Need blind universities for international students in Canada

No doubt, Canada is one of the best countries in the world to study, but the cost of studying in the country is high.

Not every student can meet the financial demands of studying in Canada.

Fortunately, some universities in the country have need-blind admission policies and they accept international students from all around the world.

They include:

Need blind universities for international students in Canada

If I wanted a need-blind university in Canada, I would start with the University of Alberta.

You can start there too!

• University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta. 

It was founded in 1908 and has since grown to become one of Canada’s top-ranking universities.

It has over 400 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across 18 faculties and schools.

They’ve some of the best programs in science, engineering, business, law, medicine and many more. 

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The institution is home to many research institutes and centres that contribute significantly to research work and projects across Canada.

U of Alberta’s campus houses state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, sports complexes, and student residences, with a conducive environment for learning, and research.

It is one of Canada’s largest universities in terms of enrollment, with over 44,000 students (80% undergraduate students, and 20% graduate students).

More facts?

They’ve:

• • 800+ teaching and research agreements with 50 countries
  • 200+ undergraduate programs
  • 500+ graduate programs
  • 100+ institutes and centres
  • 18 faculties
  • 5 campuses
  • 14,438 employees

• University of Waterloo

One need-blind university in Canada that appeals to many international students is the University of Waterloo.

Located in Waterloo, Ontario, and was founded in 1957 as a college but became a university in 1959.

U. Waterloo (as it is called) is very popular among engineering students.

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It has strong programs in engineering, mathematics, and computer science.

Most importantly, it consistently ranks among the top universities in Canada in these fields. 

It is also one of the best in cooperative education programs, meaning; students alternate academic study with paid work terms in their field.

Currently, U of Waterloo has over 42,500 undergraduate and graduate students, and covers more than 200 academic programs across six faculties: Applied Health Sciences, Arts, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics, and Science. 

The university also has several research institutes and centres like the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research.

That’s not all.

The institution has a strong reputation for entrepreneurship and innovation.

To prove this, they have been a key player in the development of Canada’s technology sector. 

Their notable alumni include Mike Lazaridis, co-founder of BlackBerry, and David Cheriton, co-founder of Arista Networks and an early investor in Google.

• University of Toronto

Another great need-blind University for international students in Canada on our list is the University of Toronto.

One of the best universities in the world!

If you are familiar with the world university ranking, then, you’re well aware of the performance of the University of Toronto annually.

The university is an all-round learning institute – they offer programs in various fields, from business, sciences, agriculture, engineering, and health sciences.

Read also: How early can I travel to Australia after being granted a student visa 500?

In addition to excellent programs, the university has multiple need-based financial aid programs for international students. 

There is the International Scholar Award (which provides up to $80,000 over four years).

Other funding options like the President’s Scholars of Excellence Program, Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Connaught International Scholarships for Doctoral Students, and Ontario Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (OGSST) are also open to international students.

You also have the International Student Scholarships, Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program, Provost’s Scholarships for Indigenous Students, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Graduate Scholarships, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Postgraduate Scholarships.

• University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (located in Vancouver, British Columbia) is no doubt one of the top-ranked universities in Canada. 

UBC is also one of Canada’s universities with a need-blind admission policy for international students.

They have programs in various fields with options for needs-based scholarships and awards for international students. 

Financial aid programs like the International Major Entrance Scholarship (that offers up to $60,000 over four years to international students) are quite popular in the university.

In addition to scholarships, the university also offers bursaries and emergency funding for international students who experience unexpected financial difficulties.

As a student, you’re covered in emergencies!

• McGill University

McGill University also has a need-blind admission policy for international students.

Located in Montreal, Quebec, McGill University is a world-class research-oriented institution.

Their programs are unbeatable. 

The institution has a diverse student community with over 150 countries represented.

Read also: Cheapest colleges in Saskatchewan for international students.

Just like the University of Toronto, McGill University has to its name, a range of need-based financial aid programs that are open to international students.

They have the Entrance Scholarships for International Students, McGill Entrance Bursary Program, McGill Master’s and Doctoral Awards, McGill International Doctoral Awards, Graduate Excellence Fellowships, Faculty-Specific Scholarships, and McGill Engineering International Doctoral Awards.

There is also the Desautels Faculty of Management Awards, Schulich School of Music Scholarships, Faculty of Law Scholarships, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Graduate Student Awards, Faculty of Science Scholarships, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Awards, and McGill Athletics Scholarships.

• Queen’s University 

This is one of the most popular need-blind Universities for International Students in Canada.

Queen’s University was founded in 1841 making it one of the oldest universities in Canada.

My tour of this university years back made me believe it has one of the most beautiful structures among universities in Canada.

And, you will love it. It is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario.

It has a smaller student population (which is good).

It has approximately 31,000 full-time and part-time students enrolled across its undergraduate and graduate programs.

One of Queen’s University’s notable features is its strong focus on research and innovation.

You can’t take that away from Queen – the university is doing great research-wise.

