Doctorate in Philosophy in Geography 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 in Geography at the University of Ottawa is designed for students who wish to explore the intricate relationships between human society and the physical world. This program emphasizes research and teaching across various subfields, including human and physical geography, environmental studies, and geomatics. Students will engage with critical topics such as polar environments, urban geography, climate change, and GIS and remote sensing. The program is thesis-based, allowing students to contribute original research to the field of geography while developing a comprehensive understanding of the discipline.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Geography is structured to provide a robust academic experience over a maximum duration of six years. Students are required to complete the program within four years under normal circumstances. Key components of the program include:

Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) formation during the first term to guide students through their academic journey.
At least six terms of full-time enrollment at the University of Ottawa.
Comprehensive examinations to assess students' knowledge and readiness for thesis work.
Opportunities for additional coursework based on the candidate's background.
Transfer options from Master’s to PhD for eligible students.

Students will also have the chance to participate in collaborative programs, enhancing their academic experience and research opportunities.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Geography offers several unique experiences that enrich the academic journey:

Supervised internships that provide practical experience in external organizations or within the department.
Research opportunities in various strategic areas, including sustainable environments and social justice.
Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and resources at the University of Ottawa.
Participation in seminars and workshops that foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among students and faculty.
Engagement in comprehensive examinations and thesis defenses that prepare students for professional research careers.

Career Options

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

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst: Utilize spatial data to analyze and interpret geographic information for urban planning and environmental management.
Environmental Consultant: Advise organizations on environmental best practices and sustainability initiatives, focusing on climate change and resource management.
Urban Planner: Develop plans and programs for land use in urban areas, considering social, economic, and environmental factors.
Research Scientist: Conduct research in academic or governmental settings, focusing on human-environment interactions and geographic phenomena.
Policy Analyst: Analyze and develop policies related to geography, environment, and urban development, providing insights to government and non-profit organizations.

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

Geography, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

B+ (75%) in a master's degree (or equivalent) in Geography, or a related discipline

Average time to completion

16 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):

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) (Internet-based)
English Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)

Required document(s):

Resume (must include chronological academic history)
Letter of intent

Format:
• Maximum 500-1000 words, typed

Content:
1.   Your motivations to pursue graduate studies.
2.   The objectives of your research. Explain the problem or question you are interested in, and why you believe it is important to undertake this research.
3.   The context of your research situated in relevant academic literature. Demonstrate how your research is an original contribution to the field.
4.   Your methodological approach (if applicable).
5.   The name of at least one full-time professor in the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics (see the list of professors in Uniweb), who you have been in touch with and who has agreed to supervise your graduate studies. It is important that you contact a professor prior to submitting your application to be accepted into your chosen program.
6.   A description of your methods of financing your studies, including personal resources. If applicable, explain whether you have submitted applications to obtain graduate studies scholarships from relevant agencies and whether you have obtained them.
7.   Please include the following table at the end of your letter of intent and indicate your level of proficiency in each official language (possible answers: excellent, good, fair and poor).

	English	French
Written Expression
Verbal Expression
Reading

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

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!