Main Info at a Glance

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Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 in Canada

The Lester B. Pearson International Student Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarship opportunities available to international students at the University of Toronto. The program is designed to recognize exceptional young people who combine academic achievement with creativity, leadership and the potential to make a meaningful contribution to their communities and the wider world.

For students searching for a fully funded undergraduate scholarship in Canada, the Pearson Scholarship is particularly attractive because the award can cover tuition, books, incidental university fees and residence support for up to four years.

Each year, approximately 37 students are selected as Pearson Scholars, making this a highly competitive opportunity for outstanding international students.

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What Is the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship?

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship offered by the University of Toronto to exceptional international students.

Rather than focusing solely on examination results, the program looks for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance alongside creativity, leadership and positive contributions to their school or community.

The scholarship is available only for first-entry undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto.

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Scholarship Benefits and Financial Coverage

One of the biggest advantages of the Pearson Scholarship is its comprehensive financial package.

What Does the Pearson Scholarship Cover?

Successful scholars receive support covering:

• Tuition fees
• Books
• Incidental university fees
• Full residence support
• Funding for four years of undergraduate study

The award is specifically designed to provide substantial financial support throughout the student’s undergraduate education at U of T.

This makes the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship one of the most attractive fully funded undergraduate scholarships in Canada for international students.

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Who Is Eligible for the Pearson Scholarship?

The scholarship has specific eligibility requirements, and applicants should carefully review them before beginning the process.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

For the 2027 intake, applicants must generally:

• Be an international student who requires a Canadian study permit.
• Be in the final year of senior secondary school during the 2026/27 academic year, or have graduated no earlier than June 2026.
• Plan to begin undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto in September 2027.
• Be entering their first undergraduate program.

Students who are already enrolled in post-secondary education are not eligible. Students beginning post-secondary studies in January 2027 at U of T or another institution are also excluded from this scholarship.

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What Kind of Students Does U of T Look For?

The Pearson Scholarship is intended for students who have demonstrated more than strong grades.

Key Qualities of a Competitive Applicant

Successful candidates should be able to demonstrate:

Academic Excellence

A strong academic record is an important part of the selection process.

Creativity

Applicants should demonstrate original thinking, initiative or accomplishments that distinguish them from other students.

Leadership

The program seeks students who have taken meaningful leadership roles within their schools or communities.

Community Impact

Evidence of positive contributions to other people or the wider community can strengthen an application.

Global Potential

Pearson Scholars are expected to have the potential to contribute positively to the global community in the future.

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Eligible Study Fields at the University of Toronto

The Pearson Scholarship is available for eligible first-entry undergraduate programs at the University of Toronto rather than being restricted to one specific academic discipline.

Depending on admission eligibility, students can explore areas such as:

• Business and Commerce
• Computer Science and Data Science
• Engineering
• Health and Life Sciences
• Mathematics and Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Literature and Languages
• Design and Visual Studies
• Music and Performing Arts
• Sustainability and Environmental Studies

Applicants should check the admission requirements for their specific U of T program before applying.

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Required Documents and Application Materials

The Pearson process involves both university admission and scholarship application requirements.

Applicants should be prepared to provide relevant academic and personal information, including materials required for their undergraduate admission application.

Common Materials May Include

• Academic records and transcripts
• Information about your secondary school
• University application information
• Personal and extracurricular achievements
• Leadership and community involvement details
• Scholarship application responses
• Other documentation requested by the University of Toronto

The exact requirements can depend on the applicant’s educational background and selected program.

Important: U of T states that generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, are prohibited when creating content for its undergraduate award applications. Applicants who use generative AI to create award-application content may be disqualified.

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How to Apply for the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship 2027

The Pearson Scholarship application involves three important stages: school nomination, U of T admission and the Pearson scholarship application.

Step 1: Get Nominated by Your High School

Your secondary school must nominate you for the scholarship.

A school can nominate only one student per year. Applicants should therefore contact their guidance counsellor, principal or school administration to determine whether their school participates in the Pearson program.

For the 2027 intake, the school nomination deadline is:

October 9, 2026

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Step 2: Apply to the University of Toronto

After securing a nomination, you must apply to at least one eligible undergraduate program at the University of Toronto.

The admission application deadline for Pearson consideration is:

October 16, 2026

Applicants can select up to three areas in their U of T admission application. However, if they receive the Pearson Scholarship, the award will be associated with their top-choice program at the time scholarship decisions are made.

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Step 3: Complete the Pearson Scholarship Application

Once your school has nominated you, the University of Toronto will provide a private link to the Pearson Scholarship application.

You can access the scholarship application after submitting your U of T admission application.

The final deadline to submit the Pearson Scholarship application and required documentation is:

November 6, 2026.

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Lester B. Pearson Scholarship 2027 Deadlines

Applicants should remember that there are three separate deadlines.

Missing any required stage can prevent an applicant from being considered for the scholarship.

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How Competitive Is the Pearson Scholarship?

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is highly competitive. The University of Toronto selects approximately 37 Pearson Scholars each year from a global pool of exceptional applicants.

Applicants should therefore build a strong overall profile rather than relying exclusively on academic grades.

A compelling application can demonstrate a combination of:

• Outstanding academic performance
• Leadership experience
• Creative achievements
• Community involvement
• Initiative and personal motivation
• Long-term potential to create positive change

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Why Choose the University of Toronto?

The University of Toronto is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities and offers a broad range of undergraduate programs across its campuses.

International students can access extensive academic resources, research opportunities, experiential learning and an internationally diverse university community. U of T also provides international students with opportunities to explore areas ranging from engineering and computer science to health sciences, business, humanities and sustainability.

For an exceptional international student, combining a U of T undergraduate education with Pearson funding can provide an excellent foundation for future academic and professional development.

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Beware of Pearson Scholarship Scams

Applicants should be particularly careful about unofficial scholarship agents.

The University of Toronto has warned about fraudulent messages claiming to provide assistance with Pearson Scholarship applications. U of T states that the Pearson Scholarship program does not work with educational agents or agencies to recruit students or offer scholarships.

Students should use the official University of Toronto channels and should never pay an unrelated third party claiming to guarantee a Pearson Scholarship.

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Final Thoughts

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship 2027 offers an exceptional opportunity for outstanding international students who want to pursue a fully supported undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto.

With coverage for tuition, books, incidental fees and residence for four years, the scholarship can substantially reduce the financial challenges associated with studying in Canada. However, the program is extremely competitive and requires a high level of academic achievement, leadership, creativity and community involvement.

If you believe you meet the requirements, start by speaking with your school about the nomination process and carefully track all three application deadlines.