Updated: September 5, 2026 | Reading time: 5 min | Written by: StudyTribune Team
The University of Alberta offers genuinely substantial funding for international students — automatic entrance scholarships, a graduate award worth up to CAD $31,000 combined for PhD students, and access to Canada’s major federal research scholarships. University of Alberta Scholarships for International Students guide covers what’s real and current, replacing several older posts that repeated unverified claims (including an inflated “Top 5 Canadian university” ranking that doesn’t hold up against current data).
University of Alberta at a Glance
Founded in 1908, the University of Alberta currently ranks 119th globally on the QS World Rankings and 139th on the US News Global Rankings — a genuinely strong research university, though not literally a top-5 Canadian institution as some older listings claim. It’s based in Edmonton, Alberta.
Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships
University of Alberta Scholarships for International Students — up to CAD $10,000, awarded automatically based on your admission average to top students attending high school in Canada on a study permit.
University of Alberta Regional Excellence Scholarship — a comparable automatic award for strong students attending high school in Canada.
International Student Scholarship — up to CAD $9,000 total for newly enrolled first-year international undergraduates, paid out over four years.
How these work: most entrance scholarships require no separate application — you’re automatically considered based on your admission application and average. For the 2027-28 intake, the application-based undergraduate scholarship window opens October 1, 2026 and closes January 10, 2027.
Graduate Entrance Scholarship
This is the flagship graduate award, and it’s genuinely valuable:
- CAD $17,500 for Master’s students, CAD $21,000 for PhD students, as a base living allowance
- An additional CAD $10,000 specifically for international students on top of the base amount
- Award tenure runs September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027, regardless of your specific admit term
- One-time, non-renewable
- Open to both course-based and thesis-based programs
- You’ll need a Canadian bank account and residential address to actually receive the stipend
Important: you cannot apply for this scholarship directly. Prospective and newly admitted students are not eligible to self-apply — you must first secure admission to a Master’s or PhD program, and then your admitting department nominates you internally. Contact your specific department after admission to ask about their internal nomination deadline and process.
Federal Research Scholarships Available Through Alberta
International PhD students at the University of Alberta may also be eligible for Canada’s major federal research funding, depending on citizenship and program:
- Canada Graduate Research Scholarship (CGRS-Master’s and CGRS-Doctoral) — the harmonized scholarship replacing the former Vanier program, administered jointly by NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR
- Killam Trust scholarships — one of Canada’s largest endowments, worth over $400 million, funding graduate research at the University of Alberta among other institutions
These are separate, competitive, nomination- or application-based programs distinct from the university’s own entrance scholarships — check current eligibility and deadlines directly, since federal scholarship rules differ from the university’s own award criteria.
English Language Requirements
Multiple current sources describe English requirements as flexible for admission purposes — several approved tests and prior English-medium education can satisfy the standard, and some programs accept an English-medium-instruction certificate in place of IELTS. This varies by program and faculty, so confirm your specific department’s current requirement rather than assuming a blanket “no IELTS needed” policy applies university-wide.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Apply for admission first — to your undergraduate or graduate program, since nearly every scholarship here depends on an active or successful admission application.
- For undergraduate entrance scholarships, most are automatic — no separate action needed once you’re admitted, though the application-based window (Oct 1 – Jan 10) exists for specific competitive awards.
- For the Graduate Entrance Scholarship, secure admission first, then contact your admitting department directly about internal nomination — you cannot self-apply.
- Check federal scholarship eligibility separately (CGRS, Killam) if you’re a PhD applicant, since these run their own distinct processes.
- Confirm your Canadian banking setup in advance if you’re awarded the Graduate Entrance Scholarship, since a Canadian account and address are required to receive payment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to apply directly for the Graduate Entrance Scholarship. It’s nomination-only, through your department, after admission — there’s no application form to fill out yourself.
- Assuming University of Alberta is a “top 5” Canadian university. Current rankings place it solidly in the upper tier globally, but that specific claim from older content doesn’t hold up.
- Assuming IELTS is never required. English requirements vary by programme — confirm with your specific department rather than assuming a universal waiver.
- Missing the internal department nomination deadline for the Graduate Entrance Scholarship, since it’s set by your specific department, not a single university-wide date.
FAQs
Do I need to apply separately for University of Alberta’s entrance scholarships? Most undergraduate entrance scholarships are automatic based on your admission application and average. The Graduate Entrance Scholarship requires departmental nomination after admission, not a direct application.
How much is the Graduate Entrance Scholarship worth for international students? CAD $17,500 (Master’s) or $21,000 (PhD) as a base amount, plus an additional CAD $10,000 specifically for international students.
Is IELTS required to apply? It depends on your specific program — several approved alternatives exist, including English-medium-instruction certificates for some programs. Confirm with your target department.
Can I combine the Graduate Entrance Scholarship with federal scholarships like CGRS? These are separate programs with separate eligibility and processes — check current rules directly, as combination policies can vary by award and department.
Is University of Alberta really a top 5 Canadian university? Current global rankings (QS 119th, US News 139th) place it as a strong, well-regarded research university, but not literally top 5 in Canada — treat that specific older claim with caution.
When does the undergraduate scholarship application window open? For the 2027-28 intake, October 1, 2026 through January 10, 2027, for application-based awards specifically.
Related Reading
Strengthen your application with our guides to writing a recommendation letter for a scholarship and a personal statement for scholarship applications. For a full breakdown of other Canadian university-specific scholarships, see our Scholarships in Canada hub.
University of Alberta remains a genuinely strong funding option for international students, with automatic undergraduate awards and a substantial graduate package — just confirm current amounts and deadlines directly with the university, and don’t rely on inflated ranking claims from older content.