Waterloo International Master's Award of Excellence
The International Master's Award of Excellence (IMAE) is the University of Waterloo's headline scholarship for international master's students. It pays CAD 2,500 per term for up to three terms (1 year — typical research master's duration) for a total of CAD 7,500. Eligible programmes include research-based MMath, MASc, MSc and many coursework master's degrees. Waterloo is consistently Canada's leading university for computer science, engineering, and mathematics — and the IMAE makes Sri Lankan applications meaningfully more affordable.
University of Waterloo
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Per Term
CAD 2,500 x 3 terms
Duration
Up to 1 Year (3 academic terms)
Coverage
CAD 7,500 Total
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Hold a Waterloo Master's Offer
You must have applied to (or hold an offer for) a full-time research or coursework master's at the University of Waterloo. Eligibility varies by faculty — most engineering, math, and science programmes qualify.
International Fee Status
Reserved for international fee-paying students. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not eligible.
Strong Academic Record
Typically a minimum 78% average (Waterloo equivalent of A-) in your previous degree. Sri Lankan first-class graduates from engineering or science faculties are usually competitive.
Automatic Consideration
No separate application form. Every eligible international master's applicant is automatically assessed by their department; nominations go to the Grad Studies Office for funding confirmation.
account_tree Application Process
Apply for a Waterloo master's
Submit your application via gradapply.uwaterloo.ca by the relevant programme deadline (typically January for fall start in some programmes, with rolling rounds in others).
Departmental review + nomination
Your prospective department reviews your file and, if you meet the academic threshold, nominates you for the IMAE alongside your admission offer.
Funding confirmation
The Graduate Studies Office confirms the funding based on departmental nominations. The IMAE is typically combined with departmental top-up funding (TA-ship, supervisor stipend) for a fuller package.
Award disbursement
The IMAE is paid as a tuition discount in each of your first three academic terms once you enrol.
Why Waterloo?
Waterloo is Canada's leading institution for computer science, engineering, and mathematics. Famous for its co-op programme that places students in major tech employers (Google, Microsoft, RBC, Shopify). Active Sri Lankan student community in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
#115
QS World Ranking 2026
#1 CAN
in Computer Science (Maclean's)
CAD 7.5k
Year-1 Master's Award Value
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
uOttawa International Scholarship
University of Ottawa
Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship
Mackenzie King Scholarships Trust (tenable at McGill / Canadian universities)
University of Alberta International Tuition Scholarship
University of Alberta