Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the University of Toronto's most prestigious award for international undergraduates — it covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for the four-year duration of an undergraduate degree. Around 37 Pearson Scholars are named each year out of a global applicant pool. Sri Lankan students must be nominated by their secondary school (one of the few elements that catches applicants out — you cannot apply directly). The nomination workflow is straightforward but tight: school nomination, U of T application, then the Pearson application itself.
University of Toronto
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Fully Funded (Tuition + Residence)
Duration
4 Years (Undergrad)
Awards/Year
~37 globally
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Final-Year Secondary School
You must be in your final year of secondary school (e.g. completing A/Ls in Sri Lanka) or have graduated no earlier than June of the preceding year. Students already in post-secondary study are not eligible.
School Nomination Required
Your school must nominate you — direct applications are not accepted. Speak to your school's career counsellor or principal early; nominations open in September.
International Student Status
You must be studying on a Canadian study permit (i.e. not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident). Sri Lankan citizens applying from Sri Lanka qualify.
Academic Excellence & Leadership
Pearson selects for outstanding academic achievement plus demonstrated creativity, innovation, and leadership — not just top grades. Strong extracurricular involvement matters.
account_tree Application Process
School nominates you (September)
Your secondary school submits a nomination via U of T's online system. Each school can nominate a limited number of students — typically one or two — so identify yourself early.
Apply to U of T (mid-October)
Once nominated, submit the standard University of Toronto undergraduate application by mid-October. List your program choices carefully — Pearson holders study across all U of T faculties.
Complete the Pearson application (early November)
Submit the dedicated Pearson application form by the early-November deadline. It asks for essays on leadership, creativity, and community engagement.
Decision in spring
Pearson Scholars are notified in February/March, ahead of the regular U of T admissions decisions.
About the University of Toronto
Founded in 1827, U of T is consistently ranked the top university in Canada and is a perennial global top 25 in QS, THE and ARWU rankings. The St George (downtown), Mississauga and Scarborough campuses serve over 90,000 students from 170+ countries.
#1
University in Canada
90,000+
Students
170+
Countries Represented
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award
University of British Columbia
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation
Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS-D)
Government of Canada (Tri-Agency)