Required Documents

In order to apply to graduate studies at Western, it is important that you understand the essential elements of the Western graduate school application. No application is considered until it is complete. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents (e.g., transcripts, references, test results such as TOEFL scores) are submitted by the program`s deadline for application.

First, please read the Admission requirements page. Then, provide us with the following required documents:

1. A completed on-line application form (Application fee: $75)
2. Transcripts
3. Electronic References
4. An original TOEFL report
5. Statement of academic intent
6. Application for Teaching Assistantship
7. PhD background Statement (for PhD applicants)

Transcripts

To support your application, you must forward one official academic transcript* from each post-secondary institution attended. These documents should be mailed directly to the Department.

• Past or current students of The University of Western Ontario do not need to provide transcripts for their academic history at Western. This information will be obtained internally.
• If you have attended or are currently enrolled at any Ontario university or college other than the University of Western Ontario you may use the electronic application process in order to request transcripts. These transcripts will be delivered electronically to each of the programs to which you are applying.
• All other transcripts must be forwarded in hard copy to the graduate program(s) you are applying to at Western to complete your application.

*Western considers a transcript official only if it is received in a university envelope that is sealed and signed on the flap by the official person in the office issuing the transcript. If the transcript and the degree certificate are not in English, a certified translation must also be included. (Non-English transcripts from institutions within Canada do not require a translation.)

All documents and transcripts submitted to The University of Western Ontario become the property of the University and will not be returned.

References

Through a secure process, our application requests you to input your references`contact information, allowing Western to contact them electronically; no paper reference letters are required. Once your application is collected by Western, we will distribute these requests to your referees via e-mail and confirm their transmission with you alongside information on how to update/add/delete any previously submitted references. This process could take a few days.

An original TOEFL report

If your mother tongue is not English and you have not attended a university or college in a country whose first language is English for the past two years, then you must take a TOEFL exam and achieve a score of at least 92 with a minimum of 20 in each section.

The TOEFL test date must be within two years of the first term of registration at The University of Western Ontario. You should arrange for the testing agency to send us an original copy of your TOEFL report. Western`s TOEFL identifier is 0984. Permanent residents may be required to submit a TOEFL score.

We also accept the results of some other tests as proof of proficiency in English. For more details, read the Admission requirements page.

Statement of academic intent (see OUAC application form)

Your statement of purpose should be brief, yet as specific as possible. Include information such as: planned course of study, possible project/thesis topic, long-term career objectives, specific area(s) of interest, relevant job and research experience.

Application for Teaching Assistantship (available online in doc format)

You need to complete this application only if you wish to be considered for admission to our thesis or project program. You can send this document to our department either by mail to the address on the bottom of this page or you can send by email to gradsec@csd.uwo.ca.

Application Due Dates

* Our primary entry is in the fall term

Applications received after the deadline will still be considered, although chances of being accepted will decrease.

General Comments

In the case that you are not admitted, we cannot transfer your file. Should you apply again, a new application, including new references, new documentation (if out-dated), and new application fees, is required.

For applicants who received their university education outside Canada or the U.S.A.