The University of Toronto Scholarships 2027 give international students several routes to fund undergraduate, master’s, and PhD study in Canada, with the strongest awards ranging from full tuition coverage to complete funding for the entire degree. The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence for four years, while the Arts & Science Global Scholarship covers international tuition and compulsory fees. Other valuable options include the University of Toronto International Scholar Award, worth up to CAD 180,000 at the Mississauga campus, the fully funded Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for selected African master’s students, and the Connaught International Scholarship for incoming doctoral students. These scholarships do not share one application system: Pearson requires nomination by your school, several undergraduate awards are automatic, Mastercard has its own selection process, and Connaught candidates are nominated by their graduate department. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the University of Toronto Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The most important thing to understand is that there is no single “University of Toronto Scholarship” application. Your application route depends on the scholarship and degree level. Some students only need to apply for admission and are considered automatically, while others must first secure a school nomination, complete a scholarship form, or be nominated by their academic department.
Related Fully Funded Scholarships
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada
- Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students
- Master’s Scholarships for International Students
University of Toronto Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / PhD
- Institution: University of Toronto
- Study Destination: Canada
- Courses Offered: Most undergraduate fields, selected professional master’s programs, and eligible full-time doctoral programs
- Program Period: One to four years, depending on the degree and scholarship
The main University of Toronto scholarships covered in this guide are:
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- Arts & Science Global Scholarship
- University of Toronto International Scholar Award
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Connaught International Scholarship
University of Toronto Scholarships Deadline
The application deadline differs for each scholarship.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Deadline
The official deadlines for students beginning their studies in September 2027 are:
- School nomination deadline: October 9, 2026
- University of Toronto admission application deadline: October 16, 2026
- Pearson Scholarship application deadline: November 6, 2026
Your school must complete the nomination before you can access the scholarship application. Each participating high school may nominate only one student per year.
Arts & Science Global Scholarship Deadline
There is no separate scholarship application or scholarship deadline. International students are considered automatically when they apply for admission to the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts & Science.
The general program-by-program admission deadlines for students beginning in September 2027 have not yet been published. Applicants should submit their admission application as early as possible after applications open in fall 2026 and monitor the official University of Toronto deadline page.
University of Toronto International Scholar Award Deadline
There is no separate application for the International Scholar Award. You must apply for undergraduate admission to the relevant campus or faculty by its admission deadline.
For the U of T Mississauga award, all eligible international secondary-school applicants are considered automatically after applying for admission.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Deadline
The 2027–2028 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application dates have not yet been announced.
The previous application round closed on November 3, 2025, for study beginning in 2026–2027. Applicants should not use that date for the new cycle and should monitor the official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program page for the next announcement.
Connaught International Scholarship Deadline
Students do not submit a separate Connaught Scholarship application. You must complete your application for admission to an eligible doctoral program by the deadline set by that graduate department.
Graduate departments review their incoming international doctoral applicants and submit nominations during the winter session. Scholarship results are normally communicated to graduate units in early March.
University of Toronto Scholarship Coverage
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the University of Toronto’s most prestigious scholarship for international undergraduate students. Approximately 37 scholars are selected each year.
The scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees for four years
- Books
- Incidental university fees
- Full residence support for four years
The award is available for first-entry undergraduate programs at the University of Toronto.
Applicants should note that it does not normally cover travel to Canada, visa application costs, relocation expenses, university application fees, or living costs during summer and winter breaks.
Arts & Science Global Scholarship
The Arts & Science Global Scholarship is offered to a small number of outstanding international students entering the Faculty of Arts & Science at the St. George campus.
It covers:
- International tuition fees
- Incidental fees
- University Health Insurance Plan fees
- Up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study, or until degree completion
Residence, food, travel, and general living expenses are not included. Students are considered automatically based on their admission application, although financial need may also be considered.
University of Toronto International Scholar Award
The value of the International Scholar Award depends on the campus and faculty.
International students admitted to the University of Toronto Mississauga may receive one of the following packages:
- Up to CAD 180,000, paid as CAD 45,000 per year for four years
- Up to CAD 100,000, paid as CAD 25,000 per year for four years
- Up to CAD 60,000, paid as CAD 15,000 per year for four years
At the Faculty of Arts & Science on the St. George campus, the University of Toronto International Scholar Award can provide up to CAD 100,000:
- Up to CAD 40,000 in the first year
- Up to CAD 20,000 in each of the following three years
These awards provide substantial financial support but may not cover the full cost of tuition, residence, food, and other living expenses.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides comprehensive funding for eligible students from Sub-Saharan Africa undertaking selected professional master’s programs.
The scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Travel to Canada
- Passport and visa application expenses
- Housing
- Food and grocery allowance
- Health insurance
- Books and learning materials
- Other necessary educational expenses
- Orientation, mentoring, and transition support
The programs offered can change each year. In the latest cycle, eligible programs included Biomedical Engineering, Financial Insurance, Health Administration, Health Informatics, Health Promotion, and Occupational and Environmental Health.
