Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund - Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund

What the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund gives you

You will receive a one-off payment of about 5,850 EUR (£5,000) for a postgraduate course that you are already undertaking in the UK. The fund awards between 10 and 15 of these scholarships each year. The payment is made at the start of the academic year, once you have provided proof that you are enrolled for the coming year. The CCSF is a Canadian not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers. Since 1967, it has supported over 500 Canadian postgraduate students in the United Kingdom.

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a Canadian citizen with a valid Canadian passport and have previously lived in Canada.
• Where you study: You are studying full-time on a postgraduate course at a British university, college, institute or conservatoire. You live in the United Kingdom and have a British bank account.
• Degree already held: You have obtained a Bachelor’s degree.
• Progress: You have completed at least one full semester of your current postgraduate programme and must complete at least one further full semester before you graduate.
• Field of study: Open to all fields, including the performing arts.
• Grades and money: You can demonstrate excellent academic achievement and a proven financial need.
• Not eligible: Students on one-year Master’s programmes, students switching to a new programme (e.g. from a Master’s to a PhD programme), and most visiting students are not eligible to apply. Funding may be awarded no more than twice for the same programme.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the Fund’s online portal, accompanied by a personal statement, a brief CV, a copy of your passport, academic transcripts and two letters of recommendation. One of the references must be from your current supervisor or programme director in the UK. The application deadline is 15 March. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview; results will be announced at the end of May. The application period is currently closed and will reopen in January 2027.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined. You must be a Canadian and already be undertaking postgraduate study in the UK, so the pool of eligible candidates is small. With only 10 to 15 scholarships awarded each year, competition amongst suitable applicants is fierce. The key criteria are both academic achievement and a clear, well-documented financial need. If you meet all the requirements and put together a compelling application, your prospects are good.