Studying abroad can feel overwhelming—new country, steep tuition, paperwork—but scholarships like the University of Ottawa International English Scholarships can make dreams feel possible. If you’re an international student planning to study in English at uOttawa, this scholarship might just change everything.
Program Description at a Glance:
- Program: University of Ottawa International English Scholarships 2025
- Coverage: Up to CAD 70,000 for eligible international students
- Nationality: International (non-Canadian) students
- Degree Level: Undergraduate
- Duration: 4 years (renewable or non-renewable depending on the award)
- University: University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Host Country: Canada
Purpose of the Program
The University of Ottawa’s International English Scholarships exist to help reduce financial barriers for international undergraduate students who enroll in English-language programs. Rather than being a one-off payment, the scheme rewards academic excellence and consistent performance, and aims to attract a globally diverse student body. The idea is: you perform well, you study full time, and uOttawa supports you financially.
Types of Scholarships & Amounts Offered
uOttawa offers two main scholarships under this program for students who will start in Winter 2026 or after in approved English-language undergraduate programs:
- International English Admission Scholarship
- Value: CAD 7,500 per term, up to CAD 60,000 over four years (maximum 12 instalments).
- Renewable: Yes, for up to 12 instalments.
- International English Academic Excellence Scholarship
- Value: CAD 10,000 total (CAD 5,000 each of two terms).
- Renewable: No—it’s a one-time award.
- Combinable: Can be held together with the Admission Scholarship.
Combined, in some cases eligible students could receive substantial support—both for excellence or strong admission averages.
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Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, you’ll need to meet certain conditions. Here they are:
- You must be an international student and have a valid study permit.
- You should be newly admitted for the Winter 2026 term or after.
- Your program must be an approved English-language undergraduate program in one of these faculties:
- Arts
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Telfer School of Management
- Your admission average must meet the minimums:
- At least 80% for the Admission Scholarship
- At least 90% for the Academic Excellence Scholarship
- You must be enrolled full-time.
- You cannot enrol in the French immersion stream.
- Note: Canadian citizens with dual citizenship are not eligible, since they already qualify for Canadian tuition rates.
Benefits of the Scholarship
What do you actually get if selected? Here are the major perks:
- A large reduction in tuition fees—up to CAD 70,000 over the course of a four-year degree, depending on which scholarship(s) you receive.
- With the Admission Scholarship, you get CAD 7,500 per term, renewable, potentially over 12 terms.
- With the Academic Excellence Scholarship, you get CAD 10,000 over two terms.
These funds help cover a good chunk of the cost of studying in Canada—tuition, books, living costs. It doesn’t cover everything like housing or flights, but it makes the hurdle far more manageable.
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Eligible programs are English-language undergraduate programs at uOttawa. These must belong to one of the faculties listed earlier (Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Social Sciences, Telfer). If your program is offered in English and full time, you may be eligible—just make sure it isn’t part of the French immersion stream.
Deadlines & When It Applies
- These particular scholarships are for students starting in the Winter 2026 term or after. So, if you plan to begin in Winter 2026, Spring, Summer, or Fall after that, check that you are applying under that intake.
- As with other university admissions, you’ll need to submit everything by the university’s application deadlines. (Check the University of Ottawa’s admissions portal for the precise date for your program and country.)
- The award details (renewal, amount) are updated—for example, the page was last updated August 27, 2025.
Application Process
Here’s how to apply (and some tips):
- Get admitted into an approved English-language undergraduate program at uOttawa, starting Winter 2026 or later. Ensure you meet the entry average requirements.
- Ensure your study permit status qualifies (you must be international with valid permit).
- Apply full-time and not in the French immersion stream.
- Academic records must show your admission average (80% or 90% depending on which scholarship you target). Make sure your transcripts are ready and free of errors.
- No separate application is required just for the Admission Scholarship—eligible students are considered automatically. For the Academic Excellence Scholarship, check if the scholarship requires any essays or extra documentation; usually, excellent academic standing is the key.
uOttawa will notify you of your scholarship status when you get your admission offer, or through the admissions / financial aid office. Keep an eye on the terms of reference for each scholarship in case there are faculty- or program-specific addenda.
How to Maintain the Scholarship
If you win the Admission Scholarship, you’ll need to maintain certain standards to keep it for subsequent terms:
- Remain enrolled full-time in an approved undergraduate program in one of the eligible faculties.
- Continue meeting performance expectations (your grades should remain good—uOttawa will have thresholds for maintaining eligibility).
- Avoid moving into the French immersion stream or switching to a program that is not eligible.
The Academic Excellence Scholarship is not renewable, so once you receive it, you don’t have to renew it—but you also won’t receive additional amounts beyond what’s awarded initially.
Why This Opportunity Is Special
You might be wondering, “What makes this scholarship stand out?” Here are some thoughts:
- The amounts are significant—especially if you combine awards or renew the Admission Scholarship over multiple terms. They can cover a large proportion of total costs.
- It’s automatic for many students (for the Admission one), which means less extra paperwork. Less worry.
- It encourages consistent academic performance—not just a one-time good grade. That helps build your record while you study.
- University of Ottawa is well-known, vibrant, internationally diverse, which is great if you want both quality and community.
Things to Watch Out For / Tips
- Double-check that your program is in one of the eligible faculties. Even a small difference in program type or stream (English vs French immersion) can affect eligibility.
- Keep all your documents (transcripts, proof of admission average) clean, well-translated if needed, and ready early. Admission deadlines tend to be firm.
- Don’t assume once you have the scholarship you can relax—maintaining performance and full-time status is key if you want renewals.
- Watch for changes: policies, minimum averages, terms of reference can shift, so always read the latest version on uOttawa’s site.
Final Thoughts
If you’re an international student hoping to pursue an undergraduate degree in English at University of Ottawa, this is one of those scholarships that could seriously ease the financial burden. It’s not only about the money—it’s about what you can achieve when you don’t have to stress over whether you can afford tuition. Your focus can shift to learning, growing, making connections.
You’ve got the grades, you’ve got the ambition—so go for it. Apply, prepare your documents, aim high. Opportunities like this are doors. Push them open.
Official Program Link: University of Ottawa International English Scholarships
Wishing you all the very best with your application—you’ve got this!