African students planning to study in Canada in 2027 can apply for several University of Saskatchewan scholarships, including automatic entrance awards and scholarships created specifically for international students.
The University of Saskatchewan, commonly called USask, offers scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and financial need.
One of the easiest opportunities for strong international applicants is the University of Saskatchewan International Excellence Award, worth CAD 10,000. International students receive automatic consideration when they apply for admission before the required deadline.
USask also awards 600 Entrance Scholarships worth CAD 5,000 each to high-achieving students entering direct-entry undergraduate programmes.
According to the University of Saskatchewan’s official scholarship information, students do not need a separate application for these automatic awards.
African students from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and other countries can compete as long as they meet the university’s international admission requirements.
However, scholarship deadlines come much earlier than the final international admission deadline.
Students seeking the CAD 5,000 USask Entrance Scholarship should submit their admission application by December 1, 2026 and ensure that required admission documents arrive by December 15, 2026.
Students seeking the CAD 10,000 International Excellence Award need to apply for admission by February 15, 2027.
Therefore, African students interested in scholarships should not wait until the general Fall 2027 international admission deadline.
University of Saskatchewan Scholarships 2027 at a Glance
University: University of Saskatchewan
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Study Level: Undergraduate
African Students: Eligible
USask Entrance Scholarship: CAD 5,000
Number of CAD 5,000 Entrance Scholarships: 600
International Excellence Award: CAD 10,000
International IB Excellence Award: CAD 20,000
Competitive Entrance Awards: Multiple scholarships and bursaries
CAD 5,000 Entrance Scholarship Admission Deadline: December 1, 2026
Documents Deadline for CAD 5,000 Entrance Scholarship: December 15, 2026
International Excellence Admission Deadline: February 15, 2027
Competitive Entrance Award Admission Deadline: February 15, 2027
Competitive Entrance Award Application Deadline: March 1, 2027
Fall 2027 International Admission Deadline: May 1, 2027 for the general international deadline listed by USask
International Admission Documents Deadline: June 1, 2027
Study Begins: September 2027
Last Updated: October 2026
USask Entrance Scholarships Worth CAD 5,000
The University of Saskatchewan awards 600 USask Entrance Scholarships each year.
Each scholarship is worth:
CAD 5,000.
Students entering eligible direct-entry undergraduate programmes receive automatic consideration based on their admission average.
Eligible colleges include areas such as:
- Agriculture and Bioresources
- Arts and Science
- Dentistry direct-entry programmes where applicable
- Education
- Engineering
- Kinesiology
- Edwards School of Business
You do not need to complete a separate scholarship application.
Instead, you need to submit your undergraduate admission application by:
December 1, 2026
and make sure your transcript and other required admission documents reach USask by:
December 15, 2026.
The university explains the automatic selection process on its official entrance scholarships page.
How Competitive Is the CAD 5,000 Entrance Scholarship?
The University awards 600 of these scholarships, which gives strong applicants more opportunities than scholarships that select only a handful of international students.
However, USask still selects recipients based on academic performance.
Therefore, meeting the minimum admission requirement does not guarantee a CAD 5,000 scholarship.
Students should aim for the strongest final secondary school results possible.
University of Saskatchewan International Excellence Award
International students should pay particular attention to the University of Saskatchewan International Excellence Award.
The scholarship is worth:
CAD 10,000.
International students receive automatic consideration based on academic achievement after applying for undergraduate admission.
No separate scholarship application is required.
The current award structure lists:
Number of awards: 1
Value: CAD 10,000.
Students must apply for admission by:
February 15, 2027
to receive consideration.
The current value and deadline appear on the University of Saskatchewan international student awards page.
Do You Need to Apply Separately for the International Excellence Award?
No.
USask automatically considers eligible international students based on their academic performance.
That means the most important steps are:
- Apply for undergraduate admission
- Submit your transcript
- Submit all required admission documents
- Meet the February 15 scholarship consideration deadline
You do not need to submit an additional International Excellence Award essay.
Can African Students Win the International Excellence Award?
Yes.
The International Excellence Award is open to international students generally.
