African students planning to study in Canada in 2027 can apply for several Western University scholarships, including major international awards worth as much as CAD 100,000 over four years.
Western University, located in London, Ontario, has already published important details for its 2027–2028 National Scholarship Program.
The biggest confirmed opportunity for international applicants is the International President’s Entrance Scholarship.
Western will offer:
Three International President’s Entrance Scholarships worth CAD 100,000 each.
The university has also listed a Neen Hodgins President’s International Entrance Scholarship worth up to CAD 100,000, while Black students can compete for five James Jenkins President’s Entrance Scholarships worth CAD 50,000 each.
International applicants should review the latest values through Western University’s official National Scholarship Program page.
Students from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Cameroon, Ethiopia and other African countries can apply if they meet the relevant admission and scholarship requirements.
Western has also created an Africa-specific admissions resource confirming that it accepts several African qualifications, including WAEC, NECO and KCSE. The university recommends that African students submit their undergraduate application by January 15, 2027 for equal consideration. See Western’s official information for students from Africa.
Western University Scholarships 2027 at a Glance
University: Western University
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Study Level: Undergraduate
African Students: Eligible
International President’s Entrance Scholarship: CAD 100,000
Number of International President’s Scholarships: 3
Neen Hodgins President’s International Entrance Scholarship: Up to CAD 100,000 under Western’s current 2027–2028 National Scholarship listing
James Jenkins President’s Entrance Scholarship for Black Students: CAD 50,000
Number of James Jenkins Awards: 5
Faculty Entrance Scholarships: Up to CAD 30,000 under the National Scholarship Program
Western Scholarship of Excellence: CAD 8,000
Western Scholarship of Distinction: CAD 3,500
Western Admission Scholarship: CAD 2,500
Welcome to Canada Scholarship: Western currently operates a CAD 10,000 automatic award for eligible international students coming from outside Canada; applicants should confirm that the programme remains available for Fall 2027 when Western posts the new-cycle terms
Equal Consideration Admission Deadline: January 15, 2027
National Scholarship Application: Scheduled to open by mid-November 2026
2027 National Scholarship Deadline: Not yet published as of October 2, 2026
Early Supporting Documents Deadline for Scholarship of Excellence Consideration: March 1, 2027
Study Begins: September 2027
Last Updated: October 2026
International President’s Entrance Scholarship 2027
The International President’s Entrance Scholarship is one of Western University’s largest scholarships for international undergraduate students.
For the 2027–2028 scholarship cycle, Western currently lists:
Three awards worth CAD 100,000 each.
These scholarships are specifically reserved for international students.
Students can receive the award over several academic years rather than as one cash payment at the beginning of university.
Western’s National Scholarship Program rewards more than examination results.
The university considers:
- Outstanding academic performance
- Creative and innovative thinking
- Passion for learning
- Extracurricular achievement
- Community service
- School involvement
- Leadership
Western describes the selection philosophy in detail on its official National Scholarship Program page.
Can African Students Apply for the CAD 100,000 Scholarship?
Yes.
The International President’s Entrance Scholarships are specifically intended for international students.
Therefore, eligible students can apply from countries such as:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Uganda
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Rwanda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Cameroon
- Ethiopia
- Sierra Leone
- Liberia
- The Gambia
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Senegal
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Morocco
- Egypt
and other African countries.
Your exact secondary school qualification and prerequisite subjects depend on your country and chosen programme.
How Much Is the International President’s Scholarship Worth?
Each award is worth:
CAD 100,000.
Students should understand that a CAD 100,000 scholarship is substantial but should not automatically be described as a complete full ride.
International tuition varies by programme, and students also need to consider:
- Residence
- Food
- Books
- Health insurance
- Transportation
- Study permit costs
- Flights
- Personal expenses
Therefore, calculate your remaining costs after scholarship funding.
Does the CAD 100,000 Scholarship Require an Application?
Yes.
This is different from Western’s automatic admission scholarships.
You need to complete the National Scholarship application.
Western states that the 2027–2028 application will become available by mid-November 2026.
You also need to apply for undergraduate admission to Western’s main campus before you can complete the scholarship process.
Do You Need School Nomination?
Yes.
Western requires a school nomination for the National Scholarship Program.
Each school can nominate:
Up to four students
and Western allows the school to nominate:
One additional international visa student
beyond those four.
Therefore, a school can potentially nominate an extra student specifically because that student is an international applicant.
