phd architecture in canada

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The majority of graduate programs are NOT impacted by recent government announcements about tuition increases. PhD students from the rest of Canada will continue to pay Quebec fees. International PhD fees will see the same 3% increase as Quebec fees.

Architecture (PhD)

Program description.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Architecture offered by the Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture in the Faculty of Engineering is a research-intensive program that emphasizes rigorous and thought-provoking learning opportunities. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in original thinking, literature review, and information synthesis to pursue professional opportunities in academia or industry.

Unique Program Features

• The School operates a number of important auxiliary facilities that include workshops, research labs, and other resources that support both teaching and learning activities in addition to research activities;
• Students benefit from access to The Blackader-Lauterman Library of Architecture and Art, the John Bland Canadian Architecture Collection, The Architecture Slide Library, and The Orson Wheeler Architectural Model Collection;
• Our program is accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) and is recognized as accredited by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in the U.S. (Note: while graduation from a CACB-accredited program does not assure registration, the accrediting process is intended to verify that each accredited program substantially meets those standards that, as a whole, comprise an appropriate education for an architect).

University-Level Admission Requirements

• An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
• English-language proficiency

Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please visit the program website for more details.

Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.

Program Website

PhD in Architecture website

Department Contact

Graduate Program phd.architecture [at] mcgill.ca (subject: PhD%20in%20Architecture) (email)

Available Intakes

Application deadlines.

Note: Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.

Application Resources

• Application Steps webpage
• Submit Your Application webpage
• Connecting with a supervisor webpage
• Graduate Funding webpage

Application Workshops

Consult our full list of our virtual application-focused workshops on the Events webpage.

Department and University Information

Graduate and postdoctoral studies.

Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture, Landscape, and Design (Ph.D.)

Application, deadline to apply.

• January 3, 2024 : You must make your application payment and submit all transcripts electronically by this date. Note: Transcripts are uploaded only after the payment is made.
• January 10, 2024 : You must submit all other supporting documents (Letters of Reference, CV, Research Proposal, Portfolio, and Writing Sample(s)) by this date.

Submissions are due by 11:59pm (EST; Eastern Standard Time).

Academic Requirements

Applicants should have appropriate academic credentials (a master’s degree or equivalent in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Fine Arts, Engineering, Environmental Design or, exceptionally, in a related field) with an average grade of at least A-. A Master of Architecture or Master of Landscape Architecture first professional degree or Master of Fine Arts is preferred, but not required.

Transcripts

Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted electronically . Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required to submit official hard copy transcripts to the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design prior to registration.

Carefully read the Transcripts page for submission instructions.

English Requirements

Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. The required minimum scores and further details on how to submit test results are listed on the School of Graduate Studies website . This requirement should be met at the time of application.

Applicants must:

• Self-report the test results on the online admission application as instructed and;
• Arrange for the official results to be sent electronically to the University of Toronto by the testing agency. The Daniels Faculty will not approach testing agencies on behalf of an applicant.

Please note: Applicants submitting English proficiency testing may be asked for further demonstration of their English proficiency.

Supporting Documents

Note: All documents being sent or handed in to the Daniels Faculty should clearly indicate applicant number and full legal name of applicant on packaging unless being sent directly from an institution. Once supporting documents are submitted they become the property of the University of Toronto and cannot be returned.

All supporting documents listed below are mandatory and must be submitted with your application. Carefully read the information below for guidelines on each supporting document.

Curriculum Vitae

Letters of Reference

Research Proposal

• Writing Sample(s)

Portfolio (Optional)

There are no page limits or specific requirements; however, we encourage applicants to edit this carefully. It is not recommended that an applicant include their photograph on their CV or any other application materials.

Three letters of reference are required for each application. These letters of reference are submitted electronically on the Online Admissions Application and are only shared among the programs listed on the application. The system will automatically email an electronic submission request to each referee as soon as the reference portion of the application has been saved.  It is highly recommended that applicants confirm referee availability prior to submitting contact details.   All letters of reference  must   be received by the document deadline for the application to be considered complete.

We recommend checking with each referee to ensure they have received the automatic email request. University of Toronto emails will sometimes be blocked by email security filters. If a referee has not received the email, please ask them to check their Junk Mail folder. If they still have not received the request, applicants have the ability to re-send the request through the Online Admissions Application. Do not use this function as a reminder for your referee.

Letters of reference will be part of the official student academic record; they are confidential and applicants/students will not have access to them. For more information, please see  FIPPA and its Application to the University of Toronto . 

A two-page research proposal must be submitted. As the PhD program aims to support emerging forms of design and scholarly practice that address the complex issues confronting the built environment, it is expected that applicants’ research proposals will be in this spirit. In their research proposal, applicants should describe a topic of research that relates to one of the four areas of study ( history and theory , computation and fabrication , health and society , and technology and environment ) as well as initial ideas for how the proposal might go beyond disciplinary lines to take advantage of synergies between these fields. Likewise, applicants are encouraged to describe how skills from prior studies would be developed and applied in this context.

