Bachelor’s Computer Science Student Faizan from Pakistan Shares His Journey of Securing a Partially Funded Bachelor’s at the University of Toronto, Canada

Hey, I’m Faizan. I was raised in Dubai, UAE, and I’m originally from Pakistan. Growing up in Dubai, it’s pretty common for students to go abroad for university, so I became aware early on that my high school performance would play a big role in shaping my future.

This pushed me towards pursuing Computer Science as I was drawn to its versatility. It would give me the opportunity to work across different industries, whether that’s sports, healthcare, or big tech, and hence, I liked the idea of building things that can have a real impact while keeping my options open as my interests evolve.

International Scholars Award Details

UofT International Scholar - $100,000 ($25,000 per year for four years)

UofT Scholar - $7,500

Educational Background

I don’t have any previous university degrees, but my high school academic performance played a major role in helping me secure scholarships and prepare for higher education. I achieved 4 A*s in my international A-Level examinations (Pearson and Cambridge) in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science. I also earned 8 A*s in my international GCSEs across Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Economics, Business Studies, and Computer Science.

My strong performance, especially in Mathematics and Computer Science, gave me a solid foundation and prepared me well for pursuing a Computer Science degree globally, including at the University of Toronto. Alongside academics, I was also involved in extracurriculars like debating, Model United Nations, and inter-school cricket, which helped develop my communication and teamwork skills.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Toronto?

How Did You Find Information About International Scholars Award and the University of Toronto?

I spoke with academic counsellors at my school, connected with alumni from the universities I was interested in, and reached out to university counsellors as well. Alongside that, I did extensive online research to explore different financial aid options, awards, and scholarship opportunities.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Did no standardized tests.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the International Scholars Award?

Prepared relevant certifications and documents for the examinations I had finished, as well as requested teachers at my school to write reference letters for me.

How is Your Experience at the University of Toronto?

The teaching is excellent, and the academic resources available are extremely helpful for building a strong foundation early in your career.

How Does the University of Toronto Support International Students?

Yes, it connects students with upper-year peers and offers support through international student office hours.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think my extracurriculars were helpful to my application, but it was mainly based on my excellent academic results.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Research more extensively for additional opportunities.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

The main thing to realize is that while your grades do matter, what’s more important is understanding that there are always opportunities available for people from all kinds of academic & personal backgrounds. You should never feel like financial aid is out of reach just because some part of your profile isn’t perfect. The main obstacle for students generally is not their grades, but more so not looking hard enough for the right pathways.

The best advice I can give is to actively look for opportunities, especially financial aid and scholarships, and apply to as many as you can. Use both research and networking to your advantage and make an effort to explore all possible financial avenues. For example, I applied to multiple scholarships at UofT; I was successful in some and rejected from others, but the key was putting myself out there and trying.