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PhD programs

Take a deep dive into the topic you love with a phd, at the university of ottawa, you can:.

  • Join a select community of researchers and work in state-of-the-art labs – uOttawa is ranked among the top 10 research universities in Canada.
  • Study in the heart of the nation’s capital, a bilingual and multicultural setting where networks of senior stakeholders take action on major issues and influence decisions.
  • Receive considerable financial support.

Joseph Kim, doctoral student

“One of the reasons I chose the University of Ottawa is for its multidisciplinary or multi-university thesis committees available to students in their first year of doctoral studies.”

Valérie Costanzo, LL.B., LL.M., lawyer, PhD candidate

Explore ways to finance your doctoral studies

The University of Ottawa has many scholarships or financial support options available to you. As a doctoral candidate, there is also the option to earn money while gaining valuable experience through teaching and research assistantships.

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“Supervising doctoral students is a privilege: it allows for the discovery of new research challenges and for the development of sustainable relationships.”

Emmanuelle Bernheim, LL.D., PhD, Full professor, Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section

Take the next step

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Check admission requirements

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Apply for admission

PhD Public Health Sciences

Creating a healthier future at the university of waterloo.

As part of the School of Public Health Sciences, you will be immersed in leading research, and gain the skills to tackle some of the biggest health concerns of today.

Besides our leading researchers, you will learn how to integrate perspectives from multiple disciplines as well as discover how to use research to design, implement, and evaluate health programs, policies and services.

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Program overview 

  • Transdisciplinary approach to addressing public and population health challenges in Canada and around the world
  • You'll learn how to use research to improve the management and accountability of health promotion programs, and health or healthcare systems.
  • PhD students in the School of Public Health Sciences can pursue a designated field to exemplify an area of expertise within their broader program. Fields include  epidemiology and biostatistics, health evaluation, health informatics, health and environment, global health, aging and health and work and health . 
  • The University of Waterloo's unique Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Policy #73 grants ownership to the inventor.
  • The Faculty of Health is committed to providing guaranteed funding over four years to support new domestic doctoral students as part of its PhD funding initiative. Students may also be eligible for additional scholarship and funding opportunities.
  • Our alumni lead careers in research (industry, government and academia), health promotion, health planning, policy and health information analysis, research management, healthcare coordination, epidemiology, program evaluation, and other professions.
  • Research-based, on campus
  • 12 terms | 4 years (Full-time from Master's level)
  • 24 terms | 8 years (Part-time from Master's level)
  • Doctoral thesis
  • Collaborative water specialization also available

Faculty research and expertise

Our research investigates and aims to solve significant local, provincial/state, national and international challenges in various areas of public health and health systems.

Learn more about our experts and their research areas →

Finding a supervisor

  • A supervisor must be secured before an applicant is eligible to receive an offer of admission. Students are strongly advised to secure a confirmed supervisor before applying. Please review the  profiles of faculty members  in your areas of interest.
  • Indicate your confirmed supervisor in the "requested supervisor" section of your application.
  • If you do not have a confirmed supervisor, then use the "requested supervisor" section to name a supervisor with whom you would like to work.
  • Before approaching a potential supervisor, check their profile and see if they are accepting new students to supervise.   Review other key topics for discussion with potential supervisors .
  • Please avoid sending generic inquiries to supervisors. Students are more likely to successfully match with supervisors who share similar research interests and experiences.

Water specialization

Full- or part-time | On campus | Thesis based

Global water issues are becoming increasingly complex and often require a collaborative approach across the breadth of disciplines. The MSc Public Health and Health Systems offers a water specialization.

Facilitated by the University of Waterloo's   Water Institute , this collaborative approach provides access to more than 140 faculty members involved in water research across Waterloo's campus. The program allows you to develop   specialist expertise in public health and health systems, while matching the knowledge and skills required to communicate across disciplines and within interdisciplinary teams in the water sector. 

