PhD in Critical Studies in Improvisation

Students in our graduate programs work with an Advisory Committee usually made up of one main Advisor and one to three additional Advisory Committee members depending on the program. These Advisors are faculty members whose research is in an area related to your interests. They will guide you as you prepare your Major Research Project or Major Research Paper. It is a good idea to introduce yourself as early as possible to faculty members who you think might be interested in your work. You do not need to have an Advisory Committee in place before arriving.

Once you start your program, you will have plenty of opportunities to get to know the faculty members in your department or area. Faculty are well used to being sought out by students who might want to work with them. They will welcome hearing from you and can help you focus your ideas. Towards the end of your first semester, the Coordinator of your program will ask you who you think you would like to have on your committee and they will help you as necessary to get everything set up. You should have your committee formally established by the middle of your second semester at the latest so that they can work with and support you as you plan your project.

• Official transcripts from all previous secondary and post-secondary institutions.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing your academic and educational background, professional achievements, and, where relevant, creative accomplishments, exhibitions, grants, residencies, or involvement in specialized communities, including any pertinent volunteer experience.

• Two (2) letters of reference (you will be prompted to enter your referees' contact information, and a secure link will be sent to them directly). Please inform your referees that they are encouraged to email gradapps@uoguelph.ca if they experience difficulty or encounter issues with this process.

• A detailed statement (1-3 pages, approximately 400-900 words) outlining your academic background, research interests, and reasons for pursuing graduate studies at the University of Guelph. The statement should describe your proposed research focus, its significance, and your ability to carry it out. If applicable, include specific fields of study, topics, or areas you wish to explore, and mention any faculty members or resources at Guelph you hope to engage with during your studies.

• If your first language is not English, certification of English language proficiency must be included (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB test scores).
  Note: The University of Guelph no longer accepts Duolingo test results.

PhD in Critical Studies in Improvisation Specific Documents

• A sample of your scholarly writing. For doctoral students, this should be a portion of a major research paper or thesis or a paper written for a graduate course. Please note that papers will not be returned to applicants.

• A portfolio showcasing creative, professional, community-engaged, and/or research work related to IMPR and the proposed area of study. The portfolio may feature music, artwork, digital files, or written materials that align with the applicant’s rationale for admission. Submissions are made through SlideRoom, where additional details and specific instructions are provided.

Disclaimers

• Applicants from outside Canada whose educational background is not easily assessed may be asked to demonstrate their knowledge through alternate methods, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

• Registration at one university for three degrees (BA, MA, PhD) is discouraged.

Our PhD in Critical Studies in Improvisation welcomes candidates from diverse academic, artistic and professional backgrounds. All application materials must be submitted by January 15 of your anticipated entrance year.  

Applicants must have:

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 75% in a related field. Applicants who hold a Bachelor's degree and can demonstrate substantive professional and artistic practice may also be considered for admission.

Non-Traditional Applicants:

We also consider applicants with relevant professional or artistic experience who may lack traditional academic credentials. You may need to submit a portfolio, research proposal or other supporting materials and participate in an interview. Additional preparatory courses may be required. Please email imprgpc@uoguelph.ca if you have questions about eligibility. 

Most Offers of Admission that we make for our graduate programs include an offer of funding. As part of your admission offer you will receive a detailed break-down of what that funding will include over the duration of your program. Most funding consists of a mix of a guaranteed offer of paid work for the University, usually as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, and scholarship income. Once you enroll in your program, you will be set up with an account with Student Financial Services; your funding will be paid into this account (every two weeks in the case of employment income) and you can pay your tuition and fees from this account and then move the rest into your own bank account.

If you are an International student, visit the University of Guelph International Student Experience website for information about pre-arrival resources, orientation programs (including START International) and counselling help.

Please visit the University of Guelph’s Guelph Graduate Tuition and Fees website to find tuition and fee information.