phd programs in vancouver canada

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Study PhD's in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver at a glance.

Consistently considered one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life, Vancouver is a welcoming city in Canada, and a great destination for international students to feel right at home. Over 10,000 foreign students coming from over 80 countries choose to study in Vancouver (including Australia, China, England, France, Italy, Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Vietnam, and U.S.), enrolling in a wide range of programmes. Vancouver is the third largest city in Canada, located in the South-Western corner of the coastal province of British Columbia, having over 2.6 million people.

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Studying in Vancouver

Higher education institutions in Vancouver are particularly well-known for subject areas like digital media, technology, and engineering, but there are also numerous specialisations, for Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD levels, in the fields of communication, business, languages, arts, medicine, law, pharmaceutical sciences and more.

The higher education system focuses on a dynamic learning style, with teaching methods integrated with practical experience and research activities in order to enhance independent study and future career success. Most courses are taught in English, but there are several degree study options available in French as well.

The higher education institutions in Vancouver offer well-equipped modern facilities, including research laboratories and academic libraries.

Some universities provide numerous distance (online) learning degrees for graduate, undergraduate and doctoral studies, in many subject areas.

Career opportunities in Vancouver

Over the last years, Vancouver has become an increasingly important centre for industries such as software development, biotechnology, aerospace, video game development, animation studios and a vibrant television production and film industry. Universities provide industry relevant degree courses preparing you to enter the job market upon graduation.

Important companies based in Vancouver or with local offices include names like: Telus Corp, the Jim Pattison Group, Citizens Bank of Canada, Hootsuite, Pixar Canada, Tenke Mining, Goldcorp Inc., and HSBC Bank. Internships in companies in the city are frequently available to students during their studies, in vacations or after graduation.

Vancouver city life

Vancouver is a wonderful city to explore, counting numerous places to see and a lot of activities to enjoy. The most popular attractions you can visit are: Vancouver Opera, Stanley Park (includes a beautiful aquarium), the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the H. R. MacMillan Space Centre, the Vancouver Museum, The Vancouver Art Gallery, and the Nitobe Japanese Garden. Modern architecture buildings worth visiting include: Shangri-La, the tallest building in the city, and the Sheraton Wall Centre.

The entertainment life in Vancouver is represented by many night clubs, theatres and music festivals. Vancouver is also popular for snow sports, so you can enjoy some of the world’s best ski resorts. You can also engage in other outdoor activities like mountain biking in the North Shore or playing golf in Queen Elizabeth Park. Discover the Chinese culture at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Chinatown downtown – free of charge.

International atmosphere in Vancouver

Vancouver is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in the world, with over 50% of the population not speaking English as their first language. Almost 30% of the city's inhabitants are of Chinese heritage and other ethnic populations includes Scandinavian, Italian, Ukrainian and Greek.

As the number of immigrants has continued to increase over the last 30 years, Vancouver is the home of a multicultural environment that will enable you to learn about many different cultures and make long lasting personal or professional relationships.

Weather Vancouver

Vancouver is one of Canada's warmest cities in the winter. The Oceanic climate is marked by hot summers, typically dry, with maximum temperatures of 28-32°C (82-89°F). Rainfalls occur only in one out of five days during July and August. In contrast, snow precipitation falls more frequently from November through March.

Universities in Vancouver

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world and recently recognized as North America’s most international university.

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The Vancouver School of Economics at UBC offers a renowned PhD program and the strengths of a quality research faculty.

Our small cohort sizes provide extensive opportunities for student-faculty interaction, including joint research projects and active supervision, and a diverse offering of specializations for dissertation work.

Each year we typically admit about 15 new students to our program. As a result, our program is small enough to provide extensive research supervision yet large enough to offer expertise in a wide range of fields. Virtually all of the school’s research faculty hold grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and other funding agencies, which provides ample opportunities for research assistantships and dissertation support.

The school manages the British Columbia Inter-University Research Data Centre , is home to the Centre for Innovative Data in Economics Research (CIDER), and has onsite use to the FDZ-IAB Data Access Point. As a result, unique training opportunities, research funding, and access to data and computing resources are available to our PhD students.

In addition to studying with the VSE professors, our students can work with faculty in other discipline in UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems, the Sauder School of Business and Computer Science to name a few.

Program Overview

Before coursework in September, students undertake a mathematics review that is administered online in August.

During their first year, students take course sequences in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Each course sequence consists of two courses, each a semester-long.

At the end of the academic year, students write comprehensive examinations in microeconomics and macroeconomics.

Second year

In the second year, students take advanced courses in their chosen fields of specialization and a one-semester course in applied econometric methods. Students also participate in a one-semester seminar course that introduces them to the research process.

Starting in the second year, students begin attending the many research seminars held by the school, furthering their exposure to the research frontier.

Near the end of the second semester, students submit a research paper proposal. Students spend the summer after the second year working on this paper (which is submitted in the first semester of the third year) to familiarize students with the research process and aid and foster the transition to independent study.

In their third year, students reduce their course load and concentrate on research. Students participate in a PhD research seminar course. This seminar provides an opportunity for interaction between faculty and students in their respective fields through research presentations and discussions.

By their third year, students regularly participate in VSE research seminars, usually in one or two fields of specialization. Students are also regular participants in one of the weekly lunch workshop series, where students and professors present their work-in-progress and preliminary research in an informal setting.

Throughout the year, students further their research through self-initiated interaction with faculty outside of the classroom setting.

By the year's end, students form a dissertation committee in preparation for admission to candidacy. Admission involves having their dissertation prospectus approved by the candidate's supervisor(s).

Fourth year

In consultation with their committee, students now work full-time on their dissertation. The goal is to prepare a completed dissertation chapter that students can use as a "job market paper".

Job Market Placement

The VSE is involved in preparing our PhDs "job market package," distributed to employers. The VSE will advertise the student's credentials to employers through several formal and informal channels.

Typically, students complete their job market papers by the end of the first semester of the fifth year. During this semester, students are assisted in the preparation of their "job market package", containing their research papers, curriculum vitae, and faculty reference letters.

In late November, faculty members conduct mock interviews with job market candidates to prepare for interviews at the American Economic Association meeting and the Canadian Economics Employment Exchange.

During this period, the VSE reserves its seminar schedule for its job market candidates, so students can practice their "job market seminar" and receive invaluable feedback from faculty in all fields of the VSE.

Initial job interviews are held every year in December and January. Following interviews, students visit universities and other employers and typically conclude their job search by the end of March.

Dissertation

Students typically complete their dissertation at the end of the fifth year. At this time, the candidate is given an oral examination by members of the VSE. Then the candidate defends the dissertation in an oral examination administered by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Upon successful defense, the PhD is granted.

Program Requirements

Students are required to enroll in at least 18 credits of coursework in the first year. The standard first-year course program is:

• Term 1 (September to December) – ECON 600 Microeconomics I, ECON 602 Macroeconomics I, ECON 626 Econometrics I
• Term 2 (January to April) – ECON 601 Microeconomics II, ECON 603 Macroeconomics II, ECON 627 Econometrics II (three credits each)
• Comprehensive Exams in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory are written in June

In the second year, students typically take ECON 628 Topics in Applied Econometrics (three credits) plus an additional 21 credits of economics courses at the 500- and 600-level; of these 21 credits, students may take six for audit. By the end of the second year, students are to have completed 42 credits of coursework.

In the third year of the program, students must take ECON 640 Ph.D. Research Seminar (three credits).

Summer research paper

The summer paper familiarizes students with the research process and aid and fosters an independent research transition.

A written proposal for the summer research paper is due on March 15, during the PhD program's second year. Students spend the summer after completing the second-year coursework working on the paper.

