How to Apply

Statistics Canada (Statscan) recently released the report Labour market outcomes for college and university graduates, 2010 to 2016. This report includes information on the median employment income by educational qualification, field of study, age group, gender, and status of student in Canada—for Canada, the provinces and the territories.

READ THE REPORT

The Council of Ontario Universities released its University Works - 2015 Employment Report, summarizing employment outcomes by levels of educational attainment. The report, based on Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey, reveals that relative to all other educational attainment groups in Ontario, Master's and PhD graduates:

Have the lowest level of unemployment

Have the most stable employment rate

Have experienced the largest growth in employment since 2004

Have higher earnings

• The opportunity for in-depth exploration, collaboration and the intellectual satisfaction of discovering and acquiring new knowledge
• Become an expert in your field
• Work closely with world-class researchers in your area of interest
• Contribute to important research and discoveries
• Improve your C.V. or resume by publishing in journals and presenting your work at academic and professional conferences
• Contribute within academia as a researcher or professor

For more information, please review Your Future: A Guide for Potential Graduate Students by the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies.

As one of Canada's largest research-intensive universities, first-class research facilities and infrastructure are available to all our graduate students.

With $240 million in annual research funding and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. The University is committed to providing superior support for both individual scholars and large interdisciplinary groups, while firmly establishing an entrepreneurial research culture that encourages the practice of innovation across the campus.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit Scholarship@Western to see recently published dissertations and examine the ground-breaking work of current Western PhD Students.

Research Institutes

As the research institute of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, and working in partnership with Western University, Lawson Health Research Institute is one of the largest hospital-based research institutes in Canada and a major teaching and training environment for tomorrow’s scientists. Its ‘bench to bedside’ philosophy means researchers focus their efforts on the development of new knowledge that can be applied directly to patient care within the hospitals.

Research Centres

In addition to being affiliated with London’s extensive hospital system, Western is home to a number of innovative research facilities and centres that are unique in the world, including:

• The Brain and Mind Institute
• Biomedical Imaging Research Centre
• Wind Engineering, Energy and Environment (WindEEE) Dome
• The Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory
• The Biotron Experimental Climate Change Research Facility
• The Advanced Facility for Avian Research (AFAR)
• Centre for Advanced Materials and Biomaterials Research
• Surface Science Western
• The Africa Institute
• The National Centre for Audiology
• Rotman Institute of Philosophy
• The International Centre for Olympic Studies
• Western Research Parks, a collaborative centre that connects innovative research to industry
• Robarts Research Institute

Western Research Parks

World Discoveries

WORLDiscoveries is the Business Development arm of London’s extensive research network and the bridge between local invention and global industry.

Born out of a partnership between Western University, Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, WORLDiscoveries draws upon a mix of industry connections, sector-specific market knowledge and business development expertise, to help Researchers and local inventors commercialize their discoveries through licensing and new company spin-offs.

International Collaborations

Western is an international university committed to supporting faculty research around the globe, and to providing students with an education that prepares them to live, work and actively contribute within international economies, cultures and societies. Home to collaborations on every continent, and to faculty, staff and students who have been trained around the world, Western is firmly situated within the international milieu. This level of engagement enhances the University's ability to attract the highest calibre of personnel and increases its capacity to develop strong, mutually beneficial collaborative research initiatives that provide benefits to Canada and the broader world.

For more information, please visit Research Western.

Often referred to as Canada’s most beautiful university campus, Western provides an idyllic background for your studies. Gothic architecture that blends in seamlessly with the natural atmosphere, the ivy-covered University provides endless scenic locations to study, chat with friends and relax. The campus is situated on nearly 400 acres of rolling hills and wide-open spaces on the banks of the Thames River.

Further testament to its natural beauty, Western was recognized with top honours as Most Beautiful Campus in the Parks and Grounds category of the 2004 National Communities in Bloom competition, a nation-wide beautification program that judges cities, towns, villages, parks and grounds. In fact, Western took the top prize over Banff National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the world.

Surveys of student and alumni satisfaction, whether conducted by the media or by the University, consistently indicate a very high level of satisfaction with the student experience at Western. This is a tribute to the commitment of our faculty and staff and reflects the broad-based approach to intellectual, social, and personal development that characterizes student life at Western. It is a spirit embodied by all Western students and a testament to their level of engagement on campus.

Our services and programs are designed to enhance our graduate students’ experiences and provide a supportive and stimulating academic environment. We offer a blend of structure and flexibility allowing our graduate students to develop personally and professionally in order to better prepare them for the intellectual demands of tomorrow.

The Grad Club

The Grad Club, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Society of Graduate Students, is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to promote the interests of graduate students. A vibrant pub and restaurant for graduate students and faculty members, The Grad Club is the perfect place to meet new people and connect with friends and colleagues.

Campus Recreation

The Western Student Recreation Centre is a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2009 and provides a number of services to meet the diverse fitness and recreation needs of all Western students. The 160,000-square-foot facility – one of the largest of its kind at a Canadian university – was opened in part through the largest student donation at a Canadian school in history.

The $35-million space is located adjacent to the Thompson Recreation and Athletic Centre and provides ample opportunity for busy students to make fitness a part of their lifestyle.

McIntosh Gallery

The McIntosh Gallery is a university-based public art gallery serving Western University and the surrounding community. Built in 1942, McIntosh Gallery is the oldest university art gallery in Ontario. Guided by its mission to provide a platform for engagement with visual art and artists, McIntosh Gallery offers a range of exhibitions, educational programs and special events year-round. Admission to McIntosh Gallery is free.

