Alberta Global Citizen Scholarship for IB Diploma Students: Up to CAD 53,000 per year for four years for high-achieving IB Diploma students from Aga Khan Academies with financial need and leadership skills. Separate application needed.

• • Master’s Entrance Scholarship: CAD 17,500 stipend plus CAD 10,000 for international students to cover fees, awarded to newly admitted Master’s students with a GPA of 3.5+. Department nomination required.

• • Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship: CAD 5,000 per year for PhD students with research potential, nominated by the admitting department.

• • Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES): CAD 11,000–15,000 for Master’s and PhD students to cover expenses. Department nomination required.

Additional benefits include medical insurance, round-trip airfare for some awards, and access to UAlberta’s financial advising services. Scholarships over CAD 12,000 are paid in semi-monthly installments, while those up to CAD 6,000 are one-time payments.

Fields of Study Covered

UAlberta offers over 300 undergraduate and 500 graduate programs across 18 faculties, including:

• Engineering: Civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering.
• Health Sciences: Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health.
• Arts and Humanities: History, music, economics, education.
• Science: Biological sciences, environmental sciences, computing.
• Business: Accounting, finance, marketing.
• Agriculture and Renewable Resources: Food science, agribusiness.

Nigerians can prioritize fields like engineering and health sciences, which align with regional development needs. Applicants select programs based on their interests and eligibility.

Application Process

The application process for UAlberta International Entrance Scholarships varies by scholarship type:

1. Admission-Based Scholarships:
   • Apply for admission to an undergraduate or graduate program via the UAlberta Launchpad portal by the program deadline (e.g., January 10, 2026, for most undergraduate programs; April 15, 2026, for graduate nominations).
   • Submit academic transcripts, English proficiency scores (if required), and program-specific documents (e.g., CV, reference letters for graduate programs).
   • Automatically considered for scholarships like the International Student Scholarship and Gold Standard Scholarship based on admission average.
2. Application-Based Scholarships:
   • Complete the general admission application first to receive a CCID and password for the UAlberta scholarship portal.
   • Submit the Entrance Scholarship Application via the portal by January 10, 2025, for undergraduate awards (opens October 1, 2025).
   • Provide additional documents: CV, personal statement, leadership evidence, and financial need documentation (if applicable, e.g., May Quon Scholarship).
3. Graduate Scholarships:
   • Contact the admitting department for nomination to awards like Master’s Entrance Scholarship or AGES by April 15, 2025.
   • Submit a complete nomination package, including transcripts, CV, reference letters, and research proposals (for PhD programs).
4. Monitor Status: Check the UAlberta Launchpad portal and email for updates. Scholarship offers begin in mid-April 2026.

Incomplete applications are not considered. Proofread documents and highlight top achievements to stand out.

Tips for a Successful Application

With thousands of applicants, these tips can enhance your chances:

• • Apply Early: Start your admission application 6–12 months in advance to meet January 10, 2025 (undergraduate) or April 15, 2025 (graduate) deadlines.
  • Highlight Leadership: For application-based scholarships, emphasize leadership roles in school or community activities (e.g., volunteering, student organizations).
  • Tailor Documents: Use specific examples in your personal statement to show how your experiences shape your academic and career goals.
  • Secure Strong References: Choose referees who can attest to your academic and leadership qualities.
  • Verify English Exemption: Nigerians educated in English-medium institutions may be exempt from IELTS/TOEFL; confirm via UAlberta’s ELP exemption list.

Contact welcome@ualberta.ca for scholarship inquiries or dosdean@ualberta.ca for accessibility support.

Deadlines and Key Dates for 2025–2026

Key dates for the 2025–2026 cycle include:

• October 1, 2025: Undergraduate scholarship application portal opens.
• January 10, 2026: Deadline for undergraduate application-based scholarships.
• April 15, 2026: Deadline for graduate scholarship nominations by departments.
• Mid-April 2026: Scholarship offers begin.
• September 1, 2025: Most programs and scholarship tenures begin.

Additional intakes in January, May, and July 2025 have varying deadlines; check program-specific requirements.

Life as a UAlberta Scholar

Scholars at UAlberta enjoy a vibrant campus life in Edmonton, a city known for its cultural festivals and affordability. With access to cutting-edge labs, libraries, and a global student community, scholars like Japheth from Ethiopia, who received the Master’s Entrance Scholarship, describe the experience as academically rigorous and culturally enriching.

The CAD 10,000 additional stipend for international graduate students helps cover living costs, while undergraduate scholars benefit from awards like the Fly Home Award for holiday travel. One in five first-year students receives a scholarship, fostering a supportive environment.

Alternative Opportunities

If ineligible, consider:

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: For PhD students with research excellence.
• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto): For undergraduate international students.
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: For African students at select Canadian universities.

These programs offer similar financial support for international students.

Conclusion

The University of Alberta International Entrance Scholarships for 2025–2026 provide Nigerians and global students with a gateway to world-class education in Canada.

With awards up to CAD 120,000, fully funded options, and a diverse range of programs, UAlberta supports academic and leadership excellence.

Early application, strong academic records, and tailored documents are key to securing these competitive scholarships. Begin your journey to study at a top-ranked university and contribute to global innovation. Visit www.ualberta.ca for more details.

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