
Course at a Glance
- PhDDegree level
- Main Campus, London, Ontario, CanadaLocation
- Schulich School of Medicine & DentistryField of study
- EnglishLanguage of instruction
- Main Campus, London, OntarioCampus
- Collaborative SpecializationAwards
- Tuition on request — ask our teamFees
- AvailableScholarship
About this programme
A Collaborative Specialization is an intra-university graduate field of study that provides an additional multidisciplinary experience for students enrolled in and completing the degree requirements for one of a number of approved Master’s and/or PhD programs. Students meet the admission requirements of, and register in, the participating (or “home”) program but complete, in addition to the degree requirements of that program, the additional requirements specified by the Collaborative Specialization.
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The degree conferred is that of the home program, and the completion of the Collaborative Specialization is indicated by a transcript notation indicating the additional specialization that has been attained (e.g., PhD in Chemistry with specialization in Molecular Imaging).
Is this course right for you?
Our counsellors check your profile against this programme's entry criteria and tell you where you stand — before you pay anything.
What we look at
- Your subject background and grades
- Your English score, or how to get one
- Budget, including living costs
University & programme
- Listed from the catalogueNot yet staff-verified — ask us to confirm the details.
- English requirementIELTS Overall 6.5
- Study modeFull-time or part-time study | Western's Program Design: Thesis…
Admissions checklist
Entry requirements
Programme admission requirements as published by Western: • Current enrolment in a participating graduate program at Western University. • Permission of home department supervisor to participate in the Collaborative Specialization. • Supervisor must be an associated faculty member or be willing to become associated with the Specialization. || Western requires concurrent enrolment in one of the participating home degree programmes: Anatomy and Cell Biology MSc (Research); Anatomy and Cell Biology PhD; Biochemistry MSc; Biochemistry PhD; Chemistry MSc; Chemistry PhD; Medical Biophysics MSc; Medical Biophysics PhD; Microbiology and Immunology MSc; Microbiology and Immunology PhD; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine MSc; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine PhD; A Collaborative Specialization is an intra-university graduate field of study that provides an additional multidisciplinary experience for students enrolled in and completing the degree requirements for one of a number of approved Master’s and/or PhD programs. Students meet the admission requirements of, and register in, the participating (or “home”) program but complete, in addition to the degree requirements of that program, the additional requirements specified by the Collaborative Specialization. The degree conferred is that of the home program, and the completion of the Collaborative Specialization is indicated by a transcript notation indicating the additional specialization that has been attained (e.g., PhD in Chemistry with specialization in Molecular Imaging).. || SGPS university-wide minimum - Master's: 'Applicants must possess a four-year degree from a university, college or institute. 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.' Doctoral: '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.' Source: https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/international/index.html || English language proficiency: This programme page publishes no English Language Proficiency section. The scores shown are Western's SGPS university-wide minimum. Western's School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) university-wide minimum, from grad.uwo.ca 'How to Apply' / 'International Applicants': TOEFL iBT overall 86 with no section below 20 for tests taken before 21 January 2026, or overall 4.5 with no section below 4 for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 (Western's TOEFL ID is 0984); IELTS Academic 6.5 out of 9; Duolingo English Test 115; CAEL Assessment 60; or successful completion of the Western English Language Centre High-Advanced level, or graduation from Level 10 of Fanshawe College's ESL English for Academic Purposes with a minimum 80% in all components. Western states: 'Programs at Western may require a higher minimum score than those listed above.' · English: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT 86; Duolingo English Test 115 · English test waiver: Western does not publish a blanket country or medium-of-instruction waiver for graduate admission. SGPS states the requirement applies to 'Applicants whose first language is not English', and under '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.' Western also offers a conditional route instead of a test: the Western English Language Centre 'allows academically eligible students interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Western the opportunity to receive a conditional offer of admission to graduate studies without successful completion of an English language proficiency test', on condition the student completes the Centre's programme. Source: https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/apply.html and https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/international/index.html · Application fee: CAD 185.00 - 2026-2027 Application Fees Table 3, Graduate Programs: 'All other graduate programs 185'. Source: 2026-2027 Application Fees (Table 3), https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/2026-27-Application-Fees.pdf · Deposit: Western publishes no tuition deposit for this programme in the 2026-2027 Program-Related Tuition Fees (Table 2). The only general graduate deposits listed there are line 226 'Tuition Deposit, Full-time International Masters, non-refundable, 2,000' and line 222 'Admission Deferral Deposit, non-refundable, 500'. Source: https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/2026-27-Program-Related-Fees2.pdf
The usual set for this level. Your counsellor confirms the exact list for this university.
- Academic transcripts
- English test score (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Passport copy
- Statement of purpose (optional)
- Recommendation letters (optional)
Cost & scholarships
- TuitionTuition on request — ask our team
- Living costsVary by city — see the destination guide.
- ScholarshipsWestern Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS), Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Fellowships and Graduate Student Assistantships are administered by the graduate programme; SGPS states 'Decisions regarding the structure, sources and annual amount of your graduate funding over the course of your program are made primarily at the Faculty and/or graduate program.' Doctoral funding guarantee, open to international students: 'For domestic and international doctoral students who start their program in September 2026 (September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027), Western guarantees a minimum annual funding support package of $17,000, plus $6,487 for tuition, for a total of $23,487.' Average funding received from all sources: Doctoral CAD 35,476 (2025), Master's CAD 26,277 (2025). International students are eligible for Western's Graduate Bursary and for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). Western lists formalised international sponsorship partnerships with: CGS-Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements, China Scholarship Council, Libya North-American Scholarship Program, Egypt Cultural and Educational Bureau, Mitacs Globalink Research Awards, Organization of American States Program, Rhodes Scholarships, Russia Global Education Program, Saudi Arabia King Abdullah Scholarship Program and the Vietnam International Education Development Program. SourceView scholarship page
Application timeline
Typical timings. Deadlines differ per university and intake.