It is not restricted to applicants from one country or continent.
Therefore, eligible students from African countries can compete.
However, because USask currently lists only one award under this particular scholarship, competition is likely to be very strong.
Strong applicants should therefore apply for USask’s other entrance awards as well.
International Baccalaureate Excellence Award
African students completing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme can receive automatic consideration for an even larger award.
The International Baccalaureate Excellence Award is worth:
CAD 20,000.
The university currently lists:
One award
for an international student completing the IB Diploma Programme.
No separate scholarship application is required.
Students need to apply for admission by:
February 15, 2027.
You can confirm the current amount through USask’s official international scholarship listings.
Can WAEC Students Receive the CAD 20,000 IB Scholarship?
No, not through the International Baccalaureate Excellence Award.
That particular scholarship is specifically for international students completing the IB Diploma Programme.
However, students completing WAEC, WASSCE or another recognised secondary school qualification can still compete for:
- CAD 5,000 USask Entrance Scholarships
- CAD 10,000 International Excellence Award
- Competitive Entrance Awards
- Other faculty and university scholarships
Therefore, not having an IB Diploma does not prevent you from receiving University of Saskatchewan scholarship funding.
Competitive Entrance Awards
USask also offers a large group of scholarships and bursaries under its Competitive Entrance Awards programme.
Unlike the automatic awards, these require an application.
Selection criteria vary.
A scholarship may consider:
- Academic achievement
- Leadership
- Community involvement
- School activities
- Athletics
- Music
- Financial need
- Personal background
- Programme of study
The university encourages all incoming students to complete the Competitive Entrance Awards application.
To qualify for the 2027 competition, students need to:
Apply for admission by February 15, 2027
and
Submit the Competitive Entrance Awards application by March 1, 2027.
Admission documents also need to reach the university by the required deadline.
USask provides the full process through its Competitive Entrance Awards information.
How Much Are Competitive Entrance Awards Worth?
Values differ by scholarship.
The university offers hundreds of entrance awards.
Some are relatively small, while others can provide much larger financial support.
USask describes Competitive Entrance Awards as scholarships and bursaries available to students with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
Recent university materials list competitive awards ranging into the tens of thousands of Canadian dollars.
Therefore, African applicants should complete the Competitive Entrance Award application rather than relying only on automatic scholarships.
Can You Receive an Automatic Scholarship and a Competitive Award?
Potentially, yes.
USask’s undergraduate awards policy normally limits entering students to one competitive entrance award.
However, automatic awards such as Guaranteed or automatic Entrance Scholarships fall under an exception to that rule.
Therefore, a student may potentially receive an automatic scholarship alongside another qualifying competitive award, subject to the conditions of the individual awards.
You can review the award combination rules in the University of Saskatchewan Undergraduate Awards Policy.
University of Saskatchewan Scholarships for Business Students
Students entering the Edwards School of Business can receive consideration for general USask entrance awards as well as business-specific scholarships.
USask maintains hundreds of awards that can be filtered by college and scholarship category through its entrance awards database.
Students interested in Business should therefore:
- Apply for admission early.
- Complete the Competitive Entrance Awards application.
- Search the awards database for Edwards School of Business opportunities.
University of Saskatchewan Scholarships for Engineering Students
Engineering applicants can also qualify for general University entrance scholarships and faculty-specific awards.
Strong secondary school results are especially important because Engineering admission requires specific mathematics and science prerequisites.
Students should search Engineering awards through the USask entrance awards database after submitting their admission application.
University of Saskatchewan Scholarships for Agriculture Students
The College of Agriculture and Bioresources participates in the CAD 5,000 Entrance Scholarship programme.
It also offers additional agriculture-related scholarships.
This can make USask particularly attractive to African students interested in:
- Agricultural Science
- Agribusiness
- Food Science
- Animal Science
- Environmental Science
- Renewable resource management
- Agricultural economics
Students can search available awards by college using the University’s official awards database.
Can Nigerian Students Apply for University of Saskatchewan Scholarships?
Yes.
Nigerian students can apply for University of Saskatchewan undergraduate admission and scholarships.
