Admission Requirements
Feminist and Gender Studies, PhD
Degree Offered:
PhD
Available Options for Program
Student status
| Full-Time: |
Yes |
| Part-Time: |
No |
Language
Minimum Requirements
B+ (75%) in a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies, master’s degree with a specialization in Women’s Studies. Applicants with a master’s degree in a related field will also be considered if the subject of their thesis or research paper is linked to women’s studies.
Average time to completion
12 terms
Your complete admission package must include
| Application Fee: | CA$125.00 (non-refundable) |
| Recommendation letter(s): | 2
It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation. |
| Transcript(s): | 1
You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation.
Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply.
Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa. |
Language requirements (if applicable)
Language proficiency test scores equivalencies: | French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Paper-based)
English Program: TOEFL 580 / IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based)
French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based)
English Program: TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)
IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based)
IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Internet-based) |
| Required document(s): |
- Description of your research project
- Resumé required
- Confirmation of supervision (Please upload an email confirmation of supervision from your potential supervisor via uoDoc)
Applicants are advised that all admission documents are considered final once submitted. Revised, updated, or replacement documents will not be accepted after submission.
Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.
|
Language Requirements
Program-Specific English Requirements
Language Requirements
Proficiency in either English or French is required. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. The list of acceptable proofs is indicated in the “Admission” section of the academic regulations of in effect for graduate studies.
Transfer to the PhD Program
Students enrolled in the MA program in Feminist and Gender Studies, whose academic performance is exceptional and who have demonstrated good aptitude for doctoral research (as evaluated by the Feminist and Gender Studies Graduate Committee) may be admitted to the PhD program without having to complete their MA. To qualify for transfer to the PhD program, students must have completed four graduate courses (12 units) including three FEM courses with a minimum average of 80% (A-); have demonstrated potential for doctoral-level research; and have received approval from the Feminist and Gender Studies Graduate Committee.
Transfer to the PhD program must take place within the 16 months following initial enrollment for the master’s degree. Following transfer, students must successfully complete two graduate FEM courses (6 units), the comprehensive examination (within the 24 months following transfer), the thesis proposal and prepare the doctoral thesis.
The request for transfer must be made during the third term of full-time enrollment (or equivalent), and the transfer must take place before the end of the fourth term.
The application file must include a curriculum vitae, official transcripts and two letters of recommendation. Applicants must also submit a letter of intent describing their interest in studying in one of the fields of the program, their research interests and their university and practical experience deemed relevant for admission to the program.
General Graduate English Requirements
English proficiency test chart
| Test | Minimum Required Score |
|---|
| TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)* | 84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20 |
| TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)* | 4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking) |
| IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake | 6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6 |
| Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency) | 170 (overall); no partial score below 160 |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English) | 60 (overall); no partial score below 59 |
| CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test) | 70 (overall); no partial score below 60 |
* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.
The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.
French proficiency test chart
| Test | Minimum Required Score |
|---|
| DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) | C1/C2 |
| TCF (Test de connaissance du français) | B2 (overall); no partial score below B2 |
| TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français) | B2 (overall); no partial score below B2 |
Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.
DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.