Find out more about graduate studies in the Collaborative Water Program →

Degree requirements →

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Admission requirements

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How to apply

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Tuition costs

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Living costs

Application deadline: feb 1.

For admission in September 

Apply today.

Our research graduate programs are highly competitive and receive far more applicants than we can accommodate. As such, we are not able to consider late or incomplete applications. For an application to be considered complete, all required documents, including academic references, must be submitted on or before the date above. You must also indicate an interested supervisor in the "requested supervisor" section of your application. We strongly recommend submitting your application no later than January 1 to allow time for document uploads and for references to be submitted by the January 15 deadline.

Considerations for international students before submitting an application:

  • While the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo values international students in our graduate programs, we can only accept a small proportion of these students. 
  • Guaranteed funding packages may not be able to cover all tuition and living expenses incurred during a graduate program and students are encouraged to understand more about the cost of completing their graduate program before applying.
  • Your requested supervisor may also be required to fund your studies for your application to be successful.

Graduate student resources

  • Graduate Student Handbook
  • Policies and procedures
  • Funding and awards
  • Study and living costs
  • Centre for Teaching Excellence
  • Research Groups/Labs
  • Graduate Students' Association
  • Graduate student housing

Student stories

As part of her doctoral research,   Lesley Johnston  is investigating ways in which community well-being in Mongolia and Zambia are affected by Canadian-sponsored mining operations.

Learn more about Lesley and other students in the School of Public Health Sciences on our graduate student profile page . 

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Phd-Study-In-Canada

  • Top Universities for PhD Study in Canada – 2024

Written by Marcus Holt

Like its near-neighbour, the USA, Canada is a big country. However, unlike the USA, a relatively small proportion of Canada is actually inhabited. This means that the Canadian university system isn't as large (or complicated) as you might expect.

Research universities and graduate schools

There are around 100 research universities in Canada that offer PhD programmes. Other institutions such as liberal arts colleges and community colleges also exist, but these don't tend to offer PhDs. Universities often run their doctoral programmes within dedicated graduate schools.

Canadian universities can be public or private, depending on how they receive their funding:

  • Public universities (the great majority) are financially supported by their local province or territory. They tend to offer more comprehensive study opportunities, including doctoral programmes.
  • Private universities are funded by third-party sources (such as religious organisations). These tend to be smaller and more specialised.

Universities within Canadian provinces and territories

Canada's vast size and colonial history mean the country has developed a federal structure. It is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories . Provinces are independent sovereign entities (similar to US states). Territories have their authority delegated by the central federal government.

Only provinces possess research universities (with the ability to offer doctoral programmes).

The part of Canada you choose to study in may determine available funding and the course language. Usually programmes will be offered in English, French or both.

There are 10 Canadian provinces whose universities offer PhD study:

  • Alberta is a landlocked province in western Canada, famous for its vast forests, prairies and mountain ranges. There are 5 universities offering PhDs in Alberta and the official language is English .
  • British Columbia is Canada's westernmost province. Its rugged landscape is characterised by temperate rainforests and striking coastal fjords. There are 7 universities offering PhDs in British Columbia and the official language is English .
  • Manitoba is a central province, home to vast prairies and some of Canada's Great Lakes. There are 2 universities offering PhDs in Manitoba and the official language is English .
  • New Brunswick is a small province on the eastern coast of Canada. It's home to forests, mountains and some of the oldest European settlements in North America. There are 2 universities offering PhDs in New Brunswick and the official languages are English and French .
  • Nova Scotia is a maritime province in Atlantic Canada, made up of a peninsula and neighbouring islands. There are 5 universities offering PhDs in Nova Scotia and the official language is English .
  • Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's easternmost province, made up of the island of Newfoundland and the mainland region of Labrador. It is geographically defined by its subarctic tundra and striking mountains. There is 1 university offering PhDs in Newfoundland and Labrador and the official language is English .
  • Ontario is Canada's most populous province, located in the east of the country. It is home to the Canadian capital, Ottawa, as well as the famous Lake Ontario and Niagara Falls. There are 22 universities offering PhDs in Ontario and the official language is English .
  • Prince Edward Island is a maritime province on the east coast of Canada - the smallest in the country. It is made up of the titular island, plus a network of smaller islands. There is 1 university offering PhDs in Prince Edward Island and the official language is English .
  • Québec is Canada's largest province, situated at the east of the country. It is home to a rich independent Québécois culture and is famous for its rivers, lakes and bays. There are 17 universities offering PhDs in Québec and the official language is French .
  • Saskatchewan is a large landlocked province in central Canada, defined by its praries and lakes. There are 2 universities offering PhDs in Saskatchewan and the official language is English .