A first draft of the paper is due at the start of the third year on September 1. After receiving final suggestions for revision from the faculty, a final version of the research paper is due on October 1.

Candidates for the PhD degree who hold a master's degree must be enrolled for a minimum of two academic sessions (two years) at UBC before taking the final examination for the PhD degree. For students admitted to the PhD program with a Bachelor's degree, the total minimum enrolment period is three academic sessions (three years).

Students usually are admitted to candidacy when they have completed their period of residence and required coursework, passed the comprehensive examinations, submitted the summer research paper, and, most importantly, have their dissertation prospectus approved by their research supervisor.

A student who is not admitted to candidacy within three years from the date of initial registration is required to withdraw from the program. The dean may permit an extension of this period under exceptional circumstances.

The dissertation

A candidate for the PhD degree must submit an acceptable dissertation. The dissertation represents a substantial piece of original research and constitutes a contribution to knowledge in the field of the subject chosen.

The candidate selects their dissertation topic in consultation with a dissertation committee.

Before the research has progressed too far, the candidate presents a detailed dissertation prospectus in a seminar setting; at this point, the prospectus is either formally accepted or rejected by the dissertation committee. Students research under the supervision of a faculty member who serves as chairperson of the committee.

When the dissertation is completed, the candidate is given an oral examination by faculty members of the Vancouver School of Economics and is then asked to defend the dissertation in an oral examination administered by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

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On average, it takes four to five years to complete the PhD program (after the MA) and requires full-time academic year residency until the attainment of candidacy.

At least 12 credits of coursework are required, and the details of required courses vary by research area. In addition to courses, doctoral students are required to complete a comprehensive examination and a dissertation. Students in the Clinical Program are, in addition, required to complete a year-long accredited clinical internship.

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Strengthen your independent research skills with a PhD in Population and Public Health

The spph phd in population and public health is an advanced research degree that prepares graduates to become independent researchers and contribute to the development of health research in canada and around the world. phd students conduct research in a wide variety of topic areas related to population and public health, ranging from epidemiology to global health..

The Doctor of Philosophy program provides students with a strong foundation in population and public health research methods, including the core competencies for independent research. Students develop further knowledge and skills in their research area by completing a dissertation with the guidance of a faculty supervisor. SPPH Faculty are leaders in their fields who can connect students with world-class research and career development opportunities. Graduates of the SPPH PhD program continue their independent research work in a variety of positions, including as professors, government health officials, and leaders of private health organizations.

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PhD in Educational Studies

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Graduate admission

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The PhD in Educational Studies is a research-oriented doctoral program for students interested in any of the study areas offered in the department.

Students are required to take three doctoral seminars. All other courses in a student’s program are determined in consultation with faculty. Students in the PhD program typically devote two years to coursework, and two to four years to developing and carrying out a research project designed to make an original contribution to knowledge in the study area.

The university allows doctoral students up to six years to complete program requirements. There is no set number of credits required for PhD programs at UBC.

For further facts and figures about the PhD in Educational Studies, please click here .

Admissions Requirements for Graduate Study

All graduate program applicants in the Department of Educational Studies (EDST) must meet the minimum entry requirements established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, which oversees graduate work at UBC. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will be considered for admission only in exceptional circumstances.

Admission to the PhD program is highly competitive, based on the pool of applicants considered by the Admissions Committee, and subject to university and departmental requirements and departmental capacities for supervision.

More Info: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs/phd-educational-studies

Please note: Applicants with full-funding from scholarships, fellowships, or alike, are still required to complete the PhD application process in the Department of Educational Studies (EDST).  In addition, all applicants will undergo adjudication by the PhD committee to determine admission. To be clear, applicants who bring full-funding with them are not automatically admitted .

General Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to a PhD program at UBC, applicants must hold a master's degree (or equivalent) from an approved institution with clear evidence of research ability or potential; or a bachelor’s degree with one year of study in a master's program with 12 credits of first class average, of which 9 credits must be at the 500-level or above and at least 9 credits must be of first class standing and clear evidence of research ability or potential. (For more detailed admissions requirements, please see the links below).

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies - Minimum Academic Requirements: Canadian or U.S. Credentials http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/minimum-academic-requirements-canadian-or-us-credentials

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies - Minimum Academic Requirements: International Credentials http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/minimum-academic-requirements-international-credentials

English Requirements

English Proficiency Test Score: Applicants whose degrees are from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to graduate studies are:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Minimum score of 600 (paper version), 250 (computer version), 92 with a minimum of 22 in each component (iTB) is required for admission to all programs in Educational Studies. Visit TOEFL’s website
• IELTS (International English Language Testing Service): Minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no other component score less than 6.0.
• MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): Minimum overall score of 81.

The applicants must have an official report of their score on one of these tests sent directly from the testing service to the Graduate Program Assistant, Department of Educational Studies at the address below by the application deadline. Score reports more than two years old will not be accepted.

More Information: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/english-proficiency-requirements

Most importantly with regard to a PhD application, please note that among other applicable requirements requested by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and by other UBC competent jurisdictions, as part of such an application you must submit:

• A Statement of Intent (800-1200 words) which clearly shows that your research topic/interest fits within the department in terms of prospective supervisors and areas of interest. Such a statement should also articulate the general research directions you would like to pursue during your program, if admitted. This statement should be 800-1200 words.
• A sample of your writing and engagement with research  (maximum 5,000 words without references). The intent is to demonstrate your ability to communicate your ideas and your interests in a clear way. Writing samples typically take the form of an excerpt from a chapter from a masters thesis, a published article, or a substantial scholarly paper
• Entries on your transcript showing evidence of having taken courses on research methods (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, ethnographic or philosophical) and research more generally at the Masters level.

Also, while this is not a requirement, it is very important for you to contact at least one faculty member who could be a potential supervisor of your work (has expertise and interest in the area and/or topic you want to focus on) and inquire whether they would be willing to supervise your work ( see list of faculty and areas of expertise at: https://edst.educ.ubc.ca/faculty-staff/faculty ). Even if they do not commit to supervising your work, you could list such a faculty member (one or even two is acceptable) as a potential supervisor when you apply (which would provide further proof of your suitability for the PhD and familiarity with the programmes and areas of expertise of faculty).

In May 2017 the UBC-V Senate approved the establishment of a university-wide minimum funding level for all PhD students. Specifically, all full-time students who begin a UBC-Vancouver PhD program in September 2018 or later will be provided with a minimum funding package equal to $18,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships.

For more information, see:

https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/minimum-funding-policy-phd-students

Doctoral students are also expected to apply for and obtain  funding. Our faculty are very supportive in this regard, and are able to help their supervised students build their applications, as well as supporting them by writing letters of appraisal.

If you do not live in Vancouver at present, you may want to consider the cost of living in Vancouver, and obtain further information from the website of the Faculty of Graduate Studies ( http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students ).

Program Requirements

Program Worksheets are available here: https://edst.educ.ubc.ca/resources/policies/

Doctoral Seminar and Colloquium

There are three required courses in the PhD program.

The first doctoral seminar (EDST 601A) is designed to help beginning students become familiar with the department, policies and procedures related to doctoral studies, and for an examination of critical theoretical traditions and conceptual problems in the social sciences as applied to education.

The second doctoral seminar (EDST 601B) exposes students to positivist, interpretive, historical, and philosophical methods, and a deep understanding of current methodological issues and debates.

The third doctoral seminar (EDST 602) explores what it means to engage in a doctoral experience with particular focus on scholarly writing, preparing for comprehensive exams, and thesis proposals.

