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Scholarships for Pakistani Students in Canada
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Dr Mohammad Shafiq
Updated on: 18-Aug-2026

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Scholarships for Pakistani Students in Canada 2027

Scholarships for Pakistani students in Canada in 2027 include fully funded undergraduate and master’s awards, renewable entrance scholarships, and doctoral research funding. The strongest options include Lester B. Pearson, UBC International Scholars, McCall MacBain, York PISE, Calgary’s International Entrance Scholarship, Waterloo IMAE, and CGRS-D.

The short answer is simple: full funding exists, but it is limited. Start with awards that match your study level, confirm Pakistani or international eligibility, and check the official deadline before you apply.

Best Canada Scholarships for Pakistani Students in 2027

Scholarship

Level

Funding or value

Application route

2027 status

Lester B. Pearson

Undergraduate

Tuition, books, incidental fees and residence for 4 years

School nomination, admission, then scholarship form

9 Oct, 16 Oct and 6 Nov 2026 deadlines

UBC International Scholars

Undergraduate

Need-and-merit based; value varies

Separate award application

15 Nov 2026 award deadline

UBC IMES

Undergraduate

Latest published: CAD 10,000 to 25,000/year

Automatic with admission

2027/28 value not yet published

York PISE

Undergraduate

CAD 45,000/year, CAD 180,000 over 4 years

Separate application

Next cycle date not yet published

Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

Undergraduate

CAD 20,000, renewable

Prestige award application

Offered annually

McCall MacBain

Master’s/professional

Tuition and fees + CAD 2,300/month in academic terms

Separate application

International: 19 Aug 2026

Waterloo IMAE

Research master’s

CAD 2,500/term for up to 5 terms

Faculty nomination

Current

CGRS-D

PhD

CAD 40,000/year for 36 months

Institution or agency route

Agency deadline: 17 Oct

These are not all the scholarships in Canada for Pakistani students, but they cover the main high-value routes. If you are still choosing a programme, compare your wider options for studying in Canada before building a funding plan.

Can Pakistani Students Get Scholarships in Canada?

Yes. Most Canadian scholarships for Pakistani students are international awards, not Pakistan-only schemes. A scholarship in Canada for Pakistani students may be automatic with admission, require a separate application, or depend on a school or faculty nomination.

The important question is not whether “Pakistan” appears in the scholarship name. It is whether international students at your study level can apply.

For a broader shortlist, compare funding options open to international students in Canada.

Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada for Pakistani Students

The phrase “fully funded” is used loosely online. Here it means tuition plus substantial residence or living support, not simply a tuition discount.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is one of the strongest undergraduate options. It covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years. About 37 scholars are selected each year.

For September 2027 entry:

Step

Deadline

School nomination

9 October 2026

U of T admission application

16 October 2026

Pearson scholarship application

6 November 2026

Those dates are already confirmed by the University of Toronto.

A practical example: an A Level student in Lahore cannot wait until November to start. The school nomination closes first, so the process needs to begin well before October.

UBC International Scholars Program

The UBC International Scholars Program combines academic achievement, leadership and significant financial need. It is for international students entering their first undergraduate degree directly from secondary school.

For 2027 entry, the award application is due on 15 November 2026 and the UBC application for International Scholars consideration is due on 1 December 2026. The general Winter Session application closes on 15 January 2027.

UBC does not publish one fixed value for this need-based route because support depends on assessed financial need. That is more useful than attaching an invented “full scholarship” figure to every applicant.

McCall MacBain Scholarship

For eligible master’s and professional programmes at McGill, the McCall MacBain Scholarship covers tuition and fees and provides a CAD 2,300 monthly living stipend during academic terms, plus a relocation grant.

For the 2027 cohort, international applicants studying or graduating outside Canada and the United States must apply by 19 August 2026 at 4:00 pm ET.

If you are searching for Canada fully funded scholarships for Pakistani students, these routes deserve attention before generic scholarship lists.

