PhD studies in Canada

Complete Guide to Applying, Admission, and Costs

Pursuing a PhD in Canada allows you to work with leading professors and researchers at universities and benefit from their advanced and modern research facilities.

After graduation, you can stay and work in Canada for up to 3 years with a work visa, and ultimately, after working for a year and meeting the necessary requirements, you can apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Duration of the program: 4 to 6 years

Cost of the program: Between CAD 10,000 to 30,000 per year

Age limit: 30 to 40 years

Scholarship eligibility: Minimum GPA of 17 and an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or equivalent

Required language proficiency: IELTS 6.5 to 7 or equivalent

Requirements and Documents Needed for Studying a PhD in Canada

To apply and gain admission for a PhD in Canada, specific conditions and documents are necessary, which we will mention below.

Scanned translation of the bachelor's and master's degree certificates and transcripts

To apply and gain admission from all educational institutions in Canada, you need the translated degree and transcripts. However, along with the translated pages, the original Persian pages are also required. At the application stage, most universities accept scanned copies of the degree and transcripts and do not require the paper documents.

Additionally, at this stage, you do not need a stamp from the Ministry of Justice or Foreign Affairs, but once you receive admission from the university, you must send the original translated degree and transcripts, along with the Persian pages stamped by the Ministry of Justice, to the university within the specified period. The documents should be sent from your place of study in such a way that all documents are placed in the university envelope and stamped either on the envelope or within it.

For many professors and universities in Canada, the history of your studies and GPA in your bachelor’s degree are also important. So, when applying for a PhD in Canada, make sure to submit your bachelor’s degree certificate as well. For the PhD level, a GPA of 70% or higher (above 14) is required for both master’s and bachelor’s degrees.

Language test results

An IELTS score of at least 6.5 or its equivalent is needed for engineering and science programs, while a minimum of 7 or its equivalent is required for most programs in arts, architecture, English language, psychology, and management.

Some universities accept a scanned copy of the language score during the application process, but others will ask you to send the language score directly from the center where you took the test.

Most universities in Canada are English-speaking and accept the following language proficiency tests for PhD admission:

Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System – IELTS)

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language – TOEFL)

PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic – PTE)

Duolingo (Duolingo English Test)

CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language – CAEL)

MELAB (The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery – MELAB)

French-speaking universities also accept the following tests for PhD admission in Canada:

DALF/DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) / DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française)

TCF (test de connaissance du français – TCF)

TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français – TEF)

TFI (Test de français international – TFI)

Language score requirements:

IELTS: Minimum score between 6.5 – 7

TOEFL: Minimum score between 85 – 100

PTE: Minimum score between 60 – 65

Duolingo: Score between 115 – 120

Conditional on language: No

Note:

Most universities in Canada do not accept the Duolingo certificate for PhD programs.

Most humanities programs and some fields like management, finance, psychology, law, architecture, arts, and English language require a higher language score than what’s mentioned in the table.

Academic resume (CV) and cover letter

One of the main documents required to gain admission to Canadian universities is the academic resume. An academic resume includes a collection of personal information, educational background, work history, research experience (if any), academic and professional honors, as well as information related to computer and language skills.

For graduate programs like a PhD, it’s necessary to include information about two or three professors who will provide recommendation letters in support of the student to the desired university.

The term CV, which stands for Curriculum Vitae, is often used interchangeably with resume, but there are differences between them. In a CV, the information, especially research-related details, is presented with more depth and is mostly used for master’s and doctoral applications. In a resume, the information is more general and summarized.

Statement of Purpose

The motivation letter is essentially your study plan and the expression of your goals and motivation for studying in the specific field and university you intend to apply for. The motivation letter allows the university or professor to assess your level of motivation, aim, and also your interest in the relevant field.

The motivation letter should not repeat your resume. Instead, it should elaborate on the aspects of your academic, work, and research history, as well as your skills that are most notable, showing that you are a suitable candidate for that field and university. More importantly, you must explain what your goal is for studying in that program and how studying that field can help you achieve your objectives.

There’s no specific format for the motivation letter; it can be written as a cohesive text of about one to two pages, which, in addition to the content, also demonstrates your writing skills.

Recommendation Letter

A recommendation letter is a confirming document issued by the university professors you studied with, certifying the accuracy of your academic and moral qualities. This letter typically includes a brief introduction of the student, a background of their academic and practical activities, and validation of their character and ethics.

