Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year open open 5 January 2026; closing for applicants 6 March 2026 (including completed references).
The information on this page is relevant for 2025-2026 academic year awards (updates for 2026-2027 pending).
Part 1: Eligibility to Apply for a CCSF Scholarship
CCSF awards are for Canadians who are undertaking postgraduate study in any field including the Performing Arts in the UK and are exclusively for students who have already started their postgraduate programme of study in the UK.
To be eligible to apply for a CCSF award, an applicant must:
- Be pursuing a postgraduate degree in any field including the Performing Arts.
- Be a Canadian citizen with a valid Canadian passport: proof of Canadian citizenship is required in the form of a pdf of the main page of your valid passport.
- Have lived in Canada previously. You will be asked to demonstrate a strong personal connection to Canada in your application.
- Be currently living in the UK and have a current UK bank account. (You may be on field-work, but must be returning to live in the UK after a set period of time).
- Have already completed a higher education degree (i.e. Bachelor’s).
- Be currently enrolled full-time in a postgraduate programme (or equivalent), be considered a postgraduate student by the university/institute or similar institution, and have completed at least one full-time term of study of your current degree.
- You must be aiming to receive a degree from the UK institution that you are registered with at the time of application (i.e. you cannot be a visiting student but a specific dual-university scheme (such as the NIH-Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program) is acceptable.
- Applicants must be returning to their current programme of study full-time the next academic year from Sept/Oct of the year in which they are applying, with a minimum of one full-time term remaining to completion.
- Applicants undertaking a one-year programme are not eligible.
- Applicants moving to a new degree are not eligible (ie. Masters’ to PhD/DPhil or BEng to MEng are not eligible); with the exception of specialist diplomas in the Performing Arts as a follow on from a Master’s degree.
- Medical students who are pursuing an intercalated PhD/DPhil must be at least one term into the PhD/DPhil component of their studies to be eligible.
- Even if you have obtained a place for your PhD/DPhil, you can NOT apply until you have started your PhD/DPhil and completed at least one full term of study.
- Students on a two year Master’s programme may apply for funding for their second year of study, but need to be able to demonstrate that they are undertaking original research for a dissertation as a component of their degree. If your Master’s degree is in the Performing Arts this is not a requirement.
- Be able to demonstrate academic excellence.
- Require funds to complete their studies.
- Previous applicants may re-apply. The CCSF offers a maximum of two scholarships to any one individual.
Part 2: If you are eligible to apply, you will apply online at our website.
You must be able to:
- Provide contact details for two referees; one must be your current UK Supervisor or academic programme director. The second referee ideally should be involved in your current programme of study or in your very recent past programme of study. A non-academic reference is acceptable provided they can comment on your research ability and area of current study (a past employer/direct line manager). The CCSF will contact your referees and reference letters will be confidential to the CCSF. Reference letters will be due by the closing deadline for applications.
- Provide a Personal Statement & Programme Overview (max. 500 words). The CCSF Committee is a group of volunteers with varied backgrounds and interests. Your statement should be an overview of your programme of study that is accessible. You should demonstrate what impact your work may have on your field of study, on Canada and why a CCSF scholarship will be important to you. The CCSF will provide this overview to your two nominated referees.
- Provide information about your personal and academic finances, i.e. expenditures and any income (including scholarships, grants, etc.) expected in the upcoming year of study. A statement of financial need (150 words) will be requested.
- A PDF file of a short CV (no more than 2 A4 pages) providing details of specialised knowledge, research ambitions, and technical or academic training and/or work experience.
- A PDF file of the main page of your valid Canadian passport.
- A PDF file of the transcript from your most recently completed degree (this may be a copy).
Part 3: Completed Applications
- The opening and closing deadline for completed applications including reference letters will be clearly stated at our CCSF homepage here.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview (date to be confirmed in the latter part of May) and attendance is mandatory.
- Following the interviews, successful candidates will be notified in late May or June if they are selected for an award.
