Doctorate in Philosophy Civil Engineering at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Civil Engineering program at the University of Ottawa is designed for students who wish to engage in advanced research in the field of civil engineering. Offered through the Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Civil Engineering, this program combines the resources and expertise of both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. Students will have access to a wide range of research facilities and faculty members, allowing them to explore various areas of civil engineering, including construction management, environmental engineering, and sustainable materials. The program is conducted in English and is structured to be completed within a maximum of four years.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Civil Engineering program is structured to provide a comprehensive educational experience that includes both coursework and research components. Key details of the program structure include:

Program Length: The program is designed to be completed within four years.
Registration Status: Students can register on a full-time basis.
Research Opportunities: Students can engage in research activities at both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, benefiting from shared resources.
Thesis Requirement: A doctoral thesis based on original research is a core requirement of the program.
Comprehensive Examination: Students must complete a comprehensive examination as part of their progression in the program.
Program Options: The program may include opportunities for joint research projects and collaboration with industry partners.

Students are encouraged to identify a thesis supervisor early in their studies, as this will determine their primary campus location and the university that awards their degree.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy Civil Engineering program offers several unique experiences that enhance the educational journey of its students:

Joint Program: The program is part of the Ottawa-Carleton Joint Program, allowing students to benefit from the combined strengths of two leading universities.
Research Facilities: Students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities shared between the two campuses.
Collaborative Research: Opportunities for collaboration with faculty members from both universities, fostering a rich research environment.
Seminars: Participation in doctoral seminars where students present their research and engage with peers and faculty.
Field Research: Opportunities for field research in various areas of civil engineering, enhancing practical learning.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Civil Engineering program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Civil Engineer: Design and oversee construction projects, ensuring compliance with regulations and safety standards.
Research Scientist: Conduct advanced research in civil engineering, focusing on innovative materials and sustainable practices.
Project Manager: Manage large-scale engineering projects, coordinating teams and resources to meet project goals.
Environmental Consultant: Advise organizations on environmental impact assessments and sustainable engineering practices.
Academician: Teach and conduct research at universities, contributing to the education of future engineers.

These roles leverage the advanced knowledge and research skills developed during the doctoral program, preparing graduates for impactful careers in the engineering field.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Civil Engineering, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	No

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a related master's with thesis degree

Average time to completion

12 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Environmental Engineering/Geotechnical Engineering/Structural Engineering/Water Resources Engineering

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:	TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Preference form Resume Graduates from other programs have to take all undergraduate mathematics + must have command of English and a minimum of four relevant undergraduate courses 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

Applicants must be able to understand and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Note: Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.

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.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!