University of Ottawa Scholarships for Nigerian Students 2026-27

Considering an international education is a significant step, and the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) offers Nigerian students exceptional opportunities to pursue undergraduate studies in Canada for the 2026-2027 academic year. The university is highly committed to international diversity, offering several automatic and competitive scholarships primarily for those enrolling in eligible English-taught undergraduate programs across faculties like Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Social Sciences, and the Telfer School of Management. Key awards, such as the International English Admission Scholarship (up to $60,000 over four years) and the International English Academic Excellence Scholarship (a one-time $10,000 award), provide substantial financial coverage by reducing tuition costs, offering a pathway to a world-class education in Canada’s capital. These scholarships are a major benefit, often requiring no separate application, as eligible students are automatically considered upon admission.

In this blog, we provide a detailed breakdown of the available scholarships, their specific values, eligibility criteria, and the application process to help you successfully secure funding for your uOttawa journey.

Types of University of Ottawa Scholarships

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) offers a very generous and diverse range of scholarships and bursaries, primarily categorized by the student’s level of study, admission status, and citizenship. These awards are broadly classified into Automatic (merit-based) and Competitive (application-required) scholarships.

1. Undergraduate Admission Scholarships

These awards are primarily for newly admitted full-time students in a first undergraduate degree.

• University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship: This is an automatic scholarship awarded to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons based on the student’s final admission average (typically 85% to 100%). The value ranges from $1,000 to $3,000.
• International English Scholarships: For international students admitted to English-taught undergraduate programs.
  • International English Admission Scholarship: An automatic and renewable scholarship (e.g., up to $60,000 over four years) for students with a minimum admission average (e.g., 80%).
  • International English Academic Excellence Scholarship: A one-time or renewable award for top-performing international students with higher admission averages (e.g., 90% or above).
• Prestigious Competitive Scholarships: Awards like the Schulich Leader Scholarship and the Indigenous Leadership Scholarship require a separate application/nomination and are highly valued, often based on academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement.
• Faculty-Specific Admission Awards: Scholarships awarded directly by the faculties (e.g., Dean’s Merit Scholarship for Arts or Engineering) to incoming students with high averages in their specific programs.

2. Graduate Scholarships and Funding

Funding for Master’s and PhD students is a combination of scholarships, grants, and assistantships.

• Admission Scholarships: For Master’s and PhD students (Canadian and International) in eligible research programs, this is typically an automatic funding package based on a strong admission average (e.g., 8.0/10 or higher). It usually consists of two components: a scholarship amount from the university and a matching component from the academic unit (e.g., teaching or research assistantships).
• Differential Tuition Fee Exemption: A significant form of financial aid for eligible international graduate students, which reduces tuition fees to the rate paid by Canadian students.
• Merit and Special Merit Scholarships: Awards recognizing academic excellence and research potential at the Master’s and Doctoral levels.
• External Awards: The university encourages and facilitates applications for major external awards like the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, and awards from the Tri-Agencies (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC).
• Minimum Stipend Policy: Many research-based graduate programs enforce a minimum annual funding level for their thesis/research students, which is typically a combination of internal and external funding sources.

3. Scholarships for Current Students

These are for students already registered in their program and often reward continued academic success or specific contributions.

• Renewable Admission Scholarships: Many admission scholarships are renewable each year provided the student maintains a required minimum GPA.
• Private Donor Scholarships and Bursaries: Awards funded by donors, often with specific criteria based on program of study, financial need, or extracurricular involvement. These require an application through the Online Scholarships and Bursaries tool.
• Student Mobility Scholarship: Automatically awarded to students accepted into the International Exchange Program to help fund studies abroad.

4. Bursaries

Unlike scholarships, which are based on academic merit, bursaries are awarded based on financial need, though a minimum academic standard may still be required.

• General Bursaries: Financial aid based on demonstrated financial need (e.g., OSAP-related bursaries for Ontario residents).
• Specific Need-Based Bursaries: Examples include the First Generation Bursary or the Education Bursary for Students with Disabilities.

List of University of Ottawa Scholarships for Nigerian Students

The table below summarizes the most important and high-value University of Ottawa (uOttawa) scholarships available to Nigerian students, categorized by academic level.

