Pursuing PhD in Canada can be the best decision if you want to take your education to the next level. Studying in top-ranked universities with affordable tuition fees, Canada has become a preferable study-abroad destination for students desiring to study PhD in the country. But getting started on a PhD journey comes with a lot of obstacles. For instance, finding a course, suitable institution, admission process, and more. But worry not; if you're ready to take the next step in your academic journey, let this guide take you towards it!
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When it comes to pursuing a PhD course in Canada, it’s a prevalent choice among students because of its affordability, and post-study work options. However, candidates should meet certain criteria set by the universities to get a successful enrolment. So, before moving directly towards PhD requirements in Canada, let's take our first step to understand 'Why PhD in Canada and what benefits students can get while or after a PhD degree.
Research says Canada has been ranked number 4 in providing scientific research studies globally since the universities are mostly research-oriented, making it an ideal study-abroad destination to pursue a PhD.
In 2024, there are over 10 universities in Canada offering PhD programs. Also, these institutions come under QS World Rankings 2024. Apart from this, some universities also earned the Nobel Prize for maintaining quality education, facilities, infrastructure, etc. Meanwhile, the University of Toronto is one of them!
After completing your PhD in Canada, you can stay in the country for up to 3 years through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP). This step allows you to gain valuable work experience and apply for the Permanent Residency program to remain permanently in the nation.
Pursuing a PhD course in Canada is much more affordable than in the US and UK. Also, the average tuition fees range from INR 3 Lakhs to INR 10 Lakhs, with an extra travel cost of approximately 6 Lakhs.
Depending on your interest, Canadian universities offer PhD programs in various streams. Thus, whether you're interested in management, economics, engineering, arts, etc., Canadian PhD courses provide excellent opportunities in every domain. Hence, check out the table below and learn about the top PhD courses offered by top universities in Canada:
| PhD PROGRAMS | PROGRAM DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Doctorate in Music, Composition and Sound Creation Option |
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| PhD in Environmental Design |
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| PhD in Dental Surgery |
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| PhD in Film and Moving Image Studies |
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| PhD in Political Science |
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| Dance Studies |
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| Economics |
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| PhD in Entrepreneurship and Organization |
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| Mathematics and Statistics |
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| PhD Program in Management |
|
If you're considering getting a PhD degree in Canada, then it's essential to know about the correct semesters based on your preferred field and course. For your information, Canada has 3 main intakes in a year, and during this time, Indian students can apply to any of the universities they want to attend. Hence, make sure you choose the right time to start your journey in a suitable Canadian institute.
Here are the 3 major intakes to study Canada PhD courses:
| INTAKE NAME | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Fall Intake (Primary) September - December (Early January) | The reason why it’s called Primary intake is because this semester offers all the major courses and degrees. |
| Winter Intake (Secondary) January - May | It is an ideal semester for students who couldn’t be able to get admission in September intake. |
| Spring / Summer Intake May-August | This intake offers a limited selection of colleges and programs while the application process generally starts in April or May. |
Also Read: Scholarships for the Winter Intake in Canada
Canadian universities offer abundant options to delve into the courses and find a suitable one for yourself. As we know, their institutes are known for top-notch research facilities, highly qualified professors, a cultural student community, and no language barrier, making a creative and innovative environment for Indian students.
Meanwhile, the PhD universities in Canada offer programs in various fields, including engineering, management, economics, arts, culture, and society.
Look for the table below to find out the top 10 Ph.D. universities, along with their fee structure, that even made it into the Times Higher Education Rankings.
Now that you have a better understanding of the top 10 universities in Canada. Let's now move ahead and discover what learning PhD in Canada looks like from these top 5 Canadian universities.
Let's learn each one of them!
This university provides a vast range of academic programs to Indian students, consisting of undergraduate and postgraduate courses along with doctoral studies. Aspiring scholars can opt from a diverse range of subjects to pursue their PhDs and enhance their expertise in their chosen fields. To get a comprehensive list of available programs, please refer to the table given below.
| POPULAR COURSES |
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| COURSE DURATION |
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| COURSE INTENSITY |
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| ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA |
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| LANGUAGE SCORES |
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| NO. OF PhDs AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS |
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The University of British Columbia is widely recognized for enrolling bright and hardworking students from across the world. So, if you are an Indian student planning to pursue a doctoral program, it could be beneficial to consider this university, especially if you aim to establish a career in the field of doctorate studies. However, be aware that the number of available seats is restricted while completing your application.
| POPULAR COURSES |
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| COURSE DURATION |
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| COURSE INTENSITY |
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| ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA |
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| LANGUAGE SCORES |
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| NO. OF PhDs AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS |
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McGill University is a world-class institution where you can pursue in-demand Canada PhD programs in your field of interest. The university accepts students from all over the world and has programs that are specially designed to cater to their needs. A great team of research experts is there to assist the PhD students. To learn more about this university, you can refer to the table below:
| POPULAR COURSES |
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| COURSE DURATION |
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| COURSE INTENSITY |
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| ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA |
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| LANGUAGE SCORES |
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| NO. OF PhDs AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS |
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McMaster is a well-known university in Canada that offers a wide range of PhD programs for international students. The university is known for its diverse offerings that cater to the needs of PhD holders in various fields, from Science to Performing Arts. Meanwhile, most of the programs offered are research-based and typically last for up to 4 years. Hence, if you're interested in learning more about what McMaster offers international students, check out the table below!
