PhD in Canada for Sri Lankan Students
PhD in Canada allows international students to profit from the high-tech education and placement facilities offered at Canadian universities and work with leading experts. There are countless research opportunities in Canada to look out for as an international student after completing a PhD. International applicants looking to pursue the course must note that the degree lasts from 3-6 years. Both professional (Doctorate in Business Administration) and academic doctorate (PhD in sciences and more) courses are available to choose from when pursuing higher education in Canada.
Canada, with its multi-ethnic communities, vibrant city culture, and thriving businesses, is a popular destination for international students. Furthermore, Canada is a sought-after destination for PhD courses due to its world-renowned educational institutions and diverse research opportunities. The country provides a plethora of opportunities for research scholars to explore, ranging from science to fine arts.
Table of Contents
- PhD in Canada: Course Highlights
- Why Study PhD in Canada?
- What are the Popular PhD Courses in Canada?
- Here are a Few Popular phD courses in Canada
- Intakes for PhD in Canada
- Top Universities for PhD in Canada
- Eligibility Criteria to Study PhD in Canada
- Documents Required to Study PhD in Canada
- How to Apply for a PhD Program in Canada?
- Cost of Studying PhD in Canada for International Students
- PhD Scholarships in Canada
- Jobs & Salary After PhD in Canada
- Canadian Student Visa to Study PhD in Canada
- Post Study Work Permit After PhD in Canada
PhD in Canada: Course Highlights
Course Name |
PhD |
Country |
Canada |
Duration |
3-6 years |
Universities offering PhD in Canada |
98 |
Academic Year |
September to April |
Fees |
4,000 to 20,000 CAD (INR 2,36,493 – INR 11,82,468) |
Funding up to |
Up to 40,000 CAD a year (INR 23,64,937) |
Work-study opportunities |
10 hours a week |
PGWP Duration |
At least 3 years |
Why Study PhD in Canada?
- Studying in Canada is no longer just a fad; the multicultural, welcoming society and supportive government norms encourage international students to study at Canadian universities. Three or four Canadian universities rank among the top 150 in the world.
- These top Canadian universities provide cutting-edge research facilities as well as educators with the most academic knowledge.
- After completing your PhD in Canada, you can stay back for up to three years through the PGWPP. It also paves the way for you to obtain a Canadian permanent residency.
- PhD tuition in Canada ranges from 4,000 to 19,000 CAD. This is significantly lower when compared to study destinations such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
- There are numerous PhD scholarships available in Canada for international students. Ontario Trillium Scholarships, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, Ontario Graduate Scholarships, and other popular scholarships are available.
- During the academic year, PhD students in Canada can work for approximately 10 hours per week. This allows you to fund and sustain your daily expenses while you learn and gain industry experience.
What are the Popular PhD Courses in Canada?
- Most PhD programmes require at least three years of full-time study and research, but students frequently take longer than three years to complete their degrees.
- A PhD is typically completed in Canada under the supervision of at least one academic supervisor. You must submit a substantial doctoral thesis by the end of the course. This will be submitted to a panel of examiners, who will review and read your research work.
- Following that, your PhD will be subjected to an oral defence, during which you will be cross-examined on the topic of your research and may be required to prepare a presentation to explain your work to them. Your overall performance and thesis will assist you in earning your PhD.