Additionally, the professor includes their contact information at the end of the recommendation letter for any potential follow-ups from the destination university. Sometimes, as a condition for admission, the destination university also accepts a recommendation letter from an employer. Each professor or employer usually writes the recommendation letter in their own style, but the overall content remains the same.

For most universities in Canada, the submission of the recommendation letter is done online. After applying, the university sends an email to the professors or employer, who must then submit the recommendation letter on the university or company letterhead and, if necessary, the recommendation form using their academic or corporate email.

Writing Sample

A writing sample typically includes articles, sections of your thesis, or research projects you’ve previously completed. Some universities set a maximum page number for this, so you should provide your writing sample according to the university’s guidelines. This document is not mandatory for all fields.

Portfolio

Some Canadian universities require a portfolio for fields like architecture, art, and related disciplines. A portfolio is a summary of the projects and work done in that specific field, presented visually with explanations in a single file. Usually, each university has its specific guidelines for preparing the portfolio.

Master's thesis abstract

If you’ve submitted a thesis for your master’s degree, it’s best to provide a summary of it to the Canadian university. However, this document is not mandatory.

One or more published research papers in reputable journals

If possible, upload your English articles related to the research area of your Canadian supervisor in your application and send them to the university. If you can’t send the full articles, just provide the abstract of each article.

Research Proposal

To apply for a PhD in Canada, some universities require a proposal. A proposal is a document of about 3,000 to 4,000 words where you need to explain the topic and method of your doctoral dissertation research.

GRE test score

The minimum GRE score required is 300, or for some management, finance, and accounting programs, a GMAT score of at least 500.

Having a supervisor at the destination university

The duration of a master’s program in Canada is one to two years. Some programs are one year, 18 months, or two years long.

Scanned valid passport

To apply to universities in Canada, submitting a scanned passport is mandatory.

The process of pursuing a PhD in Canada

The process of pursuing a PhD in Canada can be divided into two main stages:

Finding a supervisor

Before you apply to Canadian universities for a PhD program and get admission, you first need to communicate with professors at those universities in your relevant field to find a supervisor for your future thesis.

However, only a few Canadian universities have a committee-based admission for PhD programs. This means there’s no need to contact professors initially, and you should apply directly for that program. In this case, the main decision-maker is the Graduate School section of the university, and your application will be reviewed there. If you meet the necessary requirements for admission and get preliminary approval, your file will be presented to the professors in the relevant department to see if one of them agrees to supervise you.

1. Preparing a list of universities according to the field of study

Make a list of all the universities that offer your field of study and their admission requirements such as minimum GPA, language score, research experience, etc.

2. E-mail preparation of educational and employment records

Draft an email summarizing your academic and professional background, research work completed, published articles, and your research interests. In this email, you should briefly explain why you are a suitable candidate for conducting research with the professor in question. Your writing should be convincing and around 250 to 300 words.

3. Choosing professors related to your research field on the department's website

Go to the website of your department and pick professors whose research areas align with yours from the list of all the instructors in that field.

4. Send email to professors

Then start reaching out to these professors and email them. It’s a good idea to attach your resume, degree, and transcripts from your Bachelor’s and Master’s studies to the email.

Important points about how to correspond with professors of Canadian universities in PhD

In the subject line, mention your degree level as well as the semester you intend to start. Avoid writing generic and broad emails. In the body of the email, briefly discuss your research interests and how they relate to the professor’s research area, making your email specific in this regard. It’s better not to mention funding or scholarships in your initial email.

Most professors in PhD programs in Canada consider scholarships for students. However, some professors may not have enough budget to support students and may inform you that they can’t provide a scholarship due to budget constraints. In such cases, to avoid losing the opportunity, it’s better not to negotiate about funding and let the professor know that you are willing to self-fund and join their lab without a scholarship.

According to the educational system of Canadian universities, even if a student doesn’t receive a scholarship in the first semester, there’s a good chance they might get one in subsequent semesters. In fact, most professors are concerned about financially supporting students due to a lack of familiarity with their capabilities. However, after a semester of study and evaluating their skills and research knowledge, as well as if they perform well, they’ll allocate scholarships to those students.

If a professor invites you for an interview, prepare your answers in advance for potential questions. Professors usually evaluate a few key areas during interviews: your proficiency in understanding and speaking English or French, your confidence and how you respond to questions, your knowledge and expertise in your field of study and the research you’ve conducted, and your familiarity with the professor’s research areas and how they connect to your research background.

