Applications are now open for students seeking admission to the University of Ottawa Undergraduate Scholarships 2027 in Canada.
The University of Ottawa has introduced substantial scholarship support for newly admitted international students studying in eligible undergraduate programmes taught in English. Under the current scholarship structure, eligible international students can receive up to CAD $70,000 in scholarship support during their undergraduate studies.
The two major awards are the International English Admission Scholarship, worth up to CAD $60,000, and the International English Academic Excellence Scholarship, worth an additional CAD $10,000 for selected high-achieving students.
Importantly, eligible students do not need to submit a separate application for these two scholarships. Scholarship consideration is linked to admission and full-time enrolment.
International applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can apply, provided they meet the admission and scholarship requirements.
University of Ottawa Undergraduate Scholarships 2027 Overview
Here are the main details:
- University: University of Ottawa
- Country: Canada
- Study Level: Undergraduate
- Eligible Applicants: International students
- Maximum Scholarship Support: Up to CAD $70,000
- Main Renewable Award: CAD $60,000
- Additional Excellence Award: CAD $10,000
- Separate Scholarship Application: Not required for the two main English-language awards
- Minimum Average for Admission Scholarship: 80%
- Minimum Average for Excellence Scholarship: 95%
- Study Mode: Full-time
- 2027 Admission Applications: Open
- Fall 2027 Applications Opened: September 17, 2026
- Admission Deadline: Varies according to undergraduate programme
About the University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa, commonly known as uOttawa, is a major Canadian university located in Ottawa, Ontario.
As Canada’s capital city, Ottawa provides students with access to government institutions, businesses, research organisations and an international community.
The university offers undergraduate programmes across disciplines, including arts, engineering, health sciences, science, social sciences and business, through the Telfer School of Management.
For international students beginning eligible English-language undergraduate programmes, the university currently offers two particularly significant scholarship opportunities.
1. International English Admission Scholarship
The International English Admission Scholarship is the major renewable award available to eligible international undergraduates.
It provides:
CAD $7,500 per term
The university describes the total value as:
CAD $60,000 over the course of a four-year degree
This effectively provides a substantial reduction in tuition fees for eligible students throughout their studies.
Another important advantage is that the number of awards is unlimited.
Therefore, this award is not a scholarship where only a small predetermined number of students are selected. Every student who satisfies the eligibility conditions can be considered automatically.
Eligibility for the CAD $60,000 Admission Scholarship
To qualify for the International English Admission Scholarship, applicants must generally:
- Be international students with a valid study permit
- Be newly admitted to an eligible undergraduate programme offered in English
- Have a minimum admission average of 80%
- Study in an eligible faculty
- Not enrolled in the French Immersion Stream
- Be enrolled full-time
- Pay international tuition fees
Eligible faculties currently include:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Telfer School of Management
Students who satisfy the requirements are automatically considered.
Is the CAD $60,000 Scholarship Renewable?
Yes.
The International English Admission Scholarship is renewable, with the university indicating a maximum of 12 instalments.
The scholarship provides CAD $7,500 per term and is described by the university as providing CAD $15,000 per year, or CAD $60,000 over a four-year degree.
To continue receiving the award, students must satisfy the scholarship’s renewal conditions, including remaining enrolled full-time in an eligible undergraduate programme.
Applicants should therefore understand that receiving the scholarship initially does not mean they can ignore its continuation requirements after arriving in Canada.
2. International English Academic Excellence Scholarship
High-achieving students may also be considered for the International English Academic Excellence Scholarship.
This award is worth:
CAD $10,000
It is paid as:
- CAD $5,000 per term
- CAD $10,000 in total
Unlike the CAD $60,000 admission scholarship, the Academic Excellence Scholarship is not renewable.
However, there is an important advantage: it can be combined with the International English Admission Scholarship.
This is how an eligible international undergraduate student can potentially receive scholarship support worth up to CAD $70,000.
Eligibility for the CAD $10,000 Excellence Scholarship
The university currently offers 100 International English Academic Excellence Scholarships.
Applicants must generally:
- Be international students
- Hold a valid study permit
- Be newly admitted to an eligible undergraduate programme offered in English
- Have a minimum admission average of 95%
- Not enrolled in the French Immersion Stream
- Study full-time
- Pay international tuition fees
- Meet the other scholarship conditions
This award is aimed at particularly strong incoming international students.
How the University of Ottawa Scholarships Can Reach $70,000
The maximum advertised scholarship support comes from combining the two major awards.
An eligible student may receive:
International English Admission Scholarship:
Up to CAD $60,000
International English Academic Excellence Scholarship:
CAD $10,000
Potential combined scholarship support:
Up to CAD $70,000
However, applicants should not interpret CAD $70,000 as an automatic award for every international student.
The CAD $60,000 scholarship requires applicants to meet its eligibility conditions, while the additional CAD $10,000 award is limited to 100 high-achieving students who meet the excellence scholarship criteria.
Are the University of Ottawa Undergraduate Scholarships Fully Funded?
No. These scholarships should not be considered fully funded scholarships.
The awards provide significant reductions in tuition costs, but they do not automatically cover every expense associated with studying and living in Canada.
International students should still budget for expenses such as:
- Remaining tuition costs
- Accommodation
- Food
- Books and academic materials
- Transportation
- Health-related costs
- Study permit expenses
- Personal expenses
- Travel to and from Canada
Therefore, applicants should prepare a realistic financial plan even if they qualify for scholarship support.
Can Cameroonians, Nigerians and Ghanaians Apply?
Yes.
The main English-language scholarships are intended for eligible international students rather than being restricted to a small list of nationalities.
Therefore, students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can be considered if they meet the undergraduate admission and scholarship requirements.