USask also has a specific process for verifying Nigerian WAEC results.
According to the university’s official undergraduate application instructions, applicants from Nigeria and Ghana can allow the Admissions Office to verify their West African Examinations Council results online.
Students provide information including:
- WAEC examination number
- Examination year
- Scratch-card or e-PIN details
- Permission for USask to access the result
This gives Nigerian applicants a clear route for submitting their WAEC results.
Can Ghanaian Students Apply?
Yes.
Ghanaian students can apply for University of Saskatchewan scholarships.
USask uses the same WAEC verification process for eligible applicants from Ghana.
Students should provide the required examination and result-verification information through their application.
Can Kenyan Students Apply?
Yes.
Eligible Kenyan applicants can compete for international and general entrance scholarships.
Students should check their programme’s academic prerequisites and submit the secondary school documents requested by USask.
Can Ugandan Students Apply?
Yes.
Eligible Ugandan students can apply for undergraduate admission and entrance scholarships.
Can South African Students Apply?
Yes.
South African students can compete for University of Saskatchewan international awards if they meet the admission requirements.
Can Rwandan and Tanzanian Students Apply?
Yes.
Eligible students from Rwanda, Tanzania and other African countries can apply.
University of Saskatchewan Admission Requirements
Admission requirements depend on the programme.
For many direct-entry undergraduate programmes, international applicants need the equivalent of Canadian Grade 12 standing and must complete the required secondary school subjects.
The University’s published 2027–2028 admission requirements show that many programmes use a minimum high school admission average around:
70%
alongside programme prerequisites and English proficiency.
Some programmes use different or higher requirements.
Meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission to a competitive programme.
The full programme rules appear in the University of Saskatchewan 2027–2028 admission requirements.
What Grades Do You Need for a Scholarship?
USask does not publish one universal scholarship percentage that guarantees every award.
Automatic scholarships are awarded competitively based on admission averages.
Therefore, a student admitted with the minimum programme average should not assume they will receive a scholarship.
High-value awards such as the CAD 10,000 International Excellence Award are especially competitive.
Aim for the strongest academic results possible.
University of Saskatchewan Fall 2027 International Admission Deadline
For general international applicants beginning in September 2027, USask currently lists:
May 1, 2027 — international application deadline
and
June 1, 2027 — international document deadline.
These dates appear on the University’s international application deadline information.
However, scholarship applicants need to work with much earlier deadlines.
For example:
December 1, 2026 for CAD 5,000 Entrance Scholarship consideration.
February 15, 2027 for the International Excellence Award and other international awards.
Therefore, waiting until May can leave you eligible for admission but too late for major entrance scholarship opportunities.
Important University of Saskatchewan Scholarship Dates
December 1, 2026
Apply for admission by this date to receive consideration for the CAD 5,000 USask Entrance Scholarships.
December 15, 2026
Submit the admission documents required for the December scholarship competition.
February 15, 2027
Apply for admission by this date for:
- International Excellence Award
- International Baccalaureate Excellence Award
- Competitive Entrance Awards eligibility
March 1, 2027
Submit the Competitive Entrance Awards and Competitive Entrance Bursary applications.
April to July 2027
Competitive Entrance Award offers begin going out.
USask states that offers are normally sent between April 1 and July 1.
May 1, 2027
General international Fall admission deadline.
June 1, 2027
General international Fall admission document deadline.
Do You Need School Nomination?
Not for the main University of Saskatchewan scholarships discussed here.
You do not need school nomination for:
- CAD 5,000 USask Entrance Scholarship
- CAD 10,000 International Excellence Award
- CAD 20,000 International IB Excellence Award
This can make USask easier to apply to than Canadian awards such as the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship or UBC International Scholars Program.
Competitive Entrance Awards require the student to complete an application, and some awards may also request references.
Do You Need IELTS?
Not every applicant needs IELTS.
The University of Saskatchewan allows students to prove English proficiency in several ways.
One option is completion of qualifying secondary education in English.
The university currently accepts students who completed at least three years of full-time study in an approved English-medium secondary programme, including Grades 10, 11 and 12, alongside the required Grade 12 English qualification.
