University of Calgary Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most University of Calgary scholarships are tied to being registered in a degree program (often full-time), so they’re usually not “online-only” awards; they follow your program status rather than the delivery mode.

University of Calgary scholarships span a wide range of subjects, including STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math), business, humanities, and health/medicine-related pathways, plus many program- or faculty-specific awards.

In the recipient stories, Kugbeme Isumonah pursued a Ph.D. in Sociology and emphasized preparation and fit, sharing that he selected universities based on “specific research interests.”

Medicine note for international students: UCalgary’s MD program generally does not accept individual international applicants, so MD-specific scholarships are typically relevant only if you meet the MD eligibility rules.

Many UCalgary awards are open to international students broadly (i.e., not restricted to specific nationalities), as long as you meet the award’s eligibility rules; some awards are restricted to Canadian citizens/permanent residents, so you must always read each award’s conditions.

A real example of an international recipient is Kugbeme Isumonah (Nigerian nationality), who received multiple funding sources for a Ph.D. at the University of Calgary and wrote, “I am a recipient of the University of Calgary’s President’s Doctoral Recruitment Scholarship in Transdisciplinary Research valued at $12,000 per year for four years.”

For medicine (MD), nationality/citizenship rules are much tighter: the MD program states it does not accept international students (with rare exceptions via formal agreements), so international applicants are usually not eligible for MD admission or MD-only awards.

If English is not your first language (or you don’t meet an exemption route), you’ll typically need proof of English proficiency; UCalgary lists accepted tests and minimum scores for both undergraduate and graduate admissions (and some programs may require higher scores).

From the recipient stories, Kugbeme Isumonah explicitly took TOEFL as part of his application planning and said, “I ended up achieving a score of 310 on the GRE and 113 on my TOEFL exam.”

Yes, but it depends on level and program: graduate admissions list a minimum GPA standard (and departments can require higher), while undergraduate admission is competitive and varies by degree program and applicant pool.

UCalgary also publishes program-level competitive ranges/updates for some programs (for example, some programs post competitive averages for a given intake), and meeting minimums does not guarantee admission.

In the recipient stories, Kugbeme Isumonah didn’t share a GPA number, but he explained what he believed helped: “I believe my track record of academic success and solid communication skills set my application apart.”

It depends on the award type: merit scholarships often require strong grades/GPA (and sometimes leadership), while bursaries focus more on financial need (with minimum academic standing). International-student eligibility often depends on being in an eligible degree program and maintaining required registration status.

UCalgary also lists GPA thresholds for some continuing undergraduate scholarships/bursaries (for example, scholarships may require a higher GPA than bursaries).

Document requirements vary by level (undergraduate vs. graduate) and by program, but common requirements include transcripts (and certified English translations if applicable), plus program-specific materials where required.

• Undergraduate (common): unofficial/official transcripts as requested via your Student Centre, and certified translations if your documents are not in English.
• Graduate (common): uploaded unofficial transcripts (often combined per institution), degree certificates where applicable for international students, and possibly CV, reference letters, and a study/research proposal depending on your program.

In the recipient story, Kugbeme Isumonah specifically credited supporting documents, saying “letters of recommendation from members of the faculty with whom I have worked closely further strengthened my application.”

Yes. UCalgary charges a non-refundable application fee, and the amount can differ depending on whether you are presenting Canadian vs. international credentials and whether you are applying to undergraduate or graduate programs.

For example, UCalgary’s undergraduate “How to apply” guidance lists $145 for applicants with international education credentials, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies also lists a $145 fee for international graduate applicants. Make sure to check the latest guidelines for updated information.