It has several research centres and institutes like the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR), the Human Mobility Research Centre, and the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute.

More facts about Queen’s University:

• • Queen’s has 31,000+ full and part-time students
  • 4,000 international students from over 101 countries
  • Over 2,600 degree-combination options
  • Over 68% of Queen’s undergraduate students are in the Faculty of Arts and Science
  • The university has over 30 unique student clubs
  • 1,100+ student volunteer and leadership opportunities
  • Queen has a whooping 89.1% graduation rate
  • The juicy part? 90.1% of Queen’s graduates get employed within six of graduating.

• University of Calgary

The next need-blind University for International Students in Canada on our list is the University of Calgary.

The University of Calgary is located in the bustling city of Calgary, Alberta.

It is a prominent public research institution that has proven, since its establishment in 1966 to be a great choice for international.

They have a range of programs that cater to the academic needs of over 35,000 students who are currently enrolled in the school.

They have over 14 faculties and schools with over 250 undergraduate, professional, and graduate programs.

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These programs are designed to give you the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in your field.

U of Calgary has a 96.3% graduate employment rate, with 81.6% of their employed grads working in fields related to their discipline

They are research-oriented and parade a good number of research institutes.

The Hotchkiss Brain Institute, for instance, is a leading research centre dedicated to the study of neurological disorders, while the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute focuses on advancing the health and well-being of children through cutting-edge research.

With these research institutes and centres, you have the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in your field.

• McMaster University

McMaster University is a public research university that was founded in 1887 and is located in Hamilton, Ontario.

McMaster is very popular among students in health sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.

It has six faculties (DeGroote School of Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences) with more than 300 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across these faculties.

The faculties are also accompanied by different institutes like the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, the McMaster Health Forum, and the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics. 

The institution has a problem-based learning approach and emphasizes small-group learning – which makes learning fun and wonderful.

McMaster University is home to 37,537 students, with 32,174 of them undergraduates and 5,363 graduate students.

Over 17% of all McMaster’s students are international students from 125 countries.

Find more facts about McMaster University here.

• York University

York University is another need-blind university in Canada, that accepts international students, which I recommend you have on your list, for consideration.

It is a public research university that is located in Toronto, Ontario. 

The university is the third-largest in Canada. They have programs for both undergraduate and graduate studies in different fields.

York is one of the highly ranked universities in Canada but, aside from the academic prowess, they have need-based financial aid programs for international students which you can take advantage of.

They have programs like the International Student Bursary, that support students who need financial assistance.

There are also university-sponsored scholarships and awards for international students like the Global Leader of Tomorrow Award, which offers up to $80,000 to international students.

As a university that supports and promotes inclusivity and diversity, York has programs and initiatives that promote equity and social justice.

Get more facts about York University here.

• Western University

Also on our list of need-blind Universities in Canada is Western University.

The university is popularly called the University of Western Ontario.

It was founded in 1878 and is located in London, Ontario. 

It is a prominent university in Canada and boasts a student population of over 43,352 students in its undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

If you are looking for a need-blind University with many program options, this is the right university.

It has over 4000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in Arts and Humanities, Social Science, Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, Business, Law, Education etc.

Western University isn’t left behind in research, the Brain and Mind Institute and the Robarts Research Institute are two popular research institutes in Canada (at Western University).

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The Brain and Mind Institute is a multidisciplinary research institute that focuses on studying the brain and the mind from various perspectives, including neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and computer science. 

The institute’s target is to advance our understanding of how the brain works and how it gives rise to consciousness, perception, emotions, and behaviour. 

The Brain and Mind Institute also hosts several research centres, including the Center for Brain and Mind, the Center for Neuroscience Studies, and the Center for Computational and Quantitative Neuroscience.

The Robarts Research Institute, on the other hand, is a world-renowned research institute that specializes in medical imaging and biomedical research. 

The institute focuses on developing new imaging technologies and techniques to better understand and diagnose diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. 

What are need-blind universities?

Need-blind admission policies ensure that universities don’t consider a student’s financial status when deciding whether to admit the student. 

When you apply for admission to these universities, you’ll be evaluated based solely on your academic and personal achievements, without considering your ability to pay for tuition and other expenses. 

The idea of need-blind universities is to provide all qualified students, access to higher education, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Who needs to study at need-blind universities in Canada?

Those who need to study at need-blind universities are students who do not have the financial resources to cover their tuition and living expenses but demonstrate strong academic performance and potential.

Why are need-blind universities important for international students?

Studying abroad (in a country like Canada) costs a lot of money – it comes with a hefty price tag. 

Tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses can add up quickly – all of which make it extremely difficult for many students to achieve their study abroad dream.

Need-blind universities help to ease this financial challenge – these universities offer international students admission regardless of their financial status. 

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This way, international students can focus on their studies and achieve their academic goals without worrying about how they’ll pay for their education.

Generally, these need-blind universities, are a great option for any student who wants to study in the country even with a “not so good looking” financial condition.