Doctorate in Philosophy in Spanish 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 Spanish at the University of Ottawa is designed to provide advanced training in the literatures and cultures of Spain and Latin America, as well as in Hispanic linguistics. This program benefits from the theoretical and comparative research interests of the department's professors. It aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their academic and professional pursuits within the field of Spanish studies.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Spanish is structured to ensure comprehensive training and research opportunities for students. The program is designed to be completed within a maximum of six years, with an expected completion time of four years. Key components of the program include:

Completion of five 3-unit courses, including compulsory and optional courses.
A comprehensive examination that includes both written and oral components, to be completed within 18 months of enrollment.
Development and submission of a PhD thesis, guided by an academic advisor.
Formation of a Thesis Advisory Committee to support students throughout their program.

Students are expected to maintain a minimum passing grade of C+ in all courses, and those who fail two courses or whose research progress is deemed unsatisfactory may be required to withdraw from the program.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Spanish offers several unique features and experiences that enhance the academic journey of its students:

Participation in a collaborative program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the MA level.
Access to a Thesis Advisory Committee that provides guidance on course selection, comprehensive examinations, and thesis proposals.
Opportunities for research in a vibrant academic environment, supported by the University of Ottawa's strong research community.
Engagement with faculty members who are experts in their fields, fostering a rich learning experience.

Career Options

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

University Professor: Teaching and conducting research in Spanish literature, linguistics, or cultural studies at the post-secondary level.
Researcher: Engaging in academic or applied research in institutions focused on Hispanic studies or linguistics.
Translator: Providing translation services for literary works, academic papers, or other documents between Spanish and other languages.
Editor: Working with publishing houses to edit and publish works in Spanish literature or academic texts.
Cultural Consultant: Advising organizations on Hispanic culture, literature, and linguistics for various projects or initiatives.

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

Spanish, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a Masters in Spanish

Average time to completion

16 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Literature, Culture, Applied Linguistics

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) (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 as well as any other professional or extracurricular experience relevant to the application) Letter of intent Writing sample (in Spanish): example of written work in your area of interest (12-30 pages)

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

Language Requirements

In addition to an excellent knowledge of Spanish, all students must meet one of the following requirements:

Proficiency in English with a good passive knowledge of French.
OR
Proficiency in French with a good passive knowledge of English.

Moreover, students need a passive knowledge of any other languages necessary for completion of their thesis research.

Transfer from Master’s to PhD

Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Spanish at the University of Ottawa who have obtained excellent results may, exceptionally, be admitted into the doctoral program without having completed a master's thesis. To take advantage of this option, they must:

Obtain an average of at least 80 per cent (A-) in the five courses of the master's with thesis option.
AND
Obtain the approval of the graduate studies committee. Similar arrangements may be made for students enrolled in a master of arts in Spanish at another university.

The transfer must take place within sixteen months of initial enrollment in the master's. Following the transfer, all the requirements of the doctoral program must be met.

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!