Coursework in Specialization

Students in the PhD program are expected to take courses in their specialization so that they are familiar with current theory and research. Courses are selected in consultation with an adviser or program advisory committee.

Courses in the student’s specialization should be completed in the first year of the program.

Other Coursework

PhD students typically take additional courses to give them the breadth and depth of understanding of contemporary educational theories. Doctoral study is oriented toward the thesis research, but relevant coursework beyond the student’s specialization is recommended.

Research Methods

PhD students are expected to be familiar with the various methods used in contemporary educational research and to master the particular methods relative to their research. Developing proficiency in research methods normally requires enrolling in available courses and reading widely in the research methods literature. Before research proposals are approved, students are expected to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully carry out their research plan.

Comprehensive Examination

All students in the PhD program are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination after their coursework and before they present their research proposal. The examination is prepared by the student’s program adviser or research supervisory committee. Details about the mechanics of the examination and the options in format of the examination can be obtained from advisers or the department’s Graduate Program Assistant.

The PhD thesis is an original piece of research in the student’s area of specialization. Students develop research proposals which must be approved by a research supervisory committee of a supervisor and at least two other committee members. Research supervisory committees provide direction to the student, read and critique drafts of the thesis, and participate in the final oral examination.

PhD Residency

There is no residency requirement per se, but PhD students are expected to make steady progress through their coursework, comprehensive exams and thesis research. Current policies require PhD students to achieve candidacy by the end of their third year of study. Achieving candidacy involves completing all coursework, passing the comprehensive exam and having an approved research proposal.

Apply Online: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/apply/online/

Admission to the PhD program is on a competitive basis, within the broader context of the pool of applicants considered by the Committee, subject to university and departmental requirements and to departmental capacities for supervision.

Applications should be submitted online at  www.grad.ubc.ca/apply/online . All of the following components of an application must be received by the department’s Graduate Program Assistant before the file can be reviewed by the appropriate admissions committee. Without complete documentation, the application review process cannot begin.

a. Online UBC application form . When you submit an online application at  www.grad.ubc.ca/apply/online , the completed form is automatically forwarded to the Department's Graduate Program Assistant. A non-refundable processing fee payable is to UBC: see the cover of the official UBC application form for the exact amount.

b. Upload digital copies (.pdfs) of official transcripts.  See Digital Copies of Official Transcripts tab for details

c. Three references –  The purpose of the references is to provide a comprehensive portrayal of your relevant background and capacity to complete the PhD. Letters of reference should speak to your ability to pursue research and produce scholarly writing at the doctoral level. Suitable referees include professors, supervisors, principals, or other persons to whom you are, or have been, accountable academically in employment or as a volunteer. Academic references are preferred. If the original letter is in another language, the letter must be accompanied by a certified English translation. There are three possible formats for references:

• Electronic references : In the online application system, applicants are asked to provide an email address for each referee. Once the online application has been submitted, a unique link will be emailed to each referee, allowing her or him to log in to a secure site and submit an online reference or upload a reference document as an attachment.
• Letters of reference (hard copy or email attachment) : Your referee may wish to send a paper letter. Paper letters of reference should be on referee’s official letterhead and must be mailed directly by the referee to the Graduate Program Assistant (see address below) in a sealed and endorsed envelope, or as a .pdf email attachment.
• Reference forms (hard copy or email attachment) : UBC provides a  general reference form . Your referee may fill out this form and mail it directly to the relevant program in a sealed and endorsed envelope, or send it as a .pdf email attachment.
• All references must be sent by referees directly. Reference letters or forms submitted by the applicant will not be accepted .
• The application system and department are unable to accept referee emails from Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, MSN or other free email accounts.
• By “sealed, endorsed envelope” we mean that the envelope needs to be sealed and that the signature of the referee be placed over the seal (i.e., partially on the flap and partially on the rest of the envelope).

Note: It is advisable to contact referees and inform them of the Admissions deadline early in your process.

d. Statement of intent.  You need to describe your specific interests in pursuing a PhD and precisely why you are applying to the Department of Educational Studies and to the program or concentration you have selected (800-1200 words). This statement should highlight the following:

• Your engagement with graduate research , which clearly shows that your research topic/interest fits within the department in terms of prospective supervisors and areas of interest.
• The general research directions you would like to pursue during your program, if admitted.
• Name(s) of faculty member(s) with whom you have been in contact and/or who you identify as being suitable as research supervisor

e. Writing Sample (maximum 5,000 words without references)

• The intent is to demonstrate your engagement with research and your ability to communicate your ideas and your interests in a clear way. Writing samples typically take the form of an excerpt from a chapter from a masters thesis, a published article, or a substantial scholarly paper.

f. Curriculum Vitae / Resume

Please provide a CV as evidence of your potential to succeed in EDST at the graduate level.

After submitting your application, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all supporting materials are submitted by the application deadline. The Admissions Committee will only review completed applications. You can check the status of your application and supporting materials through the online application system .

Applicants from outside Canada should be aware of additional requirements that may apply. Please read the following to determine which of these requirements may apply to you.

International Credentials Equivalency

Please see the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/minimum-academic-requirements-international-credentials

International Transcripts and Translation Requirements

See International Transcripts and Translation Requirements tab for details

Entering Canada

To enter Canada, a “Student Authorization” (Student Visa) is required. Apply as soon as possible to the nearest Canadian Consular or Immigration Office since it may take 8–10 weeks for processing. For applicants applying from the People’s Republic of China it may take 3–6 months. Applying for a Student Authorization requires a UBC letter of admission/acceptance; a valid passport; and evidence of adequate funds for tuition, maintenance of the student and, if married, the student’s spouse and children, plus travel funds to and from Canada. Please consult the Immigration Canada website:  http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp .

If the application for a visa is approved, the UBC letter of admission/acceptance will be returned to the student and must be retained for presentation to the Immigration Officer at the Canadian point of entry.

Canadian Transcripts

UBC has changed its application document requirements.

If you are applying to begin study in 2016 or beyond, you will normally scan and upload digital copies (.pdfs) of official required documents in the application system. These are considered "unofficial documents". These uploaded copies of your official documents will be used for initial evaluation of the applicant.

Conditional admission offers may be made based on documents uploaded to the application system. However, admission offers will not be finalized and applicants will not be allowed to register in a graduate program until one set of all required official academic records are received and validated by the University.

UPLOADING UNOFFICIAL COPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS IN THE APPLICATION SYSTEM

Applicants with Canadian transcripts (other than UBC) must obtain an official paper transcript for every post-secondary institution they have attended.  UBC transcripts are not required.

Each transcript should be scanned as an individual .pdf file and then uploaded to the application system as indicated. They should be named: "Applicant Full Name-Document Description.extension"

Kelly Smith-University of Waterloo Transcript.pdf Kelly Smith-CV.pdf Kelly Smith-Journal of Neurosciences Paper.pdf

Transcripts must be scanned front and back. All pages of one transcript, front and back, should be uploaded as a single file (rather than a separate file for each page).

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

To be considered official, academic records must either be received in official university envelopes, sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution, or be sent via secure electronic delivery by the issuing institution.

If you have been offered admission conditional upon receipt of official documentation, you must provide UBC with one set of official transcripts for every postsecondary institution you have attended for the equivalent of one year or more of full-time study. UBC reserves the right to also require any individual applicant to provide official transcripts for study of less than one year duration. Do not send official transcripts before receiving an offer of admission unless you have received special instructions from the graduate program to which you have applied.

Documents being provided to meet conditions of admission should be sent directly to:

Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies University of British Columbia 6371 Crescent Rd Vancouver, BC CANADA  V6T 1Z2

CURRENT AND FORMER UBC STUDENTS

You do not need to submit UBC transcripts as part of your graduate application, as this data is already available through the student database system. However, be aware that you are still responsible for submitting transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions that you have attended (e.g., exchange year, transfer year, etc.).