To have a successful interview session, make sure to thoroughly review your professor’s research background and papers in advance, and prepare yourself for relevant and potential questions. You might also be asked about your thesis and previously written papers, so get ready for that. Show enthusiasm and willingness to work with the professor. In your correspondence or during the interview, express that you really want to work in their research group and back it up with logical reasons. Even if the professor’s research area isn’t too close to yours, let them know that you have the capability and readiness to work in a relatively different research field.

5. Preparing for the interview after receiving a positive answer

If you receive a positive response from a professor, or if they were interested in interviewing you beforehand, get ready for the interview and try to present yourself as a deserving and suitable student for that professor with your best answers.

6. The beginning of the application process

Finally, after receiving a positive response from one of the professors, proceed with your application and include their name in your application.

Sending Documents to the University and Applying

Now that your supervisor is assigned, get all the necessary documents ready to apply for a PhD in Canada and start the application process right away.

Each university in Canada has its specific application guidelines. However, generally, for applying to a PhD program at most Canadian universities, you should follow these steps:

1. Prepare the required documents for your chosen field of study.

First, visit the university’s website and the specific department, and read the How to Apply and Admission Requirements sections for your chosen PhD program. Some universities have specific instructions for preparing documents, for example, some set a word limit for the statement of purpose (SOP) or impose size restrictions for the files you need to upload. So, prepare the documents according to the department’s guidelines.

2. Check the application deadline.

After your supervisor’s approval, start the application process without delay and don’t postpone it until the last few days of the deadline. All required documents for the application, including recommendation letters, must be received by the university before the final deadline, and your application needs to be complete.

3. Create an account on the university's website under the Apply section.

To apply for a PhD in Canada, you generally need to do it via the university’s website and the Graduate School section. On the Graduate School page, you also need to create an account in the apply and Create Account section and enter the necessary information. At this stage, you’ll need to specify your username and password for your application.

4. Fill out the online application and upload the required documents.

After creating the account, you enter the main application where you’ll need to input personal information, program name, entry term, educational and work history, supervisor’s name, research background, and other required details.

In some applications, you can upload the necessary documents, but in some universities’ apps, this option only appears after you submit your application. So, in the initial stage, you just fill in the required info and after you apply, you’ll get an email explaining how to activate your portal and upload your documents.

5. Enter your bank account information and pay the application fee.

You can pay the application processing fee online using a Visa or MasterCard. We handle all the fees for you using Canadian bank cards.

Finally, click on the “Submit” option. After submitting, take a screenshot of the application confirmation page and save it somewhere safe.

6. After applying, activate your portal and check your application status.

After you submit the application, you’ll receive an email containing your application number and the info needed to activate your portal. Follow the instructions provided to activate your portal.

In this section, you can check the status of your application and see which documents have been received by the university and which ones (like recommendation letters or IELTS scores) are still pending. Make sure all documents are completed before the deadline. Once the application is complete, the university will start reviewing and assessing your file. Regularly check your portal until you get the final result and admission.

7. Receive and confirm your PhD admission.

Congratulations, you’ve been accepted into the PhD program. After receiving your acceptance letter, read its contents carefully, and if it requires confirmation of acceptance, do so in the online application under the Confirm Offer section. However, not all universities have this step, and it’s only necessary for some to confirm after admission.

On the Canada apply page, you can find more detailed information about how to apply for a PhD program.

Best Universities in Canada for Doctoral Studies

According to the QS rankings for 2024, here are the country and world rankings of the top 10 universities in Canada for doctoral studies:

University Name	National Rank	Global Rank
University of Toronto	1	17
McGill University	2	30
University of British Columbia	3	34
University of Alberta	4	111
University of Waterloo	5	112
Western University	6	114
University of Montreal	7	141
University of Calgary	8	182
McMaster University	9	189
University of Ottawa	10	203

Cost of Doctoral Studies in Canada and Scholarships

Tuition fees for doctoral studies in Canada can vary significantly. At one university, you might pay two thousand dollars a year, while at another, you may not only pay nothing but also receive $25,000 yearly. However, on average, the cost of doctoral education for international students in Canada ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 per year.

$10,000 to $30,000 per year.

The cost of pursuing a PhD in Canada varies depending on the program, university, and duration of study.