Over a third of some 3,500 works in the McIntosh Gallery Collection is on display throughout campus in public spaces and offices. You may browse through the campus on a self-guided walking tour to experience these public artworks at your own pace.

Student Clubs and the University Community Centre

With over 19,500 members belonging to more than 180 clubs, the Clubs Community of the University Students' Council is the easiest way for Western students to get involved at the University. Each USC Club has a specific niche in our campus community. Whatever your interest may be, there will most likely be a club that satisfies your interests.

The University Students' Council is located in the University Community Centre (UCC), a comfortable environment that houses many useful services, campus organizations and retail outlets for students’ convenience. Thousands of staff, faculty, and students walk through the doors of the UCC each day. In addition to popular restaurants including The Wave and The Spoke, the UCC is also home to Western's very own movie theatre. Featuring the lowest ticket prices in London, Western Film is open 7 nights a week and shows all the latest movies just a few weeks after they debut.

A cosmopolitan centre set in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, London is the region's economic, entertainment and cultural hub. With a population of 422,000, London is Canada’s 11th largest city and is an ideal environment to live and pursue your studies. Big enough for the ‘big city’ experience, it boasts an extensive health care system and excellent business and career opportunities, while providing the safe and clean atmosphere of a small community.

London is called The Forest City in reference to its numerous, beautiful pathways and acres of rolling parkland. Its tree-lined boulevards and green parks invite cyclists and pedestrians to discover the charms of the city, built at the fork of the Thames River. Just down the road from Western, you will find the vibrant Richmond Street in the city centre – a fantastic blend of culture and heritage for you to explore.

Cost of Living

Important factors in deciding where to attend graduate school are the location and the cost of living in that community. Not only is London a vibrant cosmopolitan centre, but it offers many of the same benefits of a large city without the high cost of living.

To capture a more accurate estimate of all the costs associated with attending graduate school, please access our Graduate Student Affordability Calculator.

*Data provided by Rentals.ca Rental Report (March 2025) citing the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment.

Seasons

We experience four distinct and beautiful seasons, ranging from warm, breezy summers to colourful autumns, crisp, snowy winters, and refreshing springs. Each brings with it its own beauty and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Autumn is the perfect time to walk the city’s tree-lined streets and beautiful parks, while skating and skiing are popular pastimes in the winter. Spring and summer is best enjoyed in the sun, with London being close to several beaches including Grand Bend and Port Stanley.

Cultural Vitality

London is brimming with activity and culture. Boasting everything from concerts at Budweiser Gardens to exhibitions at Museum London, theatrical productions at The Grand Theatre and a large assortment of renowned restaurants, the Forest City is the perfect locale to experience.

Whether you enjoy shopping, movies, theatre, dancing, or sporting events, there is no lack of activities. Year-round, London has numerous festivals and cultural and community events, including Snowfest, Sunfest, Rock the Park, London Film Festival and World Beat and Jazz weekends. Beautiful parks and biking trails are just steps away from the lively Richmond Street, home to a bustling nightlife, niche shops, designer boutiques, cafes and fashionable dining. London is also considered a sporting hub and is home to the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights, a cultural mainstay of the city and its residents.

For an overview of activities and attractions the city of London has to offer, please visit Tourism London and City of London.

Family Life

With several family-friendly services including a variety of schools, health care facilities, after-school and special needs programs, children's camps, and community centres, the city of London provides parents, both current and expecting, a safe and desirable community to raise a family.

For an overview of family programs and services throughout London and surrounding regions, please visit Family Support.

Travel

Located in the centre of southwestern Ontario, London is approximately two hours driving distance from Toronto and Detroit. The London International Airport offers direct flights to Toronto, Chicago, Ottawa and Calgary, as well as many other connections to several Canadian destinations. If you want to travel to warmer climates or exotic places, the London International Airport has flights to Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica and several locations in Europe.

For directions to London, including city and campus maps, please visit Getting to London.

Internationalization is one of Western's institutional principles and values. We will embrace our role as an active member of the global academic community through the full range of our educational, research, scholarship, and community development activities that engage our students, faculty, staff, alumni and external partners.

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies has partnered with institutions around the world to provide international learning opportunities for our graduate students.

Please information on our current Dual-Credential Degree options please visit go to: grad.uwo.ca/admissions/dual_credential.html.

Applicants must possess a four-year degree from an accredited university. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires, at least, a 70% average across courses taken in the last two full-time years of the undergraduate degree. Equivalent qualifications may be considered based on the standards of the discipline or profession.

Applicants must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent from a university, college or institute, and provide evidence of research potential. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires, at least, a 70% average in the Master’s degree, as determined by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory* achievement within the last two years in one of the following:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). iBT (internet-Based Test): The minimum acceptable score is 86, with no individual score below 20. Please note that some programs require a higher minimum and/or band score. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score is 6.5 out of 9.
• The Duolingo English Test.  The minimum acceptable score is 115.
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The minimum acceptable score is 60.
• Western English Language Centre. The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level.
• Fanshawe College’s ESL Program. The requirement is graduation from Level 10, English for Academic Purposes, with a minimum 80% in all components.

*Programs at Western may require a higher minimum score than those listed above. Applicants who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to complete one of the above tests or programs and to have the official results sent directly to SGPS by the testing agency.

Exemptions

Applicants may request an exemption by contacting their graduate program(s) of interest. For the French and Hispanic Studies programs only, evidence of proficiency in English is a degree requirement but not a requirement for admission.