How much financial aid can I expect for master's programs in Electrical Engineering in Canada and the UK, and what types of scholarships are available for international students like me?

You have real funding options in both countries, but Canada and the UK work very differently. In Canada, a research based MASc or MSc attracts far more funding than a taught MEng, since supervisors, teaching assistantships, and departmental fellowships can add up to CAD 40,000 to 60,000 a year. In the UK, most masters are one year taught programmes, so funding depends heavily on landing a named scholarship.

Funding Comparison by Country

Scholarships to Target

In Canada, look at your target university's Electrical and Computer Engineering department page for named awards, such as the University of Toronto's Ewing Rae Graduate Scholarship, alongside supervisor funded research assistantships. In the UK, Chevening requires two years of work experience, so it usually suits candidates after some professional experience rather than fresh graduates. The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship and the British Council GREAT Scholarship, worth at least 10,000 pounds for 2026-27, are more realistic for many Indian applicants straight out of university.

My Advice

Do not compare a Canadian and a UK scholarship purely by the number on the award letter. A Canadian research masters with a funded assistantship often runs two years and can cover your stipend plus tuition, while a UK scholarship covers only one intensive year. If minimizing your own contribution matters most, prioritize contacting Canadian professors whose research matches your interests over waiting on a single UK scholarship decision.