Study Where the World Comes Together
Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada’s largest university, recognized as a global leader in research and teaching. U of T’s distinguished faculty, institutional record of groundbreaking scholarship and wealth of innovative academic opportunities continually attract outstanding students and academics from around the world. Few other universities offer as great a diversity of programs and resources.
U of T is committed to providing a learning experience which benefits from both a scale almost unparalleled in North America and from the close-knit learning communities made possible through its college system and academic divisions. U of T has 700 undergraduate programs in Humanities & Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Commerce & Management, Computer Science, Engineering, Kinesiology & Physical Education, Music, and Architecture.
Located in and around Toronto, one of the world’s most diverse regions, U of T’s vibrant academic life is defined by a unique degree of cultural diversity in its learning community. The city of Toronto is rated as one of the safest large cities in the world and one of the best places to live — it’s a city that draws the best and the brightest, who come seeking world-class business, culture and education. Toronto hosts more than 30 major festivals and cultural events annually, has the third largest public transit system in North America, and hosts over 8000 hectares of park space. Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area is a place with changing landscapes, welcoming communities and exciting opportunities.
A World-Renowned University
The University of Toronto stands among the top research universities in the world. U of T’s 44 libraries make up the third largest library system in North America, we produce more research than almost any other institution worldwide and our 500,000+ alumni can be found across the globe. Our students learn from leading scholars and academics who come to U of T for its world-class facilities and global prestige. An education from the University of Toronto is not only internationally recognized, it is highly regarded and easily transferable — in fact, our graduates are considered some of the world’s most employable.
U of T’s reputation attracts students from 170 countries and regions. They participate in hundreds of clubs, compete in 25 varsity sports and take part in unique learning opportunities. Our Colleges and undergraduate faculties give students the support of small, welcoming communities, while also the benefits of a large, internationally connected institution.
About the Scholarship
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships at the University of Toronto provide an unparalleled opportunity for outstanding international students to study at one of the world’s best universities in one of the world’s most multicultural cities. The scholarship program is intended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and creativity and who are recognized as leaders within their school. A special emphasis is placed on the impact the student has had on the life of their school and community, and their future potential to contribute positively to the global community.
Awarded annually, these scholarships recognize outstanding students from around the world, including international students studying at Canadian high schools. This is U of T’s most prestigious and competitive scholarship for international students. The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships will cover tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support for four years. The scholarship is tenable only at the University of Toronto for first-entry, undergraduate programs. Each year approximately 37 students will be named Lester B. Pearson Scholars.
Notice
The University of Toronto has been alerted to fraudulent emails that offer to assist students with applications to our Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship program. Please exercise caution when researching scholarship opportunities and assessing communications about our programs. The University of Toronto does not work with recruitment agents or agencies. Students interested in applying for a Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship should follow the instructions on this website and submit their applications directly to the University.
Apply
To become a Pearson Scholar, you must be nominated by your school and apply to undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. Ask your school guidance counsellor about being nominated. Once you’ve been nominated and have applied to the University of Toronto, you will be sent a personalized, secure link to the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship application.
Pearson Scholars are students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and creativity, who are accepted as leaders within their school, and who have the potential to contribute to the global community in the future. They can be distinguished from other students who may have equally high academic results by virtue of their breadth of interest, intellectual energy and impact on the life of their school and community.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply to the Pearson International Scholarship, you must be:
- an international student (i.e. a non-Canadian requiring a study permit);
- enrolled in your final year of senior secondary school in 2024/2025 or have graduated no earlier than June 2024
- beginning your studies at the University of Toronto in September 2025 (students already attending post-secondary studies cannot be considered; students starting their post-secondary studies in January 2025 at another post-secondary institution cannot be considered).
Application Process
The 2025 Competition opens on July 1, 2024. To apply, you will need to:
- Receive a nomination from your school. High schools not already contacted/verified are asked to submit an application to participate in our program, available here. High schools who have participated in a previous year will receive their nomination access starting July 1, 2024.
- Apply to study at the University of Toronto by October 18, 2024 in order to begin your studies in September 2025 . Please be advised that you will be considered for the Pearson Scholarship for your first choice of program at U of T. You may apply for several programs and may receive admission to them all; however, the Pearson Scholarship, if awarded to you, would be restricted to your first choice of program at U of T at the time our scholarship decisions are made.
- Once we’ve received a nomination and you’ve applied to the university, you can complete the online Lester B. Pearson Scholarship application by November 8, 2024. You will receive a private link to the scholarship application when you are successfully nominated by your school.
- Submit all necessary documentation online by November 8, 2024.
Pearson Scholarship Deadlines
- School nomination deadline: October 11, 2024
- Student OUAC admission application deadline: October 18, 2024
- Student scholarship application deadline and documentation submission deadline: November 8, 2024
Academic Integrity Notice
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and other AI applications, is prohibited when creating content for any University of Toronto undergraduate award application. Students and applicants found to have used generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT) to create content that is presented as their own ideas will be disqualified from award eligibility. This prohibited use of generative AI for content creation will be considered an academic offence. For information on academic integrity at the University of Toronto, visit academicintegrity.utoronto.ca.
Fraud Notice
Please note the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship Program at the University of Toronto does not interact with agencies or educational “agents” in order to recruit students or offer scholarships. Please be cautioned against any agents providing false acceptances or requiring fees for unaffiliated third parties. Pearson Scholarship recipients can only be nominated by their current secondary school through our online process and the scholarship is available only to undergraduate degree applicants. If you have any questions, please contact us through our inquiry form.
Privacy Notice
For donor-funded awards, University advancement may share the names, programs and year of study of award recipients with donors. If you have any questions about the University advancement’s collection or use of your personal information, please contact the University’s Stewardship Programs and Services Officer at donor.reports@utoronto.ca
Resources for Guidance Counsellors & Heads of School
We value our relationships with guidance counsellors and heads of school from around the world. We’ve prepared resources and answers to commonly asked questions about the Pearson Scholarships to help you advise your students.
How do I nominate a student?
High schools already verified by Enrolment Services will be contacted annually by email with a personalized, secure nomination form starting each July. If your school has not been verified, please submit an application to participate in our program, available here beginning July 1, 2024. Once your school is verified, we will provide you with your school’s nomination form and next steps.
When can I nominate student?
Nominations will be accepted beginning July 1, 2024. This year’s deadline to nominate a Pearson Scholar is October 11, 2024.
Can I nominate more than one student?
Schools can nominate one student per year. The Pearson Scholarship is designed to recognize outstanding students from around the globe. Part of the selection process involves your school choosing your top candidate for nomination. We encourage schools to nominate the student that best exemplifies the qualities of a Pearson Scholar.
When will my student nominee receive a decision?
Pearson Scholarship recipients will be notified starting at the end of January 2025. All nominees will be notified of our decisions by May 2025.
Can I nominate a student even if they haven’t applied to U of T?
Yes, you can nominate a student who has not yet applied for admission to U of T; however, in order to submit the scholarship application, students must apply for admission to U of T.
I have more questions—whom can I contact?
Please direct all your inquiries to our inquiry form.
Questions
We’re here to help! Questions about applying to the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship can be sent through our inquiry form.
For further information about the Pearson Scholar experience at U of T, please see: https://internationalexperience.utoronto.ca/global-experiences/global-scholarships/lester-b-pearson-scholarship/
