phd in waterloo university

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PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization

The first program of its kind in Canada, the Conrad School’s PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization offers emerging entrepreneurship researchers the unique opportunity to study alongside our world-class faculty within Waterloo’s distinctive innovation ecosystem.

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Fulltime-program / Courses

Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business

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Indigenous entrepreneurship training programs.

Multiple sessions

Indigenous post-secondary students from across Canada

Program Overview

Indigenous post-secondary students from across Canada can now participate in these newly launched entrepreneurship training programs that are built on a model of Indigenized business education and experiential learning. Training includes Indigenous world views on entrepreneurship, innovation management processes, and the skills and competencies required for success in entrepreneurship.

Being part of the program gives students unrivalled access to staff, professional networks and coaching as well as opportunities to secure funding. This program is available to Indigenous post-secondary students across Canada.  Indigenous students who are enrolled at the University of Waterloo have the option to take the program for course credit.  

Workplace Innovation Program

UWaterloo students

Workplace Innovation connects students in a group to collaborate alongside an organization in the non-profit, charitable, social enterprise, or for-profit sector to complete a social impact project. Moving through innovation training, students have the opportunity to pitch for funding in implementing their solution in health, environmental, social, or international development sectors.

By way of Workplace Innovation, students are exposed to networking opportunities within and external to the University of Waterloo through GreenHouse one-on-one coaching as well as connections to over 200+ previous social innovators.

The projects are flexible and can be pursued as a non-credit experiential learning opportunity, practicum, or as their capstone project, depending on the academic program.

Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET)

Get your graduate business degree while you build your venture. The MBET degree is a professional, practical, course-based master’s program for people who want to make things happen. Offered in 2 formats: one-year full-time and t hree-year part-time program.  

Graduate Entrepreneurship Academic Offerings

Engineering Graduate Students

Conrad School graduate-level academic programs and course offerings are designed to provide you with practical knowledge, skills and experiences so they can succeed in today’s increasingly entrepreneurial and innovation-driven business world:

• Business and Entrepreneurship (BE) Courses
• Graduate Diploma (G.Dip.) in Business and Entrepreneurship

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Welcome from the Director

Thank you for your interest in the Waterloo-Laurier Graduate Program in Geography (W-LPIG). We are a large program, currently comprising 179 graduate students and 42 faculty members. This makes us the second largest graduate geography program in Canada and, in fact, the sixth largest in North America 1 . The program was created in 1992 from two established graduate geography programs at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University 2 . The breadth and depth of expertise in faculty, staff and graduate students this represents creates a rich intellectual environment.

Here, students explore a range of research interests from the analysis of pressing social and environmental problems to theoretical questions of philosophical and technical import. They do this within a wide variety of geography sub-disciplines and often as part of on-going multi-disciplinary projects. Moreover, problem solving from a geographic perspective is particularly useful in this time in our history when changes to, and movements and displacements of, biotic and abiotic systems within the landscape are largely being driven by the global and local impacts of human activity and human induced climatic change.

Please take a few moments to explore some details of our program. To learn more about W-LGPIG I encourage you to contact our faculty, current graduate students or support staff, any of whom would be happy to answer questions, meet with you or arrange a tour. A good starting point for general enquiries is either of our support staff Alan Anthony (UWaterloo) or Jennifer Drowns (Laurier) .

Dr. Sanjay Nepal Professor Director of Waterloo-Laurier Graduate Program in Geography [email protected] 519-888-4567, ext. 31239

References:

• 1 American Association of Geographers (AAG), Guide 2010-11.
• 2 Martin, G. F., "All Possible Worlds: A history of geographical ideas, fourth edition", Oxford University Press, 2005. pp. 294.

University of Waterloo

Wilfrid Laurier University

Minimum requirements for the PhD degree

This section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar includes minimum requirements for the PhD degree:

Completion of PhD degree requirements Comprehensive examination Language requirement Program of study and supervision Advisory Committee PhD thesis examination Recommendation: awarding of the degree Thesis submission

The required period of enrolment for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is six terms from the completion of a Master's degree, or nine terms from the completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree. The actual time taken to satisfy the degree requirements may be considerably longer. For information on required full-time attendance at the University refer to the Definitions - students section . The acceptance of the transfer of credits for prior enrolment at another university will be determined in individual cases by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) of the Faculty at the time of admission to the program.

Completion of PhD degree requirements

The requirements for the degree must be completed within the time periods stipulated by the Senate of the University. A maximum of 18.0 terms from an Honours Bachelor's degree or its equivalent, 12.0 terms from a Master's degree or its equivalent, and 15.0 terms from a Master's degree or its equivalent for the PhD in Clinical Psychology. Students must petition the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies to continue their enrolment beyond these limits. Progress of students who have been granted extensions will be reviewed every term. For more information on time limits see the Enrolment and time limits page .

Students whose work does not measure up to the standards of their program may be required to withdraw from the program. Such students may be readmitted although there will be a limit on the time-span in which readmission may occur.

Candidates must remain continuously enrolled at the University to the end of the term in which they complete the degree requirements. For additional information, see the Continuous enrolment section of the Enrolment and time limits page .

For further information the minimum degree requirements specified by each Faculty should be consulted.

The PhD degree is granted by the University to candidates who have demonstrated both achievement in independent research in a particular field and a broad knowledge of that field.

The first requirement is satisfied when candidates have demonstrated a broad knowledge of their field to the satisfaction of the Faculty, normally by the successful completion of an assigned program of courses and the passing of a comprehensive examination, as determined by the department in which they are enrolled.

The second requirement is satisfied when candidates have presented and defended a thesis embodying the results of their own original research on an approved topic.

Comprehensive examination

PhD programs, except those noted here, require doctoral students to successfully complete a comprehensive exam as part of their academic requirements. In some cases, students may be required to successfully complete a series of exams in order to satisfy the comprehensive requirement.   

The purpose of this document is to provide University-level guidance to students, supervisors and Departments / Schools (referred to as Departments in this document) on comprehensive exams. This document also presents links to Faculty level guidelines that are consistent with the principles established here. Links to Departments’ guidelines are available on the Faculty pages.   

Comprehensive examination purpose

Comprehensive exams serve multiple purposes depending on the discipline. Permitted purposes for comprehensive exams at the University of Waterloo include demonstrating that:  

• PhD students have the appropriate academic background – a foundation and breadth of knowledge in the field of study – to be successful in their PhD program;
• PhD students have the capacity to engage in scholarly communications – both oral and written – necessary to be successful in their PhD studies;
• PhD students have developed a novel research topic to be evaluated during their PhD studies.

The purpose(s) of the exam shall be communicated clearly to students.  

