Chemistry (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD))

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Chemistry (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, from MSc entry; 15 terms, from BSc dire…, as listed by the university.

• What are the entry requirements?

  Programme admission requirements as published by Western: • A thesis-based MSc degree in chemistry, or a related discipline, from a recognized university, college, or institute with an overall academic standing of at least B+ (75%). • Excellent letters of recommendation. • Especially for applicants from related disciplines, provide a clear statement on your academic qualifications and how past training and experiences have positioned you for success in graduate teaching and research for the proposed area of study within chemistry. • For applicants who have not yet been conferred the MSc degree, all program requirements must be completed prior to the start of the PhD studies. Outstanding applicants possessing a four-year Bachelor of Science in chemistry, or a related discipline, from a recognized university, college, or institute with high academic standing and demonstrated research potential can apply for direct entry to the PhD program. || Additional requirements: • Previous degrees must have a research component. • Reference letters must be from a faculty member . || 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 furnish 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): • For tests taken before January 21, 2026 , Western requires a minimum overall score of 86, with no individual section score below 20. Some programs may require a higher minimum and/or specific band scores. Western’s TOEFL ID is 0984. • For tests taken on or after January 21, 2026 , Western requires a minimum overall score of 4.5, with no individual section score below 4. Some programs may require a higher minimum and/or specific band scores. Western’s TOEFL ID is 0984. • The International English Language Testing Service(IELTS)of the British Council . The minimum acceptable score for Chemistry is 7 in each category out of 9. The IELTS is offered in 6 test centres in the US and 3 in Canada. • The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The minimum acceptable score is 70 in each section. The CAEL Assessment is offered in several countries throughout the world as well as Canada. • Fanshawe College’s ESL Program . The requirement is graduation from Level 10, English for Academic Purposes, with a minimum 80% in all components. Official proof of graduation required. • Western English Language Centre . The requirement is successful completion of the program. Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL, IELTS, or CAEL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by the testing agency. Other formal evidence of graduate level proficiency in English (as determined by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies) may be considered in lieu of these test scores. · English: IELTS 7.0 (no band below 7.0); TOEFL iBT 86 · 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