Sustainable Systems Engineering — Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Thesis-based)
CanadaCourse at a Glance
- PhDDegree level
- 4 yearsDuration
- Main Campus, CanadaLocation
- Schulich School of EngineeringField of study
- EnglishLanguage of instruction
- Main CampusCampus
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Awards
- $8,576Fees
- AvailableScholarship
About this programme
This program will be attractive to students with engineering or science degrees (either recent graduates or those with some years of industry experience) who want to develop a deep understanding of sustainability from a systems perspective and how design choices can affect sustainability outcomes. Graduates of the Sustainable Systems Engineering (SUSE) PhD program will be prepared to identify the factors that lead to negative environmental impacts; envision and evaluate design options that can mitigate environmental impacts or regenerate the environment; and anticipate how these designs will be perceived by stakeholders.
Read more
This includes systems relating to cities and communities, energy, materials, food, agriculture and biomass. Students will develop new knowledge on how to integrate principles of sustainability and regenerative design into complex systems. This is an interdisciplinary specialization. Completing this program • Courses: Topic may include Sustainability Principles in Engineering Practice, Systems Modelling, Simulation, and Analysis, Decision Making for Sustainability, Energy Systems Modelling, and Distributed Energy Sources/Remote Systems and Life Cycle Assessment. • Professional Development Courses: Students take two professional development courses on communication styles, presentation skills and more. • Internship: An eight-month, full-time or twelve-month, part-time paid internship. Students with extensive professional or industry experience may request an exemption from the internship; the program director will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis. • Candidacy: Students will complete a Literature Review, Thesis Proposal and the Field of Study (FoS) oral examination. • Doctoral Courses: See courses. Selection will be discussed with the supervisor and will be based on students’ focus areas. • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
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
Canada- Listed from the catalogueNot yet staff-verified — ask us to confirm the details.
- English requirementIELTS Overall 6.5
- Study modeThesis-based program
Admissions checklist
Entry requirements
GPA: A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the graduate degree. | Minimum education: MSc degree, or transfer from MSc program, or, in exceptional cases, BSc or BEng degree or equivalent. | Documents: • CV • Research Proposal | Reference letters: Two · English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 86; PTE Academic 59; Duolingo English Test 125 · English test waiver: The department or graduate program may waive the English proficiency-testing requirement in certain circumstances, such as the possession of a baccalaureate degree or its academic equivalent from a recognised institution in which the language of instruction is English. Applicants are told to contact the graduate program to which they plan to apply. Source: G.A.1 Graduate Qualifications, https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/pages/833465eb455d4f95aed3e67c017fcd04 · Application fee: CAD 145.00 for International Students (CAD 125.00 for Canadians or Permanent residents), paid when the online application is submitted. Source: Faculty of Graduate Studies Applying for grad studies, https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply
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
- Tuition$8,576 CAD / year≈ $6,306 / year
- Living costsVary by city — see the destination guide.
- ScholarshipsFull-time students registered in a graduate degree program are eligible for awards and financial assistance, and select awards are available for prospective students; applicants are encouraged to apply for awards at the same time as they apply for admission. The University states that international students are eligible for award applications that do not specify Canadian residency. Government student loans are limited to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and American citizens. 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: For admission on September 1: / • Canadians and permanent residents - apply by March 1 | submit all supporting documents by March 30 / • International students - apply by March 1 | submit all supporting documents by March 30 / For admission on January 1:…
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
How much does Sustainable Systems Engineering — Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Thesis-based) cost?
CAD 8,576 / year.
What English score does it need?
IELTS 6.5 overall is the score listed for this programme.
How long is it?
4 years, as listed by the university.
What are the entry requirements?
GPA: A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the graduate degree. | Minimum education: MSc degree, or transfer from MSc program, or, in exceptional cases, BSc or BEng degree or equivalent. | Documents: • CV • Research Proposal | Reference letters: Two · English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 86; PTE Academic 59; Duolingo English Test 125 · English test waiver: The department or graduate program may waive the English proficiency-testing requirement in certain circumstances, such as the possession of a baccalaureate degree or its academic equivalent from a recognised institution in which the language of instruction is English. Applicants are told to contact the graduate program to which they plan to apply. Source: G.A.1 Graduate Qualifications, https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/pages/833465eb455d4f95aed3e67c017fcd04 · Application fee: CAD 145.00 for International Students (CAD 125.00 for Canadians or Permanent residents), paid when the online application is submitted. Source: Faculty of Graduate Studies Applying for grad studies, https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply
Is there a scholarship?
Full-time students registered in a graduate degree program are eligible for awards and financial assistance, and select awards are available for prospective students; applicants are encouraged to apply for awards at the same time as they apply for admission. The University states that international students are eligible for award applications that do not specify Canadian residency. Government student loans are limited to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and American citizens. Source View scholarship page
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