Comprehensive examination timing

The comprehensive exam is an important accomplishment in the completion of students’ PhD program. Normally, completing the comprehensive exam allows students to advance to the research or dissertation phase of their studies. The timing of the exam should allow sufficient time for students to achieve the foundational knowledge to be successful in their programs. The exam timing should allow for timely feedback to students on their progress and should motivate appropriate times to completion. To balance these two objectives, the University requires that:

• Students with no previous studies at the PhD level successfully complete the comprehensive exam not later than the end of their seventh term of studies;  
• Students who have completed previous studies in another PhD program at the University of Waterloo or at another university, successfully complete the comprehensive exam not later than their fourth term of studies in their current program or their seventh term of study at the PhD level, whichever is longer.  

Earlier deadlines are at the discretion of the Faculty, Department or Program level.  

A student who anticipates not meeting these requirements (up to the final evaluation of the exam) may seek an extension to the deadline to complete the comprehensive exam. The student is required to submit a petition providing evidence of extenuating circumstances to the student’s Associate Dean, Graduate Studies.   

Valid extenuating circumstances are normally limited to issues related to the student’s (or student’s immediate family’s) health or documented incidents involving graduate student supervision that can be demonstrated to have delayed the student’s progress. The conduct of research or other projects is not considered a valid extenuating circumstance to delay beyond the normal comprehensive examination completion deadline. Guidance on seeking accommodation due to health reasons shall be managed by the University’s AccessAbility Services .  

If the petition is granted, the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies shall coordinate with the student’s Graduate Officer to establish a new deadline by which the comprehensive exam shall be completed. This deadline shall be communicated to the student in the notice of decision on the petition.

If no petition has been previously adjudicated, and a student fails to meet these requirements by the end of the seventh term, the student’s academic status will be changed to Required to Withdraw. Students may seek to have their standing changed to allow them to continue in their programs by submitting a petition under Policy 70 to the student’s Associate Dean, Graduate Studies, not later than 10 business days from the change of status. The petition rules described in this section apply.

Comprehensive examinations and students’ academic requirements

A student is encouraged to communicate with supervisor(s) and / or instructors regarding the need to balance the student’s effort toward preparing for and completing the comprehensive exam, and any other academic requirements in the term during which the comprehensive exam takes place. Additional guidance for students serving as a TA are outlined in Policy 30.    

In cases where agreement cannot be reached on revised expectations, the Department’s Graduate Officer shall determine and communicate the revised expectations, if any, to the student and the supervisor / instructor.

Comprehensive Examining Committee

In many cases a student’s comprehensive exam written and / or oral components are evaluated by an examining committee constituted for a given student. These rules govern the composition of these examining committees.

The comprehensive examining committee shall engage those who can advance the purpose(s) of the exam. The University requires that the committee includes at least three examiners who:

• Hold a PhD or equivalent degree (as determined by the Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs),  
• Two of whom are not the student’s supervisor(s),
• At least one of whom is a tenured or tenure-track member of the student’s Department or School, and
• At least two of whom hold regular faculty appointments at the University of Waterloo.

Additional committee members may be required at the discretion of the Faculty, Department or Program. When examining committee members are external to the University of Waterloo, their purpose in the exam process shall be clearly communicated to the student.

Normally, the examining committee will not exceed five examiners.

The comprehensive exam shall be Chaired by a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at the University of Waterloo with Approved Doctoral Dissertation Supervision (ADDS) status, normally from the student’s home Department / School, who is not the student’s supervisor or co-supervisor. The Chair’s role is at a minimum to ensure that this portion of the exam is conducted in a manner that is consistent with appropriate guidelines. The Chair is a non-voting member of the comprehensive examining committee.

The composition of the comprehensive examining committee will be approved by the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies for the student’s Faculty, or delegate.  

The method by which the comprehensive examining committee is constituted and the timing of the examining committee formation shall be clearly articulated and communicated to students.

Comprehensive examination format and content

The format and content of the comprehensive exam shall be directly related to the stated purpose(s) of the exam. These elements shall be clearly articulated and communicated to students to ensure transparency and clarity of expectations. If a student in a program perceives a lack of clarity on these issues, these concerns should immediately be communicated to the student’s Department’s Graduate Officer.  

Students may warrant an accommodation to allow for an alternative exam format other than the norm as described by a Faculty or Department. For accommodations related to health, the student shall provide supporting medical documentation to the University’s AccessAbility Services where the request will be vetted. As a result of that evaluation, AccessAbility Services shall determine whether an accommodation is warranted. When an accommodation is determined appropriate, AccessAbility Services shall communicate the decision and the nature of the accommodation to the Graduate Officer in the student’s home Department.

Requests for accommodation not related to health issues shall be made by students to the Graduate Officer in the student’s home department, who will coordinate the process by which the request for accommodation will be advanced.

Outcomes of the comprehensive examination

This section defines permitted outcomes of comprehensive exams at the University of Waterloo. On a candidate’s first attempt at the comprehensive exam, the outcome shall be one of:

• Passed: the candidate successfully completed all requirements of the exam;
• Be communicated to the student in writing;
• Contain the date by which the conditions must be satisfied;
• Identify the member(s) of the examining committee responsible for determining that the conditions have been met. Normally, this determination will be made by at least one member of the committee other than the student’s supervisor or cosupervisors. Failure to satisfy the conditions within the designated time limit shall result in an outcome of Re-examination.
• Re-examination: the candidate will be required to repeat the exam. In this case, the student shall be provided written communication that identifies the deficiencies in the exam that led to this outcome and the deadline by which the re-examination must take place. In the case of re-examination it is anticipated that the committee membership will be the same as the initial committee. Any change in membership must adhere to committee guidelines and be approved by the student’s Associate Dean Graduate Studies or delegate.

When a candidate is re-examined, the outcomes are limited to:

• Exam Unsuccessful: the candidate will be deemed to have failed to satisfy the program’s comprehensive exam requirement. In this case, the student shall receive written communication identifying the deficiencies in the exam that led to this outcome.    

A student who is deemed to have failed to satisfy the comprehensive exam requirement (Exam Unsuccessful) may not continue in the current PhD program. The student’s status will change to Required to Withdraw in the term immediately following the term in which the examination took place. The student may seek admission to another PhD program or to any Master’s degree program at the University of Waterloo.  

The outcome of the exam is determined by the majority vote of the examining committee. The following rules govern the voting process:  

• In the case where the student is co-supervised, the co-supervisors’ votes shall count collectively as one vote. In the case where co-supervisors vote for different outcomes, these votes shall count as 0.5 votes for each outcome.
• In the case where only two outcomes receive votes and the number of votes is equal for both outcomes, the decision shall be for the less positive outcome, provided that outcome is not exam unsuccessful. 
• If the previous case results in an exam unsuccessful outcome, or if no majority is obtained, the case shall be referred to the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies, who shall make the final determination of the outcome of the exam.

Those members of the examining committee who are voting members shall be clearly communicated to the candidate.   

In programs where the comprehensive exam involves multiple components, a student may obtain different outcomes on each component of the exam. The comprehensive exam will be considered satisfied when the candidate has passed all components of the exam. The comprehensive exam will be considered failed if the candidate receives an exam unsuccessful outcome on any component. No component may be repeated more than once.  

