Nursing (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD))

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Nursing (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)) cost?

  CAD 6,487 / year.

• What English score does it need?

  IELTS 7.0 overall is the score listed for this programme.

• How long is it?

  12 terms, as listed by the university.

• What are the entry requirements?

  Programme admission requirements as published by Western: Both general and program-specific requirements must be met to be considered for admission. All programs have one intake annually, beginning in September. • Completion of a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a program that is accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) or approved by an appropriate provincial nursing organization. • GPA of 78 per cent (B+) or higher • Undergraduate preparation in research and statistics • RN registration in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario and able to practice without restrictions (expect international students). • Current membership in the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (except international students). In addition to the general admission requirements listed above, applicants to this program must meet the following criteria: • Completion of a master's degree in Nursing (or other field related to health care). • Agreement for supervision from a faculty member whose research aligns with the applicant's interests and who has been approved to supervise PhD students. • Completion of a master’s thesis/research project. • Applicants from non-thesis Master's programs will also be considered, and may be asked to complete a Qualifying Research Project early in their program of study. • PhD applicants may be required to interview with a panel of core faculty as part of the application process. || Additional requirements: • International students must meet English language fluency requirements || 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: 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). The minimum acceptable score is 600 and minimum score of 5/6 on the Test of Written English (paper-based test); minimum total score of 250 and minimum score of 5/6 on the Test of Written English (computer-based test); minimum score of 100, with no score less than 23 on each of the four skill categories (internet-based test).[Western's TOEFL ID is 0984]. • The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score is 7 out of 9 on the overall test and on each subcomponent. • The Duolingo English Test . The minimum acceptable score is 140. • Western English Language Centre . The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level. • Applicants whose current IELTS scores are 6.5 can complete the English Boost program. • Students may contact WELC for a free assessment of English fluency and a determination of the length of any recommended program. • Applicants are responsible for the costs of this program. 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. · English: IELTS 7.0 (no band below 7.0); Duolingo English Test 140 · 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: CAD 2,000.00 - Table 2, line 53 'Graduate Professional Programs Tuition Deposit fee, International (Masters and PhD), 2,000', under the heading 'Faculty of Health Science (CSD, Nursing, OT, PT, Health Studies, Kinesiology, HRS)'. The general international master's deposit, Table 2 line 226, is also CAD 2,000.00 non-refundable. Source: 2026-2027 Program-Related Tuition Fees (Table 2), 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