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PhD Study in Canada – A Guide for 2023

Written by Mark Bennett

Canada is home to some of North America's most historic and globally renowned research universities. Its cosmopolitan society also make it a popular home for thousands of international PhD students.

A PhD in Canada will give you the opportunity to work with leading experts and take advantage of modern high-tech facilities. Once you've earned your doctorate, you can take advantage of one of the world's most generous post-study work visa schemes.

This page covers everything you'll need to know about PhD study in Canada. It has information on Canadian universities, doctorates, funding, visas and more!

Programme vs Programme

We usually refer to PhD programmes or projects rather than programs, but they mean the same thing! We've used programme here to be consistent with the rest of the FindAPhD website.

On this page

PhD opportunities in Canada - what's on offer for 2023?

Canada has always been popular with international students. But this has never been more true than it is right now.

The number of people studying abroad in Canada has risen by almost 30% in recent years. It's not hard to see why! Students are attracted by Canada's liberal society which celebrates its acclaimed universities. Not to mention the chance to explore the country's diverse range of stunning natural landscapes and habitats. .

Here are a few of the things that make Canada a great choice for PhD study in 2023 and beyond:

  • Internationally renowned universities - Canada's oldest universities date back to the seventeenth century. But, their research continues to be world-leading. Six institutions feature in the top 150 of all three major global rankings.You can be confident that a PhD from Canada is well-respected.
  • Attractive international fees - PhD study in Canada is generally cheaper than in the USA. Some universities actually reduce - or even waive - international fees.
  • Post-study opportunities - Completing your doctorate will entitle you to live and work in Canada for up to three years. This could lead to a pathway of permanent residency, or even citizenship.
  • The great outdoors - From the Great Lakes of Ontario and Québec to the unspoilt wilderness of the vast Northwest Territories, there's plenty to explore (and even research) during your PhD.

PhD Study in Canada - Key Details
Universities 98
Nobel Prizes 27
Oldest University Université Laval (1663)
International Students 323,157
PhD Length 3-6 years
Representative Fees CAD $2,500-17,000
Academic Year September to April

Coronavirus updates for international students at Canadian universities

For the latest information on the impact of coronavirus on studying a PhD in Canada, please check the official Study in Canada page for updates.

PhD life in Canada

Want to know more about life for international PhD students in Canada? Our detailed guide covers everything from accommodation to culture and entertainment.

Canadian universities for PhD study

Like its near-neighbour, the USA, Canada is a big country. However, unlike the USA, a relatively small proportion of Canada is actually inhabited. This means that the Canadian university system isn't as large (or complicated) as you might expect.

Research universities and graduate schools

There are around 100 research universities in Canada that offer PhD programmes. Other institutions such as liberal arts colleges and community colleges also exist, but these don't tend to offer PhDs. Universities often run their doctoral programmes within dedicated graduate schools.

Canadian universities can be public or private, depending on how they receive their funding:

  • Public universities (the great majority) are financially supported by their local province or territory. They tend to offer more comprehensive study opportunities, including doctoral programmes.
  • Private universities are funded by third-party sources (such as religious organisations). These tend to be smaller and more specialised.

Universities within Canadian provinces and territories

Canada's vast size and colonial history mean the country has developed a federal structure. It is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. Provinces are independent sovereign entities (similar to US states). Territories have their authority delegated by the central federal government.

Only provinces possess research universities (with the ability to offer doctoral programmes).

The part of Canada you choose to study in may determine avaiable funding and the course language. Usually programmes will be offered in English, French or both.

There are 10 Canadian provinces whose universities offer PhD study:

  • Alberta is a landlocked province in western Canada, famous for its vast forests, prairies and mountain ranges. There are 5 universities offering PhDs in Alberta and the official language is English.
  • British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province. Its rugged landscape is characterised by temperate rainforests and striking coastal fjords. There are 7 universities offering PhDs in British Columbia and the official language is English.
  • Manitoba is a central province, home to vast prairies and some of Canada's Great Lakes. There are 2 universities offering PhDs in Manitoba and the official language is English.
  • New Brunswick is a small province on the eastern coast of Canada. It's home to forests, mountains and some of the oldest European settlements in North America. There are 2 universities offering PhDs in New Brunswick and the official languages are English and French.
  • Nova Scotia is a maritime province in Atlantic Canada, made up of a peninsula and neighbouring islands. There are 5 universities offering PhDs in Nova Scotia and the official language is English.
  • Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's easternmost province, made up of the island of Newfoundland and the mainland region of Labrador. It is geographically defined by its subarctic tundra and striking mountains. There is 1 university offering PhDs in Newfoundland and Labrador and the official language is English.
  • Ontario is Canada's most populous province, located in the east of the country. It is home to the Canadian capital, Ottawa, as well as the famous Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls. There are 22 universities offering PhDs in Ontario and the official language is English.
  • Prince Edward Island is a maritime province on the east coast of Canada - the smallest in the country. It is made up of the titular island, plus a network of smaller islands. There is 1 university offering PhDs in Prince Edward Island and the official language is English.
  • Québec is Canada's largest province, situated at the east of the country. It is home to a rich independent Québécois culture and is famous for its rivers, lakes and bays. There are 17 universities offering PhDs in Québec and the official language is French.
  • Saskatchewan is a large landlocked province in central Canada, defined by its praries and lakes. There are 2 universities offering PhDs in Saskatchewan and the official language is English.