Applicants must also meet the University of Ottawa’s admission requirements for their educational system and chosen degree.
For example, required subjects and academic qualifications may vary depending on the applicant’s country and intended programme.
What Undergraduate Programmes Are Eligible?
The CAD $60,000 International English Admission Scholarship applies to approved English-language undergraduate programmes in the following faculties:
- Arts
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Telfer School of Management
Applicants should confirm that their specific degree falls within the eligible programmes before relying on the scholarship when planning their finances.
The university also offers other scholarships and awards with different requirements.
Do You Need a Separate Scholarship Application?
For the two major international English scholarships discussed in this article, no separate scholarship application is required.
Eligible students are automatically considered.
This means that your first major task is to secure admission to an eligible undergraduate programme and to satisfy the scholarship conditions.
Students interested in other University of Ottawa awards may need to use the university’s Online Scholarships and Bursaries system.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that every scholarship offered by the university is automatic.
How to Apply for University of Ottawa Undergraduate Scholarships 2027
Step 1: Choose an Undergraduate Programme
Start by identifying an undergraduate programme that aligns with your academic background and career interests.
Check the specific admission requirements for your country and the intended programme.
Step 2: Confirm Your Admission Requirements
Applicants should check:
- Required secondary-school qualification
- Minimum admission average
- Required prerequisite subjects
- Language requirements
- Program-specific requirements
- Application deadline
Meeting the scholarship average does not automatically guarantee admission to every undergraduate programme.
Step 3: Apply for Undergraduate Admission
Submit your application for admission to the University of Ottawa.
The university began accepting applications for programmes starting in fall and winter 2027 on September 17, 2026.
International students planning to begin in September 2027 can therefore start the admission process now.
Step 4: Submit the Required Documents
Applicants should submit all documents required for their educational system and chosen programme.
These may include:
- Secondary-school transcripts
- Academic certificates
- Proof of completion or expected completion of secondary school
- Proof of language proficiency where required
- Identification information
- Program-specific supporting documents
The exact requirements depend on the applicant’s educational background and programme.
Step 5: Wait for the Admission Decision
The university will evaluate the application based on the requirements of the selected undergraduate programme.
Students eligible for the International English Admission Scholarship are automatically considered.
Step 6: Check Your Scholarship Offer
If you qualify for an automatic scholarship, you will receive information about the award as part of the admission process.
High-achieving students may also be selected for the additional CAD $10,000 International English Academic Excellence Scholarship.
University of Ottawa 2027 Application Deadline
There is no single admission deadline for all undergraduate programmes.
Applications for programmes beginning in fall and winter 2027 opened on September 17, 2026.
For winter 2027 direct-entry programmes, the university currently lists an application deadline of October 17, 2026, with required documents and test results to be submitted as soon as possible and generally by November 1, 2026.
For fall 2027, deadlines vary by programme and applicant category. Some programmes have international application deadlines as late as May 1, 2027, while competitive programmes may have earlier deadlines.
Applicants should therefore check the exact deadline for their chosen programme, rather than relying on a single general date.
Applying early is particularly important for international students because admission is only one part of the process. Successful applicants will also need sufficient time for immigration and study permit procedures.
Other Scholarships for International Students
The University of Ottawa offers additional awards beyond the two major international English scholarships.
For example, international students studying in French may benefit from the university’s Differential Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship, which substantially reduces tuition fees for eligible Francophone and Francophile students.
There are also faculty-specific awards.
One example is the Faculty of Arts Dean’s Merit Scholarship, valued at CAD $4,000 over four years for selected eligible students with strong academic performance.
Students should therefore explore the university’s scholarship database after applying for admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can international students receive?
Eligible international undergraduates studying in English can potentially receive up to CAD $70,000 through the two major international English scholarships.
Is the CAD $70,000 scholarship automatic?
Not entirely. The CAD $60,000 International English Admission Scholarship is automatic for eligible students. The additional CAD $10,000 Academic Excellence Scholarship is limited to 100 awards.
What average is required for the CAD $60,000 scholarship?
Applicants currently need a minimum admission average of 80%, together with the other eligibility requirements.
What average is required for the CAD $10,000 award?
The current official scholarship page requires a minimum admission average of 95% for the International English Academic Excellence Scholarship.
Can African students apply?
Yes. Eligible international students from African countries can apply.
Can Cameroonian students apply?
Yes. Eligible Cameroonian applicants can be considered.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes. Nigerian students can apply if they satisfy the admission and scholarship requirements.
Can Ghanaian students apply?
Yes, Ghanaian applicants can also be considered.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
No. The scholarships provide substantial tuition support but should not be treated as full funding for all study and living expenses.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
No separate application is required for the International English Admission Scholarship or International English Academic Excellence Scholarship.
Are applications for 2027 open?
Yes. The University of Ottawa began accepting applications for undergraduate programmes for fall and winter 2027 on September 17, 2026.
Final Thoughts
The University of Ottawa Undergraduate Scholarships 2027 provide substantial financial support for international students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Canada.
The most significant opportunity is the International English Admission Scholarship, which can provide up to CAD $60,000 over four years. In addition, 100 high-achieving students can receive the CAD $10,000 International English Academic Excellence Scholarship.
Eligible students may receive up to CAD $70,000 in scholarship support, as the two awards can be combined.
Students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can apply, and the two major English-language awards do not require separate scholarship applications.
Applications for 2027 undergraduate admission are already open. However, admission deadlines vary by programme, so prospective students should identify their preferred degree and check its specific deadline as early as possible.
Official Links
University of Ottawa – International English Scholarships:
https://www.uottawa.ca/study/fees-financial-support/international-english-scholarship
University of Ottawa – Undergraduate Application Deadlines:
https://www.uottawa.ca/study/undergraduate-studies/application-deadlines