The current process is explained through Western’s National Scholarship nomination information.
When Does the 2027 Scholarship Application Open?
Western says the National Scholarship application for:
2027–2028
will become available by:
Mid-November 2026.
As of October 2, 2026, Western has not yet published the exact 2027 application deadline.
The page still displays the previous cycle’s February deadline while stating clearly that the 2027–2028 application will open in November.
Therefore, applicants should not copy the old 2026 deadline and assume it applies to 2027.
Check the scholarship page again once applications open.
What Do You Need for the National Scholarship Application?
Western’s current application checklist includes:
- Online National Scholarship application
- School nomination
- Essay
- Transcript supplied by the school
- Reference letter from the school
Some specialised awards also require an additional supplemental form.
You need an OUAC application reference number to access the National Scholarship application.
Western warns that it can take at least several business days after applying through OUAC before your details become available in the scholarship system.
Therefore, do not wait until the scholarship deadline before applying to Western.
Minimum Grade for Western National Scholarships
Applicants to the National Scholarship Program generally need at least:
90% or equivalent
across their qualifying Grade 12 courses.
For students using African secondary qualifications, Western calculates the equivalent average itself.
Do not try to convert WAEC or another qualification into a Canadian percentage using an unofficial calculator.
Western considers:
- Your curriculum
- Grading practices
- Grading scale
- Required subjects
- Academic performance
when determining the equivalent admission average.
James Jenkins President’s Entrance Scholarship for Black Students
Black African applicants should pay particular attention to the James Jenkins President’s Entrance Scholarship for Black Students.
For 2027–2028, Western currently lists:
Five scholarships worth CAD 50,000 each.
The payment structure is:
CAD 20,000 in first year
followed by:
CAD 10,000 per year in years two, three and four.
That produces a total value of:
CAD 50,000.
Importantly, Western’s National Scholarship eligibility rules make this award available beyond only Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Western also specifically highlights the scholarship in its resources for international and Black students.
You can review the programme through Western’s official National Scholarship information.
Can Nigerian Students Apply for the James Jenkins Scholarship?
Yes, if the student identifies as Black and meets the scholarship requirements.
The same applies to eligible Black students from Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania and elsewhere.
The scholarship is based on more than nationality.
Applicants need to meet Western’s academic and National Scholarship selection criteria.
Western Admission Scholarships for Black Students
Western also has a separate automatic admission scholarship programme for Black students.
These scholarships are available to both:
Domestic and international students.
Current awards include the Carmeta Thelma Hodges Western Continuing Admission Scholarship of Excellence for Black Students.
Western offers:
10 scholarships
providing:
CAD 6,000 per year for up to four years
plus:
CAD 2,000 for an optional approved study-abroad experience.
That creates a possible total value of:
CAD 26,000.
Western also offers another 20 Western Continuing Admission Scholarships of Excellence for Black Students with the same:
CAD 6,000 per year for up to four years
plus CAD 2,000 optional study-abroad funding.
Another award, the Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Jacobs Western Continuing Admission Scholarship of Distinction for Black Students, provides:
CAD 2,500 per year for up to four years
plus up to CAD 2,000 for an approved study-abroad experience.
Western confirms that its Black admission scholarships are available to international students on its official Black student admission scholarship page.
Do You Need a Separate Application for Western’s Black Admission Scholarships?
Western says consideration is based on admission averages, but eligible students need to complete the university’s Black Student Self-Identification process.
The current deadline for scholarship consideration is:
June 30.
Students must also enter directly from secondary school and study full time at Western’s main campus.
How Do You Renew the Black Student Scholarships?
Recipients need to maintain:
At least an 80% average
during the previous Fall/Winter academic year while maintaining full-time status.
They must also remain registered full time in an undergraduate programme at Western’s main campus.
Neen Hodgins President’s International Entrance Scholarship
Western’s current 2027–2028 National Scholarship page also lists a:
Neen Hodgins President’s International Entrance Scholarship
worth up to:
CAD 100,000
paid as:
CAD 25,000 per academic year for four years.
The scholarship is associated with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
Western’s other current recruitment materials have not all been updated to the new 2027–2028 value yet, so applicants should use the value shown on the live 2027–2028 National Scholarship page when the application opens and check for any further update.
Faculty Entrance Scholarships
Western’s 2027–2028 National Scholarship Program currently lists:
Up to 15 Faculty Entrance Scholarships
worth:
CAD 30,000.