Category	Scholarship Name (Short)	Coverage (CAD)	Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate: Entrance & Excellence	African Student Excellence Scholarship	Up to $100,000 (over 4 years)	Automatic & Competitive. Citizen of an African country (Nigeria). Must have a 90%+ admission average. Enrolled full-time in an eligible English-taught UG program.
	African Student Entrance Scholarship	At least $60,000 (over 4 years)	Automatic & Renewable. Citizen of an African country (Nigeria). Must have an 80%-89.99% admission average. Enrolled full-time in an eligible English-taught UG program.
	International English Academic Excellence Scholarship	$10,000 (One-time award)	Automatic. International student with a 90%+ admission average. Can usually be combined with the Entrance scholarship.
Undergraduate: Merit-Based	Faculty Dean’s Merit Scholarships	$4,000 to $5,000 (One-time/Annual)	Automatic. Based on exceptional academic merit (90%+) within specific Faculties (e.g., Engineering, Arts, Social Sciences).
Graduate: Research Funding	PhD Admission Scholarship	Min. $72,000 (over 4 years)	Automatic Funding Package. Admitted to a research-based PhD program with an admission average of 8.0/10+ (high academic standing). Includes stipend, RA/TA.
	Master’s Admission Scholarship	Min. $30,000 (over 2 years)	Automatic Funding Package. Admitted to a research-based Master’s (Thesis) program with an admission average of 8.0/10+. Includes stipend, RA/TA.
Tuition Reduction	Differential Tuition Fee Exemption	Varies (Reduces tuition by ∼$10k−$14k/year)	Automatic. For most funded international research-based graduate students. Effectively reduces their tuition to the domestic Canadian rate.

Also Read: 8 Cheapest Countries to Study Abroad for Nigerian Students

Details of University of Ottawa Scholarships for Nigerian Students

Here are the details of the top scholarships at the University of Ottawa specifically relevant to Nigerian students:

1. African Student Excellence Scholarship (Undergraduate)

The African Student Excellence Scholarship is a highly valuable, renewable award for newly admitted international undergraduate students who are citizens of an African country, like Nigeria, and who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. The value can reach up to $100,000 CAD over four years, applied as a tuition fee reduction, making a significant impact on the cost of study. To be considered, you must have an outstanding admission average (90% or higher, converted from your WASSCE/NECO scores), be enrolled full-time in an eligible English-language program (like Engineering, Science, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, or Telfer School of Management), and not be in the French Immersion stream. This award is automatic upon admission and is competitive among top candidates.

Benefits	Up to $100,000 CAD over 4 years (e.g., $25,000/year) applied as a tuition fee reduction.
Eligibility	Citizen of an African country (Nigeria). Newly admitted full-time to an eligible English-language undergraduate program (e.g., Engineering, Science, Social Sciences, Telfer). Must have an exceptional admission average (90% or equivalent from WAEC/WASSCE).
Application Process	Automatic
Deadline	Follow the admission deadline for your specific undergraduate program (e.g., March 1, 2026, for competitive programs; April 1, 2026, for others for Fall intake).

2. African Student Entrance Scholarship (Undergraduate)

The African Student Entrance Scholarship is a renewable, automatic award designed to provide substantial financial support to high-achieving Nigerian students who are not selected for the Excellence Scholarship. Its value is generally at least $60,000 CAD over four years, depending on the program and faculty, offered as a per-term tuition reduction. Eligibility requires the student to be a citizen of an African country, be newly admitted to an eligible English-language undergraduate program, and have a high admission average, typically between 80% and 89.99%. Like the Excellence award, no separate application is necessary; all qualified students are considered automatically at the time of admission.

Benefits	At least $60,000 CAD over 4 years (e.g., $15,000/year) applied as a tuition fee reduction. Renewable annually based on maintaining academic standards.
Eligibility	Citizen of an African country (Nigeria). Newly admitted full-time to an eligible English-language undergraduate program. Must have a high admission average, typically in the 80%–89.99% range (converted from WAEC/WASSCE).
Application Process	Automatic
Deadline	March 1 or April 1 for Fall intake

3. PhD Admission Scholarship (Graduate)

The PhD Admission Scholarship is an essential, multi-component funding package for international Nigerian students accepted into a research-based PhD program, providing a guaranteed minimum financial commitment. The total value is at least $72,000 CAD spread over four years, covering both a scholarship component from the central university and a minimum matching component from the student’s academic unit, usually in the form of a Research or Teaching Assistantship. This package is automatic for full-time doctoral students with an admission average of 8.0/10 or higher (equivalent to a strong First Class or high Second Class Upper Honours), and it also usually comes bundled with the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption to further reduce fees.

Benefits	Minimum total funding of $72,000 CAD over 4 years (usually $18,000/year or more).
Eligibility	International student (Nigerian) admitted full-time to a research-based PhD program with an excellent admission average (8.0/10 or equivalent). Must maintain full-time, uninterrupted enrollment.
Application Process	Automatic
Deadline	Varies widely by faculty/department, but often in December or January for Fall intake

4. Master’s Admission Scholarship (Graduate)

Similar to the PhD funding, the Master’s Admission Scholarship is an automatic minimum funding package for international Nigerian students entering eligible thesis-based Master’s programs, acknowledging their academic merit and research potential. The minimum value of this package is generally at least $30,000 CAD over the two-year duration of the program, provided the student maintains full-time, uninterrupted enrollment. Eligibility is typically based on having an admission average of 8.0/10 or higher from the undergraduate degree, and the total funding is delivered through a combination of a central scholarship and departmental assistantships (RA/TA).

