Do you dream of a fully funded undergraduate education at one of the world's leading universities? The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the University of Toronto's most prestigious award for international students, recognizing outstanding academic achievement, creativity and leadership potential.
About the Pearson Scholarship
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship invites you to join a global community of exceptional changemakers. It is one of the largest scholarship programs for international students in Canada, and one of the university's most competitive awards. Pearson Scholars demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, creativity and the potential to contribute positively to the global community. Each year approximately 37 students are named Pearson Scholars, the programme provided over $12 million in funding in 2024, and its scholars represent 188 countries.
Award Value
💶 The Pearson International Student Scholarships cover tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years.
🎓 The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto for first-entry, undergraduate programs, and approximately 37 students are named Pearson Scholars each year.
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Who Can Apply
🌍 You must be an international student (a non-Canadian requiring a study permit).
🎓 You must be enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2026/2027, or have graduated no earlier than June 2026.
📅 You must be beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
🚫 Students who are already attending post-secondary studies, or who are starting their post-secondary studies in January 2027 at U of T or another institution, are not eligible.
How to Become a Pearson Scholar
🏫 Your high school nominates you. Ask your guidance counsellor, principal or head of school whether your school is eligible to nominate students. Schools can nominate only one student per year, choosing the candidate who best exemplifies the qualities of a Pearson Scholar.
📝 Apply to study at U of T. To be considered, you must apply to at least one undergraduate program and begin your studies in September 2027. You may apply to up to three areas, but the scholarship, if awarded, is restricted to your top choice of program at the time scholarship decisions are made.
🔗 Submit your Pearson Scholarship application. Once nominated, you receive a private link to the scholarship application, which you can complete after submitting your application for admission to U of T.
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Important Dates
🗓️ School nomination deadline: 9 October 2026.
🗓️ Student admission application deadline (OUAC): 16 October 2026.
🗓️ Scholarship application and documentation submission deadline: 6 November 2026.
Fraud Alert
⚠️ The University of Toronto has been alerted to fraudulent emails offering to assist students with Pearson Scholarship applications. The programme does not interact with agencies or educational "agents" to recruit students or offer scholarships. Be cautioned against agents providing false acceptances or requiring fees for unaffiliated third parties. Recipients can only be nominated by their current secondary school through the official online process, and the scholarship is available only to undergraduate degree applicants.
A Note on Generative AI
🤖 The use of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and other AI applications, is prohibited when creating content for any University of Toronto undergraduate award application. Applicants found to have used generative AI to create content will be disqualified from award eligibility.
How to Apply
Ask your school to nominate you, apply to at least one undergraduate program at the University of Toronto for September 2027 entry, and then complete the Pearson Scholarship application through the private link you receive after nomination. Schools that have not yet participated can apply to join the nomination programme.
Deadline
📅 6 November 2026
Links
🔗 Pearson Scholarship information: https://future.utoronto.ca/pearson-scholarships
🔗 How to apply to U of T: https://future.utoronto.ca/how-to-apply
🔗 Schools: apply to participate in nominations: https://apply.adm.utoronto.ca/register/pearson-participate
🔗 Pearson Scholarship inquiry form: https://apply.adm.utoronto.ca/register/pearson-inquiry
🔗 Protect yourself from fraud: https://future.utoronto.ca/protect-yourself-from-fraud
