Educational information: University eligibility, degree levels and programme lists may change. Check the current official Saudi scholarship-pathway list and each Canadian university’s admissions website before applying.
Key Takeaways
- Canadian institutions eligible for Saudi scholarships differ by scholarship track, discipline, major and academic level. A university’s appearance on a general list does not automatically make every degree eligible.
- Admission is based on the particular course’s academic prerequisites and admission requirements. No single GPA or percentage applies to all Canadian universities.
- English-language requirements vary. Many English-taught courses ask for IELTS Academic or an accepted alternative; French-taught degrees may require proof of French proficiency.
- Canadian MD programmes often impose significant restrictions on international applicants. Nursing, pharmacy, engineering and computer science may offer different routes, but scholarship approval must still be checked.
Canada is home to universities that appear in certain pathways of Saudi Arabia’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. Before seeking admission, verify scholarship track + university + major/field + degree level together in the current official list. You must satisfy both the scholarship programme and the university’s separate admission conditions.
Which Canadian Universities Are Eligible for Saudi Scholarships?
Universities appearing under tracks such as Pioneers, Supply, Research and Development, and Promising may differ by discipline and intake. The following 13 institutions are highlighted in the Arabic source article as examples mentioned in scholarship resources. This is not an independently verified current approval list for every programme or track.
Toronto, Ontario
1. University of Toronto
University of Toronto is a major research university with strengths in engineering, medicine and business. Its three campuses are St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough. Medical admissions are highly restrictive for international students; investigate the actual programme’s policies before applying.
2. York University
York University offers programmes in business, social sciences, law and the arts. Its Schulich School of Business is a well-known faculty, and the university’s Toronto location offers a diverse academic environment.
Montréal, Québec
3. McGill University
McGill University, founded in 1821, is a research-intensive institution with programmes in medicine, engineering and law. English is the main teaching language in many programmes despite its location in predominantly French-speaking Québec; confirm language requirements for your degree.
4. Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal is a major French-language research university with programmes in health sciences, pharmacy and other areas. Most programmes require French, although some graduate study opportunities may be available in English.
Vancouver, British Columbia
5. University of British Columbia (UBC)
UBC is a Canadian research university recognised for environmental sciences, engineering and business. Its programmes attract students from many countries; check the specific campus, discipline and entry requirements.
Edmonton, Alberta
6. University of Alberta
University of Alberta offers research and teaching in energy, petroleum engineering, health sciences and artificial intelligence. Edmonton is the provincial capital of Alberta, a centre for the Canadian energy sector.
Waterloo, Ontario
7. University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo is especially known for engineering, computing and its co-operative education model. Co-op opportunities and work terms vary by degree, eligibility and student circumstances.
Ottawa, Ontario
8. University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa is a bilingual English–French university in Canada’s capital. It offers programmes in law, political science and other fields, with potential experiential-learning opportunities linked to Ottawa’s public institutions.
Hamilton, Ontario
9. McMaster University
McMaster University is known for health sciences, research and problem-based learning. Its medical programmes have distinct admission policies and must not be assumed accessible to international applicants.
Burnaby, British Columbia
10. Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University, founded in 1965, offers programmes in communications, business, geography and other disciplines, including co-operative education options.
Sudbury, Ontario
11. Laurentian University
Laurentian University is a smaller bilingual institution in northern Ontario, known for subjects including geology and mining-related studies.
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
12. St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is an undergraduate-focused institution with programmes such as business and nursing in a smaller university community. The Saudi Promising track has featured specific opportunities there; availability must be reconfirmed.
Calgary, Alberta
13. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
SAIT is an applied post-secondary institution in Calgary. Its School of Hospitality and Tourism has been referenced in scholarship material for certain specialisations. Confirm the exact academic award, programme and pathway before treating it as eligible.
These examples span major Canadian cities and different institutional types. Eligibility should always be checked in the current Saudi scholarship programme’s official portal, including the correct track and degree level.
How Canadian University Eligibility Differs by Scholarship Track
Pioneers Track: Historically associated with a defined list of leading global institutions and broad disciplinary opportunities, subject to the track’s current rules.
Supply Track: Targets specific fields connected to Saudi labour-market needs and a designated set of universities.
Research and Development Track: Focuses on priority research and development areas, with separate eligible degrees and institutions.
