About

Our PhD in Geography is offered by the Waterloo-Laurier Graduate Program in Geography. Our joint program allows you to explore a range of research interests, from the analysis of pressing social and environmental problems to theoretical questions of philosophical and technical importance.

The objective of our PhD in Geography is to provide you with a broad knowledge of theoretical and practical geography through courses and seminars, instructional experience through teaching assistantships and lectures, as well as basic research training and technical expertise through independent projects and research assistantships. As a result, our graduates acquire autonomy in their ability to teach, conduct research and prepare scholarly publications.

Our PhD in Geography is a four-year program offered by the Waterloo-Laurier Graduate Program in Geography. The collaboration between our universities makes us the third-largest graduate geography program in Canada, and our program is enhanced by a number of research centres and groups.

Disciplines

Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Faculty of Science

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Master's degree from a recognized university.
A- average in all graduate work.

English Requirements

PTEMin 60
IELTSMin 7
TOEFLMin 89

Career

Our PhD graduates have obtained academic positions (e.g. University of Toronto – Mississauga, University of Winnipeg, University of Ottawa, York University, Brock University, Okanagan College, University of Saskatchewan), administrative positions at universities, postdoctoral positions, and full-time research positions (e.g. American Association of Geographers, conservation authorities, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources).

Your Path to Post-Degree Success

ASPIRE is Laurier's professional skills development training program for graduate students. The program helps you craft an individualized, extracurricular learning plan tailored to your professional journey and entry to the workplace.

Fee Information

How to Apply

1. Apply Online

Once you’ve picked the program you want to apply to and learned about your specific admissions requirements, you can apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).

If you’re a current Ontario high school student, apply using the 101 application.
To apply to the LEAF program, apply using the Laurier LEAF Application.
To apply to part-time studies only at Laurier, apply using the Laurier Part-Time Application.
All other applicants, including transfer students and international applicants, can apply using the 105 application.

You should direct any application process questions to OUAC.

Additional Application Instructions

If you're looking for more help with applying, or have questions about the application process, read our more detailed information on how to apply.

Release of Information

If you are a student and you would like to grant consent for the release of information regarding your application to a third party (such as a parent or guardian), you must submit an authorization of information release form. To request this form, email [email protected].

2. Check Your Email

It is important to check your email often because we will be communicating with you by email over the next few months.

The main way that Laurier will communicate with you is through your myLaurier email address. Once your myLaurier account is ready for activation - about 10 days after you apply through OUAC - we’ll send you an email to the personal email address you used on your application.

Activate Your Laurier Email

Once your myLaurier account is ready for activation, we’ll send you an email to the personal email address you used on your application. You can then access your Laurier email by doing the following:

Visit outlook.office.com.
Enter your Laurier email address, which is your Laurier username followed by @mylaurier.ca.
Next, enter your Laurier password. Your password is the same as what you use to log in to your applicant portal. If you have never logged in to your portal, your default password is pre-set to your date of birth in the format MMDDYYYY. You’ll have to choose a new password as soon as you log in for the first time.
During your first log in, you will also be prompted to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to optimize the security of your Laurier single sign-on account.

If you have trouble logging in, contact the ICT Student Service Desk at [email protected].

Set-Up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

You are strongly encouraged to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to optimize the security of your Laurier single sign-on account (MFA will become mandatory as of May 17, 2022). You will be prompted to register for MFA and will have several authentication options including text, push notifications, a security key and the MS Authenticator app. To learn more about the reasons behind MFA (and how to set it up), visit our webpage.

Register for Password Self-Service

You will also need to register for password self-service by following the instructions below. This will allow you to reset your password or unlock your account in the future.

Go to aka.ms/ssprsetup.
Log in with your Laurier Network Login username and password.
Select "Security info" on the left-hand side of your screen.
Click on "+Add method" to set up a method of self-service you'd like to use to reset your password in the future.
Follow the on-screen instructions.

If you need help, visit the accounts and passwords page on our current student website for how to videos and additional information. You can also contact the ICT Student Service Desk at [email protected].

Confirmation of Application

Once you have applied to Laurier, you will receive an email from us confirming that we have received your application.

Application information is processed in the order in which it is received from OUAC. If you do not receive a confirmation message from us within five days of applying, please check your junk mail first. If you have still not received our email, let us know and we will send you a confirmation. Call 519.884.0710 x3385 or email us at [email protected].

3. Log In to Your Applicant Portal Account

You'll need to use your applicant portal to complete your application. Your confirmation of application email will contain your portal account login information.

You will be able to view your application status online through your portal account, in the 'My Applications' tab. You should also use your portal to view a list of documents we require for your application and to view when we receive your documents.

Logging into Your Applicant Portal for the First Time

Go to the applicant portal.
Log in using your Laurier Network username ([email protected]) and temporary password. You will find your password in the confirmation of application email we sent you; please check your email.
- Your temporary password is preset to your date of birth in the format MMDDYYYY. You’ll need to change your password and add secret questions the first time you log in.
If you ever forget your password you can reset it again yourself through the Self-Service Password Reset tool. You can also select “Can't access your account?” on the Microsoft sign-in page to reset or unlock your account from any device.

Complete Your Application

4. Submit Your Required Documents

You'll find a list of documents we require to assess your application in the applicant portal. These may include transcripts and/or proof of English proficiency. Transcripts and required documents must be submitted electronically no later than May 12, 2023. If you're an Ontario high school applicant, don't worry – your school will send us your transcripts.

5. Strengthen Your Application

You should submit an Applicant Background Summary (ABS) form within two weeks of applying. The last date to submit was April 27, 2023.

6. Apply for an Entrance Bursary

You are also encouraged to apply for an entrance bursary. You could be eligible to receive up to $1,500 for your first year at Laurier. The deadline to apply was April 27, 2023.

7. Watch for an Application Update

We'll email you when you receive an admission decision. Your official offer of admission letter will be posted in your portal account.

8. Accept Your Offer and Prepare for University

If you've received an offer of admission, congratulations! Find your next steps, including how to accept your offer, apply to residence, register for courses, and get set for September, on our Students with Offers page.