A student may seek reassessment of the exam evaluation only when the outcome is re-examination or exam unsuccessful based on the written element of the comprehensive exam. A student may not seek a reassessment of the oral component. A request for reassessment shall follow the process described in Policy 70 (reassessment challenge).   

Academic integrity and the comprehensive examination

The University considers academic integrity to be an integral part of all scholarship. Violations of academic integrity are handled under University Policy 71.   

When the comprehensive exam involves a written submission of original work by the candidate completed in a non-invigilated setting, the student shall employ the University’s plagiarism detection software leading up to the submission of the written document to the examining committee. The student is encouraged to discuss the reports generated from the software with their supervisor(s) to avoid academic integrity violations. The report generated related to the document submitted to the examining committee shall be included with the student’s written element and shall be made available to the committee.

In cases where comprehensive exams involve the submission of a written document followed by an oral exam component, the following process shall be followed regarding suspected violations of academic integrity on the written element: the person identifying the possible violation shall communicate the concern in writing only to the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies in the student’s home Faculty. The Associate Dean shall then assess the allegations. If the vetting cannot be completed prior to the scheduled date of the oral component of the exam, the oral exam shall be postponed, pending the outcome of the investigation. If the vetting is completed prior to the oral exam, and no violation is identified, then the exam can be held as scheduled.  

When a change in comprehensive exam date is necessary, the Associate Dean Graduate Studies shall inform the candidate, the supervisor or co-supervisors and the Graduate Officer not later than one week prior to the date of the scheduled exam. If a violation is determined to have happened, the Associate Dean shall proceed under Policy 71.   

If no violation is deemed to have occurred, the exam shall be rescheduled to the satisfaction of the student, the supervisors, and the examining committee. This rescheduling of the exam shall be considered a valid extenuating circumstance to extend the exam deadline.    

If an academic integrity violation is believed to have occurred during the oral component of the comprehensive exam, the person suspecting the violation shall ask the Chair to pause the exam. The concerns identified shall be communicated to the Chair (only) who will then determine the course of action. If the Chair believes that uncertainty exists regarding the concerns identified, the Chair may determine that the exam shall continue and the potential academic integrity violation will be vetted after the completion of the exam. If the Chair believes that the suspected violation is likely to be valid or that the alleged occurrence precludes a fair evaluation of the candidate, the Chair shall then suspend the exam until a determination can be made as to whether an academic integrity violation has occurred.   

In both cases, the suspected academic integrity violation shall be reported to and investigated by the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies in the student’s home Faculty under Policy 71.   

When the comprehensive exam includes the completion of a written exam in a controlled environment, suspected violations of academic integrity in these cases should be reported to the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies in the student’s home Faculty.

Language requirement

When a department considers that a candidate must have some level of competence in a particular foreign language or languages, the successful demonstration of this competence becomes a requirement for the degree.

Program of study and supervision

Candidates shall have their program of study and research approved by the department (or delegated committee) in which they are enrolled. In certain Faculties, a candidate will be responsible, upon entry to the program, to a supervisor who will be approved by the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) of the Faculty. In other Faculties, the candidate will be responsible to a provisional supervisor to be approved by the departmental Graduate Studies Committee.

Advisory Committee

When a department wishes to appoint a supervisor (at the latest a month after the comprehensive), the departmental Graduate Officer shall consult with the candidate about an Advisory Committee and shall recommend to the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) of the Faculty the composition of that three to five person Committee. In certain Faculties the Advisory Committee is appointed upon the passing of the comprehensive examination. This Committee must consist of the supervisor(s) and at least one other faculty member from the department. The supervisor must be a regular member of the University faculty with Approved Doctoral Dissertation Supervisor (ADDS) status; or, when a supervisor has adjunct status, another on-campus professor must serve as co-supervisor. The Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) of the Faculty has the authority to waive the co-supervision requirement on the recommendation of the department / school. Two other faculty members, one of whom may be external to the department or Faculty, may also participate in this Committee. In any event, the Advisory Committee must have a minimum of the supervisor and two other faculty members or a maximum of two supervisors and three other faculty members.

PhD thesis examination

The PhD thesis examination is the culmination of the candidate's research program. It exposes the candidate's work to scholarly criticism by members of the University and gives him or her the opportunity to defend it.

All PhD candidates must successfully present and defend their thesis according to the procedures outlined in the Graduate Thesis Regulations.

Recommendation: awarding of the degree

On the basis of the PhD Thesis Examining Committee's report and its own records of candidates' progress in their assigned program of study, the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) of the Faculty, or a committee specifically appointed by a faculty for this purpose, decides whether candidates have fulfilled the requirements for the PhD degree. If the decision is that they have, he or she forwards the supporting documentation to the Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs with the request that he or she recommend to Senate that the degree be awarded. The Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs examines this request in light of the report from the Chair of the thesis examination. If the Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs has any reason to feel that the acceptance of the thesis is open to dispute, the Associate Vice-President will take the matter before the Associate Deans (Graduate Studies) for advice or, if necessary, to the Senate Graduate and Research Council, which is specifically given authority to decide in such cases.

Thesis submission

When the thesis is accepted by the department and Faculty, and all other requirements for the degree have been met, the student must provide the University with an electronic copy of their approved thesis as a final University degree requirement. Theses must be prepared and submitted as outlined on the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs thesis submission page .

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The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations .

Further Education

• Program information

Master's and PhD programs

Master’s and phd programs, choosing a program, interviewing, how do i know if graduate school is right for me.

Going to graduate school is an important decision. It can be a very different experience than an undergraduate degree. You may want to think about how the program aligns with your interests and your financial support, as well as how the program relates to your career goals.

You could start by:

• Talking to graduate students in your program(s) of interest and/or your current program.
• Researching your program(s) of choice to learn about the program structure, student experience, research environment, and anything else you want to know.
• Investigating the career outcomes of past program graduates.
• Asking people in your target field or career how a graduate degree will be viewed

What is different about graduate school? What should I expect?

The graduate school experience is very different from the undergraduate experience. While you take fewer courses and have fewer weekly assignments, you are required to keep yourself on track with the course content. Most of your courses will be seminar–style, which are more demanding in terms of participation, discussion, reading and writing. Depending on your program, you may be expected to do a significant amount of independent research.

A great way to learn about the differences between your current program and a graduate–level degree is to connect with current graduate students and faculty in your area or at your school(s) of choice to find out more.

How long is a graduate program?

The length of a program can vary, depending on the type of program and whether you’re able to study full–time or part–time. You can check the program’s website for information about length of study.

In general, Master’s programs can be between 1–2 years at full–time study, and PhD programs are a minimum of 4 years.

Are there different types of Master’s programs?

Yes! Depending on the area of study, you may be able to do a course–based or a research–based Master’s program. Here’s a quick comparison of the two options:

Course–based Master’s

A course–based Master’s degree is usually one year in length, although different programs can range from eight months to two years. In general, a course–based Master’s will require more courses than a research–based Master’s. It may incorporate a major research project or paper, and may incorporate co–op or practicum experiences.