Other education-based routes also exist.
Students who use IELTS Academic currently need:
6.5 overall
with at least:
6.0 in Reading
6.0 in Listening
6.0 in Speaking
6.0 in Writing.
The complete options appear on the University of Saskatchewan English proficiency page.
Can Nigerian Students Apply Without IELTS?
Possibly, but applicants should be careful.
USask does not simply waive English testing because someone holds Nigerian citizenship.
Instead, the university evaluates the language and curriculum of the student’s previous education.
If your secondary education meets the approved English-medium requirements, you may satisfy English proficiency without IELTS.
Otherwise, you may need an accepted English test.
Does USask Accept Duolingo?
Yes.
The current minimum Duolingo English Test score is:
120 overall
with at least:
100 in Literacy
100 in Conversation
100 in Comprehension
100 in Production.
The University lists the current Duolingo requirement on its official English proficiency page.
Does USask Accept PTE Academic?
Yes.
The current PTE Academic requirement is:
63 overall
with at least:
59 in each individual skill.
Applicants can also use other recognised English qualifications.
Can You Apply With WAEC?
Yes.
USask specifically provides a WAEC verification process for Nigerian and Ghanaian applicants.
Therefore, students completing WASSCE or WAEC can use their results for undergraduate admission where those results meet the programme’s academic requirements.
Can Final-Year Secondary School Students Apply?
Yes.
Students can apply while completing secondary school.
USask will review available transcripts and can request updated or final results later in the admission process.
This means students do not have to wait until all final results arrive before beginning the 2027 admission and scholarship process.
Can Gap-Year Students Apply?
Yes, depending on their education history.
A student who completed secondary school and has not accumulated significant post-secondary credit can generally apply through the high school admission route.
However, scholarship conditions can differ.
Applicants who already attended another university should check whether USask treats them as transfer students.
Can Transfer Students Receive Entrance Scholarships?
Some scholarships target direct-entry students, while other awards can be available to transfer students.
Therefore, students with previous university study should check the conditions of individual awards in the University’s searchable scholarship database.
Are University of Saskatchewan Scholarships Fully Funded?
Most University of Saskatchewan undergraduate entrance scholarships are not full-ride awards.
For example:
USask Entrance Scholarship: CAD 5,000
International Excellence Award: CAD 10,000
IB Excellence Award: CAD 20,000
These scholarships can reduce tuition costs but do not automatically pay every expense.
Students should still budget for:
- Remaining tuition
- Accommodation
- Food
- Books
- Health insurance
- Transportation
- Study permit costs
- Flights
However, competitive awards and programme-specific funding can increase the total financial support available.
Does the CAD 10,000 Scholarship Cover Accommodation?
The International Excellence Award is a monetary scholarship rather than a separate promise of free accommodation.
Students need to arrange and pay for housing from their overall financial resources.
Does USask Pay for International Flights?
The standard international undergraduate entrance scholarships do not list international airfare as a guaranteed benefit.
Students should therefore budget separately for travel to Canada.
How to Apply for University of Saskatchewan Scholarships From Africa
Step 1: Choose Your Undergraduate Programme
Research the programme you want to study.
USask offers degrees across areas such as:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Business
- Agriculture
- Economics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Environmental Science
- Psychology
- Political Studies
- Education
- Kinesiology
Check the subject prerequisites before applying.
Step 2: Apply Before the Scholarship Deadline
If you want the CAD 5,000 USask Entrance Scholarship, apply by:
December 1, 2026.
If you want consideration for the CAD 10,000 International Excellence Award or Competitive Entrance Awards, apply by:
February 15, 2027.
Do not work with only the May general admission deadline.
Step 3: Submit Your Academic Documents
Upload or arrange the academic documents USask requests.
Nigerian and Ghanaian students should follow the University’s WAEC verification procedure where applicable.
Step 4: Wait for Automatic Scholarship Consideration
USask automatically assesses qualifying students for:
- CAD 5,000 Entrance Scholarships
- CAD 10,000 International Excellence Award
- CAD 20,000 IB Excellence Award where applicable
No separate application is required for these scholarships.
