Study PhD in Canada. Canada is becoming quite a popular destination for graduate students. A PhD in Canada provides a high-quality education at reputable universities. Canada is an excellent choice for your master’s or PhD studies because of its global reputation for quality in education and research. A Ph.D. in Canada opens you a world of options by allowing you to collaborate with top specialists and benefit from the contemporary, high-tech facilities available at Canadian universities.
As an international student who has completed their higher education, there are several research possibilities in Canada to look out for. This country provides you with a plethora of research options to broaden and develop your knowledge. Depending on the Ph.D program one has chosen, to complete this degree it can take you three up to six years.
Study PhD in Canada
When pursuing higher education in Canada, students can pick between professional – Doctorate in Business Administration – and academic – Ph.D. in sciences.
Top PhD Universities in Canada
In this table you can find some of the best universities in Canada that offer PhD studies. The ranked universities are based on the QS World University Rankings.
| University | QS Rankings | Tuition Fee* |
| University of Toronto | 25 | $8,578 |
| University of British Columbia | 45 | $8,776 |
| McGill University | 31 | $16,122 |
| University of Montreal | 73 | $8,375 |
| University of Alberta | 119 | $9,465 |
| University of Waterloo | 166 | $7,396 |
| Western University | 203 | $16,000 |
| University of Calgary | 246 | $15,000 – 30,000 |
| University of Ottawa | 279 | $14,800 – 32,400 |
*Tuition fee for international students
Reasons to Pursue PhD Degree in Canada
1. Affordable Tuition Fees
PhD study in Canada is often less expensive than in the neighbouring United States, with some colleges significantly lowering or perhaps even eliminating the international tuition. In Canada, the cost of pursuing a Ph.D. ranges from 3,500 to 18,000 CA$.
2. Possibilities for Post-Graduates
If you successfully complete your doctorate, you will be able to live and work in Canada for up to three years and maybe pursue a path to legal residency or even citizenship. During the academic year, Ph.D. students in Canada can work for almost 10 hours each week. This enables students to pay and sustain their daily costs while simultaneously allowing them to learn and get industrial experience. After completing the Ph.D., you may expect to earn somewhere between 70,000 to 150,000 CA$ per year or even higher. Not to forget that this can deeply depend on the position you take, the employment sector, as well as employment location.
3. Outstanding Canadian Universities
There are around 100 universities in Canada that offer PhD studies, and all of them are highly professional. Most of the world’s finest international institutions and colleges are based in Canada, where students from all over the globe have come to study alongside the biggest names in their profession. All Canadian institutions that provide PhD degrees guarantee cutting-edge research facilities and educators with the most academic expertise. All Canadian universities can be classified as public or private based on how they are funded.
Because of Canada’s huge geographical area and colonial past, the country has evolved a federal system comprising ten provinces and three territories. For international PhD candidates, the most significant distinction between Canadian provinces and territories is that only provinces have research universities. The region of Canada in which you decide to study may also influence whether your university offers degrees in English, French, or even both.
Rewarding Programs and Career Prospects
Overall, international students have profited greatly from courses in Natural Science and Mathematics, Social Sciences, Medicine and Health, Business and Management, and Computer Science and Technology. Doctoral students immediately find themselves working as biological technicians, industrial ecologists, environmental economics, farm and home management, and a variety of other related professions after successfully completing the first stated degree. Along with other courses from specialized fields of study, many PhD applicants from across the world consistently choose Canadian universities as the best fit.
Requirements for PhD in Canada
Before starting the application process for a Ph.D. one should be aware that the requirements in Canada differ from institution to university and they may not be that generic. However, some characteristics apply to all Canadian colleges that offer Ph.D. programs to overseas students. For this reason we have concluded all the necessary steps that a prospective PhD candidate must follow.
1. Choose the PhD Type
In Canada, you can select between structured and open Ph.D. programs. Structured doctorate programs are not the same as conventional doctoral research. PhD students, on average, work steadily on achieving their research idea as part of a team and with extensive assistance from a group of academic professionals. On the other hand, The term “open PhD” refers to the fact that you will be responsible for proposing and outlining your own research project as well as completing it on your own.
Nonetheless, for either of the two programs you will need to have a supervisor who is willing to guide you through the research process. After you have found the supervisor, you will need to make sure if your university requires a letter of support from your supervisor along with your application.
2. Submit the GPA Score
Instead of merely submitting your final degree result, you will generally be requested to offer a Grade Point Average number. Grade Point Average (GPA) is a statistic that reflects how well or how high you achieved on average in your courses. It is intended to rate you during your studies on a GPA scale ranging from 1.0 to 4.0, and it indicates whether your total grades have been good or low. Canadian institutions may request transcripts of your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, including information on specific modules and grades.
3. Submit Your Application Online
Apply online to the university of your choice, pay the application costs, and submit the needed papers. Some of the documentation required by institutions while applying for Ph.D. programs are as follows.
- Statement of Purpose (1,000-1,500 word essay explaining why you are applying to the specific program and institute).
- Academic Transcript
- Certificate of Proficiency, either TOEFL or IELTS
- Letters of Recommendation (up to three, one from your supervisor) .
- CV or Resume
- Writing Samples
4. Apply for a Study Permit
A study permit is mandatory for anyone who wishes to live and study in Canada during a course. After being accepted by the university, you must apply for a Canadian study permit. The Permit is valid for the term of your PhD, also an additional of 90 days to allow you time to plan your travel or apply for a post-study work visa. Normally, you should apply for a Study Permit in your native country before travelling to Canada. You can start the application process online, but you may need to take your passport and other documents to a Canadian embassy/consulate in your home country. You must have the following documents ready in order to obtain your study permit:
- Proof of Funds
- No criminal or immigration-related convictions
- Valid travel document (passport)
- Acceptance letter from a DLI
- Medical Insurance
- Proof of Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)