International Transcripts and Translations

UPLOADING UNOFFICIAL COPIES OF REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IN THE APPLICATION SYSTEM

Applicants with transcripts from non-Canadian post-secondary institutions must obtain an official paper transcript for every post-secondary institution they have attended.

Each transcripts should be scanned as an individual .pdf file and then uploaded to the application system as indicated. Otherwise, they should be named: "Applicant Full Name-Document Description.extension"

Peng Zhang-Peking University Transcript.pdf Peng Zhang-Peking University Transcript English Translation.pdf Peng Zhang-CV.pdf Peng Zhang-Journal of Neurosciences Paper.pdf

If you have transcripts that are issued in a language other than English, then in addition to uploading digital copies of the documents in their original language, you must also upload a certified literal English translation of your transcripts from your home university's translation service or certified English translator.

Please consult the document scanning and uploading instructions provided within the online application for detailed instructions.

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

After being offered admission: If you have been offered admission conditional upon receipt of official documentation, you must provide UBC with one set of official transcripts for every postsecondary institution you have attended for the equivalent of one year or more of full-time study. UBC reserves the right to also require any individual applicant to provide official transcripts for study of less than one year duration.

If an official transcript does not indicate the degree name and the degree conferral date, then an official copy of the degree certificate must also be submitted

If your university issues only one original copy of transcripts/degree certificates:

Make photocopies of your original academic records and send them to your home university. Ask your home university to:

• verify that the photocopies are consistent with their records.
• attest that the copies are true photocopies and stamp them with an official university stamp.
• put the attested, stamped photocopies in sealed envelopes endorsed by the Registrar.
• mail the sealed, endorsed envelopes directly to Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

If your transcripts are issued in a language other than English:

• arrange to have a set of all official transcripts issued in their original language.
• obtain a certified literal English translation of your transcripts from your home university's translation service.
• send both the original transcripts and the literal English translation to UBC Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

If your home university does not provide English translations of transcripts:

• make a photocopy of your copy of your transcripts. Do not open a sealed, endorsed envelope containing transcripts intended for submission to your program.
• take the copy to a certified English translator and ask them to provide a complete, word-by-word, literal English translation.
• tell the translator to put both the original language photocopy and the English translation into a sealed envelope, and endorse the envelope by signing across the seal.
• send the sealed, endorsed envelopes from the translator to UBC Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
• send your original transcripts in the original language to UBC Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

Note: Academic records must be translated in their entirety, including any information that appears on the reverse side of any document.

UBC does not accept the following:

• photocopies that have not been stamped, attested and endorsed by the Registrar at your home university
• documents in envelopes that have been opened
• documents that do not arrive in sealed envelopes endorsed by the issuing institution or certified translator
• documents that arrive without the official seal of the university
• photocopies notarized by a notary public
• photocopies endorsed by a lawyer, professor, judge etc.
• unofficial translations
• non-literal translations

Do not send academic records that are not in sealed and endorsed envelopes. It will only delay the processing of your application.

Documents being provided to meet conditions of admission  should be sent directly to:

Tuition for PhD and EdD Programs

Tuition fees for PhD and EdD Programs are found on the UBC Calendar  website .

Note that fees are subject to change by the University.

Deadlines for applications

Deadlines for the EDST PhD program can be found on the EDST website .

Quick links:

Graduate Program Assistant Email:  [email protected] Tel: 604.822.6647

Department of Educational Studies Faculty of Education The University of British Columbia 6445 University Boulevard, V6T1Z2

Dr. P   Taylor   Webb , PhD Management Chair Email: [email protected] Tel: 604–822–6381

Meet our Alumni

PhD in Business Administration

Pursue a phd in business administration.

Driven by academic rigour, the UBC PhD program in Business Administration at UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School is defined by innovation. Our graduates are high-achieving, well-rounded scholars whose impeccable research skills have led them to ambitious intellectual pursuits.

Get started with the UBC PhD in Business Administration

Specializations

Admission & finance

Meet our alumni.

UBC Sauder's rigorous PhD program attracts impactful researchers that drive change in the global marketplace. It prepares our students for ambitious roles, but also provides the framework for their academic success in and out of the classroom.

Kirk Kristofferson

Kirk Kristofferson has been producing impactful consumer behaviour research since his days as as PhD student at UBC Saud...

Charles Martineau

When Charles Martineau decided to pursue his PhD in Finance, what he discovered was a place that coupled creative academ...

Leah Sheppard

Leah Sheppard credits her ability to write meaningful research, and keep her own students ahead of the curve, to her tim...

When you study your PhD in Business Administration at UBC Sauder, you'll find yourself in the midst of innovation. The resources available to students and the UBC community are plentiful, and UBC Sauder is fertile ground for collaboration and advancement.

Have a question?

Our team is happy to help., get in touch.

+1 604.822.8366 [email protected]

Visit the contact us page for more information

Take the next step towards your career

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Program Overview

The research-intensive Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Political Science at UBC Vancouver will help prepare you to secure tenure-track faculty positions and prestigious postdoctoral fellowships, as well as other academic and non-academic careers.

Prospective graduate students should browse our research areas to learn about the groups of faculty members working in 30 different research fields, methodologies, and geographic regions.

Our PhD program consists of two years of graduate coursework followed by comprehensive exams following the completion of course requirements.

Students write a dissertation proposal by the end of their third year of study, and with its approval and defense, move on to their dissertation research and writing, which normally takes two to three years to complete.

We are proud to see many of our PhDs in faculty positions and in successful careers throughout the world. We value collaboration and collegiality, and we strive to create an atmosphere of trust, respect, and professional courtesy to ensure a diverse intellectual community.

NEW: CANADIAN POLITICS FACULTY RENEWAL

UBC Political Science has significantly renewed our Canadian Politics faculty roster in recent years with the recruitment of Profs. Carey Doberstein, Sophie Borwein, and Vince Hopkins.

The Canadian Politics field at UBC is now especially equipped to supervise graduate students in the realm of public policy, public opinion and identity, inequalities in society, and how governments design and implement policies, programs, and services.

New faculty also complement the existing Canadian Politics faculty strengths in the areas of federalism (Kathy Harrison, Gerald Baier) and political behavior (Fred Cutler, Matthew Wright).

Faculty in the Canadian Politics field use survey methods, data science and experimental designs, and qualitative approaches in the course of their research.

The renewed Canadian Politics faculty at UBC will supplement department financial support packages in the doctoral program with research assistance fellowships and conference support.

Our PhD graduates have been highly successful in pursuing academic and non-academic careers.

On the academic front, UBC PhDs hold tenured or tenure track positions at major universities in North America and internationally. Our graduates have taken up  tenure-track and tenured positions at Canadian institutions including the University of Toronto, University of Victoria, University of Western Ontario, York University, University of Ottawa, MacEwan University, University of Fraser Valley, University of Manitoba, Memorial University of Newfoundland, McMaster University, and the University of Calgary; at U.S. institutions including the University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh, Colorado State University, Georgia Tech, Soka University; and outside North America at institutions including the University of Essex, University of Sheffield, University of St. Andrews, Cardiff University, Trinity College Dublin, Tel Aviv University, Sophia University, National University of Singapore, Queensland University, Australia National University, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and Ritsumeikan University.

Our PhDs have held postdoctoral fellowships at Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University, Vanderbilt University, University of Toronto, Queen’s University, Oxford University, Duke University, and other institutions.

