Universities in Canada for PhD: Scholarships, Admission & Fees

Top universities in Canada for PhD offers courses in various disciplines such as medicine and health, engineering and technology, applied sciences, and more. A Ph.D. in Canada takes about three to six years to complete with full-time study and research.

In Canada, PhD is usually pursued under the complete supervision of at least one academic supervisor. Students are required to submit a substantial doctoral thesis at the end of the course. The thesis and research work is then reviewed by a set of examiners. The top PhD universities in Canada along with the programs, fees, and admission requirements for international students are discussed.

Table of Contents

• Top Universities for Ph.D. in Canada
• Why Pursue a Ph.D. in Canada?
• Popular Programs at Top Universities in Canada for PhD
• Admission Requirements for Top Universities in Canada for PhD
• Admission Process for Ph.D. in Canada
• Average Cost of a Ph.D. in Canada
• Cheap PhD Colleges in Canada
• Scope of Studying Ph.D. in Canada

Top Universities for Ph.D. in Canada

Canada has around 100 research universities offering Ph.D. programs under various disciplines. These Canadian universities are among the top-ranked universities in the world based on their impact, subjects offered, graduate employability, etc. Listed below are the top universities in Canada for PhD:

1. University of Toronto
2. University of British Columbia
3. McGill University
4. McMaster University
5. University of Montreal
6. University of Alberta
7. University of Ottawa
8. University of Calgary
9. University of Waterloo
10. Western University

University of Toronto (U of T)

The University of Toronto is a globally renowned university known for its higher education and research and is located in Toronto, Ontario. It is ranked #25 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #18 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at U of T is $4,500 to $8,900. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at University of Toronto with their tuition fee details:

• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $6,364
• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Philosophy: $24,975

Read More: University of Toronto

University of British Columbia (UBC)

The University of British Columbia is one of the oldest universities in British Columbia and ranks in the top 50 universities in the world. It is ranked #45 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #34 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at UBC is $8,700. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at UBC with their tuition fee details:

• Doctorate of Dental Medicine in Dentistry: $54,032
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Accounting: $8,952

Read More: University of British Columbia

McGill University

McGill University is the only academic institute of higher education in Canada to be a part of the Global University Leaders Forum (GULF) and is located in Montreal, Quebec. It is ranked #31 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #40 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at McGill is $19,000. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at McGill University with their tuition fee details:Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $12,091

• Doctorate in Dental Medicine: $12,091

Read More: McGill University

McMaster University

McMaster University is a public university in Canada located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It is ranked #144 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #69 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at McMaster is $16,000. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at McMaster University with their tuition fee details:

• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Marketing: $4,730
• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $3,154

Read More: McMaster University

University of Montreal (UdeM)

The University of Montreal is one of the world's leading frontlines in cutting-edge research and technological advancement located in Montreal, Quebec. It is ranked #118 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #73 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at UdeM is $7,500. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at UdeM with their tuition fee details:

• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Engineering: $2,567
• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Dental Medicine: $17,590

Read More: University of Montreal

University of Alberta (U of A)

The University of Alberta is a public institute located in the province of Edmonton, Canada. It is ranked #119 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #131 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at U of A is $9,200. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at U of A with their tuition fee details:

• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computing Science: $6,525
• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] Economics: $6,525

Read More: University of Alberta

University of Ottawa (UOttawa)

The University of Ottawa is one of the largest bilingual university in the world with options of studying in English or French languages located in Ottawa, Ontario. It is ranked #279 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #145 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at UOttawa is $6,900. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at UOttawa with their tuition fee details:

• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $5,294
• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Economics: $4,775

Read More: University of Ottawa

University of Calgary (UCalgary)

The University of Calgary is a publicly funded research university located in Calgary, Alberta. It is ranked #246 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #200 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at UCalgary is $12,600. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at UCalgary with their tuition fee details:

• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $11,876
• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Math and Statistics: $13,386

Read More: University of Calgary

University of Waterloo (UWaterloo)

The University of Waterloo is a public research university located in Waterloo, Ontario. It is ranked #166 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #201- #250 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at UWaterloo is $13,400. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at UWaterloo with their tuition fee details:

• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $10,773
• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Electrical and Computer Engineering: $10,773

Read More: University of Waterloo

Western University

Western University is internationally recognized for its academic excellence and vision of top-class research and is located in London, Ontario. It is ranked #203 in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and #201- #250 in THE World University Rankings 2021. The average cost of pursuing a Ph.D. at Western is $11,180. Given below are some of the Ph.D. programs offered at Western University with their tuition fee details:

• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Business Administration: $1,590
• Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.] in Computer Science: $1,590

Read More: Western University

Why Pursue a Ph.D. in Canada?