Canada's three territories are the Yukon, Nanavut and Northwest Territories. They do have colleges offering undergraduate degrees, but do not currently have universities with doctoral programmes.

Canadian university cities

There are several cities in Canada with one or more universities and large numbers of students.

Canadian university rankings

Not to be outdone by their North American neighbours, Canadian universities are world-leading in a range of fields. Their world rankings reflect this!


Top 20 Canadian Universities in 2023
University THE 2023 QS 2023 ARWU 2022
University of Toronto 18 =34 22
University of British Columbia 40 47 44
McGill University 46 31 73
McMaster University 85 152 90
University of Montreal 111 - 101-150
University of Alberta 118 110 92
University of Ottawa =137 =237 201-300
University of Calgary 201-250 242 151-200
University of Waterloo 201-250 154 151-200
Western Univeristy 201-250 =172 201-300
Universitié Laval 251-300 433 301-400
Queen's University 251-300 =246 201-300
Simon Fraser University 251-300 =328 301-400
Dalhousie University 301-350 =308 301-400
University of Victoria 351-400 =359 301-400
University of Manitoba 351-400 651-700 201-300
York University 401-500 456 401-500
University of Guelph 501-600 591-600 401-500
University of Saskatchewan 501-600 =473 301-400
Carleton University 601-800 601-650 501-600
Information in this table is based on the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Visit their websites for more information.

Do rankings matter for PhD study?

University rankings can help you choose a PhD project or programme, provided you know what to look at. Our guide explains how to use rankings as a prospective postgraduate.

PhD structure in Canada

The Canadian doctorate is normally awarded as a final 'terminal degree'. This is the highest level of academic qualification a student can achieve.

A range of doctoral degrees are available alongside the academic PhD. For example, professional doctorates such as the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Doctor of Education (EdD).

PhD length

Most courses require at least three years of full-time study and research. Some students may study for longer. You can usually register for up to six years.

In most cases you'll need to hold a Masters degree to apply for a standard Canadian PhD programme. However, some universities offer doctoral stream Masters routes that start with one or two years of MA or MSc study. These are suitable for students coming straight from an undergraduate degree, but take longer to complete.

The Canadian PhD process

PhD study in Canada has more in common with the UK than the neighbouring USA. The US PhD normally begins with taught classes and examinations. However, like in the UK, a Canadian PhD is more research-focused from the outset.

Howeverit is also common for universities to offer structured courses within PhD programmes. Academic cohorts of students undergo collective training alongside their more independent research activities.

Courses often focus on key skills such as research techniques and methodological principles. You might have additional training in areas such as teaching, presentation or publication. Some doctoral programmes also arrange internships and professional placements.

Generally, students complete these courses in the first year of their PhD, before moving on to focus on their doctoral thesis.

In some cases you may need to sit a comprehensive exam at the end of your first or second year. This tests your general knowledge of the field before you can proceed onto more specific research. It is similar to the MPhil upgrade or 'confirmation review' used in UK universities.

Graduate vs postgraduate

Like the USA, Canadian universities refer to Masters and PhDs as 'graduate' degrees, rather than 'postgraduate' degrees. We've used postgraduate here to be consistent with the rest of the FindAPhD website.

Academic year

The Canadian academic year generally runs from September to April. But, exact semester dates vary between individual provinces and their universities.

Supervision and research

You'll complete your PhD under the guidance of at least one academic supervisor. They'll be an expert in your general subject and field, though they won't have researched on your specific topic before (it wouldn't be a PhD, otherwise).

The main criteria for your degree will be the completion of a doctoral thesis. As in other countries, this must make a substantial new contribution to knowledge.

If your qualification is a professional doctorate, such as a DBA or EdD, you'll focus mainly on practical work and case studies. You'll still be required to submit a thesis, but this may be shorter and supplemented by other materials.

