University of Toronto: Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students

For international students aspiring to pursue higher education in Canada, the University of Toronto (U of T) offers several fully funded scholarship opportunities. These scholarships aim to eliminate financial barriers, allowing students to focus on their studies and leadership development. This article provides an overview of the fully funded scholarships available at the University of Toronto for international students, including the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a fully funded scholarship for graduate studies at the university, which is recognized as a leading institution of learning, discovery, and knowledge creation in Canada. This program is a collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, a private foundation based in Toronto, Canada, dedicated to creating opportunities for young people to learn and prosper, with a focus on Africa's future leaders.

Program Objectives and Expectations

Prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars will develop their capacity and networks to engage in diverse healthcare professions and healthcare ecosystems in Africa. Upon completion of the program, Scholars are expected to return to their home countries to engage in self-employment or work in a range of health-related professions to advance health outcomes.

Comprehensive Financial and Logistical Support

Prospective scholars receive comprehensive, full funding designed to eliminate financial barriers and allow them to focus entirely on their studies and leadership development. The scholarship provides:

Full Financial Assistance: Covers the costs of tuition for the duration of the graduate degree.
Logistical Support: Covers travel expenses to Canada (including obtaining a passport and visa application fees), health insurance, a laptop, and books.
Development: Access to training, networking, and support for their transition back to Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants MUST meet the following six eligibility criteria:

Be a citizen and currently residing in a Sub-Saharan African country
Be graduating or have graduated from a partner institution of the Africa Health Collaborative (listed below) and have not yet started studies at the graduate level
Be under 35 years of age
Have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership qualities during his/her undergraduate years
Be academically admissible to one of the sponsored graduate programs listed above
Demonstrate a desire and commitment to return home following graduation to contribute to the ongoing economic growth and social development in Africa

Additionally, applicants must demonstrate financial need correspondent to that of the lowest two quintiles of their country, have very strong academic results within their school system, and fulfill the necessary English requirements (dependent on country).

Eligible Academic Programs

Up to 20 Mastercard Foundation scholarships will be awarded for the 2026-2027 academic year split across the following graduate programs:

Master of Engineering (Biomedical)
Master of Financial Insurance
MHSc Master of Health Administration
MHSc Master of Health Informatics
MPH: Health Promotion
MPH: Occupational and Environmental Health

Application Procedure

Step One: Prospective applicants must first consult the admission requirements for their chosen program of study.
Step Two: Sign up to attend a scholarship information session and complete the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship application. A link to the Scholarship Application will be provided only to attendees following these sessions.

The deadline for submission of the completed application and receipt of all required attachments is November 3, 2025, at 12 noon (Toronto time). The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is the central location for graduate applications at the university. Each department and program area will inform you as to the specific requirements of their department and provide you with subsequent dates for the submission of supplementary information. This is an online process that will require you to upload documents to your application.

Mentoring and Support

Mastercard Foundation Scholars are provided with a variety of mentoring and transition assistance programs. Advisors and administrators within the departments, faculties, and Centre for International Experience, regularly interact with Mastercard Foundation Scholars and help students navigate through university life. Student mentors also provide peer support. Furthermore, each scholar will take part in a two-week summer orientation program which will ensure that they are fully engaged from the very beginning of their graduate studies, and which will ease their transition to life as a graduate student in the city of Toronto to their preparedness for return to Africa.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships at the University of Toronto provide an unparalleled opportunity for outstanding international students to study at one of the world’s best universities in one of the world’s most multicultural cities. Awarded annually, these scholarships recognize outstanding students from around the world, including international students studying at Canadian high schools. This is U of T’s most prestigious and competitive scholarship for international students.

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Scholarship Coverage

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships will cover tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto for first-entry, undergraduate programs. Each year approximately 37 students will be named Lester B. Pearson Scholars.

Ideal Pearson Scholar

Pearson Scholars are students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and creativity, who are accepted as leaders within their school, and who have the potential to contribute to the global community in the future. They can be distinguished from other students who may have equally high academic results by virtue of their breadth of interest, intellectual energy and impact on the life of their school and community. The scholarship program is intended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity and who are recognized as leaders within their school. A special emphasis is placed on the impact the student has had on the life of their school and community, and their future potential to contribute positively to the global community.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply to the Pearson International Scholarship, you must be an international student (i.e. not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) who intends to pursue undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto.

Application Process

To become a Pearson Scholar, you must be nominated by your school and apply to undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. Ask your school guidance counselor about being nominated. Once you’ve been nominated and have applied to the University of Toronto, you will be sent a personalized, secure link to the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship application. The University of Toronto Scholarship (Lester B. Pearson Award) requires you to receive a nomination from your secondary school to apply.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities in Canada

In addition to the scholarships offered by the University of Toronto, there are numerous other fully funded scholarship opportunities available for international students in Canada. These scholarships cover full tuition fees, monthly living allowances, accommodation, health insurance, and travel costs. Many Canadian universities offer fully funded scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies across various fields of study.

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Popular Canadian Universities Offering Scholarships

Canada is home to globally renowned institutions such as:

University of British Columbia (UBC)
McGill University
McMaster University
University of Alberta
Queen’s University
University of Saskatchewan
uOttawa
Montreal University
Concordia University
Waterloo University

Tips for Obtaining Full Scholarships in Canada

To increase your chances of securing a full scholarship in Canada, consider the following tips:

Apply for multiple scholarships: The more scholarships you apply for, the higher your chances of winning.
Start early: Begin your scholarship search and application process well in advance of the deadlines.
Highlight achievements: Showcase your academic excellence, leadership skills, and contributions to your school and community.

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