The payment structure is:
CAD 12,000 in first year
and
CAD 6,000 per year in years two, three and four.
Eligibility can depend on faculty and citizenship conditions.
International students should read the exact award conditions attached to the scholarship when the 2027 application becomes available.
Western Automatic Admission Scholarships
International students can also qualify for Western’s general automatic admission scholarships.
No separate application is required.
You must apply directly from secondary school to:
Western University’s main campus
for full-time first-year study.
Western’s current automatic scholarship structure includes:
Western Scholarship of Excellence
250 scholarships
worth:
CAD 8,000.
The package includes:
CAD 6,000 in first year
plus:
CAD 2,000 for an optional approved study-abroad experience.
Western awards these scholarships to students with the highest admission averages.
Eligible international or out-of-province recipients can also qualify for an additional CAD 2,000 Travel Grant under the current rules.
Western Scholarship of Distinction
Students with a final admission average of:
92% to 100%
can receive:
CAD 3,500.
This includes:
CAD 2,500 in first year
plus:
CAD 1,000 for an optional study-abroad experience.
The number of these awards is unlimited.
Western Admission Scholarship
Students with a final admission average of:
90% to 91.9%
can receive:
CAD 2,500.
This consists of:
CAD 1,500 in first year
plus:
CAD 1,000 toward an optional approved study-abroad experience.
You can review the current automatic scholarship structure on Western’s official Automatic Admission Scholarships page.
Do International Students Qualify for Western’s Automatic Scholarships?
Yes.
Western explicitly confirms that international students are eligible for its Admission Scholarship Program.
However, Western also operates international-specific scholarships that cannot always be combined with the standard automatic admission awards.
If you qualify for multiple awards, check your final scholarship offer rather than simply adding every advertised amount together.
Important March 1 Deadline for International Students
Students studying outside Ontario should pay attention to:
March 1, 2027.
Western says non-Ontario high school applicants are guaranteed consideration for the Western Scholarship of Excellence when both:
- The admission application
- All supporting documents
are received by the early consideration deadline of:
March 1.
Western then calculates the student’s equivalent admission average.
Western Welcome to Canada Admission Scholarship
Western currently operates an international student award called the Welcome to Canada Admission Scholarship.
Under the current published programme, eligible international students completing secondary school outside Canada receive:
CAD 10,000 in first year
and:
Guaranteed access to on-campus residence for their first two years.
No separate scholarship application is required.
Western offers an unlimited number of the scholarships to students meeting the criteria.
You can review the current terms through Western’s official Welcome to Canada Scholarship page.
Is the Welcome to Canada Scholarship Confirmed for Fall 2027?
Applicants need to be careful here.
As of October 2, 2026, Western’s detailed Welcome to Canada eligibility page still refers specifically to students beginning in the 2026–2027 Fall/Winter academic year.
Western continues to list the scholarship among its active international funding options, but a separate Fall 2027 terms page has not yet been published.
Therefore, students applying for September 2027 should monitor the page for confirmation before treating the CAD 10,000 award as guaranteed for their admission cycle.
Can You Combine the Welcome to Canada Scholarship With Other Admission Scholarships?
Under the currently published rules:
No.
Western states that the Welcome to Canada Admission Scholarship cannot be combined with other admission scholarships.
Therefore, do not simply add CAD 10,000 to a CAD 100,000 National Scholarship or another Western admission award.
Your final scholarship package will depend on Western’s combination rules.
Continue in Canada Admission Scholarship
There is a separate scholarship for international students who are already completing secondary school in Canada on a study permit.
The Continue in Canada Admission Scholarship provides:
CAD 40,000 over four years
paid as:
CAD 10,000 per year.
Recipients also receive guaranteed access to on-campus residence for all four years.
No separate application is required.
This award is mainly relevant to African students who moved to Canada before university and are completing Canadian high school.
Students applying directly from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or elsewhere in Africa would normally look instead at scholarships intended for students studying outside Canada.
Western University Admission Deadline 2027
Western’s Fall 2027 undergraduate applications opened through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre in:
September 2026.
The deadline for equal consideration to full-time first-year undergraduate study is:
January 15, 2027.
Western specifically gives African applicants the same January 15 recommendation on its dedicated Africa admissions page.
See the full timeline on Western University’s official 2027 admission deadlines page.
Should International Students Apply After January 15?