Canada's three territories are the Yukon , Nanavut and Northwest Territories . They do have colleges offering undergraduate degrees, but do not currently have universities with doctoral programmes.

How much do rankings matter for PhD students?

Rankings can be a helpful resource for prospective PhD students, but they shouldn’t be the be-all-and-end-all of your search. We break down how the system works and how to get the best out of it in our guide to PhD rankings .

Top 20 universities for PhD study in Canada

We’ve listed the top 20 Canadian universities in 2024, based on the current rankings published by Times Higher Education, QS and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Top 20 Canadian Universities in 2024
University THE 2024 QS 2024 ARWU 2023
University of Toronto 21 21 24
University of British Columbia 41 =34 44
McGill University 49 30 70
McMaster University =103 189 98
University of Alberta =109 111 91
University of Montreal =111 141 151-200
University of Waterloo =158 112 151-200
University of Ottawa =177 =203 201-300
University of Calgary 201-250 182 201-300
Western Univeristy 201-250 114 301-400
Universitié Laval 251-300 441 301-400
Queen's University 251-300 =209 201-300
Simon Fraser University 251-300 318 301-400
Dalhousie University 301-350 298 301-400
University of Victoria 351-400 322 301-400
University of Manitoba 351-400 651-700 201-300
351-400 353 401-500
University of Saskatchewan 351-400 =345 301-400
University of Guelph 401-600 =486 501-600
Carleton University 501-600 671-680 501-600
World University Rankings, and . Visit their websites for more information.

Think you’re ready to find the perfect project for you?

Search our database of PhD programmes in Canada .

Want More Updates & Advice?

Marcus holt.

Marcus brought his experience and expertise in data analysis and project management to the FindAPhD team in 2020, whilst completing a PhD at the University of Leeds. He experienced the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on doctoral research first hand and helped share honest advice and support with prospective students.

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PhD Courses in Canada

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PhD Degrees in Canada

A PhD is the highest degree awarded at global universities. Study is based on a substantial research project in an area of academic interest, typically up to 100,000 words in length, written as a thesis which must be defended in an oral examination at the end of the program. All PhD students are assigned a supervisor, and the duration of a PhD is typically three years full-time and six years part-time.

Very few research degrees feature taught modules, and as such a student is expected to take more responsibility for their work and schedule. Universities in Canada are known for their academic excellence and state-of-the-art research infrastructure, along with their support for enterprise partnerships.  

PhD Entry Requirements

Canadian institutions are free to admit anyone to a PhD program, with admission generally conditional on the prospective student having completed an undergraduate degree with at least upper second-class honours, as well as a master's degree . English language ability proof is a must, and a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is generally required. There is usually a first-year assessment to remain in study and the thesis is submitted at the end of the completed program.

Once you have decided on an area of research and have looked into how you will fund your study, there are a number of documents required when submitting your application. They include:

  • Academic transcripts
  • Academic references
  • Personal statement
  • Research proposal

- PhD Research Proposal

A research proposal is required by all students when applying to study for a PhD. The proposal should address the research you wish to undertake, how you will do it, and why it is important. A panel of experts must accept the proposal before your program can begin.

How much does a PhD cost in Canada?