| POPULAR COURSES |
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| COURSE DURATION |
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| COURSE INTENSITY |
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| ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA |
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| LANGUAGE SCORES |
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| NO. OF PhDs AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS |
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If you have completed your undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, or computer science and are interested in pursuing a PhD, the University of Waterloo could be a top choice. According to alumni and students who have graduated from there, it is defined as the number one preference for these subjects. In addition to this, the institute is also rated number one for experimental learning in all of its available PhD programs. Further, to learn more about their popular programs, eligibility requirements, and other details, please refer to the table below.
| POPULAR COURSES |
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| COURSE DURATION |
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| COURSE INTENSITY |
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| ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA |
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| LANGUAGE SCORES |
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| NO. OF PhDs AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS |
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To learn more about how to get a PhD degree in Canada at these top universities, connect with our experts today! You can also go through the next section to check your eligibility to pursue a PhD course in the country.
Before enrolling in a PhD course in Canada, you must familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements. These requirements may include work experience, grades obtained in previous courses, scores on the English proficiency test, and other standardized exams. To learn more about PhD requirements in Canada, we have divided them into sub-sections below. Please scroll down to find out more.
There are numerous PhD courses available for Indian students in Canada. However, to be eligible for enrollment, you need to understand the university's specific requirements. Meanwhile, certain standard eligibility criteria applicable to all PhD programs in Canada, which are as follows:
After meeting the document requirements, you should begin your application for a PhD course based on your subject interests and preferred university. Here's a quick overview of how to apply for a PhD course in Canada:
Now that you've gained insights on how to apply for a PhD in Canada, let's learn what studying a PhD course in Canada looks like! Hence, in the following section, let's delve into the expenses that come with these programs!
The duration of PhD programs is approximately 4-6 years in Canada, depending on the course and university of choice. Meanwhile, the expenses are divided into two categories: Tuition and Living expenses. Let's check the table below for more insights on these outlays
Most PhD institutes in Canada require international students to pay tuition fees either annually or per term. The average annual payment for Ph.D. programs is CAD 4112 - CAD 8342. However, the tuition fee ranges from CAD 2000 to CAD 8100 if you want to pay term-wise.
Living expenses in Canada vary from city to city and even depend on your university location. As we know, every college offers different charges for international students who want to stay on-campus. Some are affordable, while some ask for higher prices. However, the average cost of staying in Canada is around CAD 18,000/ year, of which rent and housing occupy the major part. Hence, here's a table that comprises approximate monthly expenses in Canada for overseas students:
| EXPENSES | ANNUAL COST IN CANADA |
|---|---|
| Tuition Cost | $19,200 (Average 1st Year Tuition Fees) |
| Health Insurance | $756 |
| Textbooks | $1000 (As Per University of Toronto Official Website) |
| On Campus Rent | $2500 - $16,000 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Basic Package) | $420 |
| Public Transportation Pass Cost | $480 |
| Groceries / Restaurant Food | $3600 |
| Movies / Clothes / Gifts, etc. | $1000 |
| Car Insurance | $1500 |
| Car Fuel | $2544 |
| Total Expenses: | $39,750 (Approximately) |
As you can see, how much bank balance you must have to cover your tuition fees and other expenses as an Indian student in Canada? However, compared to other nations, Canada offers affordable tuition fees, but remember, there is always a way to reduce some burden. One such path is to look for financial aid options to pursue Canada PhD courses hassle-free. Luckily for strictly budgeted students, there are multiple PhD scholarship opportunities available in the country.
To make it affordable for international students to pursue a PhD course in Canada, the Canadian government and institutes offer a lot of grants and awards. Hence, here's a list of all available PhD Scholarships in Canada for Indian students:
| SCHOLARSHIPS | COVERAGE / BENEFITS / DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship |
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| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship |
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| Quebec Provincial Government Scholarship |
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| Partnership Grants by Social Science & Humanities Research Council in Canada |
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| Trudeau Scholarships & Fellowships |
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| Ontario Trillium Scholarship |
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To learn more about these scholarship programs, go through their official website and check your eligibility. Meanwhile, let's review the available jobs after completing a PhD in Canada for international students. Read on to the next section!
Also Read: Ultimate Guide for 10 Best Scholarships in Canada
PhD graduates can find plenty of job prospects once they've finished their study duration. Here are the top job profiles one can consider:
| JOB PROFILES | AVERAGE YEARLY SALARY |
|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | CAD 50,769 |
| Research Scientist | CAD 73,973 |
| Data Scientist | CAD 97,304 |
| Assistant Professor | CAD 92,898 |
| R&D Director | CAD 136,999 |
| Research Analyst | CAD 70,651 |
| Principal Scientist | CAD 105,945 |
| Research Director | CAD 93,031 |
| Research Engineer | CAD 78,189 |
Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About Average Salary in Canada
In conclusion, Canada is known for its affordability in terms of study programs compared to other nations. In addition, for those seeking a high level of security and a safe place, look no further than this fascinating country. Hence, if you're an Indian student looking to pursue a PhD in Canada, you can count on Gradding.com to provide easy guidance from researching a university until you receive your study work permit.
Yes, a PhD student can apply for the PR in Canada apart from their work-study period. Moreover, they are also eligible to work for up to 3 years during their studies. Hence, it makes them eligible for PR status.
Programs such as Business, Health, Engineering, Arts, and Education are the highly demanded PhD courses in Canada
In Canada, a PhD program includes a thesis, research, etc. Hence, most PhDs in Canada take about 4-6 years to complete.
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