The University of Waterloo is one of Canada’s top research universities, renowned for its innovative programs and groundbreaking discoveries. Each year, Waterloo offers prestigious International Master’s and Doctoral Awards to attract top talent from around the world. These awards provide significant funding and support for international students pursuing graduate studies at Waterloo.
This post covers everything you need to know about the University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Awards.
Overview of the International Master’s and Doctoral Awards
The International Master’s and Doctoral Awards are merit-based scholarships offered to outstanding international students pursuing full-time graduate studies at the University of Waterloo. There are two main award categories:
- International Master’s Awards: Offered to incoming international master’s students in all programs. The award value is $2,500 per term for up to 5 terms.
- International Doctoral Awards: Offered to incoming international PhD students in all programs. The award value is $5,000 per term for up to 9 terms.
These awards help offset the cost of international tuition fees and provide financial assistance to top academics from around the world. They are among the most prestigious funding opportunities offered by the University of Waterloo Graduate Studies.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the International Master’s and Doctoral Awards, applicants must:
- Be an international student with a valid study permit
- Have an admission average of 80% or higher (converted to Waterloo’s grade scale)
- Be entering a research-based graduate program at Waterloo
- Be studying full-time
- Not be receiving external tri-agency funding (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR)
The awards are open to incoming master’s and PhD students in all faculties and departments. Previous recipients can re-apply for subsequent terms, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
Application Process
Eligible students are automatically considered for the International Master’s and Doctoral Awards when they apply for admission to a graduate program at Waterloo. There is no separate application required.
To be considered, applicants simply need to:
- Meet the admission requirements for their desired program
- Achieve an admission average of 80% or higher
- Submit a complete online application along with all required documentation by the deadline
Admission deadlines vary by department, but are typically:
- Fall Term: March 1st
- Winter Term: August 1st
- Spring Term: December 1st
Students will be notified about the award outcome along with their admission decision. The scholarship funds are directly applied to the recipients’ student accounts in two installments per term.
Selection Criteria
The International Master’s and Doctoral Awards are highly competitive. Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Academic Excellence
Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, as evidenced by grades, test scores, publications, awards, and other qualifications. A minimum admission average of 80% is required.
Research Potential
For PhD applicants especially, promising research ability and potential to make significant contributions in the field is considered. Research experience, publications, presentations, awards, and recommendations highlight research potential.
Leadership and Impact
Experience demonstrating initiative, leadership, creative thinking, and the ability to make a difference through academics is favored. Volunteer work, mentorship, entrepreneurship and other impactful endeavors are considered.
Communication Skills
Strong written and verbal communication skills are vital for graduate-level success. The ability to express complex ideas clearly and effectively is evaluated through application documents like the statement of interest.
Award Benefits
The International Master’s and Doctoral Awards provide the following benefits:
- Significant financial assistance to offset the international tuition fees
- Prestigious recognition of academic excellence
- Opportunity for research funding and teaching assistantships
- Access to exceptional learning resources and world-class faculty
- Entry into Waterloo’s global innovation ecosystem
- Pathway to permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class
The award funding is provided in the form of non-repayable scholarship installments credited directly to the student’s university account. The award value for master’s students is $2,500 per term, while PhD students receive $5,000 per term.
Accepting the Award
Students who are successful in obtaining the International Master’s or Doctoral Award will receive an official award offer from the Faculty of Graduate Studies. To accept the award, students must:
- Log in to Quest and formally accept the award offer
- Register full-time in an eligible graduate program at Waterloo
- Maintain registration and remain in good academic standing to continue receiving award installments
- Comply with all award terms and conditions
The first scholarship installment will be paid out after initial registration for the first academic term. Recipients do not need to submit receipts or proof of expenses to receive the award funds.
Maintaining the Award
To continue receiving the International Master’s or Doctoral Award in subsequent terms, recipients must:
- Maintain full-time registration in their graduate program
- Remain in good academic standing with a minimum average of 80%
- Make satisfactory progress in their research and coursework
- Comply with all university policies and award regulations
- Notify the Faculty of Graduate Studies of any changes in registration or program status
The award is typically provided for up to 5 terms for master’s students and 9 terms for PhD students, subject to continued eligibility. Previous recipients can apply for a renewal by requesting new recommendation letters from their department.
We hope this guide provides helpful information about the University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Awards! These prestigious scholarships offer significant funding to enable outstanding international academics to pursue graduate studies at one of Canada’s leading research universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the University of Waterloo International Master’s and Doctoral Awards:
What types of expenses can the award be used for?
The award funds can be used flexibly to cover any educational or living costs while pursuing your graduate studies at Waterloo. This includes tuition, housing, books, transportation, food, and other expenses.
Can I hold other internal scholarships along with this award?
Yes, recipients can hold additional internal scholarships, bursaries, and teaching assistantships provided by Waterloo along with the International Master’s or Doctoral Award.
Am I eligible if I am accepted conditionally?
No, the awards are only offered to applicants who receive unconditional admission offers with an admission average of 80% or higher.
How and when is the award funding paid out?
The award funds are automatically paid out in two equal installments at the beginning of each academic term directly into recipients’ Waterloo student accounts.
What happens if I defer my admission offer?
Deferrals of up to one year may be granted without impacting the award offer. Beyond one year, applicants would need to be reconsidered for the award upon re-application.
Can I apply directly for this scholarship separately?
No, there is no separate application. Eligible applicants are automatically considered when they apply for admission to an eligible Waterloo graduate program.
Is this scholarship available for part-time graduate students?
No, recipients must maintain full-time registration throughout the award duration to remain eligible.
Do I need to reapply to renew the award for additional terms?
Yes, after the initial award duration, recipients must reapply and obtain new recommendation letters to be considered for renewal in subsequent terms.