Introduction
If you’re an international student dreaming of studying abroad especially in Canada, scholarships can make a world of difference. One institution that stands out for its generous support is the University of Alberta (U of A). Every year, the university awards millions of Canadian dollars in scholarships to incoming and continuing international students. What’s particularly appealing: some of these awards require no separate scholarship application, they are automatically considered as part of the admissions process. In this post, we take a deep dive into the so-called “International Excellence” opportunity at U of A for 2025, what it offers, who qualifies, and how to maximize your chances.
What is the “International Excellence” Opportunity at U of A?
When you apply to U of A as an international undergraduate student, the university doesn’t just evaluate your admission — they also automatically assess you for several entrance-based scholarships. These are based on your high school performance (or admission average) at the time of your admission offer. (University of Alberta)
Among these automatic scholarships, many external sources mention an “International Excellence Scholarship” (or similarly named) as one of the awards students may receive without needing a separate application. (opportunitybench.org)
That said — while the name “International Excellence Scholarship” appears in several guides and scholarship summaries — the official U of A site tends to categorize automatic awards under names like International Admission Scholarship, Regional Excellence Scholarship, and Gold Standard Scholarship. (University of Alberta)
In practice, “International Excellence” seems to be a broader, informal label used by many third-party guides to refer to the set of automatic scholarships available to high-achieving international applicants at U of A.
What Automatic Scholarships Are Available (Up to ~$10,000+)
Here’s a breakdown of the key admission-based scholarships at U of A that international students may receive automatically (i.e., no separate application needed):
| Scholarship (Admission-Based) | Award Value (CAD) | What It Means / Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| International Admission Scholarship | Up to CA $5,000 | For top-performing international students based on high school admission average. (University of Alberta) |
| Regional Excellence Scholarship | Up to CA $5,000 | For high-achieving students from specific regions (region defined at U of A’s discretion). (University of Alberta) |
| Gold Standard Scholarship | Up to CA $6,000 | Awarded to the top 5% of students in each faculty, based on admission average. (University of Alberta) |
Because these are automatic entrance-based awards, they are often described as an “automatic grant / merit scholarship” — you don’t need to submit a separate application for them once you apply to a degree program at U of A. (University of Alberta)
Some external guides combine these under the “International Excellence” banner and describe the total as offering up to CA $10,000 (or more, depending on stacking of eligible awards) to eligible international students. (wemakeyouscholar.com)
Why the “Up to $10,000” Claim — And What It Really Means
When you see “Up to $10,000 Automatic Award” linked to U of A’s international scholarships, here’s how that figure is derived:
- For example, you might receive CA $5,000 as an International Admission Scholarship and CA $5,000 as a Regional Excellence Scholarship (if eligible).
- Alternatively, or in addition, if you’re in the top 5% of your faculty based on admission average, you might get the Gold Standard Scholarship (CA $6,000) instead of — or on top of — the Admission or Regional awards (depending on your eligibility).
- Some sources suggest that multiple awards may be “stacked” (combined) to maximize total support, depending on individual eligibility. (Canada Immigration Services)
Because of this stacking potential — and variations in how awards are labeled — some applicants or information portals broadly describe the benefit as “International Excellence Scholarship up to CA $10,000 or more.”
That said: the exact combination you receive depends entirely on your admission average, the faculty you apply to, and whether you meet the eligibility criteria for each award. There is no guarantee that every international student will get the full CA $10,000.
Other Scholarships at U of A (Beyond Automatic Awards)
The automatic scholarships are only the beginning. U of A offers a wide array of additional scholarships — some requiring separate applications — which may significantly boost the financial support for eligible students. Here are a few of them:
- International Leader Scholarship — For well-rounded students with strong academics and leadership qualities. Award up to CA $15,000. (University of Alberta)
- President’s International Distinction Scholarship — One of the most prestigious awards for international students, valued up to CA $120,000 over four years (i.e., significant support if you qualify). (University of Alberta)
These application-based scholarships require you to first apply to your program and then fill out a scholarship application (usually through U of A’s Awards Portal). For 2025 intake, many deadlines fall around early January (e.g., January 10). (University of Alberta)
Because of these additional opportunities, some guides describe U of A’s total financial support for international students as ranging much higher — though many of those are separate from what we’re calling “International Excellence” (automatic) awards. (Apply Scholarships)
What “No Separate Application” Really Means — And What You Should Do
One of the biggest appeals of the “International Excellence” scheme is that you don’t need to fill out a separate scholarship application to benefit. Here’s what that means practically — and what you should still do to maximize chances:
- When you apply for admission to U of A as an international student, your high school transcripts and admission average are used both for admission and scholarship eligibility simultaneously. (University of Alberta)
- If you qualify for one or more of the automatic scholarships, the university will notify you. There is no separate “scholarship form” to submit, for those entrance-based awards. (University of Alberta)
- That said, not all scholarships are automatic. If you want more — especially generous awards (e.g. up to CA $15,000, or the “big” ones) — you’ll need to apply via the scholarship application portal after admission. (University of Alberta)
What you should do (if you plan to apply):
- Apply early to your chosen undergraduate program at U of A — preferably as soon as applications open.