Funding and researching a PhD can be expensive. Candidates can cost between $5,000-$20,000 per year, although this is still considerably cheaper than US or UK equivalents. Dedicated scholarships can help support your PhD, and it is rare for a PhD student not to be supported by some form of bursary, grant or scholarship .

Study a PhD in Canada

If you are interested in studying a research degree in Canada, arrange a free consultation with SI-Canada today.

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How to Study a PhD in Canada

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Table of contents

  • Introduction

What are the admission requirements?

How long are phds in canada, how do i apply for a phd in canada, how much does it cost to study a phd in canada, what phd scholarships and other funding opportunities are available, can i work in canada part-time during my studies, can i stay and work in canada after my phd.

An increasingly attractive and multicultural study destination, Canada is a great option to consider for your PhD studies, offering a wealth of research opportunities to help you expand your expertise. More than a third of the country’s overall research is conducted at Canadian universities, and this work contributes billions to the country’s economy.

The requirements to study in Canada at doctorate level vary between universities and courses, but you generally need the following:

  • A master’s degree in a related field, with strong grades and proven research ability and potential.
  • Proof of language ability, depending on whether you study in English or French, if either language is not your first language and you haven’t previously studied in either language. (Some programs in French-speaking Quebec are conducted in both languages).
  • A strong score in a graduate admissions test such as the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

In exceptional cases, you may be able to study a PhD with “accelerated admission” – that is, without a master’s degree. In this process, you’ll need to have outstanding grades in the last two years of your bachelor’s degree (a first-class average) and other demonstrations of your high academic potential, such as research publications.

Most PhDs in Canada take about four to six years to complete.

Although the admissions process can vary between Canadian universities, you’ll generally need to follow the following steps to apply for a PhD:

1.  Decide which PhD course you’d like to apply for , identifying your supervisor and chosen research topic. This may be an advertised, structured PhD in which the scope of the research is already outlined by the university (particularly in the sciences), or alternatively (particularly in arts and humanities) you could suggest and outline your own research project with an open PhD. Once you’ve found a supervisor, some universities may ask for a letter of support from your chosen supervisor to be included in your application documents.

2. If applying for an open PhD, you’ll need to submit a research proposal following the guidelines set by your university and generally outlining what you want to research, and why this is a worthwhile project.

3. Apply online, paying the appropriate application fee and attaching the necessary documents to your application. This could be all or some of the following:

  • Statement of purpose – this should outline your background and academic/professional experience, including any awards, publications or relevant experience you can offer. You should also discuss your career goals and anything else stipulated by the university, keeping to the word limit.
  • Two or three letters of reference (including one from your intended supervisor). Your referees should be academic, where possible.
  • Academic transcripts and degree certificates – Canadian universities may require that your university mails an official transcript, which should be in English or accompanied by a perfectly translated document.
  • Writing sample (most likely for arts and humanities PhDs)
  • Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Language test results, if needed
  • Portfolio of creative work (if applying for an arts/humanities PhD)

Some Canadian universities may also ask you to attend an admission interview .

4. Once accepted, the next step is to apply for your study permit , which acts as your student visa for your stay. You should also take out health insurance, and check your university’s website for orientation advice.

Tuition fees for a PhD in Canada vary between universities and courses, and will generally be around twice that of fees for Canadian students. An exception to this is the University of Toronto , where most international PhD students will pay the same tuition fees as domestic students, starting from fall 2018.

To give you an example of the cost of a PhD in Canada, the  University of British Columbia charges CA$7,641 (~US$5,760) per year for Masters by Research or PhDs, while PhDs are CA$$10,240 (~US$7,700) in years one and two at the  University of Manitoba .

Thankfully, many PhD scholarships are available to help make studying in Canada more affordable to international students, with many awards based on academic merit. The Canadian government runs a useful website with a  search tool  to find scholarships based on your country of origin. Other good places to look are the official websites of Canadian universities, which may provide their own scholarships search tool to help you find one relevant to your situation and country of origin.

