Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, offers the Prestige Scholarships for high-achieving students beginning their first post-secondary studies. The current application cycle is for the 2027–2028 academic year, with applications opening in October 2026 and closing on March 1, 2027. Eligible applicants must be entering Carleton directly from high school or CEGEP, have an admission average of at least 90%, and demonstrate leadership or involvement in extracurricular activities. The awards provide significant financial support, ranging from multi-year scholarships to full tuition under the Riordon Scholarship.
Scholarship Overview
- Host Country: Canada
- Host Institution: Carleton University
- Study Level: Undergraduate
- Opportunity Type: Entrance Scholarship
- Funding: Partial to Full Tuition Support
- Academic Year: 2027–2028
- Application Opens: October 2026
- Deadline: March 1, 2027
- Eligibility: High-achieving students entering Carleton directly from high school or CÉGEP
- Minimum Average: 90%
- Current Status: Upcoming
Benefits
- Tuition Fees: Full tuition is covered by the Riordon Scholarship, subject to the stated conditions and Canadian domestic tuition cap.
- Monthly Stipend: Not provided.
- Travel/Airfare: Not provided.
- Health Insurance: Not provided.
- Accommodation: Not provided.
- Books/Research/Settling-in Allowance: Not provided.
- Other Support: Other Prestige Scholarships provide fixed awards ranging from CAD 20,000 to CAD 32,000 over four years.
Eligibility Criteria
-
Nationality: Open to international students studying in Canada on a Canadian study permit.
-
Study Level: Undergraduate — first undergraduate degree.
-
Academic Qualification: Must enter UBC directly from an accredited secondary school and demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, generally achieving all As or equivalent.
-
Financial Need: Must demonstrate significant financial need and inability to pursue a UBC degree without substantial financial support.
-
Age Limit: No specific age limit stated.
-
Work Experience: Not required.
-
English Requirement: Must meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard.
-
Admission Requirement: Must meet UBC’s general and degree-specific admission requirements.
-
Nomination: Required. Applicants need a nomination from their high school or an eligible registered non-profit organization, plus a separate teacher referee.
-
Eligible Programs: Some programs, including Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Science, and certain dual/joint degrees, are excluded.
-
2027–2028 Deadline: International Scholars Program application and UBC application deadline is November 15, 2026.
Available Fields / Programmes
The UBC International Scholars Program is available across UBC undergraduate degree programs, except for the following programs specifically excluded by the current official call:
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Dental Science (Dental Hygiene)
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
- Bachelor + Master of Management
- Dual-degree programs
- Joint degrees between UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan
- Joint degrees with other post-secondary institutions
Applicants should select their first-choice undergraduate program when applying for the scholarship.
How to Apply
- Choose your UBC program and campus and select your first-choice program.
- Discuss nomination with your high school. You need one nominator and one teacher referee.
- Apply for admission to UBC through EducationPlannerBC before starting the scholarship application.
- Create an International Scholars application account and invite your nominator and referee.
- Complete the scholarship application, including academic, extracurricular, financial information, and four essays.
- Submit the completed application by November 15, 2026.
- Submit required admission documents and meet the English-language requirement by January 31, 2027.
- Complete a video interview if invited between January and March 2027.
Application route: Apply directly to UBC; the scholarship requires a school or eligible non-profit nomination. An embassy is not involved.
Required Documents
- Academic transcripts / high school certificates: Required for UBC admission.
- English language proof: Required if applicable; must meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard by January 31, 2027.
- Nomination: Completed by an eligible high school or qualifying non-profit organization.
- Teacher recommendation: Required from a teacher familiar with the applicant and their chosen field.
- Financial documents: Documents showing family income, expenses, assets, dependents, and available financial support.
- Scholarship essays: Four essays of approximately 150–250 words each.
- Passport copy: Not specifically listed as a required International Scholars application document on the official page.
The exact admission documents depend on the applicant’s educational background and will be communicated by UBC after the admission application is submitted.
Important Dates
- Application Opens: Early October 2026
- Scholarship Deadline: November 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST
- Nomination/Recommendation: Must be completed a few days before November 15, 2026
- Required Documents & English Requirement: January 31, 2027
- Video Interviews: January–March 2027, if invited
- Results: February–April 2027, with awards confirmed by early to mid-April
The UBC International Scholars Program is not simply tuition-only. It provides need-and-merit-based financial support for international undergraduate students. The exact award amount varies by recipient and award category. The Vantage One Excellence Award can cover up to the full cost of the academic program and living expenses.
It can provide comprehensive financial support, including academic and living costs, depending on the award received. The Vantage One Excellence Award can cover up to the full cost of the academic program and living expenses
- Nationality: Open to international students from around the world who will study in Canada with a Canadian study permit. UBC states that International Scholars have represented 111+ countries.
- Study Level: Undergraduate — applicants must be entering UBC directly from an accredited secondary school and applying for their first undergraduate degree.
- Residency: Applicants must be international students, not Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Yes. You must apply to UBC first before starting the International Scholars Program application. UBC specifically states that your UBC admission application must be completed before you can begin the scholarship application.
In short:
- Apply to UBC.
- Receive confirmation that your UBC application was submitted.
- Start the International Scholars Program application.
- Complete the nomination and referee requirements.
Exact Deadline
- Deadline: November 15, 2026
- Time: 11:59 PM
- Timezone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Program: UBC International Scholars Program — September 2027 intake.
There is no separate fee for the International Scholars Program, but international applicants must pay UBC’s undergraduate admission application fee of CAD 173.25.