Best undergraduate scholarships for Pakistani students in Canada

Undergraduate Scholarships for Pakistani Students

UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship

UBC automatically considers eligible international applicants for IMES when they apply by the admission deadline.

For 2026/27, the published value is CAD 10,000 to 25,000 a year, renewable for up to three additional years. UBC has not yet published a separate 2027/28 value, so treat this as the latest published amount, not a guaranteed 2027 figure.

UBC also makes an important distinction: IMES can be substantial, but it does not cover the full cost of education.

York President’s International Scholarship of Excellence

York’s President’s International Scholarship of Excellence is worth CAD 45,000 a year, or CAD 180,000 over four years.

It targets international high-school applicants with excellent academics, leadership and community involvement. York has also published a previous recipient from Pakistan, confirming that Pakistani students can compete for the award.

University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship is worth CAD 20,000 and can be renewed for years two, three and four if the conditions are met. That can reach CAD 80,000 over four years.

Here is the counterintuitive part: a smaller scholarship at a lower-cost university can leave you with a lower final bill than a larger award at a more expensive institution.

Compare lower-cost Canadian university options before deciding.

Master’s Scholarships in Canada for Pakistani Students

Research-based master’s programmes can offer more funding routes through faculty awards, supervisor grants, research assistantships and teaching assistantships.

Waterloo International Master’s Award of Excellence

The Waterloo IMAE is aimed at eligible international students normally entering a research-based master’s programme.

It pays CAD 2,500 per term for up to five terms, giving a maximum published value of CAD 12,500. Faculties nominate candidates from their admission applications.

Is CGRS-M Open to Pakistani Students?

Not for a typical international applicant applying directly from Pakistan.

The federal CGRS-M rules require applicants to be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or Protected Persons by the application deadline.

This is one of the most important corrections to older lists of Canada scholarships for Pakistani students. For a master’s degree, focus on McCall MacBain, Waterloo IMAE and university-level funding rather than building a plan around CGRS-M.

PhD scholarships for Pakistani students in Canada

PhD Scholarships for Pakistani Students in Canada

Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral

The current federal doctoral award is CGRS-D.

It pays CAD 40,000 a year for 36 months, giving a total value of CAD 120,000. The direct agency deadline is 17 October, although university deadlines can be considerably earlier.

International applicants must already be registered in a doctoral programme at an eligible Canadian institution by the application deadline. Up to 15% of awards are available to international applicants.

For Pakistani students, CGRS-D is therefore not normally a pre-admission scholarship from Pakistan. Secure and begin the eligible Canadian PhD first, then use the correct institutional or agency route.

Is Vanier Still Open?

No.

The official Vanier programme no longer accepts applications and directs prospective doctoral applicants to CGRS-D.

That matters because several pages still present Vanier as a live Canadian scholarship.

Canada Scholarship Deadlines for Pakistani Students

Scholarship

Deadline or status

McCall MacBain, international

19 August 2026, 4:00 pm ET

Pearson school nomination

9 October 2026

Pearson U of T admission

16 October 2026

CGRS-D direct agency route

17 October

Pearson scholarship form

6 November 2026

UBC International Scholars award

15 November 2026

UBC application for International Scholars

1 December 2026

General UBC 2027 Winter application

15 January 2027

York PISE

2027 date not yet published on the checked official page

Pearson’s three 2027-entry dates and UBC’s 2027 application dates are already published by the universities.

Deadlines can change. The official university or government page should always be the final source.

How Much Does a Scholarship Actually Save?

A scholarship amount only tells you half the story.

IRCC currently requires a single study-permit applicant outside Quebec to show CAD 22,895 for one year of living expenses, excluding tuition and transport. The official proof-of-funds guidance states that the figure is updated annually.

The current study permit fee is CAD 150, and biometrics are CAD 85 where required.