Some examples of PhD scholarships to study in Canada include:

  • The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships , which award CA$50,000 (~US$37,700) per year to highly-qualified international and home PhD students in the fields of social sciences and/or humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.
  • The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation doctoral scholarships , which at the time of writing is currently in the process of being reworked.
  • The University of British Columbia Four Year Doctoral Fellowship  provides a stipend of at least CA$18,200 (~US$13,700) per year plus full tuition for outstanding international/home doctoral students for all four years of their studies.

Teaching/research assistantships

Many students also decide to fund their studies by taking part in a research or teaching assistantship – in these, you can work as a teaching or research assistant in exchange for a stipend and/or have your tuition fully or partially covered.

As a research assistant, you’ll work to help a faculty member (which may be your supervisor) by assisting with data collection, analysis, report writing, lab/office organization and other tasks. As a teaching assistant, you’ll support your department with its undergraduate programs, teaching one or more sections of the course, conducting laboratory sections, holding office hours and grading undergraduate papers. To become a teaching assistant, you’ll need to demonstrate your mastery of the course and ability to effectively facilitate students’ learning.

To apply for a research or teaching assistantship, you’ll need to check the information posted by your university and likely fill in an online application form.   

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Yes, all full-time students with a valid study permit can work part-time on or off campus for up to 20 hours per week during university semesters and full time during semester breaks. However, some PhD courses may stipulate that you shouldn’t work for more than 10 hours per week during term time – particularly if you’ve been granted funding to study in Canada. It’s also important to consider that your PhD will take up a considerable amount of time and challenging work, so you might prefer to focus entirely on your studies. Also, it’s not advised to rely on part-time work to fund your living expenses. You’ll need a Social Insurance Number to work in Canada.

Yes – if you’d like to stay after graduation to find work in Canada, you can apply for the P ost-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) which allows you to stay and gain valuable work experience for a maximum of three years. And if you’re interested in becoming a permanent resident, this post-graduation work experience helps you to qualify to apply for permanent residency in Canada via Express Entry. Find out more here .

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This article was originally published in April 2017. It was updated in June 2018.

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The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK. 

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  • Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD)
  • Graduate School
  • Prospective Students
  • Graduate Degree Programs

Canadian Immigration Updates

Review details about the recently announced changes to study and work permits that apply to master’s and doctoral degree students. Read more

Go to programs search

The Ph.D. program in economics at UBC owes its strength to the quality of its research faculty, extensive opportunity for student-faculty interaction, and a diverse offering of specializations for thesis work. Our faculty members specialize in a wide range of topics, including development economics, economic history, applied and theoretical econometrics, economics of inequality and gender, environmental economics, industrial organization, international finance, international trade, labour economics, macroeconomics, applied and theoretical micro, political economy, and public economics.

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

What makes the program unique?

The Vancouver School of Economics at UBC is one of the world's best: in a recent ranking based on research publications, the department ranked in the top 20 worldwide, and number one in Canada.

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.

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 : 93

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 6.5

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 required by some applicants. Please check the program website.

2) Meet Deadlines

September 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

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 Economics (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.

Research Information

Research facilities.

The school houses the Centre for Labour Studies and manages the British Columbia Inter-University Research Data Centre. As a result, unique training opportunities, research funding, and access to data and computing resources are available to our Ph.D. students.

Tuition & Financial Support

FeesCanadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / DiplomatInternational
$116.25$168.25
Tuition *
Installments per year33
Tuition $1,838.57$3,230.06
Tuition
(plus annual increase, usually 2%-5%)
$5,515.71$9,690.18
Int. Tuition Award (ITA) per year ( ) $3,200.00 (-)
Other Fees and Costs
(yearly)$1,116.60 (approx.)
Estimate your with our interactive tool in order to start developing a financial plan for your graduate studies.

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

Virtually all of the School's research faculty hold grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and other funding agencies, implying that opportunities for research assistantships and dissertation support are ample.