Benefits	Research-based (Thesis/Major Research Paper): Often a package worth a minimum of $7,500 CAD/year (up to 2 years), Course-based (Non-thesis/Professional): Funding is generally limited or non-existent.
Eligibility	International student (Nigerian) admitted full-time to an eligible Master’s program (primarily research-based programs). Must have an excellent admission average (8.0/10 or equivalent from Bachelor’s degree). Course-based programs may have limited eligibility, often with a higher GPA requirement.
Application Process	Automatic
Deadline	January or February for a Fall start

5. Differential Tuition Fee Exemption (Graduate Research)

The Differential Tuition Fee Exemption is a significant financial measure that is automatically granted to most international students in funded, research-based graduate programs (Master’s Thesis and PhD). It works by reducing the student’s tuition fee from the higher international rate down to the lower domestic (Canadian) tuition rate, often saving the student $10,000 to $14,000 CAD per year. While not a scholarship that pays a stipend, this exemption is a critical component of the overall funding offer for Nigerian students pursuing graduate research, as it ensures their tuition is affordable alongside their stipends.

Benefits	Significant reduction in tuition fees, typically $10,000 to $14,000 CAD per year
Eligibility	International student (Nigerian) admitted to and registered full-time in an eligible funded research-based graduate program (Master’s Thesis or PhD).
Application Process	Automatic
Deadline	Varies

Tips for a University of Ottawa Scholarship Application for Nigerian Students

Here are the top tips for Nigerian students applying for a scholarship at the University of Ottawa, covering both automatic (merit-based) and competitive (application-based) awards:

• Target an equivalent admission average of 80% or higher (WAEC/WASSCE/University) to be automatically considered for major Entrance Scholarships.
• Submit your admission application as soon as the portal opens (typically September/October for Fall intake) to meet all scholarship consideration deadlines.
• Realize that the biggest awards, like the International English Entrance Scholarship, require no separate application—your admission application is sufficient.
• If you are proficient, apply to the French Immersion Stream or a French-language program to qualify for the Differential Tuition Fee Exemption (pays near-domestic fees).
• Once admitted, check the Online Scholarships and Bursaries tool on uoZone frequently for smaller, competitive awards that do require a separate application.
• For Master’s (thesis) and PhD applicants, secure a supervisor first, as they control the Research Assistantship (RA) funding essential for your financial package.
• For competitive awards, connect your field of study to specific developmental challenges or opportunities in Nigeria (e.g., healthcare, tech, infrastructure).
• Explain precisely how the specific resources, professors, or programs at uOttawa are necessary to achieve your unique Nigerian-focused career goals.
• Select professors who know your academic work and can write detailed letters—give them all scholarship criteria and at least 4 weeks’ notice.
• Ensure all documents (transcripts, essays, forms) are free of errors and submitted in the correct format (e.g., PDF) to avoid technical disqualification.

Why Study at the University of Ottawa as a Nigerian Student?

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) is an appealing destination for Nigerian students due to a combination of attractive scholarship opportunities, its status as a top research university, and its location in a prime Canadian city.

Here are the important reasons and steps for a Nigerian student to pursue studies at the University of Ottawa.

• Automatic Scholarship Consideration: Achieve an 80% or higher admission average to be automatically considered for major renewable entrance scholarships.
• Significant Tuition Reduction: The International Entrance Scholarship can provide up to $60,000 over four years, greatly reducing the cost of study.
• Top-Tier Education: Study at a globally recognized U15 research university, one of the top 10 in Canada.
• Capital City Career Edge: Benefit from co-op and networking opportunities in Ottawa’s high-tech, government, and research industries.
• Strategic Early Application: Apply for admission and submit all required academic documents early to secure funding eligibility.
• Find Extra Funding: Proactively check the Online Scholarships and Bursaries tool in uoZone for specific, competitive awards.
• French/Bilingual Advantage: Leverage the option to study in English or French, which can unlock further financial aid (e.g., Differential Tuition Fee Exemption).
• Strong Academic Narrative: If required, write a personal statement that convincingly links your chosen program to your future career goals and impact in Nigeria.
• Secure Great References: Select referees who know your work well and can write specific, detailed letters of recommendation.
• Dedicated Support System: Access comprehensive services for international students, including immigration advice and career development support.

Also Read: Fully Funded International Scholarships For Nigerian Students

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