Connaught International Scholarship
The Connaught International Scholarship supports outstanding international students entering a full-time doctoral program at the University of Toronto.
Recipients receive:
- A CAD 10,000 annual scholarship top-up
- Renewal for four or five years, depending on the doctoral program’s normal funding period
- The graduate department’s regular doctoral funding package in addition to the Connaught top-up
The normal departmental funding package may include a University of Toronto Fellowship, teaching assistantship, research assistantship, supervisor funding, or another internal or external award.
The Connaught award is therefore not a stand-alone CAD 10,000 scholarship. It is added to the funding already offered by the doctoral program.
Eligibility Criteria for University of Toronto Scholarships
Applicants must first meet the admission requirements of their chosen University of Toronto program. English-language requirements also apply unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption.
For undergraduate admission, the University of Toronto accepts several English qualifications, including IELTS Academic, TOEFL, PTE Academic, Duolingo, Cambridge English, and certain school qualifications. The standard IELTS Academic requirement is an overall score of 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0. Review the official English-language requirements or our guide to scholarships without IELTS before booking a test.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Eligibility
To qualify for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, you must:
- Be an international student requiring a Canadian study permit
- Be enrolled in your final year of secondary school during 2026–2027 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026
- Begin undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027
- Be nominated by your current high school
- Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement
- Show creativity, leadership, and a positive contribution to your school and community
- Apply to a first-entry undergraduate program
Students already enrolled in post-secondary education are not eligible. Students beginning post-secondary studies at another institution in January 2027 are also ineligible.
Arts & Science Global Scholarship Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be international students
- Apply to an undergraduate admission category in the Faculty of Arts & Science
- Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement
- Meet all academic and English-language admission requirements
Students are considered automatically. Financial need may be taken into account, but there is no separate scholarship application.
University of Toronto International Scholar Award Eligibility
For the U of T Mississauga International Scholar Award, applicants must:
- Be international students applying directly from secondary school
- Apply for full-time undergraduate admission to U of T Mississauga
- Have an outstanding academic record
- Be among the most academically competitive students in the applicant pool
The selection committee determines the award level. There is no published grade that guarantees a CAD 60,000, CAD 100,000, or CAD 180,000 scholarship.
For the Faculty of Arts & Science International Scholar Award, applicants must be international students with an excellent academic record who are admitted to an eligible undergraduate program.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Eligibility
The latest competition required applicants to:
- Be citizens of and currently live in a Sub-Saharan African country
- Be graduating students or recent graduates of an Africa Health Collaborative partner university
- Have not already started graduate-level studies
- Be younger than 35
- Demonstrate academic excellence and leadership
- Qualify academically for one of the approved master’s programs
- Commit to returning to Africa after graduation and contributing to social and economic development
The partner institutions in the latest round were:
- Addis Ababa University
- African Institute for Mathematical Sciences
- African Leadership University
- Amref International University or Amref Health Africa
- Ashesi University
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
- Moi University
- University of Cape Town
The eligibility rules and participating programs may change for 2027–2028, so applicants must check the new announcement when it is published.
Connaught International Scholarship Eligibility
To be considered for the Connaught International Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be international applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Not already be registered in an undergraduate or graduate program at the University of Toronto
- Be offered admission to a full-time doctoral program beginning in September
- Receive a normal doctoral funding commitment from the admitting department
- Have achieved at least an A-minus average in each of the previous two years of full-time study
The Connaught Scholarship does not fund a stand-alone master’s degree.
How to Apply for University of Toronto Scholarships?
The correct application process depends on the scholarship.
How to Apply for the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship?
(1) Ask your school counsellor, principal, or head of school whether your school is registered to participate in the Pearson Scholarship Program. A school may nominate only one student each year. If your school has not previously participated, an authorized school representative must complete the school participation request by the October 9, 2026 deadline.
(2) After securing your school’s support, apply for at least one University of Toronto undergraduate program through the admission process explained on the official application page. Your admission application must be submitted by October 16, 2026. Although you may select up to three admission categories, the Pearson Scholarship will be linked to your first-choice program when scholarship decisions are made.
(3) Once your school submits its nomination and you apply for admission, the University of Toronto will email you a private link to the Pearson Scholarship application. Complete the form and submit all requested information by November 6, 2026.
The university prohibits applicants from using generative artificial intelligence to create content for undergraduate award applications. Write your scholarship responses yourself and make sure they reflect your own experiences, leadership, and ideas.
How to Apply for the Automatic Undergraduate Scholarships?
(1) Select your preferred campus, faculty, and undergraduate program. The Arts & Science Global Scholarship is limited to the Faculty of Arts & Science, while the highest-value UTM International Scholar Award requires admission to the Mississauga campus.
(2) Submit your University of Toronto admission application and all academic documents before the deadline for your chosen program.