Step 5: Complete the Competitive Entrance Awards Application
After applying for admission, access your PAWS student account.
Complete the Competitive Entrance Scholarships application before:
March 1, 2027.
If you want bursary consideration, complete the required financial need information as well.
Step 6: Prepare References Where Required
Some competitive awards ask applicants to provide reference letters.
Choose people who understand your:
- Academic ability
- Leadership
- School involvement
- Community contribution
Ask early.
Step 7: Monitor Your Email
Competitive Entrance Award offers normally begin in April and continue through July.
If USask offers you an award, you generally have a limited period to accept it through PAWS.
How to Strengthen Your USask Competitive Scholarship Application
Keep Your Grades Strong
Academic achievement matters for most scholarships.
Continue working on your final secondary school results after applying.
Show Community Involvement
Competitive awards may consider more than grades.
Activities can include:
- Volunteering
- Student leadership
- Sports
- Entrepreneurship
- Religious organisations
- Environmental projects
- Technology projects
- Mentoring
- Arts
- Community service
Explain Your Role
Do not simply write:
“Member of Science Club.”
Instead:
“As Science Club coordinator, I organised monthly practical sessions for 40 students who had limited access to laboratory equipment.”
The second version explains your contribution.
Use Numbers Where They Help
Numbers make your impact easier to understand.
For example:
“I raised funds for 25 students.”
is stronger than:
“I helped many disadvantaged students.”
Use accurate figures.
Complete Financial Information Honestly
Some bursaries use financial need.
Provide accurate information about your family’s finances.
Do not create hardship that does not exist.
University of Saskatchewan vs Lester B. Pearson Scholarship
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto offers a much larger defined package covering tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.
However, Pearson selects only about 37 students globally each year and requires school nomination.
USask offers more accessible automatic entrance awards, including 600 scholarships worth CAD 5,000.
African students targeting Canada can compare both through our Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 for African Students: Fully Funded University of Toronto Scholarship.
University of Saskatchewan vs UBC International Scholars Program
The UBC International Scholars Program focuses on exceptional students with significant demonstrated financial need and can provide much larger support.
USask scholarships are generally smaller but include several automatic awards.
Students who need substantial need-based assistance can also read our UBC International Scholars Program 2027 for African Students: Fully Funded University of British Columbia Scholarship.
University of Saskatchewan vs University of Alberta Scholarships
The University of Alberta offers larger international scholarships, with its strongest general awards reaching up to CAD 120,000 over four years.
USask offers a broader automatic entrance system, including 600 CAD 5,000 scholarships and a CAD 10,000 International Excellence Award.
Students considering Western Canada can compare the options in our University of Alberta Scholarships 2027 for African Students: Study in Canada.
University of Saskatchewan vs University of Calgary Scholarships
The University of Calgary’s International Entrance Scholarship can provide CAD 20,000 per year and reach CAD 80,000 over four years if renewed.
USask’s general international awards are smaller, but its broad scholarship system includes many automatic and competitive opportunities.
Read our University of Calgary Scholarships 2027 for African Students: Study in Canada for comparison.
University of Saskatchewan vs University of Ottawa Scholarships
The University of Ottawa currently offers eligible international students automatic English-language scholarships worth up to CAD 60,000 over a four-year degree, with an additional CAD 10,000 available to selected high achievers.
USask’s international entrance awards are smaller, but its tuition and living costs may differ from universities in larger Canadian cities.
Students can compare both options in our University of Ottawa Scholarships 2027 for African Students: Study in Canada.
Common University of Saskatchewan Scholarship Mistakes
Waiting Until May to Apply
May 1 is the general international admission deadline for Fall 2027.
However, major scholarship deadlines come much earlier.
Missing the December 1 Deadline
The 600 CAD 5,000 USask Entrance Scholarships require early admission applications.
Assuming Every Scholarship Is Automatic
Several major awards are automatic.
Competitive Entrance Awards require an application.
Ignoring Competitive Awards
Completing the March 1 application can give you access to many additional scholarships and bursaries.