From September 2024 all full-time students in UBC-Vancouver PhD programs will be provided with a funding package of at least $24,000 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. Please note that many graduate programs provide funding packages that are substantially greater than $24,000 per year. Please check with your prospective graduate program for specific details of the funding provided to its PhD students.

Average Funding

  • 33 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 33 students was $13,467.
  • 17 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 17 students was $13,717.
  • 19 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 19 students was $3,513.
  • 49 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 49 students was $22,471.
  • 3 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 3 students was $30,000.

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

76 students graduated between 2005 and 2013. Of these, career information was obtained for 75 alumni (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016):

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Sample Employers in Higher Education

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

The market for Ph.D. economists is strong and the School actively supports the placement of our Ph.D. job market candidates. Our students have obtained positions at leading research and teaching universities around the world. A number of graduates also obtained excellent positions at government agencies, central banks, non-governmental organizations, and in the private sector.

At the Vancouver School of Economics, we are dedicated to ensuring the success of our students on the job market.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

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

ENROLMENT DATA

 20232022202120202019
Applications409282405273348
Offers5149333534
New Registrations1516141311
Total Enrolment8787868679

Completion Rates & Times

Upcoming doctoral exams, wednesday, 6 november 2024 - 12:30pm - room 200.

  • Research Supervisors

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.

  • Anderson, Siwan (Micro-level institutions, role of gender, studies of rural governments)
  • Baylis, Patrick (Economics; Climate Changes and Impacts; Economic Planning of Energy; climate change economics; energy economics; environmental economics)
  • Beaudry, Paul (National and International macroeconomic issues, Business cycles, inflation, financial markets, the macro-economic effects of technological change and globalization, and the determinants of aggregate employment and wages)
  • Bostanci, Gorkem (Macroeconomics (including monetary and fiscal theory); Industry economics and industrial organization; Firm Dynamics; Input Allocation and Productivity; Labor Demand; intellectual property)
  • Copeland, Brian (International trade, environmental economics, interaction between globalization, the environment, and the sustainability of renewable resources)
  • Devereux, Michael (Economics, Macro and Monetary Economics Economic Policy, Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Deficits, Exchange Rates, Capital Flows, Financial Crises, International, monetary)
  • Drelichman, Mauricio (Economic history, Spain, Argentina)
  • Farinha Luz, Vitor (Microeconomic Theory,)
  • Ferraz, Claudio (governance and accountability in developing countries; how politics affect public service delivery; the effects of electoral rules on political selection; the role of the state in high crime and violence environments)
  • Fortin, Nicole (Wage inequality and its links to labour market institutions and public policies, including higher education policies economic progress of women, gender equality policies, and gender issues in education)
  • Francois, Patrick (African Autocracies, Economics of Developing Countries, Indian Village Governance, Macro, development, problems in development economies, political economy and non profits)
  • Gallipoli, Giovanni (Macroeconomics (including monetary and fiscal theory); Economic Policies; Economic Phenomena on a National or International Level; Economic Phenomena on an Individual or Organizational Level; applied microeconomics; computational economics; labor economics; macroeconomics; Consumption theory and measurement)
  • Gao, Ying (Microeconomic theory; Signaling Games; Information Design)
  • Green, David (Antibiotic Resistance,  Infectious Disease, Epidemiology, Determinants of the wage and employment structure bridging between macro labour and micro labour identification issues)
  • Hnatkovska, Viktoriya (International finance, macroeconomics, development economics in India )
  • Hoffmann, Florian (Labor Economics, Macro Economics, Income Inequality, Education, Mobility )
  • Hwang, Il Myoung (empirical industrial organization and market design; evaluating different school choice mechanisms)
  • Jaccard, Torsten (Economics; international trade)
  • Juhasz, Reka (Economics; international trade; Economic History; Development and Growth; industrial policy and industrialization)
  • Kasahara, Hiroyuki (Econometrics and international trade )
  • Lahiri, Amartya (Exchange rates and monetary policy, growth and development, international economics, macroeconomics, and development economics)
  • Lemieux, Thomas (labour market issues, Applied, labour, earnings inequality in Canada and other countries I am also interested in econometric methods used to analyze the earnings distribution and regression discontinuity designs)
  • Li, Hao (Microeconomic theory, theory of contracts and organizations, and games and decisions )
  • Li, Wei (Contract theory, applied game theory, and information economics I am deeply interested in the interaction of information and incentives in various economics and political environments )
  • Lowe, Matthew (preference formation; social integration; political selection)