QUICK READ: Other Popular Courses in Canada
Here are a Few Popular phD courses in Canada
COURSE |
POPULAR UNIVERSITY |
Natural sciences |
U of T, McMaster, McGill, UAlberta |
Mathematics |
McMaster, McGill, UAlberta, University of Calgary |
Social sciences |
U of T, UAlberta, University of Montreal |
Humanities |
U of T, McMaster, McGill |
Business and management |
UBC, McGill, UAlberta, University of Calgary |
Computer science & IT |
U of T, McMaster, McGill |
Agriculture |
U of T, UAlberta, University of Montreal |
Applied sciences |
UBC, U of T, McGill, uOttawa |
STREAM |
NO OF phD SEATS |
POPULAR UNIVERSITIES |
Natural sciences |
58 |
U of T, McMaster, McGill, UAlberta, University of Calgary |
mathematics |
58 |
U of T, McMaster, McGill, UAlberta, University of Calgary |
Medicine and health |
34 |
U of T, UBC, McGill, uOttawa, UAlberta, University of Calgary |
humanities |
28 |
U of T, McMaster, McGill |
Business and management |
23 |
UBC, McGill, UAlberta, University of Calgary |
Engineering and technology |
18 |
U of T, UBC, McGill, uOttawa |
Applied sciences |
5 |
UBC, U of T, McGill, uOttawa |
SUGGESTED: Exams Required to Study in Canada
Intakes for PhD in Canada
For those planning to pursue a PhD in Canada, it is critical to select the appropriate semester based on the field and university of interest. Canada primarily offers three semesters per year, and each semester allows international students to seek admission to the universities of their choice. The following are the top three intakes in Canada:
- Winter, from January to April
- Autumn-September to December
- Summer- from May to August.
Top Universities for PhD in Canada
Universities provide students with numerous opportunities to delve into a topic. Furthermore, world-class research facilities, renowned professors and academic scholars, and a diverse student body contribute to creative culture and innovative thinking. The universities listed below offer PhD degrees in fields ranging from management, economics, engineering, arts, culture, and society, and everything in between.
University |
Rankings |
Fees (CAD/year) |
University of Toronto |
#18 |
4,500 to 8,900 |
University of British Columbia |
#37 |
8,700 |
McGill University |
#44 |
19,000 |
McMaster University |
#80 |
16,000 |
University of Montreal |
#88 |
7,500 |
University of Alberta |
#125 |
9,200 |
University of Ottawa |
#162 |
6,900 |
University of Calgary |
#201-250 |
12,600 |
University of Waterloo |
#201-250 |
13,400 |
Western University |
#201-250 |
11,180 |
Simon Fraser University |
#201-250 |
5,955 |
Dalhousie University |
#251-300 |
11,995 |
Laval University |
#251-300 |
27,790 |
Queen’s University |
#251-300 |
12,927 |
University of Manitoba |
#301-350 |
9,500 |
Eligibility Criteria to Study PhD in Canada
To study in Canada or any other country, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. Although eligibility criteria vary by university, the following are general eligibility or admission requirements that candidates must meet in order to pursue their PhD in Canada:
- A postgraduate degree with consistent grades in a closely related field. Extracurricular activities and prior research experience are also advantageous. A high-ranking bachelor's degree is also accepted for some PhD programmes, such as an integrated master's-PhD programme.
- A research proposal and a letter of recommendation from your chosen university supervisor.
- Proof of minimum English language ability in the form of acceptable IELTS/TOEFL scores is required.
- Acceptable performance on ability-testing exams such as the GRE or GMAT, depending on the nature of the course.
- After submitting their exam results, candidates may be invited to a personal interview round by the university.
Documents Required to Study PhD in Canada
Pillow we have mentioned a list of documents that you will need during the application process to help you get started with your PhD in Canada-
- Transcripts from previous classes
- Scorecard for a competitive exam
- Make a photocopy of your passport.
- Resume in detail
- Recommendation Letter
- Purpose Statement
- Proposal for research (Optional)
- Other important documents and transcripts
- Permission to Study in Canada
How to Apply for a PhD Program in Canada?
A step-by-step guide is provided for aspirants to assist them with the application process for pursuing a PhD in Canada:
- Visit the official website of the university of your choice.
- Examine the course syllabus and the eligibility requirements.
- Select the appropriate university's application form.
- To begin, you must create an account with your mobile phone number or email address.
- You will receive an email or SMS with login information and verification on your registered contact number.
- Enter your personal information using the login information provided ( name, gender, date of birth)
- Enter your academic credentials and upload any supporting documentation.
- Choose your course and pay the application fee.
- The application fee varies by university and can be paid with a debit/credit card or through internet banking.
