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.
Open year-round — automatic consideration with master's application; main September 2027 deadlines vary by programme (typically January-March 2027)
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
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Waterloo — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
CAD 2,500 Per Term (CAD 7,500 Per Year). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
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
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat CA actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for CA, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar 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)
McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill
McGill University