The proposed topic must be congruent with the interests and expertise of at least one member of the Ph.D. Program Faculty .

Writing Sample

Applicants must submit a writing sample, in the form of a substantial research paper or publication. The writing sample must be submitted electronically   and should demonstrate academic communication skills. Writing samples must be limited to 10 pages or less.

Applicants who feel a visual representation of work is required to support their research proposal have the option to portfolio of work. The portfolio  must be limited to 12 pages or less.

• Save file name as Lastname_Firstname_PhDPortfolio and send as a single PDF file
• Clearly indicate your full name (as it appears on your online application) in your email and on your portfolio
• Clearly indicate your full application number

Supervision

Supervisor Preference 

As part of the application, applicants are required to list three choices for a preferred Primary Supervisor from the Daniels ALD PhD Core Faculty List   and submit a brief description of how their research interest is congruent with the interests and expertise of these faculty members.

Applicants are not required to secure a supervisor prior to submitting an application, however, we strongly recommend that you contact potential supervisors via email well in advance of the application deadline as it is best to list faculty members who have responded with interest.

Note: A commitment from the potential supervisor is not necessary for application as our students are selected by an admissions committee and not by a single supervisor. This information is gathered for admission purposes only, a supervisor will be assigned to you officially upon admission into the program.

The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininew, Anisininew, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More

Faculty of Architecture

University of Manitoba

University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2

The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Architecture is the first faculty in Canada to offer four post-graduate, built-environment degree programs ( Architecture , City Planning , Interior Design and Landscape Architecture ). Through its focus on design excellence, teaching and research, the faculty demonstrates its commitment to improving the quality of the built environment and associated ecological, economic, physical and social well-being of the global community.

COVID-19 updates Visit the UM COVID-19 page for the latest updates and information.

What we offer

Programs of study

With an undergraduate program in Environmental Design, four departments (Architecture, City Planning, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture) offering professional master's degrees and a PhD in Design and Planning, the faculty offers unparalleled design education at all levels of study.

• Undergraduate program

Environmental Design

• Graduate programs

Architecture

City planning, interior design, landscape architecture, phd in design and planning.

Student experience

Faculty of Architecture programming is hands-on, with integrative research opportunities, extensive studio work and diverse job placements with industry partners.

• Support for architecture students
• Funding and awards
• Cooperative education / Integrated work program
• Experiential learning opportunities
• FAUM events
• FAUM salons
• Associations and student groups

Our faculty members and graduate students produce research that is both productive and reflective, critical and creative – projecting better futures and learning from past discoveries, while addressing present challenges and opportunities.

• C.A.S.T research
• FABLab research
• Faculty research projects
• Research bios

Community and partners

The Faculty of Architecture is committed to building a strong, vital link between staff and students and fostering collaboration between the university and all facets of the professional practice.

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Student creativity, ingenuity and determination on display at two exhibitions this week

Faculty of Architecture, School of Art

10 Questions With… Heidi Painchaud [B.I.D. ’94]

2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards recipients revealed

Alumni, Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Arts

Master of Landscape Architecture Students Awarded National Recognitions

2024 um three minute thesis finalists announced, faum students excel in steelcase next student design competition, departments and programs.

The Faculty of Architecture at UM is deeply interdisciplinary, with five distinct departments and degree options at three levels of study.

The Bachelor of Environmental Design provides a solid foundational design education for students who want to pursue a professional degree in any of our graduate programs.

The two-year Master of Architecture program at UM is one of the oldest and most widely recognized professional programs of its kind in Canada.

Throughout the two-year Master of City Planning program, students work with governmental, non-profit and Indigenous clients to address real-life planning issues.

The two-year Master of Interior Design program focuses on design studios, with technologies, history, theory and research integrated through design projects.

The two-year Master of Landscape Architecture program was the first graduate program in the field in Canada. Its graduates now hold many senior positions throughout the profession.

The PhD in Design and Planning is for students intending to pursue independent investigation, original research and creative scholarship to make a significant contribution to knowledge in design and planning fields.

Office of the dean

Learn about our mission, vision, tenets and strategic plan as a faculty, and find resources for faculty and staff.

• Our strategic plan
• Resources for faculty and staff
• Faculty council bylaw

Our faculty and staff

Find contact information for faculty and staff members within the Faculty of Architecture, arranged by department.

• Environmental Design faculty
• Department of Architecture faculty
• Department of City Planning faculty
• Department of Interior Design faculty
• Department of Landscape Architecture faculty
• Sessional instructors
• Administrative staff

Our centres and facilities

The FABLab is an interdisciplinary design research laboratory that supports student education and community relations in the realm of digital craft.

Learn more about the FABLab

The CADLab offers a computer lab, self-service scanners, network laser printers and equipment loans for Faculty of Architecture students and faculty. 

