Application Process and Required Documents

All applications to the MESc and PhD programs must be completed through Western's electronic graduate admissions application.

To be considered for admission, all applications must include the following information:

A completed online application form
Letters of recommendation: two letters are required for MESc applications, three letters for PhD applications
Academic transcript(s) for all post‐secondary schools you have attended
Statement of Purpose/Letter of Intent
CV/Resume
Proof of English Language Proficiency (if applicable)
Graduate application fee of $150.00 CAD - this fee is paid at the time of application and no fee waivers are granted

Please visit the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' website for detailed information on how to complete your electronic application.

For more information about the supporting documentation that must be digitally submitted along with an electronic application, please see below. The following documents should be submitted prior to our application deadlines, which are also listed below. Documents must be uploaded as a .pdf file with a file size of less than 3 MB.

Electronic Documents Required

References

Two reference letters are required for applications to the MESc program, and three reference letters are required for applications to the PhD program.
The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will automatically send requests for recommendation letters to the referees that you name in your electronic application. Your referees will be able to submit their reference letters electronically.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts must be provided for each higher educational institution (post-secondary institution) attended.
Western makes it possible for an applicant to submit documentation in digital format (gray scale or black & white work best). Uploaded documents should be in .pdf format in a size less than 3 MB.
Non-legible scans cannot be accepted.
If you are offered admission to the MESc or PhD program, you will be required to provide original and official transcript and degree documentation (including translations) to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. An official transcript is a transcript in an unopened envelope with the institution's stamp on the seal.
Notarized documents cannot be accepted as valid official documentation.
All documents and transcripts submitted to Western University become the property of the university and will not be returned.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

Applicants are only exempt from providing proof of English Language Proficiency if they have at least two full-time years of post-secondary education in an academic degree program, in an English speaking institution which is located in a country whose primary language is English.
For more information about our English Language Proficiency requirements and the assessments that we accept, please see our English Language Proficiency webpage.

Statement of Purpose/Letter of Intent

Your statement of purpose/letter of intent should be no longer than 500 words.

CV/Resume

CV/Resume, listing academic and employment background, publications, awards and other accomplishments.

Proof of Permanent Residency (if applicable)

One copy of your permanent residency card, if you are a permanent resident.

Study Permit (if applicable)

One copy of your study permit, if you are already in possession of one.

Name Change (if applicable)

Official government documentation verifying a name change, if supporting documentation is in a different name. Example of valid proof is a passport, marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.

Application Deadlines

The following are recommended timelines by which to submit your application to allow for processing time for your intended term of admission.

Residency Status	January (Winter)	May (Summer)	September (Fall)
Canadian Citizen/Permanent Resident	November 1st	March 1st	July 1st
International	July 1st	November 1st	December 15th

The deadlines for international applications are set to allow enough time for the assessment procedure and visa/study permit processing. If an application is not complete by our stated deadline, we cannot guarantee that it will be considered for the chosen admission term.