If you’re thinking about starting an undergraduate degree in Canada in 2025, the University of Regina (U of R) is a compelling option — and its entrance scholarships for international students make it even more attractive. The University of Regina offers a tiered set of automatic and application-based awards for new international undergraduates, including the headline International Entrance Scholarship ($3,000) and the very generous International Student of Distinction Scholarships (Tier 1 up to ≈ $80,000). This post walks you through what the scholarships are, who qualifies, how much you can get, renewal rules, key deadlines, and practical tips for a successful application.
Types of International Undergraduate Scholarships at U of R
1. International Entrance Scholarship
- Amount: $3,000
- Eligibility: International students with an admission average of 85% or higher, entering on a valid study permit.
- Use: Award recipients may choose to apply this amount as tuition credit or housing credit.
- Automatic Award: You don’t need to submit a scholarship application — this is assessed during the admission process.
2. International Student of Distinction Scholarship – Tier 1
- Approximate total value: $80,000 (about $20,000 per year for 4 years)
- Criteria:
- Student must apply directly from high school.
- High school average requirement: 90% or more, converted to the Canadian grading scale.
- Benefits:
- Free on-campus housing and a meal plan for the duration.
- Additional supports: one-on-one immigration guidance, personalized orientation, prioritized class selection, and social/cultural programming.
- Renewal:
- Students must complete 30 credit hours per calendar year.
- GPA requirement: at least 75% in first year, and 80% in later years for renewal.
3. International Student of Distinction Scholarship – Tier 2
- Approximate total value: $40,000 (about $10,000 per year for 4 years)
- Criteria:
- High school average between 85% and 89.99% (Canadian equivalent) for direct-from-high-school admission.
- Benefits:
- Free on-campus housing is included.
- Renewal:
- The same credit-hour and GPA rules apply as Tier 1 for renewal (30 credits/year; 75% first year, 80% later).
4. International Student of Distinction Scholarship – Diploma
- Approximate value: $20,000 over 2 years ($10,000/year)
- Criteria:
- Must apply for Fall intake, entering a 2-year diploma program directly from high school.
- High school average: at least 90% (Canadian equivalent) for eligibility.
- Benefits:
- Free on-campus housing for the duration of the diploma.
- Renewal:
- Only renewable for one year. Students must:
- Complete 30 credit hours in their first year, and
- Maintain a minimum UGPA of 80%.
- Important: To be eligible for the diploma award category, your application must be submitted before April 30 for the Fall intake.
- Only renewable for one year. Students must:
5. International Undergraduate Student Bursary
- Value: Up to $20,000 over 4 years ($5,000/year) as a tuition credit.
- Eligibility:
- Must be a new international undergraduate student admitted for a 4-year degree from Winter 2026 onward.
- Must deposit payment of two years’ tuition to U of R before applying or confirming the bursary.
- Must complete the first year (3 terms), then register in the following term.
- Renewal:
- After year one, students can continue to receive $5,000/year as long as they:
- Are enrolled full-time,
- Have no outstanding tuition debt, and
- Completed the previous year’s enrollment in full.
- After year one, students can continue to receive $5,000/year as long as they:
Who is eligible?
International Entrance Scholarship ($3,000) — automatic consideration if you meet all the following:
- You are an international student entering on a study permit.
- You are entering an undergraduate program (direct from secondary school or as a transfer).
- You have an admission average of at least 85% (converted to the Canadian system).
- You register and remain registered in a minimum of 9 credit hours in the term the scholarship is presented.
International Student of Distinction (Tiers 1 & 2 / Diploma) — automatic consideration for direct-from-high-school applicants.
- Tier 1: minimum early conditional or final high-school average of 90% (Canadian equivalent).
- Tier 2: minimum average 85–89.99%.
- Diploma category exists for certain diploma programs (value and duration differ).
Note: exact conversions and how your country’s grading scale maps to Canadian values are done by U of R during admission assessment — submit official transcripts early.
For more information about the eligibility, visit the official scholarship website.
Application Process for the 2025 International Entrance Scholarship
Applying for the International Entrance Scholarship at the University of Regina is very straightforward because you do not need to submit a separate scholarship application. Once you apply for admission and meet the academic requirements, you are automatically considered.
Below is the step-by-step process:
1. Choose Your Undergraduate Program
Start by selecting the program you want to study at the University of Regina.
Explore available degree programs. Make sure the program is open to international undergraduate students.
2. Check Admission Requirements
Admission requirements vary by country and program, but generally include:
- High school transcripts
- Proof of graduation (if available)
- Minimum academic average required for your chosen program
- English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, or equivalent)
Tip:
A higher admission average increases your chances of receiving the scholarship since the International Entrance Scholarship is merit-based.
