Dalhousie University Scholarships are a major reason many international students choose Dalhousie University in Canada. If you want to study in Halifax, Canada and reduce the cost of tuition, living expenses, or graduate research, Dalhousie offers a mix of entrance awards, faculty-based funding, and graduate scholarships that can make a real difference. For international students, the good news is that there are scholarship options at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, and many of them are listed directly on Dalhousie’s official pages.
Dalhousie also states that international students can apply for relevant entrance awards and that graduate students have access to a broad scholarship database, including awards specifically open to international applicants. For thesis-based graduate students, the university says more than $24 million in scholarships, stipends, and bursaries is administered each year, with typical funding varying by degree and program.
Why Dalhousie University Scholarships Matter for International Students
For many students, getting admitted is only the first step. The bigger question is how to afford tuition, housing, books, and daily expenses in Canada. That is where Dalhousie University Scholarships become especially valuable. Undergraduate applicants can apply through the university’s entrance award system, while graduate applicants can explore thesis-based funding, faculty awards, and named scholarships for international students.
Another important point is that Dalhousie separates scholarship opportunities by level of study. That means an international undergraduate student and an international PhD student will usually apply through different funding routes. Knowing where your program fits can improve your chances and save time during the application process.
1) Dalhousie University Undergraduate Scholarships
Scholarship Details
International undergraduate students are eligible to apply for Dalhousie’s General Entrance Award Program. Dalhousie’s admissions pages say that all applicants, regardless of citizenship, are eligible for the general entrance award program if they meet the relevant admission conditions. The university also highlights specific international-facing awards on its prospective students scholarship page, including awards such as the Sankofa Scholarships for eligible students and certain country- or program-specific awards like the CorpFinance International Limited (Kevin Andrews) Indian Scholarship and the Richard and Melda Murray Jamaican Engineering Scholarship.
Dalhousie’s admissions page also notes that the university awards millions in scholarships and bursaries each year, and international applicants are directed to apply for entrance awards as part of the undergraduate admissions process.
Requirements
To be considered for undergraduate entrance awards, students generally need to:
- Apply to Dalhousie as a future undergraduate student
- Be entering directly from high school for the general entrance award stream
- Submit the required entrance award application by the official deadline
- Meet the eligibility rules for any specific named scholarship they choose to pursue
Some awards are limited by program, nationality, academic standing, financial need, or background. For example, certain scholarships are only for students entering commerce, engineering, or other defined programs.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to an eligible undergraduate program at Dalhousie University.
- Complete the General Entrance Award Application through the official Dalhousie admissions or money matters pages.
- Review the list of specific scholarships open to international students.
- Submit any extra documents required for named awards before the deadline.
- Check your email and applicant portal regularly for updates.
Application links: General undergraduate scholarships / entrance awards:
2) Dalhousie University Master’s Scholarships
For thesis-based master’s students, Dalhousie University Scholarships include several awards that are open to international students. Dalhousie’s graduate funding pages list scholarships such as the Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship – Master’s, which is available to Canadian or international students and valued at $10,000 per year for up to two years, and the Dalhousie 1-Year Master’s Scholarship, valued at $20,000 for one year for thesis-based master’s students.
The graduate studies pages also maintain a broader master’s scholarship database where students can review entrance and in-program awards, deadlines, and eligibility conditions.
Requirements
Common requirements for master’s scholarships at Dalhousie usually include:
- Admission to an eligible thesis-based master’s program
- Strong academic record
- Meeting the award’s deadline and document requirements
- In some cases, support from the department or supervisor
- For specific scholarships, nationality or research area conditions may apply
Because many master’s awards are thesis-based, course-based students may not qualify for the same funding streams. Always check the scholarship page for program restrictions.
How to Apply
- Apply to a thesis-based master’s program at Dalhousie University.
- Review the master’s scholarship database on Dalhousie’s Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
- Identify awards open to international students.
- Prepare the required materials, which may include transcripts, references, research information, or departmental nomination documents.
- Submit before the listed deadline.
Application links:
- Master’s scholarships database
- Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship – Master’s
- Dalhousie 1-Year Master’s Scholarship:
3) Dalhousie University PhD Scholarships
International doctoral students can access some of the strongest Dalhousie University Scholarships. One of the top options is the Dalhousie Research Excellence Scholarship (DRES), which Dalhousie lists as an entrance scholarship for doctoral students open to Canadian and international students, valued at $35,000 per year for up to four years.
Dalhousie’s Faculty of Graduate Studies also says thesis-based students receive substantial funding support overall, and doctoral students are among those with higher typical annual funding ranges. This makes Dalhousie a serious option for international applicants looking for funded PhD opportunities in Canada.
Requirements
Typical PhD scholarship requirements may include:
- Admission to an eligible doctoral program
- Strong academic and research background
- Competitive application materials
- Meeting entrance scholarship deadlines
- Program or department support where required
Since doctoral funding can be tied to faculty review and departmental nomination, students should contact their graduate department early after applying.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to a Dalhousie doctoral program.
- Check the doctoral scholarship options listed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
- Review whether the award is entrance-only or also open in-program.
- Submit supporting documents through the department or scholarship portal, depending on the award instructions.
- Follow up with your department on nomination or internal review steps.
Application links:
4) Special International Scholarships Worth Checking
Scholarship Details
Dalhousie also lists special scholarships that may be highly relevant for some international students. One example is the Abdul Majid Bader Graduate Scholarship, which is listed for thesis-based master’s or doctoral students and is available to Iranian students, while noting that international students will also be considered. Dalhousie lists its value as $40,000 per year for up to two years.
This is a strong reminder that some of the best Dalhousie University Scholarships may not be general awards for all applicants. Instead, they may target a specific country, background, or field of study.
Requirements
Requirements for special scholarships vary, but often include:
- Admission to an eligible graduate program
- Matching nationality, background, or field criteria
- Excellent academic standing
- Full scholarship application before the deadline
Always read the individual scholarship page carefully because these awards are more specific than general entrance funding.
How to Apply
- Review the official scholarship page for the named award.
- Confirm that your nationality, level of study, and program are eligible.
- Apply to the academic program first if required.
- Prepare all supporting materials and submit before the deadline shown on the official page.
- Track results through the graduate studies office or your department.
Application link: Abdul Majid Bader Graduate Scholarship
Tips to Improve Your Chances
A lot of international students miss scholarship opportunities because they focus only on admission and ignore funding deadlines. With Dalhousie University Scholarships, timing matters. Undergraduate entrance awards often require a separate awards application, while graduate scholarships may involve department-level nomination, internal review, or individual scholarship submissions.
It also helps to apply early, keep your grades strong, prepare a clear personal statement or research plan where needed, and check whether your department offers extra funding not listed on the main admissions page. The official graduate funding pages are especially useful because they show which awards are open to international students.
Final Thoughts
If you are searching for funded study opportunities in Canada, Dalhousie University Scholarships deserve close attention. The university offers real funding pathways for international students, from undergraduate entrance awards to master’s and PhD scholarships. The key is to match the right scholarship to your level of study, check the official eligibility rules, and apply before the deadline.