Learn more about the CADLab

The Centre for Architectural Structures and Technology (C.A.S.T.) is an interdisciplinary research laboratory for integrative dimensions of making.

Learn more about C.A.S.T.

The Workshop supports students and faculty in the production of refined models and environmental product and furniture prototypes. 

Learn more about the Workshop

The Product Catalogue Collection is a design material resource library, which serves the Faculty of Architecture students and Faculty.

Learn more about the PCC

Architecture / Fine Arts Library

The Architecture/Fine Arts Library  supports the teaching and research requirements of the Faculty of Architecture.

Learn more about the library

Faculty of Architecture Room 201 John A. Russell Building 84 Curry Place University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus) Winnipeg, MB  R3T 2M6

School of Graduate Studies

Architecture, program overview.

The professional Master of Architecture (MArch) is a rigorous and comprehensive program, preparing graduates for the full range of activities in architecture. It provides a thorough base of knowledge in history, theory, technology, ecology, society, and professional practice, while developing skills in design through an intensive sequence of design studio courses.

The Daniels Faculty also offers a Master of Architecture Second-Year Advanced-Standing Option (2 years). The advanced-standing option is offered to applicants who demonstrate advanced capabilities, as determined through review of academic background and design portfolio. Advanced-standing students join the curriculum outlined below at the beginning of the second year of study.

Both the MArch and the advanced-standing option are intended for those who do not already hold a professional degree in architecture. Individuals already holding a professional degree are encouraged to consider the post-professional Master of Architecture option or the Master of Urban Design program.

Quick Facts

Master of architecture, program description.

The Master of Architecture (MArch) is a professional degree program and provides a thorough base of knowledge in history, theory, technology, ecology, society, and professional practice, while developing skills in design through an intensive sequence of design studio courses. These are supported by courses in visual communication and architectural representation including computer modelling and other new media. The program aims to develop critical, creative, and independent thinking and research that responds to current design issues and societal changes. The greater Toronto region is used as an urban laboratory for the development of new knowledge and forms of practice.

In Canada, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is the sole agency authorized by the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA) to accredit Canadian professional degree programs in architecture for the purposes of architectural licensure.

MArch Program (3-Year Option)

The 3-year option within the MArch program is accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board. Graduates are eligible to begin the process of professional licensure to become an Architect in North America. The qualification is also transferable to many other countries and regions; students are advised to inquire with their local licensing body.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design's additional admission requirements stated below.

A bachelor's degree (BA, BSc, BASc, BES, BFA, BCom) with a final-year grade point average of at least mid-B.

Recommended: courses in secondary calculus, secondary physics, and university-level architectural history (0.5 full-course equivalent [FCE]).

Some preparation or experience in architectural design or the creative arts is encouraged, but not required, such as hand or digital drawing, film or animation, graphic design, or sculpture. This program is suitable for those without formal training in design or the arts; graduates of any discipline are encouraged to apply.

Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

The course of study is a rigorous full-time, comprehensive program and prepares graduates for the full range of professional activities in architecture. The core program is extensive, and students are required to use their electives to develop an area of special skill and knowledge through an independent study program that culminates in a design thesis.

Students study full-time, taking all required courses in each given session. An FZ (fail) in any one course, or a B– grade in two studio courses or in any three courses normally results in a recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies to terminate the student's registration in the degree program.

There is no additional language requirement other than proficiency in English on admission. Writing support is integrated into the program to develop specialized skills that are essential to effective learning and communication in the design fields.

Progress in the program is dependent upon satisfactory completion of studio and required core courses in sequence. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Program Director, and in consultation with the Office of the Registrar and Student Services in the case of accessibility.

Students who complete their Master of Architecture program and are eligible to graduate will have their relevant information automatically forwarded by the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design to the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) , unless the student opts out in writing. The certification confirms the individual’s academic qualifications in compliance with the Canadian Education Standard (CES) in Architecture for entry to the profession. CACB grants and issues certification to applicants who meet the Education Standard and maintains a National Register of those certified and confidential records of all pertinent documentation for all applicants.

Coursework. Students must complete a total of 16.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

14.0 FCEs in core courses:

4.0 FCEs: Design Studio

1.0 FCE: Design Studio Research

1.0 FCE: Design Studio Thesis

1.0 FCE: Research Methods

0.5 FCE: Visual Communication

1.0 FCE: History

1.0 FCE: Design Technology

3.5 FCEs: Technics and Planning

1.0 FCE: Professional Practice

2.0 elective FCEs, of which 0.5 FCE must be in the History and Theory category.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/F/W/F/W)

4 years full-time

MArch Program (2-Year: Second-Year Advanced-Standing Option)

The 2-year option within the MArch program is accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board. Graduates are eligible to begin the process of professional licensure to become an Architect in North America. The qualification is also transferable to many other countries and regions; students are advised to inquire with their local licensing body.

