For students preparing to begin their studies in 2026, the General International Undergraduate Scholarships at the University of Alberta offer an exceptional opportunity to reduce financial burden, reward academic excellence, and help students transition smoothly into the Canadian educational landscape. These scholarships recognize top-performing high school students, globally-minded leaders, and applicants with unique achievements from around the world.
This in-depth article explores everything you need to know about the 2026 scholarship program, including types of awards, eligibility, scholarship values, how to apply, important deadlines, and practical tips for increasing your chances of success.
About the University of Alberta
Located in Edmonton, Alberta, the University of Alberta is ranked among the top universities in Canada and globally. It is known for:
- Over programs across five campuses,
- Excellence in Engineering, Business, Health Sciences, Agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, and Environmental Science,
- A research output that places it among the top 5 Canadian universities,
- A multicultural environment representing over 150 countries.
Because of its global reputation, U of A attracts a large international student body, and the university provides generous financial support to make its programs accessible.
Types of General International Undergraduate Scholarships at U of A
The “General International Undergraduate Scholarships” umbrella includes both admission-based and application-based awards:
Admission-Based Scholarships (No Separate Application Needed)
These are automatically evaluated when you apply to U of A, based on your high school admission average:
- International Admission Scholarship: Up to CAD $5,000.
- Regional Excellence Scholarship: Up to CAD $5,000 for top students from certain regions.
- Gold Standard Scholarship: For the top 5% of students in each faculty; up to CAD $6,000.
Application-Based Scholarships (Apply Separately)
These are more competitive and require you to submit a scholarship application by a specific deadline:
- President’s International Distinction Scholarship: Up to CAD $120,000 over four years. For students with exceptional academics and leadership.
- Chan Pang Kuen Memorial International Distinction Scholarship: Also up to CAD $120,000; for students showing outstanding academic achievement and leadership.
- International Leader Scholarship: Up to CAD $15,000; for well-rounded students with leadership roles and strong academics.
- May Quon Undergraduate Scholarship: For students from China or Hong Kong, with superior academics and self-declared financial need; up to CAD $100,000 over 4 years.
- Cora Martinson International Scholarship: For students entering the Augustana Faculty on a student visa; up to CAD $56,000 over 4 years.
- Global Citizen Scholarship (IB students): For IB Diploma students (from Aga Khan Academies), strong academics and leadership, up to CAD $53,000 annually (maximum 4 years).
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the General International Undergraduate Scholarships, you must:
- Be an International Student
You need to apply on a student visa (or similar) — these awards are intended for non-permanent resident undergraduates. - Apply to a Full-Time Undergraduate Degree Program
You must submit an undergraduate admission application to U of A. - Meet Academic Requirements
For admission-based scholarships: it’s based on your high school admission average.
For application-based scholarships: you often need superior academic performance and leadership or community involvement. - Submit Scholarship Application by Deadline
The application-based scholarships require a single scholarship application via U of A’s Awards Portal.
Deadline: January 10, 2026 for application-based awards. - Take English Language Requirements
Since U of A is English-language (or bilingual) for many programs, you’ll need to meet their English-proficiency standards.
How Much Support Do These Scholarships Provide?
Here’s how much financial aid you could receive under different U of A international undergraduate scholarships:
- Admission-Based Scholarships
- International Admission Scholarship: up to CAD $5,000 (one-time)
- Regional Excellence Scholarship: up to CAD $5,000
- Gold Standard Scholarship: up to CAD $6,000
- Application-Based Scholarships
- President’s International Distinction Scholarship: up to CAD $120,000 over 4 years (i.e., $30,000/year, if evenly distributed)
- Chan Pang Kuen Memorial Scholarship: also up to CAD $120,000 over 4 years
- International Leader Scholarship: up to CAD $15,000 (not necessarily over multiple years; check terms)
- May Quon Scholarship: up to CAD $100,000 over 4 years for eligible students from China / Hong Kong
- Cora Martinson Scholarship: up to CAD $56,000 over 4 years (Augustana Faculty)
- Global Citizen Scholarship: up to CAD $53,000 per year, for a max of 4 years for IB students under specified conditions
Application Process
Here’s how to apply for these general international undergraduate scholarships at U of A for 2026:
- Apply for Admission
- Start by applying to your desired undergraduate degree program at U of A.