Types of PhD

Our guides help explain the different types of PhD (and other doctorates) available in Canada and elsewhere.

Assessment and examination

The main criteria for a Canadian PhD is the originality and quality of your doctoral thesis. You'll normally begin drafting this during the middle part of your PhD. Then, write up a final version based on feedback from your supervisor.

Once you submit your dissertation a committee of examiners will be appointed to read and consider it. Your PhD will then proceed to an oral defence.

This process may be slightly more involved than the viva voce used in the UK and elsewhere. You may be expected to offer a presentation on your research before being questioned on the content and significance of your thesis.

The examiners will then meet to decide if your examination performance was satisfactory. If it was, you will be awarded your PhD!

Some Canadian PhD programmes also include coursework and examinations. However, these will normally be to check your progress, and won't count towards your final result.

Cotutelle programmes

Some Canadian universities work with international institutions to offer a collaborative route to a PhD. This is known as a 'cotutelle' (French for 'co-tutored').

These programmes involve a student spending time at two different universities. Both are involved in supervising, examining and awarding the PhD project.

In this sense a cotutelle is a bit like a joint PhD. However, a cotutelle is usually specific to the student's project rather than an ongoing partnership between a pair of universities. It's helpful to think of a cotutelle as a specific kind of joint PhD.

The availability of this option varies between individual Canadian universities. Check with your institution for more information.

Fees and funding

Studying abroad in Canada is more affordable than you might think. However, universities typically charge higher fees for international students.

Canadian PhD fees

Fees for a Canadian PhD programme will usually be between CAD $2,500-17,000 per year although some can reach up to CAD $25,000. This is more than a domestic student pays, but still less than in other popular countries like the UK and USA.

If your PhD is part of a more structured programme its fees may vary from year to year. Taught classes and assessments are normally more expensive than the years that focus on independent research.

In addition, you may also be asked to pay some smaller supplementary costs for student services and union fees.

PhD fees in Canada vary depending on the province you're studying in. The fees quoted here should be used as a guideline only.

Recent fee changes for international students

There are some new initiatives for international students at specific universities.

  • The University of Toronto has begun charging the same fees to domestic and international PhD students from 2018. This means that you'll pay the same for your PhD as a local Canadian student.
  • Brock University has begun fully covering international PhD fees through its own fellowships.

Canadian PhD funding

Canada offers a wide range of funding opportunities and scholarships for international students.

These include Graduate assistantships and scholarship schemes from the Canadian Government or industry.

PhD funding in Canada

See our detailed guide to Canadian PhD funding for more information on the different options available to international students.

Applying for a PhD in Canada

You'll normally apply straight to the graduate school that is running your PhD. Some universities will have separate graduate schools for different subject areas. Others will have one large school administering all of their advanced degree programmes.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirement for a PhD in Canada will normally be a Masters degree in a related subject. Unlike in the UK and USA it is quite rare to go straight from undergraduate study to a doctorate. Some universities may allow you to do so if you do some additional Masters-level training.

Admission to a Canadian doctoral programme can be quite competitive. Students will often progress through modules together. This means graduate schools may only have places for a certain number in each year's cohort.

This means that your previous academic attainment will probably be examined quite closely.

GPA scores

In particular, you will usually be asked to provide a Grade Point Average (GPA) score instead of just submitting your final degree result. GPA is the system used in the USA and Canada (as well as some other countries) but is less common in the UK and Europe. It provides a more nuanced representation of your overall performance across a course of study.

Don't worry if your previous universities didn't use a GPA system: it's possible to convert most other grades into a GPA. The following table provides a rough guide to GPA equivalents for UK degree honours:


UK degree grades as GPA scores
UK % grade UK result Approximate GPA
70+ 1st / Distinction 4.0
60 - 69 2.1 / Merit 3.0 - 3.3
50 - 59 2.2 / Pass 2.7 - 3.0
40 - 49 3rd / Pass 2.0 - 2.3
30 - 39 Unclassified 1.0

You'll normally need a GPA of 3.0 or higher for admission to a Canadian PhD programme.

You can find out more about how GPA converts to other grading systems around the world in our full guide.

Graduate admissions tests

You may also be asked to provide a score from a Graduate Records Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). This allows universities to assess applicants' suitability for advanced graduate work. Universities will sometimes use these to choose between applicants with similar academic results.

Specific requirements will vary between universities and graduate schools, so check in advance.

What are graduate admissions tests?

Tests like the GRE and GMAT are sometimes used to assess applicants for postgraduate study in the USA, Canada and elsewhere. Our guide explains how they work and what they involve.

