McGill University Scholarships, Canada (Fully Funded) for International Students

This is a complete guide to successfully apply for McGill University scholarships as an international student, without getting lost in long pages, confusing terms, or “maybe you qualify” guesswork.

McGill sits in the heart of Montreal, and it attracts strong students from everywhere. The good news is: there are real funding options. The even better news is: once you understand the two main buckets (entrance scholarships vs bursaries), the whole process becomes much easier.

Degree Level: Bachelor, Masters, PhD

McGill University Scholarships Details

First, what “McGill scholarships” usually means

For most international students, McGill funding falls into three practical lanes:

Undergraduate entrance scholarships (merit-based)
Undergraduate entrance bursaries (need-based)
Graduate funding (program funding + major external awards)

Let’s walk through them like someone who’s actually trying to win, not just read about them.

1) Undergraduate entrance scholarships (merit)

These are for students applying to a full-time undergraduate program and are mostly based on academic strength (and for bigger awards, leadership too).

What you can win:

One-year entrance scholarships: $3,000 (non-renewable). Often assessed automatically when you apply for admission.
Major entrance scholarships: $12,000 to $48,000, typically renewable (spread across multiple years if you keep the conditions). These require a separate scholarship application.

What they look for:

Strong grades (obviously)
Proof you’ve done more than “attend classes” (leadership, impact, initiative)
Solid references for major awards

2) Undergraduate entrance bursaries (need-based)

This is the option many students skip, then regret later.

McGill has need-based support for international students, and it’s meant for students who can prove financial need (not just “tuition is expensive”). Start from the international student funding hub and follow the bursary pathway.

3) Graduate scholarships and funding (Master’s / PhD)

Graduate funding at McGill is more “program-structured” than “one big scholarship list.”

Many thesis-based Master’s and PhD offers come with funding expectations that vary by department and faculty.
McGill also lists funding options for Master’s students, including major awards and international-student specific pathways.

Two important things international students should know:

McGill University Scholarships Differential Fee Waivers (DFW)

McGill has Differential Fee Waivers that can cover the difference between international tuition and Quebec resident tuition for eligible graduate students. This can be massive if you qualify.

Big-ticket award: McCall MacBain Scholarships

This is separate from McGill admissions and has its own application timeline (then you apply to McGill programs later). If you’re aiming for a fully funded, leadership-focused graduate route, it’s worth checking.

Apply Here

Requirements that matter (so you don’t waste time)

For major entrance scholarships, McGill is clear about key documentation like:

Two letters of reference
A required scholarship application submitted through the applicant portal by the deadline

For graduate funding, your key “requirements” are usually:

Following the specific award rules for any major scholarship you target
Meeting program admission requirements
Applying early enough to be considered for departmental funding (varies by program)

How to apply (simple, practical steps)

for Undergraduate

Apply for admission to McGill.
If you want the Major Entrance Scholarship, submit the separate scholarship application in the portal and line up your 2 references early (do not wait).
If you need financial help beyond merit, use the international student funding hub to reach the bursary route.

for Graduate

Pick your program and check how funding works for it (especially if thesis-based).
Review international-specific options like DFW if eligible.
If you’re targeting a major award (like McCall MacBain), follow that scholarship’s timeline first.

Official application links