Many UBC PhDs have taken their doctoral training to high-level positions with government agencies, NGOs, international organizations, think tanks, and private-sector employers, including Statistics Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada, the US Department of Defense Asia-Pacific Center, Global Affairs Canada, Health Canada, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Medecins Sans Frontiers, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, Deutschebank, Innovative Research Group, the Institute for Research on Public Policy, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, among others.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work program at UBC Vancouver provides opportunities for advanced scholarship, contributing transformative knowledge through research relevant to social work theory, practice, policy, social development, and administration.

The PhD program is for students with a background in social work, giving them an opportunity for advanced scholarship and professional growth in the context of a research-intensive program.

The program provides critical components for professional practice in research, policy analysis, and human service management.

In addition to making an original contribution to social work knowledge, you will be prepared for university teaching and research (theoretical and applied), including program evaluation.

A research-based dissertation adding to the field’s knowledge base is the capstone of this program.

• Ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative research using a range of paradigms and methods which inform and advance knowledge and its application in the areas of social work
• Leading-edge substantive knowledge of an area of social work (defined by your research interests), including questions in the area that need to be addressed empirically
• Comprehensive understanding of professional, educational and policy issues in social work, with an ability to explicate the implications of research for the social good

Degree Requirements

The PhD program should be completed within a period of six years. It is possible to request a one-year extension to this time limit, but such extensions are not automatic.

Achieving Candidacy

All students are expected to be admitted to candidacy within two years of initial registration and must complete within three years. Exceptions to this can only be granted by the Dean of UBC’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

To achieve candidacy, students must:

• Complete all required courses
• Pass their comprehensive examinations
• Have their thesis proposal approved

Course Work Requirements

Students in the program will be required to take at least 18 credits of coursework.

• SOWK 601 Advanced Doctoral Seminar (runs alternate weeks across both terms) (3 credits)
• SOWK 621 Social Theory, Ideology & Ethics (3 credits)
• Elective to be determined in consultation with supervisor (3 credits)
• SOWK 654 Advanced Qualitative Inquiry (3 credits)
• XXX Methods course to be determined in consultation with supervisor (3 credits)

Year 2 (6 credits minimum)

• SOWK 623 Advanced Data Analysis in Social Work (3 credits)
• XXX Theory course in relation to substantive area of study (sometimes a directed study) (3 credits)
• Preparation for comprehensive exams and thesis proposal

Academic Progress

A minimum of 68% (B-) must be achieved in all coursework taken for credit. Where a grade of less than 68% (B-) is obtained in a course and on the recommendation of the PhD Program Chair and the approval of the Dean of UBC’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student may repeat the course for higher standing or take an alternate course.

If the PhD Program Chair does not make such a recommendation, or if the recommendation is not approved by the Dean of UBC’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student will be required to withdraw.

A student who obtains a grade of less than 68% in more than one course can be required to withdraw.

If progress in research is unsatisfactory, a student will be required to withdraw.

The student will be informed of unsatisfactory academic progress in writing before any action regarding withdrawal is taken. In a course that is repeated, both marks will appear on the transcript.

Comprehensive Examinations

The comprehensive examination will take the form of two papers of not more than 7,000 words each.

One paper will focus on theoretical concepts relevant to the student’s proposed field of research, and the second paper will address a substantive topic related to the student’s research, for example, a critical literature review.

The student‘s supervisory committee will determine the specific subjects of each paper.

The student will have 28 days to complete each paper and submit it to their supervisor from the time of receiving the topic.

Both papers will be completed within 82 days at a time agreed upon by the student and their supervisor.

Where the supervisory committee feels it appropriate, students have the option of combining the two papers into a single submission which covers the areas noted above.

In this case, the student would have 56 days to complete with a further 28-day revision period if required.

Comprehensive papers are normally completed within the first two years of the program.

Within 28 days of the final paper submission, the student will undertake an oral defense of the papers to be organized by their research supervisor.

The comprehensive examination is conducted by members of the Supervisory Committee, plus one member who is external to the School and who preferably is a member of UBC's Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The extra member will meet similar eligibility for the Supervisory Committee as laid out in Graduate Studies’ policy.

If either paper is unsuccessful, the student will have a further 28 days to resubmit and defend the paper. Only one resubmission is allowed per paper.

Success of the papers will be determined based on the expectations set out by the committee when assigning the paper.

In general, papers will be expected to show a solid and comprehensive understanding of the relevant literature and an ability to critically analyze the literature presented. Normal scholarly expectations regarding style, presentation and grammatical correctness will also apply.

Upon completion of the defense the supervisor should inform the PhD Chair of the outcome on a Pass/Fail basis. Students who do not satisfactorily defend their comprehensive paper upon the second attempt will be required to withdraw from the program.

Thesis Proposal Evaluation

An examining panel will determine whether the proposal:

Proposal is:

• shows sufficient knowledge of the literature and methodological issue
• is feasible
• provides the basis for a dissertation which is original and scholarly

Requires deferral for revision

• generally acceptable but requires refinement in one or more of the above areas in order to be approved

Is to be rejected

Proposal is rejected due to one or more of the following:

• does not demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the relevant literature
• is methodologically unsound
• is not feasible
• does not provide the basis for a dissertation which is original and scholarly

In all cases the student will be provided with oral and written feedback from their research supervisor identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal, any advice the panel may have, and what is required of the student to successfully complete the proposal phase.

In the case of a rejected proposal a substantially revised proposal must be submitted addressing the areas indicated by the panel.

In the case of a deferred proposal, the panel will determine if a further examination is required or if the supervisor can approve the required changes alone. If rejected, a full defense of the new proposal will be required.

Students will be permitted two attempts to successfully defend their proposal. Students who fail to successfully complete the proposal defense within the required timeframe will be required to withdraw from the program. In exceptional circumstances, the Chair of the program can approve a third defense upon advice of the supervisory committee.

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Students in the doctoral program in Sociology at UBC graduate with extensive experience in research, publication, and teaching.

Besides the comprehensive curriculum equipping our graduates with a strong mixed-methods background, our students build extensive resumes through publication, instruction, and collaboration with a world-class faculty.

Graduates from the PhD program have established themselves at prestigious universities and research institutions worldwide, and students’ research has earned them numerous major awards.

We welcome around 4 students each year into the PhD program.

Sociology PhD students have the opportunity to specialize in any one or more of the Department’s four major research streams:

• Race, Ethnicity and Migration
• Sex, Gender and Sexuality
• Environment and Community
• Sociology of Health

Think critically and socially

Understand the world in which we live and how you can change it..

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Graduate Program

The doctoral (PhD) program provides a candidate, with demonstrated academic and research ability, an opportunity to develop and strengthen his/her research capabilities and knowledge to a more advanced level. The doctoral thesis involves intensive research resulting in an original and scholarly contribution to knowledge in a field of study. The candidate is expected to initiate and conduct the research program under the general direction of a supervisor and supported by a graduate supervisory committee. The program, because of its comprehensive nature, normally requires 4 to 5 years for completion.

Timeline for completion of an RES PhD program.

Required Doctoral (PhD) Coursework

• This is your thesis course. You must be registered in RES 699 for every term of your program, including summer terms.
• RES 602 (3 cr)
• An approved methods course (3cr) to be selected in consultation with your supervisor.

Your supervisor(s) and/or supervisory committee may assign other courses.

Beyond these courses, we expect our doctoral students to attend advanced courses deepening their expertise in their chosen field of research.  We also expect them to hone their advanced methods skills with guidance from their supervisor(s).

