Seeking education in Canada is the dream of many overseas students, driven by the presence of the best universities, cutting-edge research, and an inclusive and diverse learning environment. However, the cost of education in Canada acts as a barrier for many students who wish to pursue their education abroad. This is where the University of Alberta Scholarship 2026-2027 comes into the picture, providing the necessary support for talented graduate students who wish to pursue their education in Canada.
In this article, you will find all the information you need to know about the University of Alberta Scholarship, from the funding schemes offered to the benefits of the scholarship, the documents needed, and the application process. This information will be useful in preparing the application, which will further increase the chances of getting the scholarship.
About the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is one of the top research-based public universities in Canada, located in the heart of the city of Edmonton, Alberta. Since its establishment in 1908, the university has solidified its position as one of Canada’s top universities.
As a member of the U15, a group of Canada’s best research-intensive universities, the University of Alberta prides itself on its research-intensive approach. This allows for the best academic opportunities for its students, including access to some of the best research facilities, collaborative research, and academic networks around the globe. The University of Alberta boasts a student body of over 40,000, with many of those being international students from all over the globe.
The University of Alberta offers over 500 graduate programs in approximately 300 research areas, including Engineering, Business, Science, Medicine & Dentistry, Arts, and many other areas of study. This allows for learners with diverse interests and goals to find programs that fit their needs and interests.
The University of Alberta also boasts an incredible opportunity for graduate funding for its students, with the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) administering approximately $29 million in scholarships annually, ensuring that many international students are able to afford graduate programs.
University of Alberta Scholarship Overview
The University of Alberta Scholarship for the academic years 2026-2027 is for Master’s and PhD programs and will help fund tuition and living expenses for the duration of the program.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s and PhD
- Institution: University of Alberta
- Study Destination: Canada
- Program Duration: Approximately 2 years for Master’s programs and 3 years for PhD programs
- Funding Amount: Up to $40,000 per year depending on the award
- Eligible Applicants: International students from all countries
University of Alberta Scholarship Overview
The University of Alberta offers a variety of financial assistance programs to graduate students, each with its own set of values and eligibility criteria. Nevertheless, all these programs, across all fields, seek to reward outstanding graduate students both academically and financially.
Graduate Entrance Scholarship for New Entrants
The University of Alberta offers the Graduate Entrance Scholarship, which is available to new graduate students who rank at the top of their department. Moreover, this scholarship is intended to recruit top graduate students to the University of Alberta.
The amount of this award varies as follows:
- $17,500 annually for Master’s students
- $21,000 annually for PhD students
There is also a possibility of a $10,000 stipend, which is directly deposited into the student’s tuition account. To qualify, the student must have a Canadian bank account and a Canadian address.
GPS Awards offered by the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies:
Another significant financial assistance program offered by the University of Alberta is the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, commonly known as GPS Awards. These are centrally administered graduate student awards, available in a variety of fields.
This award has the possibility of reaching a maximum of $40,000 annually, paid out over a period of three years, depending on the department.
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship (CGRS-D)
Additionally, the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral program is one of the top graduate student scholarships in Canada, available to doctoral students. Recently, this program has also been opened to international graduate students through a variety of routes.
This award has the possibility of paying out a maximum of $40,000 annually, paid out over a period of three years.
While this award is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, a maximum of 15% is available to international applicants.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
Moreover, for those PhD scholars whose work is at the crossroads of public policy, social sciences, or humanities, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship is a significant opportunity.
What Successful Researchers Can Expect:
- Up to $50,000 per year as a stipend
- Up to $20,000 per year towards travel and research costs
Both of these amounts are payable for a period of up to three years. However, the prestige and leadership requirement of the scholarship also make it a very competitive one.
Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES)
Additionally, the Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship is sponsored by the Government of Alberta and aims to attract the best international students to the province.
The scholarship amount will vary as follows:
- Minimum: $11,000
- Maximum: $15,000
Though the amount is a bit on the lower end, it is still a significant amount for graduate students.
Eligibility Criteria for the University of Alberta Scholarship
However, there are a number of eligibility criteria that the applicant needs to meet to get the University of Alberta scholarship.
General Eligibility:
- Firstly, Language requirement: English
- Country requirement: Open to all
- Applicants must have an outstanding academic record
- Must meet the admission criteria
- Must be admitted to a Master’s or PhD program
- Admitted in one of the following terms: January 2026, May 2026, July 2026, September 2026
- Scholarship recipients must remain full-time students.
- Lastly, Applicants cannot change between thesis-based and course-based programs after receiving the scholarship
Required Documents:
There are a number of required documents that the applicant needs to submit to the admissions committee in order to assess the applicant’s eligibility and research potential. Some of the most common ones are:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- English language proficiency test scores
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of intent
- Writing samples
- Standardized test scores
References
The applicant must provide the following information to the referee:
Name, Title, organization, and Email Address.
Afterward, once the application is submitted and the application fee is paid, the referee will automatically receive an email with a secure link to submit the recommendation letters.
How to Apply for the University of Alberta Scholarship
Overall, applying for the University of Alberta Scholarship is a relatively simple process, and you must ensure that you are well prepared to submit a competitive application.
Step 1: Firstly, Pick a Graduate Program
It is essential to pick a graduate program. The University of Alberta has over 500 programs, and the fields of study are diverse.
Step 2: Gather your application materials.
Step 3: Submit Online
Then, once you have chosen your graduate program and gathered your application materials, submit your application online.
Step 4: Automatic Scholarship Consideration
In most instances, admission will automatically qualify you for consideration of the entrance scholarships. Therefore, you do not need to submit a separate scholarship application.
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