(3) Complete any supplemental form required by your program. Most programs assess applicants mainly through academic results, but programs such as Engineering, Computer Science, Rotman Commerce, Architecture, and Kinesiology may require an additional profile, essay, statement, or video response. Check the official supplemental application requirements.
(4) No separate scholarship form is required. The university will assess your academic record during the admission review and include any automatic scholarship in your admission offer.
How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
(1) When the new round opens, review the eligible partner universities, approved master’s programs, age requirement, and return-to-Africa commitment on the official scholarship page.
(2) Attend an official information session if one is offered and complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application before its deadline.
(3) The scholarship committee will assess your academic record, leadership, career goals, connection to healthcare or the approved discipline, and commitment to contributing to Africa. A focused personal statement will be important. Our guide on writing a statement of purpose for a scholarship explains how to connect your academic background, chosen program, career plans, and intended impact.
(4) Applicants who pass the scholarship assessment will be instructed to submit a separate graduate admission application to the relevant University of Toronto department.
The scholarship application does not replace the graduate admission application. You must satisfy both the scholarship criteria and the academic entry requirements of your selected program.
How to Apply for the Connaught International Scholarship?
(1) Search for an eligible doctoral program through the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies and carefully review its academic requirements, funding package, supervisor arrangements, and admission deadline.
(2) Prepare and submit a complete doctoral admission application by the department’s deadline. Depending on the program, this may include a research statement, academic CV, transcripts, references, writing samples, or evidence of contact with a potential supervisor. You can use our guides to improve your academic CV and request strong recommendation letters.
(3) Contact the prospective graduate department and explain that you would like to be considered for the Connaught International Scholarship.
(4) The department reviews eligible admission applicants and selects its nominees. Students do not submit a Connaught application directly to the School of Graduate Studies.
Documents Required for University of Toronto Scholarships
The exact documents depend on your country, educational system, program, and scholarship. Applicants may be required to submit:
- University of Toronto admission application
- Secondary-school certificate and academic results for undergraduate admission
- Bachelor’s degree certificate for master’s admission
- Bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates for doctoral admission, where applicable
- Official academic transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency or evidence that you qualify for an exemption
- Program-specific supplemental application, where required
- Pearson Scholarship application received through the private nomination link
- Academic CV for graduate applications
- Statement of purpose, personal statement, or research statement
- Recommendation letters for graduate programs
- Research proposal or writing sample where required
- Documents specifically requested in the Mastercard Foundation application
The University of Toronto applicant portal provides a personalized document list after you submit your admission application. Follow that list instead of sending documents the university has not requested.
Website
To learn more about the University of Toronto Scholarships, please visit the official pages:
- University of Toronto Scholarships for International Students
- Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- Arts & Science Scholarships
- U of T Mississauga Entrance Scholarships
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
- Connaught International Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Toronto offer fully funded scholarships?
Yes. The Lester B. Pearson Scholarship provides full tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence for four years. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides comprehensive master’s funding, including tuition, travel, housing, food, health insurance, and learning materials.
The Arts & Science Global Scholarship covers international tuition and compulsory fees but does not include residence or general living expenses.
What is the best University of Toronto scholarship for international students?
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the university’s most prestigious and comprehensive undergraduate scholarship for international students. It is also extremely competitive, with approximately 37 scholars selected annually.
Can master’s students apply for the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship?
No. Pearson is available only to international students entering their first undergraduate degree directly from secondary school.
Eligible master’s applicants may instead consider the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Ontario Graduate Scholarship, departmental funding, or other awards listed by the School of Graduate Studies.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
It depends on the scholarship:
- Pearson requires school nomination and a separate scholarship form.
- Arts & Science Global is automatic.
- International Scholar Awards are generally automatic.
- Mastercard requires a separate scholarship application and a graduate admission application.
- Connaught requires departmental nomination rather than a direct student application.
Can I receive a University of Toronto scholarship without IELTS?
Possibly. The University of Toronto accepts several English-language tests and qualifications, and some applicants qualify for an exemption based on their previous education.
Applicants who require a test can use alternatives such as TOEFL, PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, Cambridge English, or other qualifications accepted by the university.
Does the University of Toronto International Scholar Award cover full tuition?
Not necessarily. The UTM award can be worth up to CAD 180,000 over four years, but the amount awarded may be CAD 60,000, CAD 100,000, or CAD 180,000. Whether it covers the complete cost depends on your program fees and personal living expenses.
Can current University of Toronto students apply for the Connaught Scholarship?
No. The Connaught International Scholarship is an admission award for incoming international doctoral students. Current University of Toronto undergraduate and graduate students are not eligible.
Can I use an education agent to apply for the Pearson Scholarship?
No agent can nominate you or secure a Pearson Scholarship. Only your current secondary school can nominate you, and the university does not authorize agents to offer scholarships or guaranteed admission. Apply through the official University of Toronto process only.
