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.
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
(1) 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.
(2) Submit your undergraduate admission application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).
Provide your personal information, academic background, programme choices, and required supporting information.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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:
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.