Suppose annual tuition is CAD 35,000 and you receive a CAD 20,000 scholarship. You still need CAD 15,000 for tuition, plus living costs and travel.

That simple calculation is more useful than calling an award “large” or “small”.

Students building a realistic budget should also check health insurance costs for international students.

How to Apply for a Scholarship in Canada from Pakistan

Start with the degree, then the scholarship.

  1. Shortlist Canadian programmes you would genuinely attend.
  2. Mark each award as automatic, separate application or nomination-based.
  3. Confirm international eligibility at your study level.
  4. Work backwards from the earliest deadline.
  5. Prepare transcripts, passport, references, essays and English-language evidence where required.
  6. For research degrees, check supervisor, faculty, RA and TA funding.
  7. Verify the final amount and deadline on the official source.

The point applicants often miss is the order. Pearson starts with a school nomination. A polished essay cannot rescue a missed nomination deadline.

If English testing is part of your planning, check accepted alternatives to IELTS at Canadian universities rather than assuming every scholarship follows one IELTS rule.

MBBS Scholarships for Pakistani Students in Canada

Searches for MBBS scholarships for Pakistani students in Canada are common, but Canada generally uses the MD degree, while McGill uses MDCM, rather than the MBBS structure familiar in Pakistan.

A Canada MBBS scholarship for Pakistani students is therefore not usually a separate national scholarship category. Medical-school entry for international students can also be highly restricted and may require previous university study.

If your goal is MBBS in Canada for Pakistani students, first compare Canadian medical schools and their actual entry routes. Then match funding to the degree you can genuinely enter.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best scholarships for Pakistani students in Canada?

For undergraduate study, Pearson, UBC International Scholars, UBC IMES, York PISE and Calgary are strong options. McCall MacBain is a leading master’s scholarship, while CGRS-D is a major doctoral award for eligible students already registered in Canada.

Are there fully funded scholarships for Pakistani students in Canada?

Yes. Pearson covers tuition, books, incidental fees and residence for four years. McCall MacBain covers eligible tuition and fees and provides a CAD 2,300 monthly stipend during academic terms. UBC also offers need-and-merit International Scholars awards.

Which Canadian scholarships for Pakistani students are available for undergraduate study?

Pearson, UBC International Scholars, UBC IMES, York PISE and Calgary’s International Entrance Scholarship are key undergraduate routes.

Can I get a Canada scholarship for Pakistani students undergraduate applicants without IELTS?

There is no single rule that removes IELTS. Some universities accept other English evidence, but admission and scholarship requirements must be checked separately.

Can Pakistani students apply for CGRS-D?

Yes, conditionally. International applicants must already be registered in an eligible Canadian doctoral programme when they apply.

Are there MBBS scholarships in Canada for Pakistani students?

Canada generally uses MD or MDCM rather than MBBS. Check medical-school eligibility first, then identify funding that applies to the actual degree route.

Which Scholarship Should You Target?

For secondary-school applicants, focus on Pearson, UBC, York and Calgary. For a master’s degree, prioritise McCall MacBain, Waterloo IMAE and university research funding. For a PhD, assess the university funding package first and CGRS-D eligibility second.

The best scholarship for Pakistani students in Canada is not automatically the one with the biggest headline value. It is the award you are eligible for, can apply to on time, and can combine with a realistic plan for the remaining cost.

Once funding works, you can assess post-study options after a Canadian degree without letting the scholarship alone decide where you study.

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About The Author

Dr Mohammad Shafiq

Dr Mohammad Shafiq

Director of BHE UNI

Dr Mohammad Shafiq is the Director of BHE UNI, with 14+ years of experience supporting students with international education pathways across the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, China, Ireland, and New Zealand. Under his leadership, BHE UNI supports 1,000+ students each year and works with 300+ university partners worldwide. Articles published under this profile are prepared by BHE UNI’s in-house content team and reviewed by Dr Shafiq for clarity, relevance, and alignment with official education, university, and visa guidance where applicable.

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