Doctorate in Philosophy Digital Transformation and Innovation 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 Digital Transformation and Innovation program at the University of Ottawa is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to navigate and lead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This program is a collaborative effort among multiple faculties, including the Telfer School of Management, the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Engineering. It focuses on the profound changes brought about by digital technology, emphasizing the importance of innovation in creating and managing user experiences in both business and social contexts. The program is delivered in English and is structured to foster a deep understanding of the intersection between technology, data, and societal transformation.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Digital Transformation and Innovation program is structured to be completed within four years of full-time study. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive educational experience through a combination of coursework, research, and practical application. Key features of the program structure include:

Interdisciplinary approach involving multiple faculties
Compulsory and optional courses tailored to the field of digital transformation
Comprehensive examination to assess knowledge and readiness for research
Thesis proposal and doctoral thesis as a culmination of research efforts

Students may also have opportunities for co-op placements or internships, allowing them to gain practical experience in the field. The program emphasizes collaboration and research across disciplines, preparing graduates for leadership roles in digital innovation.

Featured Experiences

Interdisciplinary Research: Collaboration between the Telfer School of Management, Faculty of Arts, and Faculty of Engineering enhances the learning experience.
Research Workshops: Students participate in workshops focused on developing research proposals and methodologies.
Comprehensive Examination: A two-part examination that assesses students' understanding and readiness for doctoral research.
Thesis Proposal Defense: Students must defend their thesis proposals before a committee, ensuring rigorous academic standards.
Practical Experience: Opportunities for international work terms provide real-world experience in digital transformation.

Career Options

Digital Transformation Consultant: Advises organizations on integrating digital technologies to improve processes and customer experiences.
Data Analyst: Analyzes data to provide insights that drive business decisions and strategies in digital environments.
User Experience (UX) Designer: Focuses on enhancing user satisfaction by improving the usability and accessibility of digital products.
Innovation Manager: Leads initiatives to foster innovation within organizations, ensuring they remain competitive in a digital landscape.
Researcher in Digital Technologies: Conducts research on emerging digital trends and technologies, contributing to academic and industry knowledge.

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

Digital Transformation and Innovation, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	No

Minimum Requirements

Hold a master's degree with thesis and a minimum average of A- in one of the following:
MSc in Digital Transformation and Innovation, in Management, in Health Systems, or in Systems Science;
MASc in Electrical and Computer Engineering;
Master of Computer Science;
Master of Information Studies;
MA in Communication;
A master's in a related, relevant discipline.

Exceptionally, applicants holding a master’s degree without thesis may be considered provided their file includes scholarly publications or equivalent evidence of their capacity for advanced research.

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:	TOEFL 100/New TOEFL 5 / IELTS Overall 7.0 - Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Resume Letter of Intent - statement of your research interests Preference form 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

TOEFL 100/New TOEFL 5 / IELTS Overall 7.0 - Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)

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!