3. Prepare the Required Documents
Gather and scan your documents, including:
- Official high school transcripts
- English language test results (if required)
- Passport bio page
- Additional documents required by your faculty (if any)
Ensure all documents are clear, complete, and in PDF format.
4. Apply for Admission Online
- Visit the University of Regina online application portal
- Create an account, fill out the application form, upload your documents, and pay the application fee.
5. Wait for Your Admission Decision
After you submit your application:
- The admissions office reviews your documents
- Your average is calculated
- You will receive an offer letter if you meet the requirements
This process may take several weeks depending on the time of year.
6. Automatic Scholarship Assessment
Once you receive an offer of admission and meet the minimum academic criteria (usually 85% or higher final admission average), you will automatically be considered for the International Entrance Scholarship.
- No need to apply separately
- No extra documents required
- The scholarship value will appear in your admission package if awarded
7. Accept Your Offer
If you receive admission (and possibly the scholarship award), follow the instructions in your acceptance letter to:
- Accept your offer
- Pay your tuition deposit (if required)
- Begin the process of applying for your Canadian study permit
8. Apply for a Study Permit
Using your admission letter:
- Apply for a Canadian study permit through IRCC
- Gather documents such as bank statements, passport, biometrics, and photos
- Wait for approval
This step is essential before traveling to Canada.
9. Register for Classes
Once your study permit is approved:
- Log into your student account
- Meet an academic advisor if needed
- Register for your first-year courses
Your scholarship will be applied to your account at the beginning of your first semester.
Why the U of R Scholarships for International Students Matter
- Automatic Consideration: Several major awards are assessed automatically at admission — no separate scholarship application is required.
- Big Financial Impact: The distinction awards can total up to $80,000, plus free on-campus housing and a meal plan — a significant support package.
- Student-Centered Support: Recipients of the Distinction Scholarships benefit from more than just money — they receive immigration support, prioritized course registration, and orientation designed for international students.
- Bursary Option: U of R also offers a tuition credit bursary for international students that can provide consistent support over four years.
Renewal Rules & Recipient Responsibilities
Most multi-year Distinction awards are renewable provided you meet academic and registration conditions. Typical rules include:
- Complete a minimum credit load (e.g., 30 credits per calendar year for some awards).
- Meet minimum GPA/percentage thresholds for renewal (the Student of Distinction scholarships often require satisfactory academic standing; specific percentages may apply).
- Maintain full-time enrollment and legal study permit status.
- Participate in required programming: winners may be asked to attend events, orientation activities, or promotional activities; participation can be part of the award conditions.
Pros & Challenges
Pros:
- High-value awards with annual full package (scholarship + housing + meals for Tier 1)
- No separate application required for most entrance scholarships — automatic assessment
- Useful renewal structure ensures ongoing support
- Extra support services for integration
Challenges:
- High academic threshold for top-tier awards (90%+ average)
- Maintaining full-time enrollment and credit-hour load may be demanding
- Housing and meal plan only for certain tiers — not all scholarship recipients get full service package
- For bursary: requires two-year tuition deposit up front
How to Maximize Your Chances
If you’re aiming to earn one of these international scholarships at the University of Regina, here are some practical tips:
- Focus on Academic Excellence
- Aim for a high admission average: 85%+ for the $3,000 scholarship, and 90%+ for Tier 1 Distinction.
- Submit official transcripts early so U of R can accurately convert your high school grades to the Canadian grading scale.
- Apply for Admission Early
- Use the Fall intake if possible (especially for the diploma Distinction category).
- Make sure your admission application is complete and submitted in time.
- Maintain Full-Time Status
- To retain renewal for Distinction Scholarships, you need to complete 30 credit hours/year.
- Make sure your course planning supports taking enough credits.
- Meet GPA Requirements
- Keep your grades up: minimum UGPA required for scholarship renewal is 75% in year 1, 80% in subsequent years.
- Use Award Supports
- Take advantage of the “extra” benefits like orientation, peer mentors, and welcome events to build a strong foundation for success.
- Payment Strategy for Bursary
- For the $5,000/year tuition credit bursary, you need to pay two years’ tuition deposit before applying.
Conclusion
The International Entrance Scholarship and the International Student of Distinction Scholarships at the University of Regina are meaningful, practical ways to reduce the cost of an international education in Canada — and in the case of the Student of Distinction awards, the support goes further by covering housing and meal plans and providing enriched transition programming. If you’re an ambitious student with strong grades (85%+), you should definitely apply to the U of R and be ready for automatic consideration; if your profile is exceptional (90%+), you might qualify for the Tier 1 distinction award and the life-changing support that comes with it.
