FAQ: Admission to the PhD program

Candidates are evaluated on their application as a whole. Prior work experience is not an admissions requirement. If you have relevant work/volunteer experience you can outline that in your letter of intent or resume.

Students whose first language is neither English nor French are exempt from the language proficiency requirement if they have attended an academic institution in either English or French.

No tests are required.

You can find more information regarding fees for graduate studies on the University fees website.

At least one letter should come from a professor. The second letter may be a professional recommendation.

To be considered for admission, applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent in International Development Studies or in a related discipline with a minimum average of 75% (B+) calculated in accordance with Graduate Studies guidelines.

Applicants can upload their supporting documents directly in uoDoc which is found in uoZone. When you login to uoZone you will see a list of grey tabs at the top of the page, you will select the "Applications" tab and then "uoDoc". Once in uoDoc you will be able to upload your supporting documents.

All that is required by the application deadline is the online portion of the application. Supporting documents (such as transcripts) can arrive later. Please note that your file will not be evaluated for admission until all documents have been received by the Graduate Studies Office at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

There are no course requirements for admission to the PhD in International Development.

You should first consult the list of potential supervisors and their research interests. Once you have found a professor with similar research interests, you should contact them directly to discuss the possibility of working together. If your thesis subject does not line up directly with faculty members from the School of International Development and Global Studies, please contact the PhD program supervisor. 

Yes, this is a possibility. Students can also find more information about the Cotutelle doctoral program  as well.  

Your statement of interest should be no more than a page or two and should include the following information:

• Your expectations of our program in relation to your goals including eventual career aspirations;
• Your chosen field of interest and research;
• How your academic, professional, and personal experiences have contributed to your decision to apply to the program and to your particular research interests;
• Any other information that you think will help the selection committee understand your motivation for applying to the program and your capacity for succeeding in the program

Please consult the University of Ottawa’s website on financial assistance for both Canadian and International students.

You can contact the secretariat of the School of International Development and Global Studies at [email protected] or 613-562-5680.

Yes, you can contact us a [email protected] and we will put you in contact with a current PhD Student.

No, the PhD in International Development does not have a bilingualism requirement. Students can complete the program in either English or French. 

Template for Research Project submitted with applications to the PhD in DVM, University of Ottawa

Abstract
About 150 words

Introduction: Background of the research, significance and questions
About 500 words

Preliminary literature review
About 500 words

Preliminary theoretical framework and research questions
About 500 words

Preliminary research methodology
About 500 words

Supervision - identification of potential supervisor, rationale, indication of contact
About 100 words

References (cited in your literature review or elsewhere in your project)
About 500 words