UBC Academic Calendar – RES Program

For RES Doctoral students who have completed an RMES/RES Masters degree prior to Sept 2018:

RES doctoral students who have completed an RMES/RES Masters degree must complete the credit equivalencies of the RES doctoral course requirements (i.e., six credits of coursework at the graduate level). Course selection will typically emphasize methods, and may also include enrolling in an RES 502-like if the RES doctoral student’s research areas are significantly different from their RMES/RES Masters research areas. Courses must be selected in consultation with the RES doctoral student’s supervisor and should also be reviewed by the RES Graduate Advisor.

For RES Doctoral students who have completed an RMES/RES Masters degree after Sept 2018:

All RES Doctoral students must register in RES 602 and a methods course.

Additional course options to consider:

• Popular Non-RES courses: https://ires.ubc.ca/graduate-courses/popular-non-rmes-courses/
• Methods Courses: https://ires.ubc.ca/graduate-courses/methods-courses/
• Under the Western Dean’s Agreement (WDA), graduate students of the member institutions may take courses at another member institution without having to pay the host university’s tuition fees. Students may be required to pay student, activity, application, or other ancillary fees to the host institution, according to general policies in effect at the host institution. Wherever possible, these fees will also be waived. Note: Courses taken by UBC PhD students under the Western Deans’ Agreement will not be credited to their degree programs.
• Under the Graduate Exchange Agreement , graduate students in good standing at UBC, McGill University, University of Toronto and University of Montréal may take courses at another member institution without having to pay the host university’s tuition fees. Note: Courses taken by UBC PhD students under the Graduate Exchange Agreement will not be credited to their degree programs.

By the end of an RES PhD program, a student should have:

• Mastery of the domain of their research comparable to a specialist.
• Mastery of advanced qualitative or quantitative methods (whichever is appropriate to their research methods).
• More than a passing familiarity with the complementary methods to those above.

For RES PhD students with IOF supervisors admitted in Sept 2016, Sept 2017 and Sept 2018

You are eligible to follow the alternative RES PhD program requirements for IOF students, if you so choose. This option is only open to RES PhD students with an IOF supervisor admitted Sept 2016-Sept 2018.

RES PhD students admitted in Sept 2019 or future years are required to take the regular RES program requirements (above).

The Alternative RES PhD Program Requirements for IOF students

For the Alternative Program Requirements for RES Masters students with IOF supervisors admitted between Sept 2016-Sept 2018 , please see here .

For student admitted to the RMES program in Sept 2015 or earlier

You have the ability to complete your degree and graduate under the previous RMES PhD program requirements or the new RES PhD program requirements. Students admitted to the RES program for Sept 2016 and later will be subject to the RES doctoral program requirements or the Alternative RES PhD program requirements (if you have an IOF supervisor, see above section for details).

Important:  It is the RMES student’s responsibility to review the RMES and RES program requirements, determine which program you would like to pursue, and confirm this with your supervisor(s). Once you have completed either your RMES or RES program and applied for Graduation, the IRES Graduate Program Manager will confirm which program you wish to graduate under.

RMES PhD Program Requirements (from old website):

The RMES PhD coursework requirements are:

• RMES 501 (3cr)
• RMES 502 (3cr)
• Methods course (to be selected in consultation with your supervisor).

It is also recommended that students take at least 1 of the 3 foundation courses (RMES 507, RMES 510 or RMES 550).

The supervisory committee may assign other courses.

Beyond these courses, we expect our PhD students to attend advanced courses deepening their expertise in their chosen field of research.  We also expect them to hone their advanced methods skills with guidance from their supervisors.

For RMES-Fisheries Stream students , please consult your program requirements found in the RMES – UBC Academic Calendar.

RMES: UBC Academic Calendar

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Graduate Programs

Invest in your future.

Join us as a graduate student at UBC Engineering and be part of a community at the forefront of research and discovery. Working alongside globally renowned leaders, you will deepen your technical skills, advance new knowledge, connect with industry and build your career.

Whether you want to advance your professional career as an engineer or push the frontiers of research, our graduate programs can help you reach your goals.

Study at One of the World’s Best Universities

UBC is recognized the world over as one of the world’s top universities. Our engineering program is consistently ranked as one of the best in Canada and within the top 50 in the world. We’re a university that makes an impact far beyond the campus: in 2024, we ranked fourth in the world for our impact on social and environmental sustainability.

UBC ranked #4 for climate action

UBC ranked #41 in the world

Learn from Leaders in Their Fields

Whether you’re pursuing a master’s or PhD, you’ll be studying with innovators and changemakers – researchers who are advancing new knowledge, tackling challenging problems and developing and implementing the practical solutions our world needs. Our faculty are invested in your success and will help you develop your technical and professional skills so you can build the career you’ve dreamed of. 

Faculty Member List

Make Full Use of State-of-the-Art Labs and Equipment

As a graduate student at UBC Engineering, you’ll benefit from access to state-of-the art labs and specialized research equipment. Major infrastructure is often shared across departments, allowing for the cross-pollination of ideas and techniques and the benefit of multidisciplinary perspectives.

Choose the Degree That’s Right for You

Discover the course-based master’s degree or research-based master’s or doctoral degree that will enable you to gain expertise and advance in your career.

The Master of Engineering (MEng) and Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) are professional programs for engineers who want to deepen their technical skills to accelerate their careers in industry. The Master of Applied Science (MASc) , Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are research-based research programs for students who want to advance new knowledge.

Degree Comparison

Course-based Programs

Master of engineering leadership (mel).

Vancouver campus

This course-based degree is open to engineers and technical leaders with three or more years of industry experience. The interdisciplinary degree includes courses taught through both the Faculty of Applied Science and the Robert H. Lee Graduate School at UBC’s Sauder School of Business. The MEL supports students to develop technical and business knowledge in sector-specific programs that include:

• Clean Energy Engineering
• High Performance Buildings
• Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
• Urban Systems

Master of Engineering (MEng)

Vancouver and Okanagan campus

This course-based degree is for students with an undergraduate degree in engineering who want to advance their technical knowledge. The program accepts students with or without professional experience, including those applying directly after completing an undergraduate engineering degree. The program is taught wholly within UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science.

Vancouver Campus 

• Biomedical Engineering, Master of Engineering
• Chemical and Biological Engineering, Master of Engineering
• Civil Engineering, Master of Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering, Master of Engineering
• Geological Engineering, Master of Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering, Master of Engineering
• Mechatronics Design, Master of Engineering
• Mining Engineering, Master of Engineering
• Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, Master of Engineering

Okanagan Campus 

• Electrical Engineering, Master of Engineering

Research-based Programs

Master of applied science (masc).

This thesis-based degree is for students with an undergraduate degree in engineering. 

• Biomedical Engineering, Master of Applied Science
• Chemical and Biological Engineering, Master of Applied Science
• Civil Engineering, Master of Applied Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering, Master of Applied Science
• Materials Engineering, Master of Applied Science
• Mechanical Engineering, Master of Applied Science
• Mining Engineering, Master of Applied Science
• Electrical Engineering, Master of Applied Science

Master of Science (MSc)

This thesis-based degree for students with an undergraduate degree in science.

Vancouver Campus

• Chemical and Biological Engineering, Master of Science
• Materials Engineering, Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A doctoral-based research program for students with an undergraduate and graduate degree.

• Biomedical Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy
• Chemical and Biological Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy
• Civil Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy
• Electrical and Computer Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy
• Materials Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy
• Mechanical Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy
• Mining Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy

Okanagan Campus

• Electrical Engineering, Doctor of Philosophy

Research Supervisors for MASc, MSc and PhD Students

If you are pursuing a thesis-based research degree like an MASc, MSc or PhD, you will need a supervisor who will help you achieve your academic potential. Review the supervisor requirements for your planned degree – for some programs you will need to secure the commitment of a thesis supervisor before you apply. Discover which faculty members are currently accepting students and the important role they play in your research journey.