Research–based Master’s

A research-based Master’s degree is usually two years in length, although some programs may be as short as one year. In general, a research–based Master’s will require fewer courses than a course–based Master’s. It will incorporate individual research that culminates in a thesis or major project, and may incorporate a thesis defense.

How do I find the right program for me?

To find a good program fit, you will need to understand your interests and motivations for further study. Ultimately, how a program connects with your specific reasons for further education will guide your decision.

Start by doing your research into possible programs to learn more. If you need support to identify your interests and motivations or to weigh program options, you can book a drop–in with a further education advisor.

If you are interested in continuing your education at UWaterloo, you can browse the over 180 programs offered.

How do I start my program research?

One way to start off your research into graduate programs is to make a list of potential programs to consider. Program search sites can help you understand which programs are available. You can limit your search by a variety of factors that reflect your needs and interests. Here are some websites to get you started:

Canadian program search

American program search

U.K. program search

European program search

Your search terminology might restrict the options you find in these search sites; you can also use a web search and the graduate studies page of any universities you are particularly interested in.

An alternate way of researching graduate programs is to investigate the teaching and research interests of the program faculty. You could begin by reading widely in your target field. In this process, you will identify areas of research and specific researchers whose work interests you. You can search the researchers and areas of research to identify programs that support this area of study.

Applying outside of Canada

What do i need to think about if i’m applying outside of canada.

Depending on where you will be applying, the application and start timelines, document conventions, and program structure may be different. It is important to research the conventions in the location you are applying to.

Will I need a visa?

If you are applying outside of Canada you will need to meet immigration requirements in the country you will be living in. Immigration requirements vary widely; you will need to research them thoroughly as part of your planning. You may also need to show proof that you can pay tuition when you enter the country where you will study.

Will I have to pay international tuition?

Depending on your immigration status in the country where you will study, you may be considered an international student. International students often pay higher tuition. Some programs in the United States give special status to Canadian applicants.

Rolling admissions

What is a rolling admission.

Some institutions have rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted at any time or before the advertised deadline. Admissions committees will review a complete file and make offers and funding decisions based on an applicant’s file. Applying early to a program can help you secure a spot before more competitive applications are received.

How do I become competitive for a graduate program?

The requirements for a graduate program vary widely by discipline and program. Most will have academic requirements, like a competed undergraduate degree, certain levels of performance in undergraduate studies, prerequisite courses, and foundational knowledge in one or more areas of study.

If you plan to pursue a research–based graduate degree, having some undergraduate research experience can help create a more competitive candidacy. It will also help you prepare for graduate–level research.

Some programs have experiential requirements; they might want particular work or volunteer backgrounds, engagement with diverse populations, leadership experience, or other qualifying experiences.

Research any graduate programs that you might be interested in to understand their requirements as fully as possible. If you are not certain what types of programs you might apply to, maintaining a high academic average, obtaining research experience, and engaging in extracurricular activities you are interested in are good ways of preparing for almost any area of graduate study.

Can I get into a Ph.D. program with a course–based Master’s?

A Ph.D. is a research intensive degree, and a course–based Master’s doesn’t provide students with the same opportunities to do research as a thesis–based Master’s degree can. For that reason, it can be difficult to be competitive for a Ph.D. coming from a course–based Master’s degree. In many cases, Ph.D. admissions will specifically ask for a research–based Master’s to qualify. At the very least, the admissions committee will be looking for something equivalent to graduate–level research experience.

Some Ph.D. programs may provide the option to complete a Qualifying Research Paper to showcase your research abilities. If you’re not able to find detailed information on the program’s admission requirements page, consider connecting with the admissions staff to find out more.

Do I need to do a Master’s before applying to a Ph.D.? **

A Master’s degree is often required for entry into a Ph.D. program in Canada. Research–intensive Master’s programs may give you an advantage when applying for a Ph.D. Some programs allow you to transfer from a Master’s to a Ph.D. program prior to writing your thesis. In rare instances, you may apply for direct entry to a Ph.D. program with only an undergraduate degree. Direct entry to a Ph.D. is more common to American graduate programs. Contacting the graduate admissions office will be your best source of information on your options for a Ph.D.!

What do I need to think about when I apply to a research–based program?

At a minimum, you need to identify or find research that aligns with your interests, as well as a graduate supervisor’s interest. It will be important to find a balance between a research area that is too broad or too limiting.

What is a graduate supervisor?

A graduate supervisor is a faculty member that mentors a graduate student in their research. Most research–based programs require that you have a supervisor. Your supervisor will be the key person to contact at every stage of your research, from selecting your research topic, assessing your findings, to your thesis defense, if applicable.

Where do I find a graduate supervisor?

In most cases, the graduate department website will provide a list of faculty that can be potential supervisors. Keep in mind that this list may not identify which faculty are available. In some disciplines, there is more research funding available than others, which may impact the number of potential supervisors working within your research interests.

How do I select a graduate supervisor?

When deciding on a supervisor, read their publications, attend conferences, and connect with current professors, teaching assistants, graduate students or alumni. It is strongly recommended that applicants contact potential supervisors to ensure that their research interests align. If programs advise applicants not to contact potential supervisors, follow this advice.

Should I contact potential supervisors? What do I say?

Send a professional email about 200 words in length focusing on how your research interests align with their research and how your skills will help the supervisor’s research team. Attach your resume and an unofficial transcript, if your marks are competitive, and list whether you are applying for scholarships. Ask to meet with the potential supervisor and tour their lab, or to set up a Skype or phone appointment.

When should I be contacting potential supervisors?

The application timeline for most graduate programs runs through the fall term. Contacting potential supervisors in the summer between your 3rd and 4th year should give you enough time to connect before you write your application materials.

If your program application timeline is different, you might contact potential supervisors earlier or later in the year.

What if the supervisor doesn’t respond?

If a potential supervisor does not respond to your email, follow up with a phone call. If you do not receive a response, you could consider following up again or searching for an alternate supervisor.

If you are meeting your potential supervisor months in advance of the application, keep in touch!

Do I need to contact a potential supervisor?

If your program(s) of interest advise applicants not to contact potential supervisors, follow this advice.

For research–based programs, you can technically apply to graduate programs without contacting supervisors. If you choose not to, you will not be able to mention that you met them, toured their space and/or thoroughly understand their research in your letter of intent. Your application will not have the same personal connection or enthusiasm as others. Even if you don’t contact them, you will need to provide a list of potential supervisors in your areas of research interest when you apply.

Quick tips videos

Contacting potential supervisors.

Transcript: Quick tips: Contacting potential supervisors (PDF)

What if I don’t know what my research interests are?

There are many different ways to explore your research interests.

You could begin to develop your research interest by reading widely in your target field. In this process, you will learn about research methods, processes, and questions in your field. You may also identify areas of research and specific researchers whose work interests you.