For example, the tuition for a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia for international students is $9,131 per year, while the tuition for a PhD in Chemistry at Concordia University for international students is $21,041 per year.

Regarding additional costs, we draw your attention to all tuition expenses for the PhD program at McGill University for the 2023-2024 academic year. As you can see in the table below, the tuition for the PhD program at McGill University is about twenty thousand dollars a year. However, all students receive about thirty thousand dollars a year in scholarships and another amount for conducting research projects.

Expenses	Fall Term	Winter Term
Tuition	$8854	$8854
Student Association Fees	$179.51	$104.67
Student Services / Sports Facilities	$340.51	$340.51
Registration & Transcript & Diploma & and Other Administrative Fees	$225.38	$160.60
Copyright Fee for Material Use	$16.35	$16.35
IT Services	$139.80	$139.80
Dental Services Insurance Premium	$217.52
International Health Insurance Premium	$951.00
Total Expenses	$10924.27	$9624.13

Government Scholarships

Although Canadian government scholarships are available for international students, unfortunately, Iran is not among the countries eligible for these scholarships. However, for your information about these types of scholarships, here are two of the most important ones:

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

This scholarship offers $50,000 CAD (equivalent to $37,210 USD) per year for doctoral students in social sciences and humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and health sciences to outstanding domestic and international students.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation doctoral scholarships

For three years, it provides $40,000 CAD (equivalent to $29,770 USD) per year to Canadian citizens and international students. To obtain this scholarship, the Canadian or foreign institution you wish to study at or are currently studying in must recommend you.

University Scholarships

Other types of scholarships for doctoral programs in Canada are provided by universities or university professors. Every year, many universities in Canada announce doctoral funding on their websites. To receive these types of scholarships, you need to apply for them and submit the necessary documents to the university.

An example of a Canadian university scholarship

University of British Columbia Four Year Doctoral Fellowship provides at least CAD 18,200 per year. This university also covers the full tuition costs for outstanding domestic and international students for the entire four-year period of their studies.

Professors' Scholarships

University professors in Canada also offer scholarships to their top doctoral students and researchers each year. In fact, the funding for the support they provide in the form of research assistantships or teaching assistantships is covered by the university.

Research Assistant

As a research assistant, you assist a faculty member, who could be your supervisor, by collaborating on data collection, analysis, report writing, or organizing the lab or office, and you get paid for it. The salary is deducted from your tuition, and if it’s substantial, you can also use it to cover your living expenses.

Teaching Assistant

As a teaching assistant, you help your professor by doing things like teaching courses, grading student exams, or managing or conducting lab sections. To become a teaching assistant, in addition to having excellent academic qualifications, you must effectively demonstrate your mastery of the subject and your ability to facilitate student learning.

Full Funding

A Fully Funded Scholarship refers to financial assistance provided to students for the duration of their studies at universities in Canada. A full fund typically covers the entire tuition fees for PhD students over four years, and in some cases, it also includes travel expenses, housing costs, textbook expenses, insurance, and general living expenses.

Receiving a fully funded scholarship is highly competitive and is usually awarded to outstanding students. The stronger your academic performance in terms of GPA, language scores, and especially robust research experience, the better your chances are of securing a full fund for your PhD. Factors like the budget of Canadian universities and the advisor’s funding also influence the amount of scholarship funding available.

An example of a fully funded PhD in Canada at McMaster University

The image below shows part of the funding letter for one of RainCity’s clients. They have received numerous scholarships from their advisor at McMaster University as well as the university itself, which together exceed the cost of their Civil Engineering PhD program at McMaster. Different scholarships are highlighted in the image below:

Free Education

Fortunately, free doctoral education in Canada is possible. Canada places significant importance on researchers and thus allocates substantial funding to its universities and government bodies each year to support PhD students.

This funding is provided in the form of scholarships and educational grants, and depending on the student’s academic situation, they may receive either a Complete Funded Scholarship or a Partial Fund. The amount of funding each PhD student receives varies based on their academic and research conditions, the advisor’s budget, the university’s budget, and the level of funding from government agencies.

Some scholarships are only for one year, while others cover the entire four years of doctoral studies, making it essentially free to pursue a PhD in Canada.

Complete scholarships not only cover the tuition fees for PhD students but also include their living expenses and medical insurance costs. Providing such facilities and financial support encourages many students from around the world to pursue their PhDs in Canada each year.