- Ensure your high school transcripts are uploaded correctly, and that your admission average is accurately captured (good grades are critical).
- Watch for communication from U of A after admission — they will notify you if you qualify for automatic scholarships.
- If you wish to aim for larger scholarships beyond the automatic ones, be ready to submit the separate scholarship application (by deadline) and highlight not just academics but leadership, community involvement, extracurriculars — depending on the scholarship criteria.
Common Misconceptions — What to Be Careful About
When researching U of A’s international scholarships, you may encounter a few misconceptions or conflicting information. Here are some clarifications:
- “International Excellence Scholarship = guaranteed $10,000 or more.”
→ Not quite. The “International Excellence” label seems to aggregate multiple possible automatic awards. You might get one (or none), or occasionally stack two, depending on eligibility. The maximum figure (e.g. CA $10,000) is a best-case scenario, not a guarantee. - Automatic means easy.
→ While automatic scholarships don’t require extra forms, they are highly merit-based. High admission averages (often very competitive) are typically necessary to qualify. Third-party guides caution that “top student” usually means extremely strong Grades/IGCSE/A-level or equivalent results. (opportunitybench.org) - Stacking always happens.
→ Not all awards are stackable. It depends on how U of A evaluates your profile. Don’t assume you’ll automatically receive multiple scholarships. - Automatic scholarships cover everything (tuition + living, etc.).
→ No — these are partial awards (cash grants). They are meant to reduce costs, not necessarily cover full tuition, living, and other expenses.
Why U of A’s Scholarships Are Particularly Attractive (For International Students)
The automatic scholarships at U of A — along with the larger application-based ones — make the university a strong choice for international students. Here’s why:
- Low barrier to eligibility (for automatic awards): You don’t need to write essays or submit separate forms for entrance-based scholarships. It’s a merit-based evaluation tied to your admission. That reduces stress and paperwork.
- Potential for significant savings: Even a CA $5,000 or $6,000 scholarship can substantially offset a portion of tuition or living expenses for international students.
- Wide range of scholarship types: From automatic entrance-based awards to leadership-driven awards, there are different paths to funding, depending on your strengths (academics, leadership, community, etc.).
- Transparent guidelines and large pool of supports: U of A advertises that it gives out “over CA $52 million annually” in financial support to students (domestic and international alike), showing that there is a serious commitment to aiding students. (University of Alberta)
Should You Target the “International Excellence (Automatic)” Scholarships — Or Go for Bigger Ones?
Yes — and ideally both, depending on your profile and ambitions. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Why go for the automatic scholarships first:
- Minimal extra work: no separate scholarship application, no extra essays, no additional requirements beyond strong admission average.
- Good fallback: If you perform well but don’t have an extensive leadership or extracurricular résumé, this gives a realistic chance to secure some funding.
- Great for budgeting: Even partial support helps reduce costs and plan for tuition or living expenses.
- Why go for bigger, application-based scholarships too:
- Larger funding potential — e.g., up to CA $15,000 or even much more (over four years) if you qualify.
- Recognition beyond academics: Awards like leadership scholarships or distinction scholarships look at extracurricular activities, community impact, and leadership — giving well-rounded students a fair shot.
- Long-term benefit: Larger scholarships that spread over multiple years can drastically reduce tuition burden, making your degree much more affordable overall.
If I were applying now, I’d do both: aim for high grades to qualify for automatic awards, and also prepare a strong scholarship application that highlights leadership, extracurriculars, and community involvement.
How This Looks for a Student Coming From Nigeria (or Other Countries Outside Canada)
If you’re studying in Nigeria (or elsewhere internationally), here’s why U of A might be particularly appealing:
- You bypass many of the hassles that come with scholarship applications — the “automatic” scholarships simply piggy-back on your admission, as long as grades are strong.
- Even partial scholarships can significantly help offset the otherwise high cost of international tuition and living in Canada.
- You still have the option (if eligible) to go for full-scale scholarships or larger awards — which boosts your chances of affordable education abroad without having to rely solely on external loans or financial support from home.
- The transparent process and large scholarship pool provide hope and practical possibility — not just for a few standout students, but for a broader range of high-achievers and aspiring international students.
Given Nigeria’s educational context — where students often work incredibly hard for top grades — this could be a very realistic and rewarding opportunity.
Conclusion
If you’re an international student considering studying abroad in 2025 especially from Nigeria or other countries, the “International Excellence” opportunity at the University of Alberta is well worth serious consideration. By simply applying to the university and submitting your high school transcript, you may automatically be considered for entrance-based scholarships — potentially earning up to CA $10,000 (or more, in some cases) without extra application stress.
On top of that, there are richer scholarships available for students with proven leadership, strong extracurriculars, and commitment beyond academics.
My advice? Approach this strategically: aim high academically, apply early, and if you qualify — go ahead and complete the scholarship application for the bigger awards. With the combination of these opportunities, studying at U of A could become much more affordable than you might think — making your Canadian higher-education dream a realistic possibility.