Doctoral Citations

Year Citation
2024 Dr. Albuquerque investigates topics in the field of the economics of crime and violence, focusing on Latin America and its recent history. The studies that compose his dissertation highlight the interplay between historical events, trust, state capacity, cultural diversity, and political structures in determining the levels of violence and crime.
2024 Dr. Possnig studied how algorithmic learning by firms affects prices. He showed what kinds of behaviours can be learned by competing algorithms, depending on the market and details of the algorithms. He used this approach to determine when and how collusive behaviours will emerge from algorithmic competition.
2024 Dr. Sacchi de Carvalho researched how labour markets function, focusing on how wages are determined, and the roles of firms and employees in production. His results will help policymakers and the public understand wage inequality and labour market dynamics.
2024 Dr. Secco analyzed the long-run impact of historical events in Brazil. His research focused on how territorial divisions during colonial Brazil have persistent consequences on the size of government and the delivery of public services depending on whether a colonizer was a public or private agent.
2024 Dr. Franz-Pattillo's research explores how inflation targets are set. It shows that these targets are influenced by various factors, including the level of commitment of policymakers. These insights help us understand the importance of institutions and their impact on our everyday lives.
2023 Dr. Matavelli examined the role of lack of communication in perpetuating misperceptions about social norms, especifically in the context of masculinity norms. She also investigated the role of norms change, proxied by an election outcome, on violence against women. She then showed that psychedelic intake led people to leave the formal labour market.
2023 Dr. Vega Acuna studied, using a field experiment, how leadership roles can improve the academic performance and social integration of low-income students at a top university in Peru. He also shows how low-income students, during the Covid-19 online classes period, faced more difficulties to score higher grades than other students.
2023 Dr. van der List studies how the economy interacts with geographic space. She has shown that firms trade off labor-market power and productivity spillovers when choosing a location. Her research has implications for the design of government subsidies affecting specific locations.
2023 Political rallies have become a large part of electoral campaigns worldwide. What role do rallies play in shaping elections? Dr. Jha estimates a novel structural model of political rallies and their outcomes. He finds rallies persuasive and electorally pivotal in U.S and that the rallies in India are much more persuasive than in U.S.
2023 Dr. Ebrahimi Kahou has developed methods to offer solutions to tackle high-dimensional dynamic models in economics, utilizing insights from economic theory. The methodology utilizes a symmetry commonly found in many heterogenous agent models in economics. This work can be used to study more realistic models of income and wealth distributions.

Sample Thesis Submissions

  • Essays on labor economics and applied econometrics
  • Essays in development economics
  • Essays in labor economics
  • Partition estimation : theory and application
  • Essays on household finance
  • Trade credit, yield spreads, and supply chain vulnerabilities : insights into economic distortions and firm stability
  • Essays in development economics : language, firms and information in Africa
  • Essays in behavioral economics
  • Three essays on industry and the environment
  • Essays on worker mobility, spatial labor markets, and urban real estate markets
  • Production network economies with household heterogeneity : a sufficient statistics approach
  • Essays on the economics of crime and violence
  • Essays in economic history and development
  • Essays in optimal monetary policy
  • Essays in labour economics

Related Programs

Same specialization.

  • Master of Arts in Economics (MA)

Related Disciplines

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD)

Further Information

Specialization.

Economics covers many fields including: macroeconomics, labour economics, international trade and finance, environmental economics, industrial organization, information and incentives, economic theory, health economics, development economics, and economic history.

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 .