Some programmes may continue accepting applications after January 15 if space remains.
However, African students seeking competitive admission and scholarships should not build their strategy around late applications.
Apply before January 15 where possible.
That gives you more time to:
- Submit academic records
- Obtain school nomination
- Prepare National Scholarship materials
- Complete supplementary forms
- Resolve document problems
- Arrange English proficiency
- Prepare for a Canadian study permit after admission
Important Western University Dates for 2027 Applicants
Late September 2026: Undergraduate applications open through OUAC.
January 15, 2027: Equal consideration deadline for full-time undergraduate applications.
January 15, 2027: Ivey Advanced Entry Opportunity application deadline.
February 1, 2027: Music audition and interview registration deadline.
February 14, 2027: Scholar’s Electives application deadline.
February 15, 2027: Visual Arts portfolio deadline.
February 28, 2027: School for Advanced Studies in Arts and Humanities Statement of Interest deadline.
March 1, 2027: Special Consideration and extracurricular profile deadline.
March 1, 2027: Commercial Aviation Management supplementary application deadline.
March 1, 2027: Important supporting-document deadline for non-Ontario applicants seeking guaranteed Western Scholarship of Excellence consideration.
March 2, 2027: Last Engineering Casper test date.
Mid-April 2027: Final period for Western to receive Fall 2027 English proficiency test results.
June 3, 2027: Residence Placement Questionnaire and prepayment deadline under the current admission calendar.
Western publishes programme-specific requirements through its supplementary application deadline page.
Nigerian Students: Does Western Accept WAEC?
Yes.
Western has a dedicated admissions page for Nigerian students.
Applicants using the Nigerian national curriculum need:
West African Senior School Certificate Examination — WASSCE results.
The results must list:
- All subjects studied
- Grades earned
After you accept an offer, Western asks for official final documents.
For WASSCE, the university accepts Confirmation of Results and can also verify qualifying results using WAEC scratch-card information.
Western explains the full process on its official Nigeria undergraduate admission page.
What WAEC Information Does Western Need?
For online verification after admission, Western may request:
- Copy of WASSCE results
- Scratch Card serial number
- Scratch Card PIN
The University uses this information to verify the results through WAECDIRECT.
Can You Apply Before Final WAEC Results Are Released?
Yes.
Western says Nigerian applicants can apply before graduation.
The university can use:
- Mid-year results
- Mid-term results
- In-progress results
to calculate an initial admission average.
You may then receive a conditional offer.
Once you graduate, you submit your official final results and Western checks that you satisfied the conditions of the offer.
What Grades Do Nigerian Students Need?
Western does not publish one WASSCE combination that guarantees every programme.
The university states that applicants who receive admission typically have the equivalent of at least:
A B or 3.0 average on the Canadian grading scale.
However, programmes can be considerably more competitive.
Western calculates the Canadian-equivalent average itself using the Nigerian curriculum and grading scale.
Therefore, aim for the strongest WASSCE grades possible.
Computer Science Requirements for Nigerian Students
For Western Computer Science, applicants using the Nigerian curriculum need senior-level:
- Mathematics
- One Science subject
The university can request course descriptions where necessary to assess subject equivalency.
Engineering Requirements
Engineering requires senior-level:
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Physics
Western also requires Engineering applicants to complete the:
Casper test.
Applicants should take the test as early as possible after completing their OUAC application because Western cannot issue an Engineering admission offer until it receives the result.
Medical Sciences Requirements
Medical Sciences applicants need senior-level:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Physics is recommended.
Health Sciences Requirements
Health Sciences requires:
- Biology
- Mathematics
Chemistry is recommended and may be necessary for certain Health Sciences pathways.
Nursing Requirements
Nursing applicants need:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- Mathematics
Nursing also follows separate English-language proficiency requirements.
Science Requirements
Science applicants need:
- Mathematics
- One Science subject
Additional Biology, Chemistry or Physics courses can be useful or necessary for particular first-year courses and later modules.
Management and Organizational Studies Requirements
Students applying to Management and Organizational Studies need senior-level:
Mathematics.
This can be relevant for African students seeking a business-related undergraduate pathway at Western.
Can Ghanaian Students Apply?
Yes.
Western says it accepts a range of African national secondary curricula.
Ghanaian students should follow the requirements attached to their country or curriculum and make sure they complete any programme-specific prerequisite subjects.
Can Kenyan Students Apply?
Yes.