Another potential approach is to consider your motivation for graduate study. Is there a particular problem that you want to solve? Something you want to learn about in more detail? A question you developed in your undergraduate study, or maybe something you think will be relevant to your future career? There are likely researchers working in this area and you can further develop your research interest by seeking them out.

A third way of developing your research interest is through conversation with existing researchers. You could consider connecting with current graduate students in your department or area of study, asking your professors about their current projects, and/or attending conferences or invited speaker sessions. Engaging with other researchers this way will help you further develop your research interests.

Can I find a mentor?

It may be helpful to find a professor who shares your interests and who will act as a mentor. This professor may be willing to help you identify the programs that are best suited to your interests and assist you in the selection and application processes. Also consider contacting the graduate student associations at your universities of interest as well as relevant professional associations: they may provide you with first-hand, up–to–date insights into programs.

Finding programs

Transcript: Quick tips: Finding programs (PDF)

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Thinking about Grad School - Professional Programs Career Night Fall 2016

Transcript: Thinking about Grad School (PDF)

Application Basics

What do i need to apply to a graduate program.

Applications to grad programs could include some combination of the following:

• Online application form for personal and contact information
• Official transcripts
• A personal statement or letter of intent
• A CV or résumé
• Any relevant test scores
• Short answer responses
• A research statement
• A writing sample

Each program sets their own requirements. To know which documents are required for your program(s) of choice, check out the Admission Requirements page for each school!

When do I apply?

Most applications in Canada are due in the late fall and early winter. Some program deadlines are as late as early spring. Be sure to check the deadlines for your particular program.

How do I submit an application?

Most grad schools accept online applications where you can submit all of your required forms directly. Otherwise, you can request applications from the programs through the mail. If you will submit an application by mail, make sure you have enough time to receive and return the application before the deadline. The applicant is responsible for ensuring all documents are included and submitted on time.

Is there a fee?

Applying to grad schools in Canada usually requires an application fee. Most online applications allow you to pay by credit card.

If you are paying via cheque in a paper application, please contact the program to ensure you know who the cheque is payable to.

When do I state my research interests?

If your application package includes a statement of research interest, this is the best place to share information about your proposed research.

Otherwise, your letter of intent, sometimes called personal statement, is the best place to talk about your research interests, reasons for choosing the program and past experience that make you a strong candidate for the program. This is also the opportunity to mention whether you had met with a supervisor and aligned your research interests.

How do I find out what the program values?

Here are a few things to consider when you want to find out more about the program you are applying to.

• Read through the program website really, really carefully. Seriously.
• Ask a professor. This could be someone you know now or someone you might want to work with for your graduate program.
• Chat with other people in the program. Try to ask for a program ambassador or you can also search on LinkedIn.
• Ask admissions staff. Many programs literally pay someone to talk to you about the program. Look for a graduate advisor or admissions officer.
• Attend events or visit their location. You’ll get a much better feel for the program, instructors, staff and physical location. Participate and be proactive!

Letters of Reference

How do i approach potential references for a letter.

Most professors view writing reference letters as an important part of their work. They might post reference letter policies or instructions online, so check in advance to see whether they provide specific guidance.

If your professor does not have a reference letter policy, approach them by email or appointment. Share that you are looking for a strong letter, and let them know which experiences or competencies are relevant to your program(s) of interest.

Be prepared to share your up–to–date CV or résumé, a draft of your statement of interest, your unofficial transcript, and any additional information that will help your professor write a strong letter on your behalf.

How do I select references?

A strong letter of reference communicates that you will be a good graduate student. Ideally, it will come from a professor who can speak positively about your academic ability and your interpersonal characteristics as they relate to graduate school.

Likely, this means that you are looking for a professor of a course that you did well in. If you are able to use a professor from a relatively recent course, or a professor who has seen your work in more than one course, it’s helpful (but not required).

If you can think of a professor who knows you outside of the classroom, maybe someone you saw in office hours, someone who supervised you as a TA or RA, or someone you volunteered for, they might be able to share additional context about your work ethic, reliability, and other personal characteristics.

If you aren’t certain who to choose or are stuck between two or more options, the best reference always comes from the person who can speak about your abilities in the most positive way.

What if I have no good academic references? Can I use professional references?

Programs usually request an academic reference because they want to understand your ability to succeed academically. In most cases, a professional reference is not an appropriate substitution for an academic reference.

If you have been out of university for some time, find out whether there is a mature applicant category at the program(s) you are applying to. Sometimes, applying under this category means that you are able to provide professional references instead of academic.

How do I know what tests to take before applying?

Your program choice(s) will determine which tests, if any, you need to take before applying. Research your program(s) thoroughly to find out whether a test score is required.

Occasionally, a program will indicate that a test score may be submitted but is not required. In this case, a strong test score might mitigate weaker grades on an application; if you are not sure whether you should write an admissions test, reach out to staff at the program to find out.

What if my GPA or average isn’t competitive?

For most programs, competitiveness varies by program and year. If you are concerned because your GPA is in the lower range of admitted applicants or close to the minimum required GPA that that the program publicizes, contact admissions staff to learn more about the range of competitive GPAs.

If your GPA is below the minimum required for the program, you may choose to pursue additional coursework to improve your application. You may also contact admissions staff to learn how they review files with an uncompetitive GPA.

Personal Statement/Letter of Intent

Writing a personal statement but not sure where to start (and maybe what it is)?

I was asked for a statement of purpose, an application essay, or a letter of intent. Is this the same as a personal statement?

If you are writing a statement of research interest, it will help you to seek out specialized resources for that document.

Why does the admissions committee ask for a personal statement? How do they use it?

Most programs have requirements for your grades, experience, and/or test scores. Usually, more applicants meet these criteria than the program can admit, and the personal statement plays an important role in deciding who, of all the qualified applicants, will enter the program.

The personal statement tells the committee how you see yourself fitting with the program. It is how they understand your motivations and how you see the program aligning with your overall goals. It teaches them about you, the person, and not just about your grades or your test scores.

What should a personal statement do?

A strong personal statement is an argument that you should be admitted to the program you are applying to. It will show your fit and preparation for further study, and for the program you are applying to in particular. It will be unique to you because it will represent your personal motivations and experiences.

How do I decide what to share on my personal statement?

There is a lot of conflicting advice about what to share on a personal statement. The most important factor in what you share is the question prompts for your specific application; these will form the foundation for your content decisions.

You will likely include your specific motivation and interest for this particular type of further study and show that you are prepared to do well in this program and field by sharing some of your most important relevant experiences.

My program doesn’t give question prompts or a length for the personal statement. What should I do?

Take a second pass through the program resources, both online and in print where applicable, to be sure that this information isn’t available. If you can’t locate the personal statement requirements, you could consider contacting a program representative and asking for clarification.

If you still don’t understand what is required for this particular personal statement, general guidelines are one to two pages in length. Traditionally, you would talk about why you are applying to this program in particular and what has prepared you to do well in the program and/or career you are pursuing.

