How to Apply

Statement for International Applicants:
Our outstanding graduate program provides full funding and many of our graduates go on to have remarkable careers. We generally receive a large number of international applications with only a few spots available in our program. As a result, our admission rate for international students is below 5%.

===================================================================

September 2024 Admissions

We have only one admissions round annually for September entry. The admissions application for September 2024 entry will open mid-October 2023 (date tba). The deadline for both domestic and international applicants will be early-December 2023 (tba).

Note that the emphasis of our graduate programs is doctoral level research. The default point of entry for an applicant with a qualifying bachelor’s degree is the direct-entry PhD degree program.

Degree Programs

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics offers dynamic and competitive doctoral programs which emphasize research. Students in our direct-entry PhD are immediately engaged in research in the first year of the program through two consecutive research projects, each under the supervision of a different faculty member.

The department is actively engaged in a wide range of observational and theoretical research. Close ties with the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA), the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Centre for Planetary Sciences (CPS) further enhance the opportunities to interact with leading researchers and provide great flexibility to students with a broad array of interests giving them the option to work with a supervisor from one of these sibling units.

We provide two doctoral degree tracks:

PhD-U (Direct Entry): for applicants with a qualifying bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. This track is structured as a five year program which in its first year combines coursework with intensive research.

Since many universities do not offer extensive undergraduate training in astronomy and astrophysics, a substantive background in physics that includes a significant number of advanced courses (preferably including electromagnetism and quantum mechanics) along with a solid mathematical foundation may be considered acceptable preparation.

PhD: for applicants with an MSc degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics or an MSc degree in another appropriate discipline deemed equivalent may be considered for admissions to the PhD program. This track is a four-year program focused on a doctoral thesis project. Please note that it is up to the Admissions Committee to determine whether the applicant’s MSc degree is sufficient for entry to the PhD program; alternately the applicant may be considered for admissions to the PhD U (direct entry) track.

Admissions Criteria

Please refer to our graduate admissions criteria document for details on the evaluation process.