Promising Track: Offers particular opportunities associated with participating employment and education partners; previously announced opportunities do not establish future availability.
Official track regulations and institution lists override any broad summary here.
Admission Requirements for Canadian Universities
For Saudi scholarship applicants, there are two distinct requirements: admission to the specific Canadian university programme, and eligibility under the Saudi scholarship track. Meeting one does not automatically satisfy the other.
General Academic Requirements
- A recognised secondary-school qualification for undergraduate admission, or a relevant undergraduate degree for postgraduate admission.
- Any compulsory prerequisite subjects, such as mathematics, physics or chemistry for certain science and engineering courses.
- Any course-specific minimum grades, assessed according to the institution’s own criteria.
- Additional documents for graduate research programmes, potentially including references, a statement of purpose or a research proposal.
For perspective, the Arabic source mentions indicative secondary-school averages of 80–90% and postgraduate GPAs around 3.0–3.7/4.0, but these figures are not universal admission thresholds. The minimum grades cited in general scholarship guides are only broad examples; verify actual thresholds with the specific university and scholarship pathway.
IELTS and Other Language Requirements
Many English-language degrees accept IELTS Academic or tests such as TOEFL iBT. For another destination comparison, see our guide to UK universities for Saudi scholarships. Some Canadian university programmes require IELTS 6.5 overall, sometimes with minimum component scores, while others require higher or lower results. No single IELTS score qualifies you for every university. French-language programmes, including many at Université de Montréal, may require evidence of French-language proficiency instead.
IELTS generally recommends treating test results as valid for two years; individual admissions institutions may apply their own policies. Check whether the university accepts a particular test type and results from your proposed testing date.
Additional Requirements by Field
Medicine and dentistry: Admissions may require previous university study, prerequisite courses, standardised examinations such as MCAT or DAT where applicable, interviews, references and special citizenship or residency rules. International opportunities can be very limited.
Engineering and computer science: Programmes may expect advanced mathematics, physics and relevant academic prerequisites. Graduate courses may ask for research experience, past projects or a suitable prior degree.
MBA and business: Requirements can include a GMAT or GRE result, professional work experience, a résumé and a career-goals statement. Some business schools offer exemptions.
Law: Certain JD programmes require LSAT results; postgraduate law degrees such as LLM have different admission criteria.
Documents Needed to Study in Canada on a Saudi Scholarship
Prepare two document sets: one for the Canadian institution, and one for the Saudi scholarship application. The US universities for Saudi scholarship students guide also explains how to prepare application documents for an overseas university.
1. Documents for University Admission
- Academic certificates and full transcripts, with certified translation where required.
- Evidence of English or French language proficiency as required for the course.
- Recommendation letters where requested.
- A personal statement or statement of purpose explaining academic motivations.
- A current résumé or CV where relevant.
- A research proposal, portfolio or previous publications for certain advanced degrees.
- The university’s application fee, if applicable; fees vary and may be non-refundable.
Do not rely on a universal IELTS requirement or fixed application fee. Review each institution’s official course page for the correct application checklist.
2. Documents for the Saudi Scholarship Application
After receiving the required university admission, applicants generally submit identification and passport details, prior qualifications and transcripts, the official admission letter, and any other documents specified for their scholarship pathway through the appropriate official application system. The checklist may depend on the scholarship track and the applicant’s situation.
Field-Specific Supporting Evidence
Health-related programmes may request relevant experience or entrance assessments. Research postgraduate programmes may require a proposed research project and evidence of previous academic work.
Can Saudi Scholarship Students Study Medicine in Canada?
Admission to Canadian Doctor of Medicine (MD) programmes is extremely restricted for many international applicants. Some medical schools do not accept international applications at all, and others reserve only a small number of places. Many MD programmes require undergraduate university coursework before entry rather than operating as direct-entry degrees from secondary school.
Depending on the university, selection may involve prerequisite courses, MCAT, interviews, references and residency or citizenship eligibility. Always check both the medical school’s rules and the specific Saudi scholarship pathway before preparing an application. Other healthcare disciplines, such as nursing, pharmacy and physiotherapy, have distinct admissions processes and may present different opportunities. The original Arabic article also mentions MCAT for some medical programmes and DAT for some dentistry programmes, plus possible interviews, healthcare volunteering and recommendations. These are course-specific rather than universal requirements.