Western confirms through its Africa admissions information that it considers:
KCSE
along with other recognised African secondary credentials.
Can Students With NECO Apply?
Western’s Africa information states that the university considers African qualifications including:
WAEC, NECO and KCSE.
However, country-specific requirements can differ.
For Nigerian applicants, Western’s dedicated Nigeria page currently focuses on WASSCE documentation.
Therefore, applicants relying on NECO should check their individual requirements through the university rather than assuming the WAEC documentation process also applies to NECO.
Do African Students Need IELTS?
Not always.
Western says students may request an English-language proficiency waiver if they have completed:
Four years of full-time secondary school in English.
The following conditions also need to apply:
- Classes were taught in English
- The student completed academic courses
- The student did not study through English-as-a-second-language courses
Western can still request proof of English proficiency.
The waiver is not automatic simply because you attended an English-speaking school.
Applicants outside Ontario may need to provide a school letter confirming:
- Student name
- OUAC reference number
- Language of instruction
- Years of attendance at the English-medium institution
See the complete exemption procedure on Western’s official English Language Proficiency page.
Can Nigerian Students Apply Without IELTS?
Potentially, yes.
A Nigerian applicant who completed four qualifying years of full-time secondary education entirely in English may request an exemption.
Western decides whether to approve it.
Therefore, do not assume either:
“Every Nigerian needs IELTS”
or
“Every Nigerian is automatically exempt.”
Your education history determines the answer.
What IELTS Score Does Western Require?
For Fall 2027 direct undergraduate admission, Western requires:
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall
with:
At least 6.0 in every section.
Western accepts IELTS Academic at a test centre and IELTS Online under its current rules.
When Must You Take IELTS?
For Fall 2027 admission, Western says applicants should write an accepted English test:
Before March 2027.
The University’s general admission calendar lists:
Mid-April 2027
as the final period for English proficiency results to arrive.
Because test scores can take time to reach Western, taking the test earlier is safer.
What if Your IELTS Score Is Too Low?
Western has an English Boost Program.
Applicants who satisfy their other admission requirements but narrowly miss the direct English score can potentially receive a place in the programme.
For IELTS, the current English Boost pathway accepts approximately:
5.5 overall
with:
5.5 in Reading and Writing
and:
5.0 in each remaining section.
Western automatically considers eligible applicants for Boost; you do not submit a separate application.
Are Western University Scholarships Fully Funded?
Generally, no.
Western offers some very large international awards, including:
CAD 100,000 International President’s Entrance Scholarships.
However, the university does not describe these awards as a universal package automatically covering all:
- Tuition
- Residence
- Meals
- Books
- Flights
- Visa costs
- Personal expenses
Therefore, describe the award by its actual value rather than simply calling it fully funded.
Does the CAD 100,000 Scholarship Cover Residence?
Western’s National Scholarship recipients receive valuable residence benefits.
The University’s residence information states that recipients of National Scholarship Program awards, including International President’s Entrance Scholarships, can receive a guaranteed first-choice residence building and single-room accommodation in their first and second year, subject to residence rules and deadlines.
However, guaranteed residence placement does not necessarily mean residence fees are free.
Students should check their scholarship offer to see exactly how funding can be used.
Does Western Pay for Flights?
The International President’s Entrance Scholarship description does not list international airfare as a standard separate benefit.
Students should budget for travel unless their individual funding package specifically covers it.
Can Gap-Year Students Apply for Western Admission Scholarships?
Potentially, if Western still treats you as entering directly from secondary school.
However, the general automatic admission scholarship rules state that students who have already attended a post-secondary institution are normally not eligible for standard first-entry admission scholarships.
A student who took a gap year without attending university is in a different position from a transfer student.
Can Transfer Students Receive Western Scholarships?
Yes.
Western has separate scholarship opportunities for students transferring from another post-secondary institution.
However, transfer applicants should not assume they qualify for every scholarship designed for students entering directly from secondary school.
How to Apply for Western University Scholarships From Africa
Step 1: Choose Your Programme
Start with the undergraduate programme that fits your academic goals.
Western offers first-year study in areas including:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Medical Sciences
- Health Sciences
- Science
- Social Science
- Arts and Humanities
- Management and Organizational Studies
- Nursing
- Kinesiology
- Media and Communication Studies
Check the required subjects.
Step 2: Apply Through OUAC
Apply to Western University’s main campus through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.