- Submit your application form; you can also track its progress through your account.
- Some universities will require selected students to participate in a virtual interview.
Cost of Studying PhD in Canada for International Students
University |
Cost |
University of Toronto |
4,500 to 8,900 |
University of British Columbia |
8,700 |
University of Manitoba |
9,500 |
Queen’s University |
12,927 |
Laval University |
27,790 |
Dalhousie University |
11,995 |
Western University |
11,180 |
Simon Fraser University |
5,955 |
University of Calgary |
12,600 |
University of Alberta |
9,200 |
McGill University |
19,000 |
University of Ottawa |
6,900 |
QUICK READ: Cost of Studying in Canada
PhD Scholarships in Canada
Several scholarship programmes help deserving students pursue a PhD in Canada. They assist individuals in exploring research opportunities by providing full financial support, stipends, and housing assistance. A few scholarship options are listed below.
SCHOLARSHIP |
AMOUNT IN CAD |
ELIGIBILITY |
Ontario Trillium Scholarship |
40,000 a year (renewable) |
Apply for PhD at partner universities Academically meritorious |
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship |
50,000 per year |
PhD in the field of social science, engineering, humanities, health or natural sciences |
UBC four-year Doctoral Scholarship |
18,200 per year (stipend) |
Doctoral students at UBC |
Ontario Graduate Scholarship |
15,000 |
Apply for PhD programs at universities in Ontario |
Ontario Graduate Fellowship |
12,000 (renewable) |
Research with partner universities |
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship |
18,000 per year |
PhD course at University of Manitoba |
Jobs & Salary After PhD in Canada
After completing your doctoral studies, you can stay in Canada for up to three years with your PGWP and gain valuable experience by working in Canada. This knowledge and experience can later be used to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Pursuing a doctoral degree in Canada and working in the sector will boost your PR points and increase your chances of being approved as a permanent resident.
JOB ROLE |
AVG PAY IN CAD |
Research Engineer |
63,000 |
R&D Director |
135,000 |
Research Scientist |
69,000 |
Medical Science Liaison |
98,000 |
Postdoctoral Research Associate |
53,000 |
Principal Scientist |
99,000 |
Physicist |
79,000 |
SUGGESTED: Job Opportunities in Canada
Canadian Student Visa to Study PhD in Canada
International students planning to pursue a PhD in Canada must obtain a Canadian student visa before entering Canadian territory. Candidates are ready to start the course once they have obtained a student visa for the country and an acceptance letter from the university. It is important to note that, in addition to the student visa, candidates must have a study permit that is valid for the duration of their PhD programme.
To apply for a student permit through the Student Direct Stream process, you must meet the following requirements:
- A letter of acceptance from a designated post-secondary learning institution;
- Transcripts of recent secondary or post-secondary education; Proof of first-year tuition payment
- The candidate must be at least 18 years old when applying for a Canada visa for Indians.
- residing outside of Canada
- Before applying, a medical examination is required (if needed).
- Before applying, obtain a police certificate (if needed).
- $10,000 Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC).
- 'Certificate of Acceptance of Immigration' issued by the 'Ministry of Immigration, Diversity, and Inclusion'
- Quebec's (CAQ) (if you are planning to study in Quebec).
- Language Test Results
- IELTS 6.0 or higher in all four sections (reading, listening, writing, and speaking), or
- TOEFL score of 7.0 or higher in each section (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
- listening, writing, and speaking) equivalent to the Canadian Language
- Benchmark
Post Study Work Permit After PhD in Canada
To be eligible to return to Canada, you must enrol in a course for at least 8 months. Courses lasting less than 8 months do not allow students to stay and apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit. If you pursue a course that lasts less than two years, he or she is eligible for a post-graduation work permit for the same duration as the course. As an example:
- 8-month course = 8-month work permit after graduation;
- 2 years course (master's or diploma) = 3 years work permit after graduation
- PhD in Canada = 3 years work permit after graduation
QUICK READ: How Can I Apply PR while Studying in Canada
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