An appropriate non-professional bachelor's degree in architectural studies or environmental design, or a comparable degree focusing on the built environment.

Admission to the advanced-standing option is based on the merits of the student's overall academic background and strength of design portfolio as evaluated by the MArch admissions committee.

Required: minimum previous completion of

four design studio courses

one course in visual communications or representation

one course in design technology

two courses in architecture history and theory (one in 20th-century)

one course in structures

one course in building science

one course in environmental systems.

Coursework. Students must complete a total of 10.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

8.0 FCEs in core courses:

2.0 FCEs: Design Studio

2.0 FCEs: Design Studio Research

0.5 FCE: Research Methods

0.5 FCE: Design Technology

2.0 FCEs: Technics and Planning

2.5 elective FCEs, of which 0.5 FCE must be in the History and Theory category.

4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/F/W)

MArch Program (1-Year: Post-Professional Advanced-Standing Option)

The 1-year option within the MArch program is ideal for those who wish to undertake a graduate-level, academic research project, and independent of the pathway to professional licensure. Those who wish to become a licensed Architect should consider the 2- or 3-year program options above.

A post-professional advanced-standing option is available for students who are interested in pursuing advanced studies in architecture beyond their professional degree.

Applicants must have completed all requirements for an accredited architectural professional degree from a recognized university.

The post-professional advanced-standing option does not grant a professionally accredited degree.

Each student’s program of study must receive the approval of the Program Director and, in general, shall consist of a research or design project on which a thesis must be submitted. Faculty members have research expertise in the following areas of interest, which students may pursue: Computation and Fabrication; Health and Society; and Sustainability and Environment.

Coursework. Students must complete a total of 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

4.0 FCEs in core courses:

0.5 FCE: ALA4010H Field Course

0.5 FCE: ALA4020H Thesis Preparation

1.0 FCE: ALA4021Y Thesis I

1.5 FCE: ALA4022Y Thesis II

0.5 FCE: ALA4030H Colloquium

2.0 elective FCEs, of which 1.0 FCE must be in the student's area of interest.

2 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W)

3 years full-time

“It's okay sometimes to feel lost. This is part of research.”

• Graduate School

School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture

Deeply committed to the quality of the built and natural environment, we are a close-knit school of architecture and landscape architecture at one of the world’s top 20 public universities. Being located in Vancouver provides an ideal laboratory to prepare the next generations of architects, landscape architects, designers, and planners to respond to the urgent human and environmental issues of our times.

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Architecture

Master of Architecture

Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture

Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture

High Performance Buildings

Master of Engineering Leadership

Landscape Architecture

Master of Advanced Studies in Landscape Architecture

Master of Landscape Architecture

PhD in Design, Technology and Society

Doctor of Philosophy

Urban Design

Master of Urban Design

• Research Supervisors

Brent Peekeekoot

Duncan Chambers

Read tips on applying, reference letters, statement of interest, reaching out to prospective supervisors, interviews and more in our Application Guide!

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Architecture (MArch, PhD)

Part of The Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science

Program Overview

Format : Full-time

Degree Earned : Master of Architecture (MArch) or PhD in Architecture

Students in this program reimagine, redesign and reevaluate the built environment, with support from world-class faculty, peers and industry partners. The Master of Architecture (MArch) is fully accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board. This program prepares students for professional licensure and provides opportunities for intellectual growth and critical study of practice in its contemporary forms and future potential. The PhD in Architecture is for students wishing to make an original and significant contribution to disciplinary knowledge through design-driven research and creative scholarship.

At a Glance

Admissions information.

• Completion of a BArchSc degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) or equivalent of 3.00/4.33 (B) in the last two years of study
• Statement of thesis intent
• Transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency requirement
• Completion of a CACB-accredited architecture degree (or foreign equivalent) from an accredited institution
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) or equivalent of 3.33/4.33 (B+)
• Three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a prospective supervisor in the Department, see list of available supervisors
• Statement of interest, addressing the proposed research topic and methodologies, motivations and objectives, with bibliographic references (1,500-2,000 words)
• Portfolio of design work (max. 50MB)
• Writing sample

More information on  admission requirements . Due to the competitive nature of our programs, it is not possible to offer admission to everyone who applies that meets the minimum entrance requirements for the program. 

Program-specific requirements

Tuition and Fees

For detailed fees information visit  Fees by Program .