Research Supervisors

Make an Impact

Researchers and students at UBC Engineering are working to create a prosperous, healthy, inclusive and equitable world by designing and engineering solutions for individuals, communities, cities and our planet. We are innovators who are pushing what’s possible, making an impact from the level of smallest nanoparticle to the world itself.

Be Inspired

UBC Engineering students are using their skills and knowledge to make a difference. Read about the students who are having an impact as students and alumni.

From Kazakhstan to Vancouver: Pioneering Hydrogen Research, Mentorship and Sustainable Innovation While Balancing Motherhood and Global Leadership

Aigerim Akiltayeva

MEL 2024 Clean Energy Engineering

• Rising Stars
• Women in Engineering

Bridging the Gap Between Engineering and Social Science

Jessica Wolf

MASc 2024 Mechanical Engineering

Combining Interests in Engineering and Global Health

Pranav Shrestha

PhD 2024 Mechanical Engineering

• Engineering

Academic Programs

Pathways to Tech

Align master of science in computer science.

Align provides a direct path to a Master’s in Computer Science for non-computer science majors and people without programming experience. As an Align student, you’ll take advantage of rigorous academic bridge courses that prepare you for master’s-level coursework. You’ll also gain real-world work experience through a co-op or internship at one of our many industry partners—including firms like Amazon, eBay, Google, Nordstrom, and Zillow.  Learn more » 

Master of Professional Studies in Analytics

The MPS in Analytics delivers end-to-end analytics education through a core curriculum with integrated experiential learning opportunities. The curriculum is defined by experienced scholar-practitioners and thought leaders from across the analytics industry, while experiential projects derive from a variety of industry settings and employer sponsors. In addition to these curriculum-based learning opportunities, the MPS in Analytics program provides students with unparalleled access to practitioners and companies through frequent networking opportunities, guest speakers, and hands-on project work. Not only will students graduate with a portfolio of work samples that demonstrate their range and depth of skill, they will be part of a larger network of analytics professionals that will serve them now and in the future. Learn more » 

Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media Connect

The Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media Connect program is designed for students without prior experience in core technical and/or creative concepts. This program requires an additional 12 quarter hours of credit, with courses providing intensive, hands-on guidance into the essential knowledge required for the MPS Digital Media curriculum. Upon completion of the Connect program, students continue in the MPS Digital Media program. Learn more »

Khoury College of Computer Science Master of Science in Computer Science

The Master of Science in Computer Science degree, from Northeastern’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences, is designed for experienced professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and expand their technology leadership responsibilities in all industries and organizations around the world from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises.  The program combines both computing and important application domains—enabling you to increase your broad-based kn owledge in the field while focusing on one of three featured specializations: software engineering, artificial intelligence or human-computer interaction.   Learn more »

College of Engineering Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering

The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering offers the Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering in order to meet the current and projected demand for a workforce trained in analytics. While the core courses for this program are offered by the College of Engineering, elective courses can be chosen from diverse disciplines spread across various colleges at Northeastern. The program is designed to enable graduating students to address the growing need for professionals who are trained in advanced data analytics and can transform large streams of data into understandable and actionable information for the purpose of making decisions. The key sectors that require analytics professionals include healthcare, smart manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, national security, defense, banking, finance, marketing, and human resources. Learn more » 

Master of Science in Information Systems

In the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) degree program, you will embark on an IT leadership pathway as a more evolved, dynamic software engineer. Through an innovative curriculum and a rigorous academic program that is both broad and deep, master’s information systems students will become problem-solvers who design groundbreaking software solutions that fit within the complexities of the business world and solve the humanistic needs of the people who use them. Learn more » 

College of Art, Media and Design Master of Science in Information Design and Data Visualization

The Master of Science in Information Design and Data Visualization is a research- and analysis-oriented program focusing on visual interfaces to communicate and explore digital information. Graduates in the MS in Information Design and Data Visualization will be professional information designers and data visualization experts able to collaborate effectively in this dynamic and burgeoning field of practice and research, prepared to work in data-driven areas including design, technology, business, health, education, and public institutions. The curriculum is designed to train students in design principles, critical inquiry, and the analytical and creative practices needed to assume leadership roles in an evolving interdisciplinary field. Coursework focuses on the translation of data and information into visual languages, and the integration of theoretical, cognitive, and technical aspects of visualizations that engage a broad range of audiences. Learn more »

College of Professional Studies Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media

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Psychology (phd program).

Steven Cronshaw, Professor Emeritus Kenneth Prkachin, Professor Emeritus John Sherry, Assistant Professor and Acting Chair Sherry Beaumont, Professor Han Li, Professor William Owen, Professor Paul Siakaluk, Professor Annie Duchesne, Associate Professor Loraine Lavallee, Assistant Professor Nick Reid, Assistant Professor James Climenhage, Adjunct Professor Tammy Klassen-Ross, Adjunct Professor Elizabete Rocha, Adjunct Professor Julie Howard, Senior Lab Instructor IV

Website: www.unbc.ca/psychology The PhD in Psychology at UNBC provides breadth in the substantive and methodological areas of Psychology, with a focus on health and human psychology. The PhD provides advanced research and experiential training so that graduates gain skills beneficial to academic and related areas.  More specifically, the objectives of the PhD program in Psychology is to develop scholars and researchers who can contribute to the larger body of scientific knowledge of psychology through research and have an advanced level of understanding of the psychological sciences, including comprehensive knowledge of contemporary theory and evidence in Psychology and a high level of methodological expertise.

Applicants must have both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, at least one of which must be in Psychology with a research-based thesis. Students interested in applying for the PhD in Psychology are responsible for ensuring that all application materials are received at UNBC by the application deadline:

• a letter of interest;
• official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions;
• three letters of reference from academic referees; and
• a copy of a thesis or paper submitted for coursework.

Application deadlines are found in this calendar under Admissions and Regulations, or online at: www.unbc.ca/calendar/graduate  (under Semester Dates).   The Psychology PhD Program accepts students for September semester admission. For additional information about graduate admissions or to download application materials, go to the Office of Graduate Administration website at www.unbc.ca/graduate-administration .

Requirements

Students in the PhD program are required to complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework consisting of one graduate seminar:

Three credit hours of research practica:

and two courses from the following:

Required courses in Psychology are offered on a two-year schedule. These courses provide students with the basic foundations upon which to build their PhD research. In addition, students are required to complete successfully a Doctoral candidacy examination and a PhD dissertation ( PSYC 890-12 ). The Doctoral candidacy examination is tailored to ensure each student is adequately prepared to begin work on the PhD dissertation. Students must have a Cumulative GPA of 3.33 (B+) or better by the end of their second semester of registration, and maintain it at B+ or better thereafter. Students may be required to address deficiencies within their background preparation in Psychology or in their area of concentration that are identified by the Psychology Graduate Committee. Additional courses may be required. Normally, students take a Doctoral candidacy examination by the end of the first year in the program (or 12 credit hours for part-time students). Upon successfully completing the Doctoral candidacy examination, and presenting an acceptable dissertation proposal to their supervisory committee, a student is granted PhD Candidate status, and embarks upon completion of the dissertation under the supervision of a Faculty Academic Supervisor. Normally, it is expected that the defence of the dissertation by full-time PhD Candidates take place within three years of acceptance into the program.