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply for a PhD in Canada for 2024?

You should start applying for a PhD at least 8-12 months before the semester begins. For the September 2024 semester, you should start reaching out to professors at Canadian universities from September or October 2023.

What is the structure of PhD studies in Canada?

To continue your education in Canada at the PhD level, you first need to familiarize yourself with the structure of this degree.

The duration of PhD studies in Canada is 4 to 6 years, and it typically starts with research, with fewer theoretical courses offered. In contrast, in other countries like the U.S., the first one or two years of the PhD program are often spent on theoretical courses and exams, followed by serious research for the dissertation.

In some universities, you may need to take the Comprehensive Exam at the end of the first or second year to assess your general knowledge in your field of study.

At the end of your PhD in Canada, you will need to prepare your doctoral thesis and present it orally, defending it in front of a committee.

What are the age requirements for pursuing a PhD in Canada?

According to Canadian regulations, there are no age limits or requirements for pursuing a PhD in Canada. The ideal age for PhD studies in Canadian universities is usually around 30, but many PhD students accepted into Canadian universities each year are over 30 years old.

The only thing to pay attention to is the logical age of the student and their education in the doctoral program for the Canadian study visa process. For example, if you are over 40 and get accepted into a doctoral program at a university in Canada, the officer may not be convinced about your return to your country after your studies.

What are the conditions for scholarships for a PhD in Canada?

You need to be an accepted or enrolled doctoral student at one of the universities in Canada;

have a minimum GPA of 17 or higher. If your resume and research background are strong, there’s a chance you could get a scholarship even with a lower GPA;

for most fields, you need a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent scores.

You should have published scientific articles in reputable foreign and domestic journals.

You shouldn’t have received scholarships from other Canadian universities and institutions before.

What are reliable websites for searching PhD scholarships in Canada?

To find scholarship opportunities in Canada, here are three useful websites:

EduCanada.ca

ScholarshipsCanada.com

Yconic.com

When searching for PhD scholarships on some of these websites, you may need to register and become a member. Only then will all the doctoral scholarship opportunities in Canada be displayed for you.

What points should we keep in mind while searching for PhD scholarships in Canada?

Degree Level: Make sure to check what degree level the scholarship is offered for in Canada.

Country: Some scholarships are only available for students from specific countries. So definitely check before applying whether Iran is included in the scholarship eligible countries or not.

Field of Study: Some PhD scholarships are offered only for specific fields of study. Therefore, check if your field of study falls under that scholarship.

Application Deadline: If the scholarship you’re interested in requires a separate application from your degree program, make sure to check when the last application date is. Since scholarships have limited capacity, it’s advisable to apply for funding opportunities ahead of the deadline date.

Required Documents: Applying for a scholarship in Canada requires specific documents, and depending on the type of funding offered and the organization providing it, different documents may be needed. Make sure to prepare all the necessary documents before applying and according to the provided guidelines.

Which PhD programs have scholarships available in Canada?

Most doctoral programs in Canada come with scholarships, covering various fields like engineering, sciences such as biology and its branches, chemistry, and physics. Humanities programs usually receive fewer scholarships.

Is there an opportunity for postdoctoral scholarships in Canada for students?

If you’ve obtained your PhD and plan to work as a researcher in a postdoctoral position in Canada, numerous universities and research centers offer this opportunity for international applicants every year. By working in a postdoc position, you receive a stipend, which can be funded by professors, universities, or through scholarships and fellowships from government bodies.

A few examples of postdoctoral fellowships in Canada for international applicants include:

Banting International Postdoctoral Fellowships

SFU Postdoctoral Fellowship

Which PhD programs in Canada have higher demand?

Engineering

Computer Science

Natural Sciences

Social Sciences

Business and Management

Health

Is pursuing a PhD in Canada free?

No. You need to pay tuition fees for doctoral studies in Canada, but there are scholarship opportunities available that can cover all or part of the tuition.

What are the requirements to receive funding for a PhD in Canada?

Securing a doctoral scholarship in Canada depends on many factors such as a high GPA in previous degrees, strong language test scores, and engaging in research and publishing high-ranking articles.

Can one apply for a second PhD in Canada?

If you’ve previously earned a PhD in Iran and wish to pursue a PhD in the same field or its branches again in Canada, this idea doesn’t make sense to Canadian university professors, and your chances of acceptance are low.

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