The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) offers some of the most competitive and inclusive funding packages for international students in North America. For the 2027 intake, the university has standardized its “International English Scholarships,” providing up to $70,000 for undergraduate studies and significant tuition reductions for graduate researchers.
As Canada’s capital university, uOttawa stands out for its Differential Tuition Fee Exemption, which allows international students (especially Francophones) to pay the same tuition rates as Canadian citizens.
Scholarship Overview: 2027 Intake
| Level | Key Scholarship | Value | Type |
| Undergraduate | International English Admission | $30,000 – $60,000 | Automatic |
| Master’s | International Admission | $7,500 – $15,000 | Merit-based |
| Doctoral (PhD) | International Doctoral | $45,000 over 5 years | Automatic |
| Francophonie | Differential Fee Exemption | Tuition Reduction | Policy-based |
1. Undergraduate: International English Scholarships
For students entering direct-entry faculties (Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Social Sciences, or Telfer School of Management) in English-language programs.
- International English Admission Scholarship: * Value: $7,500 per term ($60,000 over 4 years).
- Eligibility: Admission average of 80% or higher.
- Application: Automatic (no separate application needed).
- International English Academic Excellence Scholarship:
- Value: $10,000 (one-time award for the first year).
- Eligibility: Admission average of 90% or higher.
- Bonus: This can be combined with the Admission Scholarship.
2. Graduate: Master’s and PhD Funding
Graduate funding at uOttawa is a mix of university-wide awards and faculty-specific matching components.
- International Doctoral Scholarship:
- Value: $45,000 ($3,000 per term for up to 15 consecutive terms).
- Eligibility: All international students admitted to a full-time PhD program are automatically considered.
- Excellence Scholarships:
- Value: Up to $10,000 per year for Master’s and $20,000 per year for PhD.
- Criteria: GPA of 8.0/10 (A-) or higher.
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS):
- Value: $15,000 ($5,000 per term).
- Deadline: Typically March 1st for the following academic year.
3. The “Francophonie” Advantage (Bilingualism)
uOttawa is the largest bilingual university in the world. If you study in French, you save more.
- Differential Tuition Fee Exemption: * Allows international students to pay domestic Canadian tuition rates (a saving of $12,500 to $18,000 per term).
- Requirement: Enroll in a program taught in French or the French Immersion Stream and take at least 3 courses (9 units) in French per term.
- Levels: Available for both Undergraduate and Master’s degrees.
How to Apply: The Roadmap
The application for scholarships is closely tied to your admission to the university.
| Step | Action Item |
| Step 1: Apply to uOttawa | Apply via OUAC (Ontario Universities’ Application Centre). |
| Step 2: uoZone Portal | Once you receive your uoZone login, access the “Scholarships and Bursaries” tab. |
| Step 3: Automatic Awards | No action is needed for the Admission or Doctoral scholarships; they appear on your offer letter. |
| Step 4: Applied Awards | For OGS, Vanier, or President’s scholarships, you must submit a separate application with references. |
Critical Deadlines for 2027
- September 18, 2026: Applications for Fall 2027 open.
- January 15 – March 31, 2027: Primary deadlines for most competitive (non-automatic) scholarships.
- May 1, 2027: Deadline to accept your offer and confirm your scholarship.