There are many scholarships, bursaries and awards available for Faculty of Science international students and students interested in studying abroad. Learn about these opportunities below to see what you can qualify for.
Support for International Learning Experiences
- On the Outgoing Global Learning Funding page, learn about:
- York International Mobility Award (YIMA)
- York International Internship Award (YIIA)
- Other York Grants
- External Funding Opportunities for Outgoing Exchange Students
- External Funding Opportunities for Incoming Exchange Students
- Faculty of Science International Student Entrance Scholarship with NOIC Academy
Faculty of Science Global Engagement Funding Award
The Faculty of Science supports a wide variety of global and international experiences for science students through its Global Engagement Funding Award (GEFA) program.
York Science students who want to study or participate in academic international activities abroad as part of their degree but need financial assistance can apply for the GEFA. When they return, students may be asked to share their experiences with their peers by attending a study abroad session or event.
Science Summer Transition Program (SSTP) Award for Prospective International Students
NOTE: Applications are currently closed for this award.
The York Science Summer Transition Program was developed to help our students feel more confident about starting university, and consists of a series of Essentials in Science, Math, and our University Transition modules.
The Science Summer Transition Program (SSTP) Award will be awarded to up to ten international students who have completed at least two modules and enrolled in the undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Science at York University.
2023 SSTP Award Student Testimonials
Saba Tabrizchi
As an international transfer student, participating in the Science Summer Transition Program (SSTP) provided invaluable insights into Canadian university teaching styles and academic expectations. Reviewing course materials from previous years helped me adapt to the academic style, setting the stage for a confident start to my academic journey.
The instructors at SSTP were truly inspiring, dedicating their time and expertise to ensure every student’s success. Their unwavering commitment to addressing our queries and fostering a supportive learning environment was remarkable. I was pleasantly surprised by the extent to which faculty members invested time in addressing questions, reinforcing my passion for science. Furthermore, I can always refer to the material and content of these courses during my studies.
Moreover, SSTP facilitated meaningful cross-cultural connections, allowing me to interact with students from diverse backgrounds. Reflecting on my journey in SSTP, I cherish the connections I made within my major.
In terms of personal growth, the program prepared me for the challenges of higher education and beyond by enhancing my communication skills, especially with professors. The program’s impact has been profound, and I highly recommend it to new students.
Ananya Sharma
I am thrilled to express my appreciation for SSTP at York. Being an international student, my journey through the SSTP program has been nothing short of transformative. The faculty demonstrated unparalleled expertise to foster critical thinking beyond theoretical knowledge. For an aspiring science undergraduate, this was invaluable in shaping understanding of concepts. My heartfelt appreciation to the Faculty, and I must say the program’s standout features is the caliber of the faculty members. Needless to say that the course instructors were very accommodative and eager to help to make the concepts understood completely. Faculty members are completely invested in students’ success and for their learning. Each faculty held office hours and worked round the clock to solve one-on-one problems, which was very helpful with clearing up any doubts. The guidance and accessibility of faculty have been invaluable. The course thus helped me transform into the University with ease.
SSTP program bridged the gap between basic 12th grade academic concepts to help me understand the University level science programme curriculum as well as expected levels of learning and cross cultural environment at York University for a seamless transition for the undergraduate science programme I am pursuing. Also, attending SSTP alongside students from diverse cultural and scientific backgrounds exposed me to multifaceted perspectives, and it indeed enriched my learning experience by broadening the approach to think beyond the confines of a single field of science.
Naomi Conliffe-Muir
As an international student coming out of a gap year, the Summer Science Transition Program (SSTP) was a crucial factor in my transition from secondary schooling as it prepared me to meet the expectations of a first-year student at York University. The courses allowed me to review concepts I previously covered at the secondary school level. This structured revision and presentation of materials renewed my confidence in my capabilities and proved motivational before starting my first semester. Furthermore, I appreciated the opportunity to have a one-on-one virtual interaction with lecturers during their office hours. This additional support was extremely beneficial for my understanding as the lecturer could provide clarifications to my questions.
Aardra Suresh
Transitioning from high school to university is an immense experience and can be a little unnerving. Fortunately, I learned the essential prerequisites required to excel in university during the program.
Reviewing high school math, physics, and chemistry concepts helped me get ahead of my peers during the first few weeks of classes. It enabled me to better comprehend the course materials and discover a study method that worked for me. The professors were very helpful and gave us tips on how to succeed in their respective subjects and the university. The program provided adequate information regarding plagiarism, how to read academic papers effectively, how to interact with professors, how to send proper emails, and other general university etiquette. The modules brought some relief to me as an international student with the cultural differences from the high school I attended. I also made some great friends through SSTP.
Attending the SSTP was one of the best decisions I made and helped me be better prepared for university life.
Saania Samrin
I am sincerely grateful to have received this award. It helped significantly with my residence fees and gave me more motivation to do well and have a successful university journey.
The instructors were very inspiring. They prepared us for university by giving us a glimpse into how classes and school work were going to be. They were amicable, encouraged us to ask questions, and made sure we understood all the concepts.
Academically, attending the summer courses was one of the best decisions. It put me at an advantage so that I was able to keep up with all the work. In Chemistry, we were taught the basic lessons in the summer, which helped with solving problems during the school year. In Biology, I learned how to analyze things through a scientific approach, which is now a great help during my labs. We were taught to understand and apply the concepts to real life scenarios, and use critical thinking and problem solving in a more efficient manner. I am observing new cultures, learning from them, and developing connections.
For me a personal highlight would be my current best friend, whom I met during the summer class. I appreciate this award from the bottom of my heart, I will learn and do better.
Sathyanarayanan Venkatesan
I am Sathyanarayanan Venkatesan from Dubai, attending the Biology honors undergrad program as of Fall 2023. Coming from a different education system to the Canadian education system can be challenging to any student. The SSTP has helped make my transition from high school to university a very smooth experience. Even though the program was all online, it was very resourceful and informative as every professor and instructor worked with flexible times to accommodate international students from around the world. This made the introduction into the first year of university quite captivating.
I would like to thank Professor Andrew Skelton, Professor Tihana Mirkovic, Professor Robert Lakin, Professor Banafsheh Hashemi Pour, Professor Vera Pavri and Professor Stephanie Domenikos for their valuable time and efforts during the SSTP. They revisited essential concepts from high school in different methods that would be used in university. Students in the SSTP shared their knowledge which created a sense of cultural exchange among students.
SSTP has given me a boost of confidence, determination and motivation to start my first year of university. I believe that I possess the attitude, zeal and intellectual ability to set out on this exhilarating path with complete honesty and commitment.
“SSTP proved to be an exceptional pathway to actual university classes. Witnessing the staff/professors working around the clock without losing their cool was inspirational to me. The professors taught us every concept meticulously, clearing all of our past doubts. Choosing to be a part of this program turned out to be my finest decision.”
— Avantika Utam
“As an international student, I was initially unaware of the many policies and regulations followed at the academic university level in Canada, thus, learning through the online classes, quizzes, tests, and short assignments, I gained confidence in myself before actually starting out with my major in the Fall term.”
— Hanaah Khann
“Although the program was online, the professors were easy to understand and created an enabling environment where students could ask questions and express themselves properly. The Science Transition Program helped in thoroughly preparing me for my first year at York University.”
— Ejiroghene Ugolor
“Transitioning from high school to university, SSTP really helps me understand university-level science courses and learning strategies that will be used in my future courses. This program boosts my confidence and helps me succeed going into my first year of university.”
— Carmella Setiabudi