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Experience the colours of Vancouver

Great academic programs, great location: the distinct seasons and mild climate are among the reasons why graduate students choose to study here -- from the autumn leaves to cherry blossoms, witness the many colours Vancouver has to offer.

  • Why Grad School at UBC?
  • Application & Admission
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  • Newly Admitted
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  • Managing your Program
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Strategic Priorities

  • Strategic Plan 2019-2024
  • Improving Student Funding
  • Promoting Excellence in Graduate Programs
  • Enhancing Graduate Supervision
  • Advancing Indigenous Inclusion
  • Supporting Student Development and Success
  • Reimagining Graduate Education
  • Enriching the Student Experience

Initiatives

  • Public Scholars Initiative
  • 3 Minute Thesis (3MT)
  • PhD Career Outcomes

School of Graduate Studies

Management, phd, program overview.

The Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto is home to Canada’s premier management doctoral program, one of the top-ranked PhD programs in the world. The Rotman PhD program is a growing, vibrant, and intellectually rich environment for those interested in developing new insights in management. This close-knit community of scholars value and celebrate insightful, breakthrough research. ​

The PhD program offers specialization in seven fields:

  • Business Economics
  • Operations Management
  • Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
  • Strategic Management

Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application deadline PhD:

Fall 2025 entry

10-Jan-2025

PhD:

Fall 2025 entry

10-Jan-2025

Minimum admission average PhD:

B+

PhD:

B+

Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? PhD:

Yes (Minimum GPA: A-)

PhD:

Yes (Minimum GPA: A-)

Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? PhD:

After

PhD:

After

If a supervisor is identified after admission (as per question above), is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor? PhD:

No

PhD:

No

Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? PhD:

Secured by student

PhD:

Secured by student

Are any standardized tests required/recommended? PhD:

English language proficiency test,  GMAT/GRE (Optional this application cycle)

PhD:

English language proficiency test,  GMAT/GRE (Optional this application cycle)

Mohammad Rahaman

“U of T prepared me well for my future career.”

IMAGES

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  3. PhD Program in Optimization

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  5. How to Write a Research Proposal and get Phd Admission in Canada (Part 2)

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  6. PhD in Canada: Guide for International Students in 2024

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VIDEO

  1. PhD or Thesis based Masters in Canada

  2. FULLY FUNDED POST DOCTORATE/ PHD FROM UK, USA, CANADA

  3. How to search and apply for a job in Canada?

  4. International Scholarship Session II Canada II MSC/PHD

  5. Clinical Research Programs in Canada

  6. How to Find a Masters or PhD supervisor in Canada

COMMENTS

  1. PhD programs | Study - University of Ottawa

    Take a deep dive into the topic you love with a PhD. As a researcher, you will seek solutions to the major issues in your favourite field. Prepare to collaborate with fellow academics who will sharpen your critical thinking skills and broaden your horizons. Find your PhD program.

  2. PhD Study in Canada – 2024 - FindAPhD

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    The PhD in Public Health Sciences program offers a wide-lens approach to addressing public and population health challenges in Canada and around the world. The program will provide you with an interdisciplinary focus, specialized training and advanced research skills.

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  6. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)

    The Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program (ISGP) at the University of British Columbia was established in 1971, the first of its kind in Canada. It is one of the only Canadian programs to offer doctoral degrees in interdisciplinary studies, and is possibly one of the largest of its kind in North America.

  7. PhD Courses in Canada for International Students, Find ...

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  8. How to Study a PhD in Canada - Top Universities

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  9. Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) - UBC Grad School

    The Ph.D. program in economics at UBC owes its strength to the quality of its research faculty, extensive opportunity for student-faculty interaction, and a diverse offering of specializations for thesis work.

  10. Management, PhD – School of Graduate Studies

    The Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto is home to Canada’s premier management doctoral program, one of the top-ranked PhD programs in the world. The Rotman PhD program is a growing, vibrant, and intellectually rich environment for those interested in developing new insights in management.