Research Areas

• Architectural History, Theory and Criticism
• Architectural Representation
• Architecture and Pedagogy
• Design Methods and Experimentation
• Emerging Technologies
• Food Security
• Health and Wellness
• Heritage Conservation
• Interactive Architecture
• Low-energy Housing
• Responsive Architectural Systems
• Sustainable Design
• Urban Ecology
• Wood Architecture

Sample Courses

• Intensive Research Studio
• Seminar in Critical Practice
• Thesis Research and Critical Project
• Dedicated studio and seminar space
• CAD Lab with 40 workstations and additional computers in studio
• Digital Fabrication Zone: 3D printer, laser cutters, CNC router, vacuum former, mini robot
• Full wood workshop

Graduate Admissions

Admissions information and how to apply

Graduate Studies Admissions Office 11th floor, 1 Dundas St. W Toronto, ON Telephone: 416-979-5150 Email:  [email protected]

Program Contacts

Dr. Paul Floerke Graduate Program Director Dipl.-Ing., Dr.-Ing., Architekt AKNW DE, MRAIC Research areas: Architectural Education, Architectural Design and Building Construction Architectural Theory, Planning Theory, Sustainable Architecture, New Wood Architecture Telephone: 416-979-5000 ext. 554895 Email: [email protected]

Mimi Lam Graduate Program Administrator Telephone: 416-979-5000 ext. 552676 Email: [email protected]

“The most important aspect of a master’s degree in Architecture is the potential to explore individual areas of inquiry that are important to the student.” David Campbell, MArch graduate

Student Profile:  Greener Living  (external link) 

Matthew Ferguson (Architecture MArch alumnus) hopes to change the way we live.

See curriculum, course descriptions and important dates for the Architecture MArch and PhD.

Once you’ve made an informed choice about which program(s) you are going to apply to, preparing your application requires careful research and planning.

At Toronto Metropolitan University, we understand that pursuing graduate studies is a significant financial investment. Funding comes from a combination of employment contracts (as a teaching assistant), scholarships, awards and stipends. There are a number of additional funding sources – internal and external – available to graduate students that can increase these funding levels.

As an urban innovation university, Toronto Metropolitan University offers 60+ cutting-edge, career-oriented graduate programs, as well as 125+ research centres, institutes and labs, in a wide range of disciplines. Our close connections with industry, government and community partners provide opportunities to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges and make a difference.

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PhD in Environmental Design

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The PhD in Environmental Design challenges master’s degree holders to become scholars and through quantitative and qualitative research at an advanced level. Students develop and demonstrate knowledge and skills, synthesize related research findings to create new knowledge in the field, and communicate these findings to those inside and outside the field who will use and apply them.

Program structure.

The PhD program consists of required coursework tailored to the individual's need, followed by a thesis proposal, candidacy exams, thesis research and writing, and, ultimately, an oral examination of the doctoral thesis. The degree is intended for those who are capable of carrying out original research under the guidance of a suitable faculty member and supervisory committee. The PhD typically takes four years to complete. Students must maintain full-time registration status throughout the program.

Supervision

A supervisor drawn from regular full-time faculty cohort in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape

Course Work

The PhD in Environmental Design is a thesis-based program designed for students who wish to pursue a research or scholarly career. Courses are generally completed in the first year of the program.

• APLA 670 Design Research Methods
• APLA 672 Design Research Writing
• APLA 674 Design Innovation
• Minimum 3 units of elective credit, course(s) selected in consultation with the supervisor

Candidacy and Thesis Details:

• Thesis proposal approved by the Supervisory Committee
• Written Field of Study Examination
• Oral Field of Study Examination
• Submission of a thesis document describing the research
• Satisfactory completion of the Thesis Oral Examination

Student spotlight:

Courtesy Mohamed Imam

Class of 2019: Mohamed Imam studies how 'super tall' buildings yield super resources

PhD grad climbs new heights over resource generative skyscrapers

Explore student work

Samples of PhD Dissertation Titles

PhD Research

Learn more about the research of our PhD students engage in.

Current Doctoral Candidacy Requirements

Former Doctoral Candidacy Requirements - optional for students admitted before Fall 2017 

SAPL Funding Policy

Message from the Graduate Programs Director

The PhD in Environmental Design is intended for students looking to undertake full-time doctoral research on a specific topic in the fields of architecture, planning or landscape architecture, typically as preparation for an academic career. Students work with faculty researchers in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape to develop and demonstrate knowledge and skills, synthesize related research findings, create new knowledge, and communicate these findings for real world application.

The PhD in Environmental Design intakes students once a year in the fall semester. 

Barry Wylant, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director

Faculty → Research → Why SAPL? → What’s Happening at SAPL? →

More Programs

Master of Environmental Design Doctor of Design

Visit PhD Admissions → Email admissions with questions →

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Future graduate students

The professional Master of Architecture degree prepares graduate students for entry into the profession of architecture. It offers an extension of the knowledge base required of practicing professionals to students with a pre-professional undergraduate degree in Architecture from an accredited university program.