- The Scholarship funds will be provided at the end of September or beginning of October upon receipt of Proof of Registration for the coming year of study, confirming full-time study from Sept/Oct.
Part 4: Frequently Asked Questions
Please read the following FAQs carefully.
We hope these are helpful in clarifying the eligibility criteria and application process. If you are still unsure if your application will be considered you may contact the CCSF at scholarship@canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk. We volunteer our time to the CCSF, and it may take several days to respond to your query.
FAQ 1: I am having problems using the online application software. Where can I find help?
The CCSF uses an online application system. It has been tested, but please let us know if you are having problems. Please put ‘CCSF Apply help’ in the subject line.
FAQ 2: I am currently enrolled in a one year Masters course in the UK and may do a PhD in the future. Can I apply for CCSF funding now so that the money can be used to help with my PhD fees?
No. The CCSF will only look at applications from students who are currently registered for a full-time, multi-year postgraduate programme. Students enrolled in a one year Masters programme are not eligible. Even if you have obtained assurance of a place for your PhD, you can apply only after you have started your PhD.
FAQ 3: I am doing a two-year postgraduate programme and will finish in June. I understand that although interviews are held in May, funds aren’t awarded until September. Am I still eligible?
No. To be eligible, applicants must be returning to their current programme of study the next academic year with a minimum of one full-time term remaining and be registering full-time starting from Sept/Oct of the year in which they are applying.
FAQ 4: I meet all the eligibility requirements and will apply, but I am having financial problems now. When will the CCSF notify successful applicants and can the CCSF help with emergency funds?
The CCSF is not able to provide emergency funds. Students should contact their course/university advisors to discuss options for emergency financial assistance. In April after the closing date for applications, short-listed students will be invited to attend an online interview. Successful students will be notified by the end of June. Payment of the award will be made at the end of September or early October. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in late April or May.
FAQ 5: Regarding the CCSF’s financial need criteria, what type of information is needed to demonstrate that funds are required to complete studies?
We require you to complete a financial report, giving your estimated expenses (tuition, room and board, transportation and other academic costs) and your anticipated income (scholarships, grants, loans, part time work) for the coming academic year.
FAQ 6: I have completed several undergraduate degrees. Do you need official transcripts for all past degrees?
We require you to upload an electronic copy (PDF) of your official transcript for your most recently completed degree (it may be a copy, you do not need to pay for a new one with an official stamp)
FAQ 7: Do references need to be related to my programme of study?
Two references are needed. One from your current UK supervisor or academic Programme Director if you are not doing a PhD/DPhil. If your supervisor is unable to complete an online reference, please contact the CCSF to confirm a replacement. The second referee ideally should be from someone involved in your current programme of study or someone involved in your very recent past programme of study. A non-academic reference is acceptable, provided they are able to comment on your research ability and area of study.
If your referee tells you they are having problems completing their online reference, ask them to contact scholarship@canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk with ‘CCSF referee’ in the email header/subject.
FAQ 8: It would save me time if I could submit my standard CV but it is 6 A4 pages. I don’t wish to lower the chance of my success by cutting out relevant information. Is this OK?
No. We require a short CV of no more than 2 A4 pages. Although academic CVs may be longer, it is sufficient to state your most recent articles/exhibitions/concerts etc, indicating the total number if appropriate.
FAQ 9: Can I submit my application in French?
Bien sûr. Nous sommes heureux d’accepter toute demande d’application rédigée en français. The online application system is only available in English but your Personal Statement & Programme Overview, uploaded documents and references may be in French.
FAQ 10: I am not eligible for the CCSF scholarship or it would not meet my needs, can you help me find other sources of finance?
The CCSF is run by volunteers and sources of scholarships/grants/finance are continually changing. We are not able to maintain up-to-date information. A list compiled by us, but not fact-checked, is available here. We advise students to speak to their postgraduate advisors and other university administrative staff at your place of study to find alternative sources of financial support.