Who will read my personal statement?

The most likely readers of your personal statement are professors or instructors on the admissions committee of the program or department that you are applying to. Think about this audience when you develop your materials; not every reader will be an expert in your specific technical discipline, so you will likely have some translation work to do to ensure your experiences are relatable.

Should I have someone else write my personal statement?

A strong personal statement uses your unique voice to share your motivations and experiences as they relate to your program of interest. If someone else tries to write your personal statement for you, or substantially edit it, the quality of your statement will be negatively affected.

You are the expert on your own motivations and experiences; your best personal statement will always be one that you write.

If someone else writes your personal statement, it likely violates academic integrity policies. Some programs use writing components in their interview process and/or compare different samples of your writing to identify cheating. They may also use plagiarism detection software.

How do I write a unique personal statement?

No two candidates are exactly alike; what worked for a friend or in a statement template might not be right for you.

Before you get feedback or advice from other people, or read statements to see how others have approached their application, try the reflection activities and steps in the section on how to write a good personal statement. The best way of creating a unique statement is to understand what you want to communicate and why, and avoid being overly influenced by others’.

If you’ve already gotten feedback or advice or read other statements, it’s okay! Try to go through the below steps with a fresh mind.

Sharing Personal Information

So you’ve read through the basics and you still have questions? Totally! Every person and therefore personal statement is different. If you’re wondering about tackling a specific topic in your personal statement, you might find your question(s) here!

Something happened in my studies that affects my candidacy. How do I address this on a personal statement?

It’s very normal to have one or more experiences that affect your candidacy in some way. Sometimes what feels like a large concern to you will not be remarkable to an admissions committee. Other times, the admissions committee is likely to notice that something affected your studies. You may also have information that an admissions committee could use to contextualize your candidacy.

For most programs, you do not need to address a single low grade, particularly if it does not fall within the period of time that a program looks at to determine your admission average. For example, if you received a low grade in a course in first year, but the program you are applying to only looks at your last two years of performance, you would not normally address this on your application. Likewise, if you are normally an 80s student and received one grade in the 70s, you would not normally address this on your application.

If you have had one or more terms of significantly lower grades, a large number of WDs, an absence from your studies, or something similar, it is likely that the admissions committee will notice evidence that something happened. If you experienced an accessibility need, or your performance was affected by another personal factor, you may wonder whether to share this information or apply under an access category.

You are never required to share your personal story, and deciding how to handle this type of experience involves two main considerations:

• What information, if any, do you want to share with the admissions committee?
• What information might the committee need to know so they can understand your experiences?

Evaluating exactly how to proceed with information sharing (or not) can take a lot of reflection. If you’re feeling stuck, attend a drop-in with a further education advisor to talk in more detail.

How do I connect my application to the specific program or school I’m applying to?

It’s tempting to list off a series of positive qualities about your target school or program; to make this a meaningful part of your personal statement, avoid generic content that could easily belong on someone else’s document.

Instead, think about what drew you apply to this particular program. Is it the geographic location? The type of training you will receive there? A particular researcher or instructor you want to work with? The institution’s research history or research areas? What others say about the program? The institution’s reputation?

Whatever your reasons, reflect on why they are important, how they connect to your studies, and what they mean for your ability to succeed in the program.

Writing a Strong Personal Statement

How do i write a good personal statement.

It’s common for people to try sitting down and writing as the first step of their personal statement. You will likely save time and develop a stronger statement if you do some background work first.

Investigate

You need to understand what questions you’re answering and how much space you have. To find the question prompt(s) for the personal statement, document length, and core competencies for the program or profession, you could:

• Read the school/program website and program manuals
• Talk to professors, graduate students, or staff at the program you’re interested in

You will know this stage is done when you know what question(s) you are responding to and how much space you have to do so.

Some programs do not give a specific question prompt or length for your personal statement. If this is the case for your program, follow traditional guidelines by creating a statement that is one to two pages long. Address why you are applying to this program in particular and what has prepared you to do well in the program and/or career you are pursuing.

You will use your personal statement to communicate to a specific audience. You need to understand that audience and what they care about in order to communicate effectively with them. To find out what they look for, you could:

• Translate the school/program materials and informational interview information into a list of skills, abilities, experiences, and/or competencies that they want.
• Read the vision, mission, and values statements and identify additional important parts of a competitive candidacy.
• Talk to professors, graduate students, alumni, or staff of the program you’re interested in.

You’ll know this stage is done when you understand what skills, experiences, and qualities you might need to be successful in this program.

You will use your past experiences to show that you will be successful in the program you are applying to. Look for the closest possible proof that you have what it takes. To identify your relevant experiences, you might:

• Revisit your past experiences, remembering your training, volunteer, employment, coursework, extracurriculars… everything! You could use the Access Your Experiences worksheet if you are looking for one place to record this information.
• Pay particular attention important moments and experiences that helped you know you want to pursue this area of study or career.
• Critically evaluate how your experiences relate to what your program needs from a strong applicant.
• Think carefully about what each experience means. You could ask yourself:
• What do these experiences and stories make you good at?
• What did you do differently than someone who is bad at this work?
• What did this experience prepare you to do well in the future?

One of the myths about personal statements is that you should only share stories that have a perfect happy ending; in reality, stories that don’t end perfectly can be the best at teaching you about yourself and your skills.

If you want to dive deep into your experiences, you can try the Access Your Experiences worksheet . This exercise asks you to identify important experiences, think about why you engaged with them, and then think beyond your surface reasons to the deeper “why” of your background. Often, that deeper why is similar for many of your experiences, and can form a cohesive foundation for your personal statement.

You’ll know this stage is done when you have remembered and reflected on your relevant experiences.

At this point, you have done extensive background work. You likely have a good idea of which stories you want to tell on your application. To start writing your personal statement, you might:

• Try writing a bad first draft — one where you don’t hold yourself to a perfect standard, but work quickly to get all of your ideas on paper.
• Start by jotting down bullet points or incomplete sentences and organize your thoughts before writing full sentences.
• Create an outline of your document, potentially using the Personal Statement Outline handout , then fill in stories with more detail as you revise.

You’ll know this stage is done when you have one or more rough drafts of your statement.

The final stage of writing a strong personal statement is revising your document. You might:

• Take a break from your document for a day or several days, and come back to it with fresh eyes.
• Ask for structured feedback from other people. You could ask others to:
• Circle or highlight the main competencies they think you are emphasizing on your document;
• Share one or more questions they have about your statements;
• Summarize what you shared about how you will contribute to the program/field;
• Restate why you are interested in this program/field;
• Provide any other feedback that would help you reflect on your writing.

You’ll know this stage is done when you have shared the stories that are most important to you, and hear from others that your statement clearly shares the messages you want an admissions committee to receive about you.

Will there be a formal interview?