Combining elements of a professional master's program and a research-oriented master's program, the Waterloo Master of Architecture offers a unique opportunity to engage in self-directed research and develop a minimum three term independent research and design thesis while completing the required coursework for professional preparation. The program supports the development of critical thinking in architecture. While it introduces students, through coursework, to the ethical, legal, administrative and practical aspects of the profession, the program builds upon a firm commitment toward architecture as a cultural act and practice. As such, the Waterloo MArch professional degree focuses on preparing students for a future that can only be constructed with the accumulated material of our collective cultural histories. Balancing technological innovation with techniques and knowledge drawn from vernacular architecture, and contemporary questions with academic rigour and historical study, Waterloo’s goal is to inflect positive change in future architects’ capacities’ to act and think.

Options available to graduate students include - co-op opportunities, international research travel, a term in the Rome studio, and the University’s Water Program and Structures Certificate. With the support of our community of internationally-recognized faculty, staff, and students, students have the opportunity to position an architectural design and research thesis in relation to complex contemporary situations informing future architectural practice. 

Please note that faculty do not directly admit students.  All inquiries about admission should be sent to  Architecture Grad Info . 

Degree Options

Master of architecture.

The Master of Architecture is a two-year degree program. The program accepts applicants from pre-professional architecture programs, in which students are expected to have completed the majority of the courses required for professional accreditation. Students holding a pre-professional Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) from the University of Waterloo (or an equivalent degree to the BAS from another university) can complete the Master of Architecture degree requirements in a minimum of three terms and up to a maximum of six terms.  All other students with a pre-professional Architecture degree admitted into the Master of Architecture will be required to complete two terms of transitional coursework in preparation for the thesis year and are expected to complete degree requirements in a maximum of six academic terms.

Intake for the program is in the Fall term only. 

Master of Architecture (Water)

The University of Waterloo offers a unique research-based Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) collaborative program in Water. This program, jointly offered by ten departments across the Faculties of Arts, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics and Science, is intended to promote multi- and inter-disciplinary perspectives related to water. The goal of the program is to supplement disciplinary (specialist) training offered in individual departments with perspectives from a variety of water-related disciplines. Students graduating from the collaborative program will be better equipped to work in multidisciplinary teams to solve increasingly complex water issues.

Master of Architecture with Structures Certificate Program

The Structures Graduate Certificate curriculum gives students an opportunity to study structural engineering concurrently with their pursuit of the Master of Architecture degree at the University of Waterloo. The structures certificate requires students to complete eight courses in Civil Engineering at the undergraduate level. It does not give students accreditation or professional designation in Structural Engineering or Engineering. 

Please note that students who enroll in the Master of Architecture program with the Structures certificate are permitted to take three additional terms to complete the coursework requirements.

How to Apply

The application process at Waterloo is managed electronically.  Applicants are required to complete the online application form. 

A non-refundable application fee  applies. 

The online application requires 1 - 2 business days for processing and then an account will be created for you in Quest, the student information system. 

You will then be sent an email with instructions on how to upload your documents. 

For complete details on the University of Waterloo application requirements please visit Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs .

Admission requirements

• A four-year, honours pre-professional undergraduate Architecture degree or professional Bachelor of Architecture degree with a minimum overall average of 75% (B)

International applicants should refer to the International Student Admissions Guide to verify International equivalency requirements.

Additional admission requirements:

• Applicants being considered for admission to the Master of Architecture may be required to verify English Proficiency which may include a written exercise or interview as instructed by the School of Architecture. Details will be communicated when required after initial assessment of applications is complete. This is an additional departmental requirement and not a substitute for the English Language Proficiency examination.

Application documents

• Online application form
• Two academic letters of reference – Referees will be emailed to complete and submit the official University of Waterloo Graduate Studies Reference form.
• Supplemental Information Form which includes statement of your proposed research interest (form available on Applicant Quest)
• Portfolio (uploaded electronically to Applicant Quest account)
• Academic transcripts  from each post-secondary institution attended (past or current) showing all courses and marks, along with the transcript legends/keys/grading scales uploaded using Quest. Degree certificates (if obtained) must be uploaded with the transcripts.

Applicants are required to submit an English language proficiency (ELP) examination score unless any one of the following conditions is met:

Completion of 3 or more years of post-secondary education or completion of a graduate degree at a Canadian institution or university 

Completion of 3 or more years of post-secondary education or completion of a graduate degree at a university at which English was the primary language of instruction, as indicated on the  ELP exemption list

You have been employed for at least 3 years in a position in which English was the language of business in a country listed as “all exempt” on our  ELP exemption list

* Students holding a Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree from Waterloo are not required to submit a portfolio. Additionally, Waterloo transcripts are not required but you must declare your University of Waterloo studies on the application.

Application deadline

January 15 (for admission in September) - all application documents must be uploaded to Quest by February 1.

The Master of Architecture program starts each year in the Fall term.

Portfolio Requirements

Portfolios should be submitted in a single PDF document of no more than 50 pages or 30MB, formatted on 8.5x11” pages horizontal format. The design and format of the portfolio should be kept simple so that it can properly illustrate the projects within without obscuring or overpowering them.