How GoIELTS Can Help You Prepare for English-Language Admission
If your chosen Canadian university requires IELTS, targeted practice in all four skills can help you prepare for the required score. The minimum score varies by degree, so confirm it before establishing your study target.
1. Mock Tests and Test Familiarity
Practice IELTS-style Listening and Reading tasks, using reliable learning material and reviewing explanations after each attempt.
2. A Familiar Computer-Based Practice Experience
Using digital practice tests helps candidates build confidence in navigating a timed exam. It does not make the practice platform an official IELTS test administrator.
3. Writing and Speaking Feedback
Feedback on grammar, coherence, fluency and task performance can help identify areas to improve. Automated practice feedback should not be treated as a guarantee of an official band score.
4. Regular Training Across All Four Skills
Allocate time to Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking based on your diagnostic results and the target set by your university.
5. Progress Reports
For a structured approach to language preparation, review the language preparation guidance in our Saudi Cultural Scholarship guide. Track the types of questions you find difficult and assess whether your results are becoming more consistent. Visit GoIELTS to explore practice options.
Application Checklist: Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Check that the chosen university appears under your current Saudi scholarship track, not merely on an old country list.
- Verify the exact major, delivery language, campus and degree level.
- Confirm the university’s academic prerequisites and accepted English or French language tests.
- Check international-applicant eligibility for regulated degrees, especially medicine and dentistry.
- Prepare university documents and scholarship documents separately, allowing time for certified translations and references.
- Confirm the current application window and relevant government portal before submitting your scholarship application.
Conclusion
Choosing a Canadian university for a Saudi scholarship is more than comparing well-known institutions. The critical step is confirming that your exact university, course, academic level and scholarship pathway are eligible at the time you apply. Then check the admission requirements, prepare the correct documents and begin your language-test preparation early enough to meet the application deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Canadian universities are approved for Saudi scholarships?
Institutions mentioned in the Arabic source include the University of Toronto, McGill University, UBC, the University of Alberta and McMaster University, among others. Their current eligibility depends on the track, field and academic level. The 13 examples in this article are not proof that every course is currently approved.
What GPA do I need to study in Canada on a scholarship?
Requirements vary by university, degree programme and Saudi scholarship track. Some programmes are highly competitive, but there is no single nationwide GPA or high-school percentage. Check the exact course’s admissions page and the relevant scholarship announcement.
How do I obtain university admission in Canada for a scholarship?
Choose an eligible subject and pathway, identify an institution approved for that combination, check academic and language requirements, prepare supporting documents, apply through the university’s official admissions website, and submit the required admission evidence through the official Saudi scholarship portal.
Is admission to a Canadian university for a scholarship difficult?
Competition depends on the degree and applicant pool. Research-intensive universities and some medical or engineering programmes may be very selective. Plan early and consider programmes that match your qualifications and the scholarship’s rules.
Which Canadian universities are easier to get into?
The Arabic article mentions institutions such as Toronto Metropolitan University, Thompson Rivers University, Lakehead University, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Northern British Columbia as possible alternatives. Admissions difficulty depends on the specific course, and an easier admission route does not imply eligibility for Saudi scholarship funding.
Which fields are in demand?
Potential fields discussed include artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, software engineering, renewable energy and healthcare. Eligible scholarship subjects change according to official workforce and research priorities.
Are Laurentian University, St. Francis Xavier University and SAIT easier options?
These institutions have different academic profiles and admission requirements from large research universities. Check the actual course criteria and scholarship eligibility rather than assuming admission is easy or guaranteed.
How many Canadian universities accept international medical students?
The number and eligibility rules change between medical schools and admissions cycles. Many Canadian MD programmes limit or exclude international applicants, so applicants must confirm details directly with each medical school.
Are universities in Québec eligible if programmes are taught in French?
French-language institutions may appear in particular scholarship pathways, but eligibility depends on the current institution and programme lists. Check the required language of instruction and any necessary French proficiency assessment before applying.
GoIELTS is an independent IELTS preparation platform, not the Saudi Ministry of Education or an official IELTS test owner. Scholarship and university criteria can change.
About the Content Team at GoIELTS
GoIELTS creates specialized content for IELTS with contributions from writers experienced in education and test preparation.
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