Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
University of Toronto · Canada
Toronto's flagship undergraduate award for international students, covering tuition, books, incidental fees and residence for four years.
Application deadline
15 Nov 2026
41 days remaining
- Intake
- Sep 2027 intake
- Open to
- Worldwide
- Study level
- Undergraduate
We never charge for applications
What the scholarship covers
- Full tuition for four years
- Books and incidental fees
- Full residence support
- Recognised as Canada's most competitive undergraduate award
Eligibility requirements
- International student requiring a study permit
- Currently in the final year of secondary school, or graduated no earlier than June of the previous year
- Nominated by your school — you cannot self-apply
- Beginning studies at Toronto in the coming year
Documents you will need
- School nomination submitted by your institution
- Toronto undergraduate admission application
- Academic transcripts
- Personal essays on the scholarship portal
- Evidence of leadership and impact at school
How to apply, step by step
- 1
Ask your school to nominate you
Only one or two students per school can be nominated, and schools have internal deadlines months earlier.
- 2
Apply for admission to Toronto
The scholarship requires a complete undergraduate application by the stated date.
- 3
Complete the Pearson application
A separate form opens once your school nomination is registered.
- 4
Write the essays
Focused on impact and creativity rather than grades, which are assumed.
- 5
Meet both deadlines
Nomination and application deadlines differ; missing either ends the attempt.
When to do what
Counting backwards from the deadline. Applications rushed in the final fortnight are the ones that fail.
24 weeks before
Speak to your school counsellor about nomination.
20 weeks before
Start the Toronto admission application.
16 weeks before
Confirm your school has submitted the nomination.
12 weeks before
Draft the Pearson essays.
8 weeks before
Have essays read by a teacher who will be critical.
3 weeks before
Submit both applications.
What the panel is actually looking for
- Exceptional academic achievement
- Creativity and demonstrated impact at school and in the community
- Recognition as a leader by your own school
- Fit with Toronto's chosen programme
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not realising the school must nominate you, and asking too late.
- Submitting the admission application after the scholarship cut-off.
- Essays that list achievements instead of showing impact.
- Applying more than one year after finishing secondary school.
Fields of study
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Don't miss this deadline
We'll email you before applications for Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship close.
Apply to more than one
Even outstanding applicants are rejected for reasons outside their control, quotas, country allocations, a stronger field that year. Shortlist three or four awards you genuinely qualify for and apply to all of them.