The purpose of the portfolio is to show creative and critical thinking, as well as a developed architectural ability. Applicants should include art and design work that illustrates those characteristics. The portfolio work itself should illustrate the concepts and ideas that applicants are mobilizing in their work, not simply technical ability. In order to make the ideas of the portfolio works clear, applicants should include a one paragraph description of each work, and caption all drawings where explanation is required. 

The work that applicants can show could have been done in previous undergraduate architecture degrees, as well as work done in offices, or independently. Any collaborative work must be clearly labeled with the names of all collaborators and  an outline of the applicant’s role in the collaboration. Any work done in an office under the supervision of a senior architect must include the name of the firm, that of the supervising architect, and a description of the role the applicant performed in the project. All images in the portfolio not produced directly by the applicant must clearly credit name of the drawing’s author.

All portfolios must be uploaded to Quest by February 1 following the formatting requirements above.   Please do not mail a hard copy.  

Additional Information

Tuition and fees.

For information on tuition and incidental fees visit Student Financial Services .

The Master of Architecture is a Coursework/Research based program. Fees are assessed on a term-by-term basis.

Funding/Scholarship Information

Teaching assistantships/research assistantships.

Teaching assistantship (TA) positions are open to graduate students in good standing in the Master of Architecture program. The School of Architecture will make information about the TA positions available to graduate students prior to the start of each academic term. Applications will be required on a term-by-term basis.

There may be Research Assistantship opportunities within the School of Architecture, dependent upon Faculty member grant funding and requirements.

Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS-M)

These scholarships are awarded to top domestic (Canadian and permanent resident) students. The value of these awards ranges from $17,500/year to $35,000/year. The competition for these awards is administerd once per year normally in the Fall with applications due by the beginning of December. 

Detailed information including the application deadline is available on the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs external awards web page.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is a merit-based scholarship. Students in all disciplines of academic study are eligible to apply. Students must apply for the OGS at the institution where they want to hold it. For more information and how to apply, visit the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs  Ontario Graduate Scholarship web page. 

Loans, Bursaries, and Other Assistance Programs

OSAP provides various types of assistance based on financial need to eligible students.

For full details on OSAP and out of province student loans visit Student Awards and Financial Aid . 

University of Waterloo Bursaries and Assistance

Waterloo provides a variety of bursaries for students who find themselves in financial need, including Graduate Birth and Parental Leave, Research Travel Assistantship, and Day Care Bursaries. For additional busaries, emergency loans, and graduate scholarship resources please visit the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs  financial need funding web page or the database web page .

University of Waterloo Awards

The Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs office provides information about scholarships and financial aid , and maintains a searchable database of awards for which you may be eligible.

International Student Funding

Please visit the International Funding  page for information on bursaries and scholarship opportunities. Please note the Master of Architecture is not an eligible program for the International Master and Doctoral Student Awards.

Accommodations

The School of Architecture is located in Cambridge, Ontario. There are no residences operated by the University of Waterloo; students live in private housing accommodations. Visit Off-Campus Housing for local rental listings.  

How to Apply (Non-Degree)

Cacb non-degree applicants.

The Professional Practice course  (ARCH 655) offered by the School of Architecture, University of Waterloo is open for admission to professionals seeking certification through the Canadian Architecture Certification Board (CACB).

Applicants applying for the Professional Practice course, must have a letter from the CACB confirming further studies are required as part of the academic qualification assessment. This letter must be uploaded with your application documents.  

ARCH 655 -  Architectural Practice: Ethics, Professional Liability and Business is offered once per calendar year as a block course in the month of April.  

Deadline to apply : October 1.

The application process at Waterloo is managed electronically.  Applicants are required to complete the online application form .

A non-refundable application fee applies. 

After your online application has been received by Waterloo, an account will be created for you in Quest, the student information system. You will then be sent an email with instructions on how to upload your documents. 

Required Application documents:

• Online application – Select program – Architecture part-time, non-degree
• CACB confirmation letter
• Current R ésumé
• Academic transcripts  from each post-secondary institution attended showing all courses and marks, along with the transcript legends/keys/grading scales uploaded using Quest. Degree certificates must be uploaded with the transcripts.
• English Language Proficiency certification Applicants who have not completed three or more years of post-secondary work at a Canadian institution, or at an institution, at which English was the language of instruction, will be required to provide certification of English language proficiency. Refer to the Discover Graduate Studies webpage for acceptable tests and requirements.
• Proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status

Deadline to apply:  October 1.

Non-degree students are assessed part-time tuition fees at the Research or Coursework Master rate.  For up to date information on Graduate fee schedules visit Finance-Student Accounts .

Accreditation information

The professional Master of Architecture in conjunction with the pre-professional Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree from the University of Waterloo compromises an accredited professional education.