It’s not common for graduate programs to conduct formal interviews as part of their admissions process, but a small number of programs do integrate interviews into their admissions. If it is a standard admissions requirement, the specific program’s admission webpage will have information on their process and format. Interviews may be standard panel style, via Skype or another online platform, or involve more program–specific components.

If you are applying to a professional program (e.g., Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, Social Work, etc.), please see the interview section under your program of interest.

What do I do if the school is far away? Can I set up an alternative form of interview?

If the school(s) you’re applying to are far away, perhaps overseas, it may be difficult to organize an in–person interview. The admissions committee may or may not present you with options for distance interviews (e.g., Skype). You can always respond to the invite with questions, but prepare for the possibility that you’ll need to arrange transportation and coordinate with admissions.

What are panel interviews for graduate school like?

Standard panel interviews are the most familiar interview type. An admissions committee, sometimes made up of faculty, admissions or recruitment staff, or current graduate students, will ask you a series of questions. They may ask about your interest in the program, qualifications, and future goals to determine your fit with the program.

How can I prepare for the interview?

Preparing for a graduate school interview isn’t all that different from any other interview. If you’ve interviewed for any job or volunteer position before, you have a head start! The short answer is, do whatever you need to do to feel prepared and confident heading into the interview. That could include:

• Practicing interview questions out loud
• Writing down some key points you want to talk about
• Planning a draft research proposal or some jot notes about future research
• Bringing a copy of your resume or CV to remind you of your relevant experience

Which questions should I come prepared to answer?

The program you’ve applied to may have a set list of questions, or they might not. Check the program website or invitation email to see if they’ve shared any information about their interview process and what it might include.

Here are some common questions you can practice for graduate school interviews, no matter which program you’re interviewing for:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why did you choose this program?
• Why did you choose this school?
• Tell me about a time you took on a leadership role.
• What kind of research are you hoping to pursue in this degree?
• Which faculty member do you hope to work with and why?
• Tell me about a time you failed.
• What is your greatest strength/weakness?
• What are your plans after you complete the program?

What if a potential supervisor asks for an interview?

When a potential supervisor is evaluating your fit with their research and/or lab, they could ask to speak with you for a more informal type of interview. They may ask to set up a Skype chat or meet you for coffee.

First of all, this is great news! It likely means they’re impressed by the information they have about you. This is an opportunity to connect more and get to know one another, ask questions, and asses two–way fit.

You’ll be more relaxed and do your best possible job by spending a little time to prepare in advance.

How can I prepare for this conversation?

You can prepare much like you would for a formal interview. Come ready to talk about your research interests, previous experience, a proposed area of study for your degree, and maybe your future goals. Consider running through some of the common interview questions above. If that doesn’t feel like enough, you can book a Further Education Interview drop’in.

This chat isn’t just about them getting to know you; it’s also an opportunity for you to ask them questions that you’ve been wondering about.

What kinds of questions can I ask a potential supervisor?

What do you genuinely want to know about that program and that supervisor? So much of your graduate school experience will depend on your relationship with your supervisor. It’s important to understand if they’re a good fit for both your research interests and your working style. You can ask them questions about:

• What they expect of students they supervise
• How they prefer to provide feedback on a student’s work
• How often they like to meet with their students and get updates on their progress
• What future research they’re planning
• How you can get involved in their research and/or teaching

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Management Sciences

We offer a phd degree in Management Sciences  at the University of Waterloo. All applicants must submit a "Statement of Purpose" - a one page statement addressing their academic background, area of research interest, proposed research studies.

University of Waterloo Multiple locations Waterloo , Canada Not ranked Studyportals University Meta Ranking 4.0 Read 82 reviews

Management Sciences at University of Waterloo at the is a broad interdisciplinary study of problem solving and decision making in organizations. 

Features 

• It uses a combination of analytical models, data science, and behavioural sciences to address society's most complex problems.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

• Applied Operations Research
• Information Systems
• Management of Technology
• To obtain additional information about the program, we kindly suggest that you visit the programme website, where you can find further details and relevant resources.

Key information

• 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

• Apply before 2025-02-01 00:00:00

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Academic requirements.

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Student insurance.

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

• Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
• Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
• Home contents and baggage

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Waterloo and/or in Canada, please visit Student Insurance Portal .

Other requirements

General requirements.

• A Master's degree with at least an 83% average and evidence of ability to pursue independent research
• Background in quantitative methods (e.g., Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability and Statistics)
• All applicants must submit a "Statement of Purpose" - a one page statement addressing their academic background, area of research interest, proposed research studies

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International, living costs for waterloo.

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University of Waterloo

University of waterloo, main campus, waterloo canada, # 115 qs world university rankings, 95 undergraduate programs, 117 postgraduate programs, available scholarship, find your perfect course, follow university, about university of waterloo.

The University of Waterloo has been ranked Canada’s most innovative university for the past 25 years. More than 16,000 undergraduates participate in the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program  where students alternate school and work terms, gaining experience with employers such as Google, Facebook, Amazon. Located about 110 km west of Toronto, the University of Waterloo welcomes 35,000 students from 120 countries.

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The University of Waterloo offers more than 100 undergraduate programs in areas such as health, humanities and social sciences, business, engineering, the environment, mathematics, and science.

Waterloo has been ranked as Canada's most innovative university for the past 25 years and as one of Canada's best overall universities. The university is home to the world's largest co-op program with 6,700 employers around the world hiring our students for 4-month paid work terms throughout their degree. View our admission requirements to learn more.

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Architectural engineering (bas), architecture, classical studies, geography and aviation, geography and environmental management, geological engineering (bas), knowledge integration (bki), liberal studies, medieval studies, theatre and performance, business and management (6), bachelor of accounting and financial management, bachelor of computing and financial management, bachelor of global business and digital arts, bachelor of sustainability and financial management, business administration (laurier) and computer science (waterloo) double degree, business administration (laurier) and mathematics (waterloo) double degree, science and business, engineering and technology (6), chemical engineering (bas), civil engineering (bas), computer engineering (bas), computer science (data science) (bcs), electrical engineering (bas), management engineering (bas), mechanical engineering (bas), mechatronics engineering (bas), nanotechnology engineering (bas), software engineering (bas), systems design engineering (bas), life sciences and medicine (6), anthropology, biomedical engineering (bas), biotechnology / chartered professional accountancy, biotechnology / economics, kinesiology, life sciences (biochemistry), life sciences (biology), life sciences (biomedical sciences), life sciences (psychology), physical sciences (medicinal chemistry) (co-op only), psychology (bachelor of arts), therapeutic recreation, natural sciences (6), environment and business, environment, resources and sustainability, environmental engineering (bas), environmental science, mathematics (actuarial science), mathematics (applied mathematics), mathematics (biostatistics), mathematics (combinatorics and optimization), mathematics (computational mathematics), mathematics (data science), mathematics (mathematical economics), mathematics (mathematical finance), mathematics (mathematical optimization), mathematics (mathematical physics), mathematics (mathematical studies), mathematics (mathematics teaching), mathematics (pure mathematics), mathematics (statistics), mathematics / business administration (information technology management), mathematics / chartered professional accountancy, mathematics / financial analysis and risk management, physical sciences (chemistry), physical sciences (earth sciences), physical sciences (life physics), physical sciences (materials and nanosciences), physical sciences (mathematical physics), physical sciences (physics and astronomy), physical sciences (physics), science and aviation, social sciences and management (6), gender and social justice, health studies, international development, legal studies, peace and conflict studies, political science, public health, recreation and leisure studies, recreation and sport business, religious studies, sexuality, marriage and family studies, social development studies, speech communication, tourism development.