A Ph.D. program in Canada is much more affordable as compared to other countries such as the UK and the USA. It costs approximately $4,000- $19,000 per academic year and the duration of a Ph.D. program in Canada is 3-6 years. Given below are some of the reasons why international students should pursue a Ph.D. in Canada:

• Canada has some of the world-renowned universities offering Ph.D. programs in a variety of specializations. Around 3-4 universities in Canada are ranked in the top 150 universities in the world offering cutting-edge research facilities and mentors with the best academic knowledge.
• International students have an option to stay back in Canada for up to three years through a Postgraduation Work Permit (PGWP) after completion of their Ph.D. program. This also makes it easier for them to apply for a Canadian PR in the future.
• A Ph.D. program in Canada is affordable compared to other study destinations like the USA and the UK. It costs anywhere between $4,000- $19,000 per annum. 
• International students pursuing a Ph.D. in Canada are eligible for various scholarship options offered by both the Canadian Government and the respective universities in Canada. The scholarship amount ranges between $15,000- $40,000 per year. Some of the top scholarships for international students in Canada are Ontario Trillium Scholarships, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Ontario Graduate Scholarships, etc.
• Ph.D. students in Canada can work for around 10 hours per week during the course of their studies. This provides the students with the necessary work experience and also helps them to sustain themselves during their stay in Canada.

Popular Programs at Top Universities in Canada for PhD

A Ph.D. program in Canada is offered in a wide variety of specializations ranging from engineering to medicine to business management. Given below are some of the popular Ph.D. programs for international students in Canada:

Natural Sciences & Mathematics	Business & Management
Computer Science & IT	Social Sciences
Medicine & Health	Humanities
Applied Sciences	Agriculture & Forestry
Environment and Earth	Engineering & Technology

Admission Requirements for Top Universities in Canada for PhD

International students enrolling in Ph.D. programs in Canada are required to fulfill certain additional requirements along with the basic requirements of academics and research work. English language proficiency is one of the most important factors considered for admission to Canadian universities. Listed below are all other requirements for international students seeking admission into top universities in Canada for PhD:

• The applicant should have a master’s degree in the relevant field of study with good academic standing
• He/ she should demonstrate ability and potential for research work
• GRE, GMAT scores
• English language proficiency
• TOEFL: 100
• TOEFL (PBT): 5.0
• IELTS: 6.5
• Statement of Purpose
• Official Academic Transcripts
• 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
• CV/ Resume
• Portfolio, if required
• Online/ Virtual Interview, if applicable
• Students willing to pursue a PhD in Canada without a master’s degree are required to have outstanding grades in the last two years of an undergraduate degree or demonstrate potential through research publications.

Admission Process for Ph.D. in Canada

The admission process for a Ph.D. in Canada varies from university to university. International students fulfilling all the eligibility requirements can apply for admission to top universities in Canada for PhD. The detailed admission process for a Ph.D. in Canada is shown below:

• Applicants should first decide on the type of Ph.D. course they wish to pursue. International students can choose between a Structured Ph.D. and an Open Ph.D. In the case of a Structured Ph.D., the research outlines are decided by the university itself. In an Open Ph.D., the research project needs to be decided and outlines by the applicant. 
• Every Ph.D. student in Canada is required to have a dedicated research supervisor to help and guide through the research work. A letter of support from the research supervisor may be required for admission to certain Canadian universities.
• The applicant should submit the research outline along with the application. The research proposal should be prepared in accordance with the research guidelines of the chosen university and should describe the outline of the project and its relevance in the current times.
• The application should then be submitted online to the respective university along with the application fee and supporting documents. Some of the mandatory documents to be attached with the application are Statement of Purpose, Academic Transcripts, Letters of Recommendation, etc.
• Certain Canadian universities may ask for an interview with the selected applicant before confirming admission.
• Finally, international students should apply for a study permit after getting accepted into a Canadian university. It is advised that international applicants apply for a study permit without any delay as the visa process may take a considerable amount of time.

Average Cost of a Ph.D. in Canada

A Ph.D. in Canada costs around $4,000- $19,000 per annum that covers the tuition and other fees. International students are required to bear the living expenses in Canada along with their tuition costs for the respective Ph.D. program. Find below the average cost of attending a Ph.D. in Canada including the tuition costs: 

Expenses	Average Cost (in CAD)
Average Tuition Fees	$4,000- $19,000
Application Fee	$95- $156
TOEFL Fee	$210- $330
IELTS Fee	$309
Visa Fees	$235
Air Travel Charges	$350- $1,200
Health Insurance	$600- $800
Books and Supplies	$1,960- $2,631
Food Expenses	$3,267- $4,574
Utilities	$6,534- $9,800
Clothing	$1,045- $1,306

Cheap PhD Colleges in Canada

Some of the most affordable PhD colleges in Canada offering low tuition rates are listed below.

University of British Columbia	McGill University
University of Montreal	McMaster University
University of Alberta	University of Toronto
University of Calgary	University OF Ottawa

Scope of Studying Ph.D. in Canada

After finishing your Ph.D. in Canada, you will be able to pursue teaching and research roles, as well as work with industry giants. Your choice of job or research sector will depend on the specialization that you choose. This will also affect the salaries that you will be offered. The table below shows some of the popular job profiles after Ph.D. in Canada, along with their salaries:

Job Role	Salaries (CAD/yr)
Research Scientist	69,000
Postdoctoral Research Associate	53,000
Research Engineer	63,000
Principal Scientist	99,000
R&D Director	135,000
Physicist	79,000
Medical Science Liaison	98,000