Quebec is the largest of Canada’s 10 provinces by area. It is famous for its vibrant culture and distinctive educational system. It is also the third most common intended province of study for Canadian study permit holders, after Ontario and British Columbia. Quebec’s education system differs from the rest of Canada; historically, the Catholic Church played a major role in education, but reforms beginning in the 1960s secularized the public system. Today, education is overseen by Quebec’s Ministère de l’Éducation and Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur.
One unique feature of Quebec’s higher education pathway is the CEGEP system. Pre-university college programs bridge secondary school and university studies and usually last two years. There are also many Quebec scholarship opportunities available, and this article lists some of them below.
Top Scholarships in Quebec
1. Quebec Merit Scholarships for Foreign Students
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CA$25,000 per year for doctoral research; CA$35,000 for postdoctoral fellowships; CA$3,000 per month for short-term research or professional development
- Eligible Degree/s: Doctoral research, postdoctoral fellowship, and short-term research or professional development
The Quebec Merit Scholarship program for international students is offered at the university level, in technical training at the college level, and in vocational training. At the university level, eligible students must pursue studies or research activities at a Quebec university in a doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship program, or as part of a short-term research stay or professional development program.
Applicants should contact the Quebec university they are interested in. Universities are responsible for preselecting candidates, and applications are then submitted to the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies.
For university-level awards, doctoral research students may receive CA$25,000 per year for up to three years, with a possible extension of up to 12 months that provides a monthly allowance of CA$1,000. Postdoctoral fellows may receive a non-renewable scholarship of CA$35,000 for one year. Short-term research or professional development students may receive CA$3,000 per month for up to four months. Recipients may also benefit from an exemption from differential tuition fees and health insurance and hospitalization coverage provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.
2. FRQNT Doctoral Training Scholarships
The FRQNT Doctoral Training Scholarships support doctoral research training in Quebec. The current Fonds de recherche du Québec doctoral research scholarship is valued at CA$25,000 per year and may last up to 12 sessions. These competitive awards emphasize academic excellence, research potential, and the quality and feasibility of the proposed project.
Here is what FRQNT Doctoral Training Scholarships Scholars Say:
“These awards recognize research excellence and leadership among Ph.D. students in Canada.”
Yeganeh Habibi
“Applying for the Vanier and FRQNT scholarships required demonstrating not only academic excellence but also leadership and community-building, rooted in the skillset I built during my B.Sc.”
Yeganeh Habibi
3. Université de Montréal Exemption Scholarship for International Students
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Varies by degree program
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
Université de Montréal is a Francophone institution based in Montreal, Quebec. To attract talented students worldwide, it offers an exemption scholarship for international students. The scholarship is intended for international students, except students from France and French-speaking Belgium, who meet the university’s eligibility conditions. Eligible students must have valid study authorizations, remain continuously enrolled full time unless an absence is approved, and not benefit from another tuition-fee exemption.
Scholarship amounts vary by degree program. For undergraduate degree programs, the annual value is CA$14,015.40 at Level A or CA$6,679.20 at Level B for a full-time student taking 30 credits over two sessions. For master’s programs, the annual value is CA$15,452.55 for research programs and CA$11,004.30 for non-research programs for a full-time student taking 45 credits over three sessions. For Ph.D. programs, the annual value is CA$23,367.15 for a full-time student taking 45 credits over three sessions. Interested applicants do not need to apply separately for this Quebec scholarship program. After applying for admission, students can follow up on their scholarship status through the university’s student center portal.
4. Concordia Entrance Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Varies by award
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Based in Montreal, Concordia University is an English-language university in French-speaking Quebec. Concordia offers entrance scholarships to bachelor’s admission candidates every fall. Most selections are automatic and based on academic ranking.
Entrance scholarships are available to full-time students entering university studies for the first time after completing CEGEP, Canadian high school or college, or an equivalent pathway. Candidates must be admitted to a bachelor’s program. These awards are not available to visiting students, independent students, or students admitted to certificate programs.
Scholarship decisions and offers are made by the faculties during admission processing, from winter into spring, until all available awards have been filled. Only selected candidates are notified. Concordia also offers a separate Entrance Bursary Program for students with financial need, but the bursary program has a different application process from entrance scholarships.
5. McGill University One-Year Entrance Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CA$3,000 for one year, non-renewable
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
McGill University is based in Montreal, Quebec. Its one-year entrance scholarships are valued at CA$3,000 and are non-renewable. McGill also offers major entrance scholarships, but the one-year entrance scholarship is the award highlighted here.
International students do not need to submit a separate application for the one-year entrance scholarship. All applicants to McGill undergraduate degree programs are automatically considered, provided they meet the minimum academic requirements. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a scholarship offer.
Students should include all required grades and interim grades in their application for admission, and they should forward later grades as soon as they are issued. Entrance scholarship decisions are based on academic information available during the admission process.
FAQs: Applying for Scholarships in Quebec
Can International Students Get a Full-Ride Scholarship in Canada?
Yes. Although full-ride scholarships are highly competitive, international students can study in Canada through awards such as the Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship. The program requires a high school nomination, an application for admission to the University of Toronto, and a separate Pearson Scholarship application for nominated students. The award covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years.
The University of Toronto administers this full-ride scholarship, and you can check more details through this link.
Is Quebec Suitable for International Students?
It depends on your preferences and adaptability. Quebec has a distinctive education system, a strong cultural identity, and cold winters. Students who are comfortable with winter weather should prepare by buying warm clothing before the colder months. Quebec also offers scenic natural surroundings and a wide range of study options at the college and university levels.
Studying costs in Quebec vary by education level, institution, program, legal status, citizenship, and place of residence. Reviewing available scholarships and checking eligibility requirements can help international students plan their study budget more accurately.
We hope this article on Quebec’s best scholarships for international students was helpful. Also, make sure to check out our Canada Page and Open Programs for International Students to learn more about studying in this country!
