Top 5 scholarships to study in Canada and the role of the IELTS exam
Top 5 scholarships to study in Canada and the role of the IELTS exam
3rd Jul 2024 | Information
Do you want to study in Canada? Exciting opportunities await, but securing scholarships can make the journey even better. We will explore the top 5 ones for international students, their eligibility, and requirements, and how your IELTS score can help you unlock those doors.
The IELTS role when applying for a scholarship to study in Canada
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) serves as a benchmark for assessing the English language proficiency of individuals aspiring to study or work in English-speaking countries.
In Canada, where English is one of the primary languages of instruction, IELTS scores hold significant weight in the admissions and scholarship processes.
Many Canadian universities and scholarship-granting bodies require minimum IELTS scores as part of their eligibility criteria, ensuring that prospective students possess the language skills necessary to thrive academically.
The correlation between IELTS scores and scholarship eligibility lies in the fundamental role of language proficiency in academic success.
Institutions offering scholarships prioritize candidates who demonstrate a strong command of English, as this proficiency is essential for effective communication, comprehension, and engagement in coursework.
Higher IELTS scores signal a greater ability to excel in academic settings, thereby enhancing the likelihood of securing scholarships.
Top 5 scholarships to study in Canada as an international student
You should note that there are several types of scholarships available to study in Canada, which are mainly divided into 3 groups: government, non-government, and the ones offered by Canadian universities.
Now let’s explore some of the top scholarships available to international students in Canada.
1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Offered to doctoral students in the fields of social and natural sciences, humanities, engineering, and health-related areas, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships recognize academic excellence, research potential, and leadership qualities. Recipients receive $50,000 annually for up to three years.
They are administered by the Canadian government, and the program was established in 2008. Here are some of its particularities:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, or international students who hold a valid study permit and intend to pursue doctoral studies at a Canadian institution. |
| Academic achievement | Candidates must have achieved a first-class average, as determined by their institution. |
| Nomination | Candidates cannot apply directly for the scholarship. Instead, they must be nominated by the Canadian institution where they intend to pursue doctoral studies. |
| Language proficiency |
|
You can check eligibility requirements here.
2. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program
Available at the University of Toronto, the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship Program awards exceptional international students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement.
Recipients receive full tuition coverage, books, incidental fees, and residence support for four years of undergraduate study.
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| International student status | Applicants must be international students, meaning they are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and they require a study permit. |
| High academic achievement | Candidates should demonstrate outstanding academic achievement in their secondary school studies. |
| Leadership skills | The program seeks candidates who exhibit leadership potential and have actively participated in extracurricular activities. |
| English language proficiency | If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate proficiency when applying for a degree program at the university. For example, you can take the IELTS Academic and will need a 6.5 overall score. |
| Nomination by school | Prospective candidates must be nominated by their secondary school or guidance counselor. |
You can learn more about the requirements here. As you can see, taking the IELTS exam to prove your English level is a priority when enrolling at the University of Toronto, to be able to understand classes and communicate with teachers and classmates, besides applying for this scholarship.
3. International Leader of Tomorrow Award
Offered by the University of British Columbia, this award recognizes outstanding international students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to their communities.
Recipients receive significant financial support to cover tuition and living expenses (up to $50,000) for undergraduate degrees to study in Canada.
| Requirements | Description |
|---|---|
| Academic excellence | Candidates must exhibit exceptional academic achievement, typically demonstrated by maintaining a high academic average in their previous studies. |
| Leadership skills | The ILOT Award seeks students who have demonstrated leadership potential through their involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, or other initiatives. |
| International status | Applicants must be neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents of Canada, and they must be studying on a valid study permit. |
| English language proficiency | Candidates must meet the university’s general admission requirements, including English language proficiency test scores. If you are taking the IELTS exam, you need a 6.5 overall score and no section below 6.0. |
You can look at the requirements more in detail here. As a foreign student, you must take and English test, like the IELTS, prior to the admission to the University, so that you secure a place, meet the language standards and apply latter to the scholarship.
4. Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
Aimed at doctoral candidates pursuing research in the social sciences and humanities, Trudeau Foundation Scholarships provide $40,000 per year for up to three years, along with additional research and travel allowances.
| Requirements | Description |
|---|---|
| Doctoral research |
|
| Academic excellence | Applicants should demonstrate a strong academic record, including grades, awards, and distinctions. |
| Applications from non-Canadian students | “Permanent residents or foreign nationals who have been accepted or are in year one or two of a full-time program at a Canadian university are eligible” (Trudeau Foundation). |
| English language proficiency | Proficiency in English and/or French is typically required when studying in Canada, depending on the language of instruction at the institution where the candidate will pursue his or her doctoral studies. |
You can deepen into the information here. Please note that you should prove you English or French proficiency when applying to a Canadian institution or university to enroll an academic program. In this case, it is also valued to improve your language abilities.
5. IDRC Research Awards
The IDRC (International Development Research Centre) Research Awards program provides opportunities for emerging scholars from developing countries to undertake research that will contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the creation of innovative solutions to pressing global challenges, particularly those related to development issues.
| Requirements | Description |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Applicants must be citizens of a developing country. They should have a master’s degree to demonstrate a strong research background. |
| Research areas | The research supported by IDRC spans a wide range of development issues, including agriculture and food security, environment and climate change, governance and justice, health and education, technology and innovation, and social and economic policy. |
| Duration | The program duration is one year. |
| Funding | The IDRC Research Awards provide financial support to cover travel, living expenses, research-related costs, and other necessary expenses associated with the project. |
| Impact | The research program is expected to generate evidence-based insights and innovative solutions that can contribute to positive development outcomes in the awardees’ home countries and beyond. |
Find out more information here. Even if the scholarship doesn’t specify a required English level, you must demonstrate your proficiency when applying to a Canadian university or institution. This also might give you some advantage since in the form that you must fill, they ask how good your French and English competences are.
Tips to boost your performance
Here are some strategies to boost IELTS performance and increase scholarship prospects to study in Canada:
- Engage in thorough preparation by familiarizing yourself with the test format, practicing regularly, and seeking guidance from reputable resources, such as study guides, online courses, and practice tests. You can check the ones we offer.
- Identify your areas of weakness and focus on improving them through targeted study sessions. Allocate more time to challenging sections to enhance proficiency in these areas.
- Immerse yourself in English language environments by reading English literature, watching English-language films and television shows, and engaging in conversations with native speakers.
- Consider enrolling in IELTS preparation courses or seeking guidance from qualified language instructors who can provide personalized feedback and support tailored to your specific needs.
- Take advantage of mock exams to simulate test conditions and assess your progress. Analyze your performance, identify areas for improvement, and adjust your study strategy accordingly.
- In case that you don’t get the expected or needed result, we have OSR (IELTS One Skill Retake), which allows you to repeat one section of the exam, without taking it all over again. Keep in mind that this option is available if you take the test on computer.
You get to choose which score to use, if the new one generated in the report or the previous one. There’s also the advantage of presenting the test you already know, so you can target your study sessions.
Now, with these tips, you can prepare to take the IELTS exam and apply for scholarships to pursue your dream to study in Canada!
Visit the IELTS Canada homepage to find out more
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