Aim to submit by:
January 15, 2027.
Step 3: Create Your Western Student Center Account
Western says applicants normally receive instructions to create their Student Center account within about ten business days after applying.
Your Student Center displays:
- Required documents
- Admission status
- Missing information
- Scholarship information
- Supplementary requirements
Step 4: Submit Your Academic Records
Upload the documents Western requests.
For Nigerian students, this includes WASSCE information and later official verification of final results.
Step 5: Speak to Your School About National Scholarship Nomination
If you want to compete for a CAD 100,000 International President’s Entrance Scholarship, speak to your school early.
Do not wait until the scholarship application opens before discussing nomination.
Step 6: Complete the National Scholarship Application
Western expects the 2027–2028 application to become available by:
Mid-November 2026.
Use your OUAC reference number.
Step 7: Prepare Your Essay
The National Scholarship application assesses more than grades.
Your essay should reveal:
- How you think
- What you have achieved
- Your interests
- Leadership
- Intellectual curiosity
- Community contribution
Avoid repeating your transcript.
Step 8: Arrange Your School Reference
Your school needs to provide the required reference and transcript material.
Give your referee sufficient time.
Step 9: Monitor the Official Deadline
As of October 2, 2026, Western has not yet published the exact closing date for the 2027–2028 National Scholarship application.
Check again once the new application opens in November.
How to Strengthen Your Western Scholarship Application
Protect Your Academic Average
A minimum 90% equivalent is required for the National Scholarship Program.
However, these are among Western’s most competitive scholarships.
Aim significantly above the minimum where possible.
Show Intellectual Curiosity
Western specifically looks for:
- Creative thought
- Innovative thinking
- Passion for learning
Therefore, include activities that show what you explore outside compulsory schoolwork.
Examples can include:
- Research projects
- Coding
- Mathematics competitions
- Debate
- Independent reading
- Scientific projects
- Entrepreneurship
- Writing
- Creative work
Show Community Contribution
Western gives special emphasis to sustained school and community involvement.
Instead of:
“I volunteer in my community.”
write:
“I organised weekly digital-literacy lessons for 40 secondary school students over eight months.”
Specific evidence is stronger.
Leadership Does Not Require a Title
You do not need to be school president.
Leadership can include:
- Starting an initiative
- Organising volunteers
- Solving a school problem
- Building a business
- Mentoring younger students
- Leading a sports team
- Coordinating a community project
Explain what you did.
Use Numbers Carefully
Numbers give scale.
For example:
“I raised funds to purchase 35 textbooks.”
is more informative than:
“I helped provide books.”
Use accurate figures only.
Do Not Ignore Black Student Scholarships
Black African applicants can potentially access both Western’s competitive James Jenkins scholarship route and the separate Black admission scholarship programme.
Check each programme’s combination rules before assuming awards can be stacked.
Common Western University Scholarship Mistakes
Waiting Until the Scholarship Deadline to Apply to Western
You need an OUAC reference number to access the National Scholarship application.
Apply early.
Forgetting School Nomination
The National Scholarship Program requires nomination.
Using the Old Scholarship Deadline
The 2027–2028 application has not opened yet.
Do not copy the previous cycle’s February 2026 deadline and present it as the 2027 deadline.
Assuming Every Western Scholarship Can Be Combined
Several Western admission scholarships cannot be stacked.
Read your final award terms.
Converting WAEC Grades Yourself
Western determines international admission averages using the curriculum and grading system.
Submit your real results.
Assuming IELTS Is Always Required
Students with four qualifying years of English-medium secondary education may request a waiver.
Calling CAD 100,000 Automatically Fully Funded
It is a substantial scholarship, but calculate your total tuition and living expenses before deciding whether additional funding is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Western University Scholarships 2027
Are Western University Scholarships open for 2027?
Fall 2027 admission applications are open.
Western says the 2027–2028 National Scholarship application will open by mid-November 2026.
What is the biggest Western scholarship for international students?
Western currently lists:
Three International President’s Entrance Scholarships worth CAD 100,000 each.
See Western’s 2027–2028 National Scholarship listing.
How many CAD 100,000 International President’s Scholarships are available?
Three.
Can African students apply?
Yes.
Eligible international students from African countries can compete.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes.
Western accepts WASSCE for Nigerian undergraduate applicants.
Can Ghanaian students apply?
Yes.
Western considers recognised Ghanaian secondary qualifications.
