PhD in Philosophy

When applying through Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC), you’ll be asked to identify a preferred supervisor as part of your application.

• 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 from individuals, along with the Referee Assessment Form, who are well acquainted with your philosophical abilities (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 Philosophy Specific Documents

• A writing sample of work that is 5,000 words or shorter. Select one (1) sample of work to upload. Please add a cover page with your name and the program you are applying for, and remove your name on all other pages. Applicants who do not have a degree in philosophy should submit a sample of writing that displays their philosophical ability and should seek to have their referees address, as far as possible, the applicant's aptitude for philosophical study and research.

• Assessment Form

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.

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.