- 1Prepare documents1–2 weeks
- 2Submit application1–3 weeks
- 3Receive offer letter2–6 weeks
- 4Apply for visa4–8 weeks
Application deadline: Western's SGPS programme page for this programme publishes no application deadline. SGPS states: 'Each individual graduate program has specific deadlines for both domestic and international students. Students must review their program(s) website to ensur…
Visa & support journey
- Offer letterFrom the university
- Visa guidanceExpert support
- Pre-departureAccommodation & travel
- Ongoing supportEven after you arrive
Student stories
Real students. Real results.
- Average rating
- 4.9
- Google reviews
- 360+
- Rated five stars
- 95%
Average rating
Google reviews
Rated five stars
“I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent assistance provided during my student visa process. The team was responsive, knowledgeable, and supportive at every stage, from document preparation to submission guidance. Their clear communication and professional approach made the process much easier and more efficient.”
1 / 8
Nihad K, 5 out of 5 stars
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Frequently asked questions
What English score does it need?
IELTS 6.5 overall is the score listed for this programme.
What are the entry requirements?
Programme admission requirements as published by Western: • Current enrolment in a participating graduate program at Western University. • Permission of home department supervisor to participate in the Collaborative Specialization. • Supervisor must be an associated faculty member or be willing to become associated with the Specialization. || Western requires concurrent enrolment in one of the participating home degree programmes: Anatomy and Cell Biology MSc (Research); Anatomy and Cell Biology PhD; Biochemistry MSc; Biochemistry PhD; Chemistry MSc; Chemistry PhD; Medical Biophysics MSc; Medical Biophysics PhD; Microbiology and Immunology MSc; Microbiology and Immunology PhD; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine MSc; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine PhD; A Collaborative Specialization is an intra-university graduate field of study that provides an additional multidisciplinary experience for students enrolled in and completing the degree requirements for one of a number of approved Master’s and/or PhD programs. Students meet the admission requirements of, and register in, the participating (or “home”) program but complete, in addition to the degree requirements of that program, the additional requirements specified by the Collaborative Specialization. The degree conferred is that of the home program, and the completion of the Collaborative Specialization is indicated by a transcript notation indicating the additional specialization that has been attained (e.g., PhD in Chemistry with specialization in Molecular Imaging).. || SGPS university-wide minimum - Master's: 'Applicants must possess a four-year degree from a university, college or institute. 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.' Doctoral: '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.' Source: https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/international/index.html || English language proficiency: This programme page publishes no English Language Proficiency section. The scores shown are Western's SGPS university-wide minimum. Western's School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) university-wide minimum, from grad.uwo.ca 'How to Apply' / 'International Applicants': TOEFL iBT overall 86 with no section below 20 for tests taken before 21 January 2026, or overall 4.5 with no section below 4 for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 (Western's TOEFL ID is 0984); IELTS Academic 6.5 out of 9; Duolingo English Test 115; CAEL Assessment 60; or successful completion of the Western English Language Centre High-Advanced level, or graduation from Level 10 of Fanshawe College's ESL English for Academic Purposes with a minimum 80% in all components. Western states: 'Programs at Western may require a higher minimum score than those listed above.' · English: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT 86; Duolingo English Test 115 · English test waiver: Western does not publish a blanket country or medium-of-instruction waiver for graduate admission. SGPS states the requirement applies to 'Applicants whose first language is not English', and under '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.' Western also offers a conditional route instead of a test: the Western English Language Centre 'allows academically eligible students interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Western the opportunity to receive a conditional offer of admission to graduate studies without successful completion of an English language proficiency test', on condition the student completes the Centre's programme. Source: https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/apply.html and https://grad.uwo.ca/admissions/international/index.html · Application fee: CAD 185.00 - 2026-2027 Application Fees Table 3, Graduate Programs: 'All other graduate programs 185'. Source: 2026-2027 Application Fees (Table 3), https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/2026-27-Application-Fees.pdf · Deposit: Western publishes no tuition deposit for this programme in the 2026-2027 Program-Related Tuition Fees (Table 2). The only general graduate deposits listed there are line 226 'Tuition Deposit, Full-time International Masters, non-refundable, 2,000' and line 222 'Admission Deferral Deposit, non-refundable, 500'. Source: https://registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/2026-27-Program-Related-Fees2.pdf
Is there a scholarship?
Western Graduate Research Scholarship (WGRS), Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Fellowships and Graduate Student Assistantships are administered by the graduate programme; SGPS states 'Decisions regarding the structure, sources and annual amount of your graduate funding over the course of your program are made primarily at the Faculty and/or graduate program.' Doctoral funding guarantee, open to international students: 'For domestic and international doctoral students who start their program in September 2026 (September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027), Western guarantees a minimum annual funding support package of $17,000, plus $6,487 for tuition, for a total of $23,487.' Average funding received from all sources: Doctoral CAD 35,476 (2025), Master's CAD 26,277 (2025). International students are eligible for Western's Graduate Bursary and for the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). Western lists formalised international sponsorship partnerships with: CGS-Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements, China Scholarship Council, Libya North-American Scholarship Program, Egypt Cultural and Educational Bureau, Mitacs Globalink Research Awards, Organization of American States Program, Rhodes Scholarships, Russia Global Education Program, Saudi Arabia King Abdullah Scholarship Program and the Vietnam International Education Development Program. Source View scholarship page
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