The University of Waterloo offers over 190 doctoral and Master’s degree programs and was ranked #152 in the QS World University Rankings 2015. Postgraduate programs include Biology, Nanotechnology, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Economics, Languages, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy, and Mathematics.

The engineering and technology schools are ranked 57th in the world in the QS World University Rankings and alumni go on to work at companies like BlackBerry (founded by a Waterloo alum), Apple, Ernst & Young, and Google.

While graduate job placement for the university is excellent, Waterloo also prides itself in its research programs and degrees.  With over $200 million in funding from both local and international partners – 31% of funding comes from industry partnerships – the school has been able to push the envelope in innovation in the STEM fields, health sciences, and the arts. 

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One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

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A list of available scholarships around the world

A scholarship application checklist

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University of Waterloo is one of the top public universities in Waterloo, Canada. It is ranked #115 in QS World University Rankings 2025.

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Funding and awards

Funding for graduate students.

The Cheriton School of Computer Science offers competitive funding for our graduate students. Financial support for students accepted into a full-time MMath or PhD program is typically a combination of graduate teaching assistantships (TA)* and graduate research assistantships/studentships (GRA/GRS). The TA and GRA/GRS funding is our students base pay and all full-time MMath and PhD students are further considered for an array of scholarships and awards during the offer of admission process, many of which are listed below. For full details please review awards and funding for graduate students. 

MMath students are only guaranteed funding in their first year of studies as noted in their offer of admission. However, full-time students in the MMath and PhD programs may continue to receive funding while they are within their  program time limits  and in good academic standing and have satisfactory progress in their program. Financial support is not offered to part-time students or to students in the MMath coursework option. Students also do not receive funding in terms they are inactive. 

Students receiving TA and GRA/GRS funding currently receive the following amount within 3 terms (1 year).

Current student can view a breakdown of the funding on a per term basis here . 

* some exceptions may apply

Awards and scholarships

Applicants of exceptional merit are automatically considered for a limited number of internal entrance scholarships at the time of admission. Eligible students are also encouraged to apply for external scholarships. For a full listing please review the Graduate funding & awards database .  

Internal scholarships & funding opportunities

Some do not require a formal application, as they are handled at the discretion of the School Graduate Office,  all applicants are considered at the time of admission. 

David R. Cheriton Graduate Scholarship

Application: Applicants considered at the time of application. Eligible PhD students may apply each term when the application period is open. See award details for more information.

Value: $10,000 per year for one or two years

Eligibility requirement: No residency requirement. As a stipulation of receiving a Cheriton Graduate Scholarship, all recipients are required to submit an abstract of their proposed, in progress or completed graduate-level research to the CS Grad Office in April of the following year for inclusion in the annual Cheriton Report.

Must be current PhD student to apply to the application portion of scholarship.

DiMarco Graduate Scholarship in Computational Rhetoric

Application: Application required. See award details for more information

Value: $2,500 per year for one year

Eligibility requirement: No residency requirement, Computer Science or Faculty of Arts who have an area of interest in computational rhetoric

Doctoral Thesis Completion Award

Value: $5,000; one term award

Eligibility requirement: All completing doctoral students

Dr. Derick Wood Graduate Scholarship

Application: Eligible applicants considered at the time of application. See award details for more information.

Value: PhD - one $10,000 for one year or Masters - two $5,000 for one year

Eligibility requirement: No residency requirement, Computer Science graduate program, preference will be given to PhD conducting research in Algorithms and Complexity.

Donor Information:

Dr. Derick Wood was a Professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo from 1982 to 1992. He is widely known for his outstanding research contributions in a number of areas in theoretical Computer Science, including algorithms, data structures, formal languages and computational geometry. Dr. Wood received his B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Leeds, England, in 1963 and 1968, respectively. The University of Waterloo has established the Dr. Derick Wood Endowment for Graduate Scholarships in Computer Science in order to receive gifts honouring Dr. Wood.

More donor information .

GO-Bell Scholarships

Application: No a pplication required. Applicants considered automatically by department. See award details for more information

Value: $12,000 per year up to two years

Eligibility requirement: No residency requirement. Full time PhD students.

International Doctoral Student Awards (IDSA)

Application: No a pplication required. Applicants considered automatically. See award details for more information regarding eligibility and value

International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE)

Jose blakeley graduate scholarship in data systems.

Value: $10,000 per year for one year

Eligibility requirement: International master’s or doctoral student in the Data Systems Group of the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science

Jose Blakeley Application (PDF)

Lijiang Fang Graduate Scholarship

Application: No a pplication required. Applicants considered automatically. See award details for more information

Value: $5,000; split over 2 terms

Eligibility requirement: No residency requirement. Full time, research-based graduate degree program, MMath/PhD. Selection based on academic excellence (minimum 80% cumulative average)

Mathematics Domestic Graduate Student Award

Value: Doctoral students: $6,000 per year (split over 3 terms) Master's students: $3,000 per year (split over 3 terms)

Eligibility requirement: Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Full time, research-based graduate degree program, MMath/PhD.

Ontario Trillium Scholarship

Application: No a pplication required. Students nominated by department. See award details for more information

Value: $40,000 annually

Eligibility requirement: International/study permit student. Full time, research-based graduate degree program (PhD)

Provost Doctoral Entrance Award (PDEA) for Women

Value: $5,000

Eligibility requirement: No residency requirement. Full time female doctoral student (PhD). Minimum 80% cumulative average

Research Travel Assistantship

Application: A pplication required . See award details for more information regarding eligibility and value

UW Graduate Scholarship

Waterloo apple phd fellowship in data science and machine learning.

Application: A pplication required . See award details for more information.

Value : $37,500 per year for two years.

Eligibility : No residency requirement. Students must be in the 2nd or 3rd year of their PhD program in the School of Computer Science. DISCONTINUED AS OF 2023

External awards

The following external awards   are available to students at the University of Waterloo. All eligible students are encouraged to apply. Please contact the Computer Science  Graduate Coordinator , that manages scholarships, for more detailed information.

• Tri-Agency (CIHR,NSERC,SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS M)
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
• Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science & Technology (QEII-GSST)
• President's Graduate Scholarship  (PGS)

Other funding opportunities

For other funding opportunities to graduate students, such as the Graduate Student Parental Leave Bursary and Graduate Student Medical Leave Bursary, please see the financial need funding page.