Updated: September 1, 2023

• Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD)
• Graduate School
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Canadian Immigration Updates

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

Go to programs search

Mathematicians use theoretical and computational methods to solve a wide range of problems from the most abstract to the very applied. UBC's mathematics graduate students work in many branches of pure and applied mathematics. The PhD program trains students to operate as research mathematicians. The focus of the program is on substantial mathematical research leading to the PhD dissertation. Students also develop their skills in presenting and teaching mathematics and its applications.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

UBC has one of the largest and most vigorous departments of mathematics in Canada. Our faculty routinely win national and international awards for their research and teaching achievements. We have an engaged and sociable cohort of graduate students who are essential members of a broad selection of active research groups. Each group holds a variety of seminars and events that allow graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, visitors and faculty to enjoy regular interaction.

UBC is the headquarters for the Pacific Institute of Mathematical Sciences (PIMS). PIMS hosts a plethora of mathematical events such as conferences and summer schools, greatly enriching the scientific environment in the quantitative sciences at UBC. Our mathematics students are also regular participants at the nearby Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery. Finally, our Institute for Applied Mathematics provides options for interdisciplinary studies for PhD students who wish to work in applied and computational mathematics.

Being affiliated with the Institute for Applied Mathematics meant I could easily collaborate with other departments and not get stuck in a box for my degree. I also wanted a program where I could develop my skills as a teacher because it is something I enjoy and is useful should I stay in academia.

Nicholas Richardson

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

2) Meet Deadlines

3) prepare application, transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

All full-time students who begin a UBC-Vancouver PhD Mathematics program in September 2018 or later will be provided with a funding package of at least $24,256 for each of the first four years of their PhD. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships.

Average Funding

• 52 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 52 students was $13,784.
• 48 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 48 students was $11,580.
• 3 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 3 students was $1,814.
• 54 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 54 students was $13,279.
• 4 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 4 students was $27,083.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

88 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 is in a non-salaried situation; for 19 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 68 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

A great majority of our PhD graduates move on to postdoctoral fellowships and faculty positions at universities and research institutes in North America and around the world. However, a significant fraction of students move into careers in industry. Students considering non-academic careers are encouraged to complete an industrial internship (for instance through the Mitacs Accelerate program - headquartered at UBC) during their studies.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion Rates & Times

Upcoming doctoral exams, tuesday, 2 july 2024 - 10:30am - room 203, friday, 5 july 2024 - 9:00am - room 200, thursday, 11 july 2024 - 10:30am - 203, mathematics building, 1984 mathematics road.

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Adem, Alejandro (Cohomology of finite groups, orbifolds, stringy topology, algebra, sporadic simple group, group actions, arithmetic groups, K-theory, homotopy theory, spaces of homomorphisms)
• Angel, Omer (Probability theory, percolation, random graphs, random walks, particle processes, scaling limits)
• Bachmann, Sven (Mathematics and statistics; Mathematical Analysis; quantum phenomena; Mathematical physics; Quantum statistical physics; Topological states of matter)
• Balmforth, Neil (Fluid mechanics, nonlinear dynamics and applied partial differential equations)
• Behrend, Kai (Moduli spaces, Gromov-Witten invariants, string theory, Donaldson-Thomas invariants, Euler characteristics, categorification)
• Bennett, Michael (Number Theory, Diophantine Approximation and Classical Analysis)
• Bryan, Jim (Algebraic and differential geometry; Algebraic geometry, moduli spaces, enumerative invariants related to theoretical physics.)
• Cautis, Sabin (Mathematics and statistics; Geometry)
• Chau, Albert (Differential Geometry and Partial Differential Equations)
• Chen, Jingyi (Algebraic and differential geometry; Differential Geometry, Partial Differential Equations)
• Colliander, James (hamiltonian dynamical systems; partial differential equations; harmonic analysis)
• Coombs, Daniel (Mathematical biology; Cellular immunology; Complex physical systems; Epidemiology (except nutritional and veterinary epidemiology); Cell Signaling and Infectious and Immune Diseases; Cell biophysics; Disease models; Epidemiology; Immune cell signalling; Mathematics)
• Cytrynbaum, Eric (Bacterial cell division, Microtubule and cellular organization, Wave propagation in excitable media)
• Dao Duc, Khanh (Genomics; Mathematical biology; Neurocognitive patterns and neural networks; Agricultural spatial analysis and modelling; combine mathematical,computational and statistical tools to study fundamental biological processes; regulation and determinants of gene expression and translation; Machine Learning for Biological Imaging and Microscopy; Database development and management; Biological and Artificial Neural Networks for geometric representation)
• Doebeli, Michael Walter (Mathematical ecology and evolution, evolution of diversity, adaptive speciation, evolution of cooperation, game theory, experimental evolution in microorganisms)
• Feng, James (Chemical engineering; Mathematics and statistics; Biophysics; Complex fluids; Fluid mechanics; Mathematical biology)
• Fraser, Ailana (Differential Geometry, Geometric Analysis)
• Friedlander, Michael (numerical optimization, numerical linear algebra, scientific computing, Scientific computing)
• Frigaard, Ian (Fluid mechanics (visco-plastic fluids))
• Ghioca, Dragos (Drinfeld modules, isotrivial semiabelian varieties, Lehmer inequality)
• Gordon, Julia Yulia (Representation theory of p-adic groups and motivic integration; Trace Formula and its applications)
• Gustafson, Stephen James (Mathematics and statistics; Mathematical Analysis; Differential Equation; Global and Non-Linear Analysis; Mathematical physics; Nonlinear partial differential equations; Nonlinear waves; Topological solitons)
• Hauert, Christoph (Mathematics and statistics; Modelization and Simulation; Evolution and Phylogenesis; Biological Behavior; dynamical systems; evolution; game theory; social dilemmas; stochastic processes)
• Hermon, Jonathan (probability theory; Markov chains and the cutoff phenomenon; particle systems; percolation)
• Holmes-Cerfon, Miranda (Mathematical modelling and simulation; Computational methods in statistics; Numerical analysis; Thermodynamics and statistical physics)

Doctoral Citations

Sample Thesis Submissions

• Free boundary minimal submanifolds in geodesic balls of simply connected space forms
• On a completion of cohomological functors generalizing Tate cohomology
• Distribution of integral points on varieties
• Effective and explicit S-unit equations with many terms
• Classifying space for commutativity and unordered flag manifolds
• Finite-size scaling of a few statistical physics models in high dimensions
• Residual supersingular Iwasawa theory and μ-invariants for Zₚ²-extensions
• Numerical methods for biological flows laden with deformable capsules and solid particles
• The construction of blow-up solutions for some evolution equations
• Topics in discrete analysis
• Inviscid damping phenomena in some fluid models
• Gibbs measures and factor codes in symbolic dynamics
• Deep reinforcement learning agents for industrial control system design
• Structure-preserving numerical schemes for phase field models
• Enumerative geometry problems for Calabi-Yau manifolds with an action

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Science in Mathematics (MSc)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

Further information, specialization.

Mathematicians use theoretical and computational methods to solve a wide range of problems from the most abstract to the very applied. UBC's mathematics graduate students work in many branches of pure and applied mathematics.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

Gabriel Currier

I quite like the kind of math that people do here, and enjoy working with my supervisors. The campus is also a beautiful place and the graduate student community is pretty laid back and friendly.

Nathan Lawrence

Many factors contributed to my choice of UBC for graduate school. I was attracted to Vancouver’s geographical similarities to Portland in the pacific northwest. Also, I have family in the area. However, most importantly, I was intrigued and inspired by my professors and advisors to take on the...

Ethan White

The reputation of the university and mathematics department, the alignment of my research interests with my advisor’s expertise, and my love for Canada!

Considering UBC for your graduate studies?

Here, you can choose from more than 300 graduate degree program options and 2000+ research supervisors. You can even design your own program.

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