In Canada, all provincial/territorial associations/institutes/orders recommend a degree from an accredited professional degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. In Canada, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) is the sole agency authorized by the Regulatory Organization of Architecture in Canada (ROAC) to accredit Canadian professional degree programs in architecture for the purposes of architectural licensure. The CACB recognizes two types of accredited degrees offered at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture: the Master of Architecture (professional) and the Bachelor of Architecture (pre-professional). A program may be granted a six-year, three-year, or two-year term of accreditation, depending on its degree of conformance with established educational standards.

Master’s degree programs may consist of a pre-professional undergraduate degree and a professional graduate degree, which, when earned sequentially, comprise an accredited professional education. However, the pre-professional degree is not, by itself, recognized as an accredited degree.

The program in Architecture at the University of Waterloo received accreditation for a 6-year term by the  Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB)  in 2017. The program is scheduled for its next review to continue maintaining its accredited status in 2024.

View the 2017 Visiting Team Report.

Guide to Program and Student Performance Criteria .

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Grad profile: Landscape Architecture grad embraces unexpected opportunities

Kai king, faculty of agriculture.

Anastasiia Merkureva - May 21, 2024

This article is part of a series focusing on the grads of the Dalhousie Class of 2024. Spring Convocation runs from May 21 to 31 in Halifax and Truro. Read all our profiles  here in one place  as they are published, and for more information visit the  Convocation website .

Kai King's path to success centers on embracing unexpected opportunities. From meeting landscape architecture visionaries to exploring Māori influence on the industry in New Zealand, an openness to experiences has shaped their path. Initially aiming for a career in medicine, Kai earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Memorial University of Newfoundland. After graduating, he traveled across North America and worked on farms. This journey led him to an organic farm in Newfoundland, near a landscaping company where he was later hired as a master grower. There, he discovered a passion for landscaping after meeting a landscape architect. “It was an organic melding of two parts of myself that allowed me to be creative and do research.” They wanted to continue to work with coastal landscapes and local plants, so they decided to find a university within the Atlantic provinces. The Landscape Architecture program at Dalhousie was a perfect fit.

Hands-on projects

“Dalhousie has been really great in showing me the business side of things,” they say. “I've created beautiful connections with instructors Tracy McKenzie, Karen Smith, Ed Versteeg, Corey Dawson, Rick LeBrasseur — all those people have helped me figure out what I'm passionate about in this field.” Kai loved the studio courses, as they allowed him to implement knowledge through problem-solving design. He was particularly proud of two projects. “We designed a flood mitigation strategy for the Sackville River, following the flooding issues they had last year. That felt pertinent, something that could have a huge impact.” The other project focused on land restoration and indigenous design. Kai was one of the few Dalhousie Indigenous students who took a trip to New Zealand to study the way Māori culture is represented through the university of Wellington. He took the opportunity to connect with Māori landscape architects.

Identity and connection

Kai reflects on how their Qalipu Mi’kmaq identity influenced the way they worked on projects. “Generally, we see the world as having multiple different parts that all work together towards one greater goal,” they say. “I think a lot of landscape architects are constantly thinking about how they can improve the world. And although your design caters towards someone who's elderly, for example, or someone who's disabled, that design will actually impact a bunch of other people positively.” Ed Versteeg, senior instructor in the Landscape Architecture program, says Kai's work emphasizes accessibility. “In his final design course, Kai set out an exciting vision for the renewal of a local town’s main street," says Prof. Versteeg. "His work celebrated the unique mining history of the community, created inclusive and accessible public spaces for all people, and provided ways to reduce the impacts of urban run-off on the local river. Kai’s work shows how landscape architecture can help create dynamic and sustainable settlements.”

Finding inspiration

After graduation, Kai plans to continue their education at the University of Toronto. They made this decision after connecting with Claude Cormier, a celebrated Canadian landscape architect, after his lecture at Dalhousie in 2022. (Cormier would, sadly, pass away only a year later.) “He talked about landscape architecture with such passion and creativity. He pushed the boundaries of what landscapes mean,” said Kai. “He had encouraged me to get my master's at the University of Toronto because it would help me to build my creativity and to network with people who were similar… After he passed away, I kind of felt like it was serendipitous.” Cormier’s vision, the guidance of Dalhousie’s instructors, and learning through community-improvement projects all shaped the kind of professional Kai wants to become. “I have a good foundation, but I really want to be able to bring all of that forward in a way that's really impactful and meaningful on a large scale to indigenous people, to queer people — to people who are underrepresented in our society.”

The power of the authentic self

Kai encourages future students of Landscape Architecture to say yes to the opportunities, network, be curious about other people’s passions, and not be shy to show their authentic selves. “I think that being someone who is neurodivergent and/or a part of the queer community, and returning to university as a mature student, it can be difficult to open up to other students,” they share.

“I am shy and was afraid to show my authentic self because I thought I wouldn't be accepted. There's this idea around small farming communities such as Truro being really conservative, but people were a lot more accepting and supportive than I had thought. There's a community of people who will back you up, support you, and be really proud to see you grow and flourish as your most authentic self.”

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