Can Kenyan students apply?
Yes.
Western confirms that it accepts KCSE and other recognised African credentials.
Can Ugandan students apply?
Yes.
Can South African students apply?
Yes.
Can Tanzanian students apply?
Yes.
Does Western accept WAEC?
Yes.
Western’s Nigerian admissions page specifically accepts WASSCE results and provides a WAEC result-verification process.
Does Western accept NECO?
Western’s Africa admissions information says it considers African qualifications including NECO.
However, Nigerian applicants relying on NECO should check their individual document requirements because Western’s dedicated Nigeria page currently focuses on WASSCE.
What is the Fall 2027 admission deadline?
For equal consideration:
January 15, 2027.
When does the 2027 National Scholarship application open?
Western says:
By mid-November 2026.
What is the 2027 scholarship deadline?
Western has not yet published the exact 2027–2028 closing date as of October 2, 2026.
Applicants should monitor the National Scholarship page once the application opens.
What average do I need?
National Scholarship applicants generally need at least:
90% or equivalent.
Does the scholarship require school nomination?
Yes.
How many students can a school nominate?
A school can nominate up to four students and can nominate one additional international visa student.
Is there a scholarship for Black international students?
Yes.
Western offers several.
The James Jenkins President’s Entrance Scholarship provides:
CAD 50,000
to five recipients.
Western also offers renewable automatic admission scholarships specifically for Black students, including awards providing CAD 6,000 per year for up to four years.
Are Black student scholarships available to international students?
Yes.
Western explicitly says its admission scholarships for Black students are available to:
Domestic and international students.
Does Western have automatic scholarships?
Yes.
Current automatic admission awards include:
- Western Scholarship of Excellence — CAD 8,000
- Western Scholarship of Distinction — CAD 3,500
- Western Admission Scholarship — CAD 2,500
Do international students qualify?
Yes.
Is there a CAD 10,000 scholarship for students coming from outside Canada?
Western currently operates the Welcome to Canada Admission Scholarship, which provides CAD 10,000 to qualifying international students entering from outside Canada.
However, its detailed published terms currently reference Fall 2026. Applicants starting in September 2027 should confirm that Western extends the programme to their cycle.
Do Nigerian students need IELTS?
Not always.
Applicants with four qualifying years of full-time English-medium secondary education may request an English proficiency waiver.
What IELTS score does Western require?
6.5 overall
with at least:
6.0 in each section.
Can I apply before receiving final WAEC results?
Yes.
Western can assess in-progress or mid-year results and issue a conditional admission offer.
Do Engineering applicants have extra requirements?
Yes.
Engineering applicants must complete the Casper test.
The last currently listed test date for Fall 2027 is:
March 2, 2027.
Are Western scholarships fully funded?
Western’s international scholarships can provide substantial funding, but they should not automatically be described as complete full-ride scholarships covering every expense.
Final Advice for African Students
Western University Scholarships 2027 should be on the shortlist for African students with strong academics, leadership and community involvement.
The standout opportunity is the:
International President’s Entrance Scholarship.
Western’s current 2027–2028 National Scholarship information lists:
Three awards worth CAD 100,000 each.
Black African students also have additional opportunities.
Western will offer:
Five CAD 50,000 James Jenkins President’s Entrance Scholarships for Black Students
alongside renewable admission scholarships for Black students worth up to CAD 6,000 per year.
The first deadline to focus on is not the scholarship deadline.
It is the university admission deadline.
Submit your Western application through OUAC by:
January 15, 2027
for equal consideration.
Then prepare for the National Scholarship competition.
The 2027–2028 application is scheduled to open by:
Mid-November 2026.
Speak to your school now because you need a nomination.
Prepare your extracurricular record.
Choose a strong school referee.
Start thinking about your scholarship essay.
Most importantly, do not rely on old deadlines circulating on scholarship blogs.
As of October 2, 2026, Western has confirmed the 2027–2028 scholarship amounts and November opening period, but it has not yet published the exact 2027 National Scholarship closing date.
Check the official application when it goes live.
For Nigerian applicants, Western accepts WASSCE and provides a clear WAEC verification process. Applicants from other African countries can use recognised national qualifications, including curricula such as KCSE and other credentials Western accepts from across the continent.
For a student with excellent results and meaningful leadership experience, Western is currently one of the strongest Canadian undergraduate scholarship targets for 2027 because its international awards can reach CAD 100,000.