- During the admission application, U of A will automatically assess you for admission-based scholarships (International Admission Scholarship, Gold Standard, Regional Excellence).
- Scholarship Application
- Once your admission application is submitted, go to U of A’s Awards Portal.
- Fill out the single undergraduate scholarship application. Through this, U of A will evaluate you for multiple application-based scholarships based on academics, leadership, experience, and background.
- Make sure you submit this by January 10, 2026, the typical deadline for application-based awards.
- Prepare Your Application Materials
- Highlight your high school achievements, leadership roles, and extracurricular involvement; these matter a lot for distinction and leader scholarships.
- Write a strong personal statement or motivation essay if required (depending on award).
- Collect reference letters if needed: people who know your leadership potential or academic achievements are best.
- Wait for Offers
- U of A will review all scholarship applications after the January deadline.
- Award offers begin in early winter for new students.
- If selected, you’ll be notified by U of A and given instructions on how to accept the scholarship.
Visit the official scholarship website for more information.
Why U of A’s International Scholarships Matter
First, a few reasons why these scholarships are especially valuable:
- Large Scholarship Pool: U of A allocates more than $52 million every year for undergraduate scholarships, including a significant portion for international students.
- Automatic Consideration: Many admission-based awards don’t require a separate scholarship application; U of A will evaluate you for them when you apply.
- Highly Competitive Awards: For students who go through the application-based track, there are very large scholarships (e.g., up to CAD $120,000 for four years), which greatly reduce the financial burden.
- Leadership & Merit Recognized: The application-based scholarships reward not only academic excellence but also leadership, community involvement, and uniqueness of background.
- Transparent Process: U of A clearly outlines deadlines, eligibility, and how to apply — giving prospective students a realistic roadmap for securing funding.
Tips to Maximize Your Chances
- Aim High Academically: Since many awards depend on your admission average, work hard in high school.
- Build Leadership Experience: Many scholarships value leadership — whether in school clubs, community volunteering, or extracurricular projects.
- Apply Early: Submit both your admission application and scholarship application as soon as possible; don’t leave it to the last minute.
- Write a Strong Essay: If the scholarship asks for a statement, use it to highlight your future goals, leadership journey, and what makes you unique.
- Get Good References: Ask teachers, community leaders, or mentors who really know you and can speak to your strengths.
- Stay Organized: Know the deadlines (especially January 10, 2026), and make sure you don’t miss any required steps on the awards portal.
Why These Scholarships Are a Game-Changer
- Significant Financial Support: The top awards (like the President’s International Distinction) can dramatically reduce, though not fully eliminate, the cost of international tuition.
- No Separate Entrance Exam: For some scholarships, your admission average alone qualifies you — no extra test or award application needed.
- Long-Term Support: Many of these scholarships are renewable or paid over multiple years (especially distinction scholarships) — meaning real multi-year financial stability.
- Recognition: Winning a major scholarship like the International Distinction shows not just academics, but your leadership and future impact — something that resonates on CVs and applications.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Even the highest scholarships may not cover all costs (tuition + living) — make sure to budget carefully.
- Fulfillment of scholarship criteria may require academic and conduct performance each year; check renewal conditions.
- International students must maintain their visa or study permit status.
- Scholarship offers may come with conditions, so read your offer letter carefully before accepting.
Conclusion
Studying abroad at a top Canadian university is a dream for many students — but the financial barrier can be steep. The University of Alberta (U of A) helps make that dream more achievable through its General International Undergraduate Scholarships. These awards, designed for non-Canadian students entering U of A for the first time, combine automatic admission-based scholarships with competitive, application-based awards to recognize academic excellence, leadership, and community impact.
With automatic consideration for some awards, and a straightforward application for others, U of A makes it feasible to secure meaningful financial support. If you apply thoughtfully — by submitting a strong scholarship application, highlighting your achievements, and meeting all deadlines — you can significantly reduce your cost of studying in Canada and make U of A your academic home.