If you are considering to further your education and take your master’s degree in another country? If Canada is not this perfect place for you, then I do not know what really is.
Canada has always been friendly to international students and credit the development of its first-class universities, diverse culture. That is the reality, however, let it be acknowledged that studying in a foreign country may very well cost you an arm and a leg. That is why scholarships can be useful at this stage.
In this article, we are going to discuss all information related to the process of obtaining a master’s degree in Canada with scholarships for international students.
Pros of Studying Masters in Canada With Scholarships As International Students
Winning a scholarship to study in Canada can be like winning a lottery since there are very many benefits in getting a chance to study there. Let’s see the advantages:
- Top-notch Education: Canada’s universities are among the best in the world and the Canadian universities provide very good masters degrees in many disciplines. You would be getting a qualification that is respectable and recognized.
- Scholarship Savings: Scholarships, therefore, go a long way in making the process of studying in Canada significantly cheaper. Free money for learning? Yes, please!
- Immigration Pathway: Having a Master’s degree coupled with some Canadian work experience through a post-graduate work Permit is a sure way to enhance your prospects of being granted permanent residence either through Express Entry or the PNP.
- International Experience: Studying in another country is the way to go, it opens your world view, teaches you different values and strengthens your portfolio.
Having discussed several of the benefits let me be proceed to outline some of the demerits.
Cons
It is great to study in Canada with a scholarship, but it’s not a bed of roses all through. Here are the drawbacks:
- Cost: Despite having a scholarship, there will probably be charges for tuition fee as well as other expenses required for daily living.
- Competition: Scholarships can be quite lucrative yet at the same time, there is stiff competition especially, where it is based on merit, thus may need impressive grades and matches the scholarship agency’s requirements.
- Time Commitment: Usually, Master’s programs may take 1-up to 2 years, therefore, be ready for dedicated of time for the studies.
- Job Market: Having a degree from a Canadian university can be helpful, however, getting a job as soon as you finish your education largely depends on your course, internship, or workplace connections, as well as competitiveness of the job market.
Scholarship Opportunities For International Students To Study Masters in Canada
Sadly, there are few options available for international students concerning the scholarships that are available for master’s in Canada and here we will be sharing a few of the options for you to interact.
1. University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Awards
This scholarship is a goldmine for any international student who wishes to study at the University of Waterloo. It sponsors your fees and offers you fairly reasonable allowance for your subsistence expenses. To qualify for the opportunity you should have excellent academic standing and be accepted into a research-based graduate program in Waterloo.
It is easy to apply or join this network marketing company. There are no pictures in this type of writing You do not have to apply for this award the admission application automatically enters you. The university considers the fact of the academic performance, the research proposal, and any other papers or presentations made by the candidate. It is pretty competitive so ensure that your application stands out.
2. Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
The OGS is a program of the Ontario government in cooperation with the province’s universities. It is available to both local and international students who are willing to pursue their graduate studies in the province of Ontario. This so-called scholarship is valued up to $15,000 annually that could really help you to shoulder your needs.
To be eligible, applicants must have a grade point average of at least A- or the equivalent for the last two years of full-time studies. The steps have differences depending on the specific university, and therefore it is recommended that one consults the particular university of choice. It may also be necessary to provide your academic transcript, a proposal for your research, and letters of recommendation.
3. University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (UMGF)
If you are interested in going to the University of Manitoba for masters, then UMGF may be of interest to you. It offers scholarships to deserving students in different Graduate Schools. The amount of money provided as fellowship ranges from a figure as low as $4000 to as high as $18000 for the masters’ students.
For you to qualify for the scholarship, the candidate must have a G. C. E ‘O’ level certificate and a cumulative GPA of at least 3. Either 5 or the equivalent in the previous two years of full-time study is required. You also need to enroll in an institution in an approved program that meets the criteria for the UMGF. This is a fellowship programme that is aligned with your admission applications hence ensure that you express interest in the programme.
4. University of Calgary Graduate Awards
International graduate students are eligible for a number of awards that are available at the University of Calgary. These awards can include tuition fee and a stipend that enables the student to cater for his or her necessities. They have differences, but at times they are able to border high numbers that are considered significant.
The requirements for qualification vary from one award to the other; however, some of the most common requirements are; one has to be a graduate student in the University of Calgary, and must also have clean academic record. But some awards might need you to have research background or show leadership qualities.
It is common to fill in a separate application for the awards once you have applied for any program of your choice. There are likely to be requirements for personal statements, research proposals and Letters of recommendation.
How Do I Apply for a Scholarship in Canada?
The scholarship application process as we all know is time consuming and demanding but if done in Canada it is definitely worthwhile:
- First of all, you have to look for the scholarships that could potentially be suitable for you based on your profile and preferences. List down everything they need and when they again want it.
- Secondly, collect relevant papers and materials. These may be your academic records, course letters of recommendation, your compelling personal statement or the research proposal, and proof of English proficiency (be it IELTS, or TOEFL scores).
- It is very important to follow the precise instructions, in particular those related to the application. Scholarship may be different and may have different requirements so one has to read through the guidelines.
- Make sure you submit all the applications some time before the stipulated time so as to avoid troubles close to the time of submission.
It is wise to apply for many scholarships, so that you will be guaranteed one by the end. Oh yes, the fact remains that ‘the early bird catches the worm’. If you don’t succeed the first time, then you try again, because that must happen. The findings of the study also showed that most scholarship beneficiaries applied for scholarship many times before being granted a scholarship.
Earning a master’s degree in Canada with a scholarship can be one of the most transformative experiences of a person’s life. It provides quality education, exposure to the culture of the host country, and chances of job placements.
However, on the positive side, the benefits are likely to outweigh the drawbacks. So just step forward and make your first move to obtain your dream Canadian education. Who knows? You could be the next scholarship lucky winner!