Using the Wrong WAEC Submission Method
Nigerian and Ghanaian applicants should follow USask’s WAEC result verification instructions carefully.
Assuming a CAD 10,000 Scholarship Covers Everything
It does not.
Calculate your remaining tuition and living expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Saskatchewan Scholarships 2027
Are University of Saskatchewan Scholarships available for 2027?
Yes.
Students entering in Fall 2027 can compete for automatic and application-based entrance scholarships.
How much is the USask Entrance Scholarship?
The scholarship is worth:
CAD 5,000.
The university awards 600 of them to high-achieving entering students.
Do I need to apply separately for the CAD 5,000 scholarship?
No.
Eligible applicants receive automatic consideration.
What is the deadline for the CAD 5,000 scholarship?
Apply for admission by:
December 1, 2026
and submit required admission documents by:
December 15, 2026.
How much is the International Excellence Award?
The award is worth:
CAD 10,000.
Do I need to apply separately for the International Excellence Award?
No.
International students receive automatic consideration based on academic achievement.
What is the deadline?
Apply for admission by:
February 15, 2027.
Is there a CAD 20,000 scholarship?
Yes.
International students completing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme can receive automatic consideration for the CAD 20,000 IB Excellence Award.
Can African students apply?
Yes.
Eligible international students from African countries can compete.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes.
USask also has an official WAEC result verification process for Nigerian applicants.
Can Ghanaian students apply?
Yes.
Ghanaian WAEC applicants can use the same official result verification procedure.
Can Kenyan students apply?
Yes.
Can Ugandan students apply?
Yes.
Can South African students apply?
Yes.
Can Rwandan students apply?
Yes.
What is the Fall 2027 international admission deadline?
The general international Fall application deadline is:
May 1, 2027.
Required documents are due:
June 1, 2027.
However, scholarship applicants need to apply much earlier.
Do I need IELTS?
Not necessarily.
USask provides education-based routes to proving English proficiency.
If you use IELTS Academic, the requirement is:
6.5 overall
with no individual score below:
6.0.
Does USask accept Duolingo?
Yes.
The current minimum is:
120 overall
with at least 100 in each subscores category.
Does USask accept WAEC?
Yes.
The University has a specific verification procedure for applicants from Nigeria and Ghana.
Do I need school nomination?
No.
The main automatic international scholarships do not require school nomination.
Are University of Saskatchewan scholarships fully funded?
Most undergraduate entrance awards are not full-ride scholarships.
They provide partial financial support.
Does the CAD 10,000 award cover accommodation?
It is a monetary scholarship rather than a separate free accommodation package.
Does USask pay for flights?
International airfare is not listed as a standard benefit of the main entrance scholarships.
Final Advice for African Students
The University of Saskatchewan Scholarships 2027 give African students several opportunities to reduce the cost of undergraduate study in Canada.
USask awards 600 Entrance Scholarships worth CAD 5,000 each, giving strong applicants more opportunities than scholarships where only a handful of students receive funding.
International students can also compete for the:
CAD 10,000 International Excellence Award
and, for qualifying IB students:
CAD 20,000 International Baccalaureate Excellence Award.
The most important thing is to apply early.
If you want the CAD 5,000 Entrance Scholarship, submit your admission application by:
December 1, 2026.
For the International Excellence Award and Competitive Entrance Awards, apply for admission by:
February 15, 2027.
Then complete the Competitive Entrance Awards application by:
March 1, 2027.
Do not wait until the University’s general May 1 international admission deadline.
By then, many major scholarship opportunities will already have closed.
African students should also take advantage of the fact that many USask awards do not require school nomination or separate scholarship essays.
Apply early.
Submit accurate academic records.
Complete the Competitive Entrance Awards form.
Then search the University’s awards database for faculty-specific scholarships connected to your programme.
For students from Nigeria and Ghana, USask’s established WAEC verification process can also make submitting West African examination results more straightforward.
While the main University of Saskatchewan awards are not full-ride scholarships, combining automatic and competitive funding can make a Canadian undergraduate education considerably more affordable.