Language requirements

You will complet a Canadian PhD in either English or French, depending on which province you study in. English is the most common language of instruction, but universities in Québec will normally teach in French, as will some in New Brunswick.

Whichever language you choose to study in, you'll need to demonstrate that you're proficient in it to complete a PhD. If you're a native speaker or have already studied at university-level in either language that will normally be sufficient. Otherwise, you'll need to complete a language test and submit the score as part of your application.

Our guides introduce some of the common English language tests and French language tests that are suitable for PhD study, but you should always check which system your university prefers

Application process

There are normally two routes to applying for a Canadian PhD:

  • Find an advertised project and apply for it. Many projects will already have a scholarship or stipend attached and will be looking for the ideal candidate.
  • Apply to a university's doctoral programme with your own research project. The first step in this case is usually to identify a suitable supervisor and / or research group and contact them to discuss your interest. You may need to apply for funding separately.

Depending on the kind of opportunity you apply for, you'll normally need supply the following:

  • Details (and evidence) of your previous study and qualifications. As well as confirmation of your final result (and GPA), Canadian universities may ask to see academic transcripts. These include information on your specific modules and grades. Your previous university/ies should be able to provide this, but you'll need to give them enough time.
  • Information on your project details and plans. If you're suggesting your own topic you will normally need to submit a research proposal for it. If you're applying for an advertised opportunity you may be asked to provide a personal statement.
  • Two letters of recommendation. These will serve as your academic references. They should be be provided by tutors or instructors who know your work at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Make sure to check that these people are happy to serve as your referees and give them plenty of notice.
  • Evidence of test scores for any language tests or graduate admissions exams you've been asked to complete.

Be sure to check the specific requirements at your graduate school (or ask the supervisor you're applying to work with).

Specific deadlines for Canadian PhD applications will often be set by graduate schools. Actual dates will vary, but you should generally apply in the spring for an autumn start, or vice versa. Make sure to allow enough time to put together all of your application materials (and sort your visa, if you need one).

Interviews

Universities in Canada may arrange a PhD interview to evaluate your application and potential or get to know you better. If so, you may be given the opportunity to conduct your interview via Skype, or a similar video conferencing platform.

What happens during a PhD interview?

Your interview for a PhD in Canada will follow a fairly standard format (even if the actual process takes place online). Our guides explain what happens at a PhD interview and look at some of the questions you might be asked.

Student visas

Canada is a welcoming country with an active interest in attracting international students. This is reflected in its student visa and immigration system.

You'll normally need two documents stay in Canada as a student: an electronic travel authorisation and a study permit.

Applying for a Study Permit

As its name suggests, a study permit entitles you to live (and study!) in Canada during a course. The Permit lasts for the duration of your PhD, plus an extra 90 days. This gives you time to arrange travel or apply for a post-study work visa once your course is finished).

You should normally apply for a Study Permit in your home country before you travel to Canada. You can begin the process online, but may need to take your passport and other information to a Canadian visa office. You'll need a letter of acceptance from your university before you can apply (a good reason to start your PhD application early).

Students from China, India, Vietnam or the Philippines can apply through a special Student Direct Stream for faster processing.

Applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)

Most international students will need permission to enter Canada. You can get this by applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). This serves as your visa and allows you to come into Canada.

The application process for an eTA is relatively simple and takes place online. You will need to provide your passport details and payment information for a fee of CAD $7 (USD $5.10).

Note that your eTA allows you to enter Canada, but does not entitle you to live there for the duration of your PhD. To do that you will need to have applied for your Study Permit (described above).

There is more information on applying to live and study in Canada on the official Government of Canada website.

Next steps

Excellent universities make Canada a great place to pursue a doctorate. But post-study visas mean Canada could also become a longer-term home.

Can I work in Canada after my PhD?

Yes. As a PhD graduate you'll be a great candidate for a range of jobs in higher education, research and other areas. What's more, Canada will be very keen to keep you and its post-study visa system is designed to make that option as attractive as possible.

Canada's post-graduation work permit (PGWP) allows international graduates from its universities to live and work in Canada for up to three years after completing a doctorate.

You'll need to have studied for your PhD full-time and have successfully completed your programme. The fee is normally CAD $255 (USD $200) and the processing time is approximately 56 days for an online application.

There is more information on the Government of Canada website.

Once you have a PGWP you may be able to apply for permanent residence and eventually even Canadian citizenship.

Find out more

Find a PhD in Canada

Ready to start browsing some current PhD opportunities in Canada? Alternatively, you can look at our other guides to PhD study abroad.




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Last Updated: 07 December 2022